Are 243 Payline Slots Right for You?
Posted by Harry Kane on Friday, July 21, 2017
In the world of online casino gaming, big numbers are all around you.
This is particularly true in the slot gaming realm, where titles are becoming increasingly complex and capable of delivering large, base game jackpots. We have also recently seen the emergence of more fluid reel designs that offer an eye-watering 243 ways to win, which pique the interest of players and help certain games to stand out in a competitive market.
But are 243 payline slots superior to standard titles, and are they right for your outlook as a player? Let’s take a look:
How Are 243 Payline Slots Different?
Typically, online slots feature a rigid, five reel design with three rows, while offering between 20 and 50 paylines on average. These forge standard and familiar winning combinations, with the value of each win determined by stake amount that you place on each line. This makes for a simple and smooth pattern of play, and one that has helped older players to make the transition from upright fruit machines to virtual casinos.
Slots that offer 243 ways to win do away with such conventions, however, using a more fluid reel design and payline structure to increase your chances of winning. In simple terms, this type of slot will pay out for both standard winning combinations and adjacent symbols, while allowing paylines to be forged from right to left and vertically. In terms of your wager, 243 systems use a single stake amount rather than individual line bets, which means that you can effectively play the reels for less during the base game.
The Pros and Cons of 243 Payline Slots
So far, so good; but there are potential pitfalls to playing a 243 payline slot. To begin with, it is important to note that online slot wins are best described as stake multipliers rather than outright cash prizes, so the amount that you wager will have a direct influence on your eventual return. So while you can reduce the amount that you stake on each spin when playing a 243 payline slot, this means that the value of any win is likely to depreciate at the same rate.
This is why 243 payline slots offer improved return-to-player (RTPs) and frequent base game wins, while reducing the size and value of these successes throughout.
In general terms, it can also be argued that 243 payline slots offer less bonus features and free spins that standard titles. This is a necessary trade-off when playing slot games that boast a high RTP, of course, but it does mean that the base gameplay can become a little monotonous over time. The thrill of securing small but frequent wins will go some way to overcoming this, particularly if you can use promotional offers and free gameplay to maximise the value of your winning combinations.
The Last Word: Are 243 Payline Slots for You?
With these facts in mind, the question that remains is whether or not 243 payline slots are for you?
In truth, the answer mostly depends on your outlook as a gambler and underlying appetite for risk. Casual gamblers who enjoy the thrill of winning regularly regardless of the eventual profit margin would be well-suited to 243 payline slots, for example, as would players who like to seek out unique and novel gaming experiences online.
For serious, profit-driven gamblers, however, standard payline slots tend to deliver higher returns and larger, base game jackpots. Players who enjoy varied gameplay may also prefer these slots, as they feature structured bonus rounds that can be triggered throughout!