Today’s modern video slots offer penny slot gameplay with a single pay line, or you can choose to spin on action-packed reels with thousands of ways to win. Adding to the fun is an unlimited number of themes and a growing list of innovative bonus features. Whether it’s an adventure or relaxing theme, a game packed with features or gameplay with life-changing jackpot potential, online casinos have made sure you can roll the reels on games that suit your style of play across a wide variety of different types of slot machines.
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What are the Most Common Slot Machine Types?
The most common type of slot machine uses paylines, as this is where online slots began. Since the released of 1 payline classic slots, we have seen the industry evolve into 5 to 100 payline slot machines and then into no payline ways to win reel mechanics. Next came a series of additional no-payline slots games, including Megaways, Cluster Pays, Pay Anywhere (Scatter Pays) reel mechanics, which are also growing in popularity.
As for one of the most recent reel mechanics, TrueWays by BGaming is what we would call, in our expert opinion, an upgrade of Megaways. We’ll cover all these reel mechanics below and give you demo slots to test out. Plus as an added bonus, we let you know which games have one iGaming industry awards throughout this guide.
Award-Winning Slots
| Slot Machine Name | Online Slot or Game of the Year Award |
|---|---|
| Squid Game: One Lucky Day (Light & Wonder) | EMEA Global Gaming Awards 2025 |
| Fishin’ Pots of Gold (Game Burger Studios) | International Gaming Awards 2023 |
| Big Bass Splash | EGR Operators 2022 |
| Vikings Go Berzerk | Global Gaming Awards 2018 |
Payline Slots
Payline slots typically have between 3 and 5 reels and feature a set number of paylines, ranging from 1 to 100. The idea is to land matching symbols along one of the lines behind the reel to form winning combinations. For example, a 3-symbol win will have the same symbols lined on reels 1-2-3 on a payline. There are also ‘Pay Both Ways’ online slots that can pay left to right and right to left. If the slot pays right-to-left using the pay both ways feature, a 3-symbol combination will line up on reel 5-4-3.
Award Winning Slot Alert: The Scarab Kingdom Slot by JustForTheWin won the Game of the Year at the International Gaming Awards 2022.
Classic Slot Machines
The classic slot machine is the simplest form of slots, often featuring 3 reels and 1 to 5 paylines. They’re modeled after traditional fruit machines that initially began life in a land-based setting at casinos. They often share similar fruit symbols, such as cherries, watermelons and lemons and other traditional symbols, including bells, bars, and sevens. While not always the case, classic slots usually come with very few bonus features and offer straightforward and uncomplicated gameplay, for example, Fire Joker by Play’n GO, which is a slot demo below is a classic slot with bonus features.
Ways to Win No Payline Slots
Also known as ways to win, these no-payline online video slot machines use adjacent reel mechanics. Combination wins come when identical symbols appear on adjacent reels, typically left to right. For instance, a 3-symbol win would require the same symbols on reels 1-2-3, or on reels 1-2-3-4 for a 4-symbol win. Symbols only need to land anywhere on their respective reels, which negates the need for paylines. Depending on the game, you’ll typically find 243 up to 4,096 ways to win.
Live Dealer Slot Tip: The Buffalo Blitz original online slot is available as a live casino game at most online casinos that host Playtech live dealer games.
Megaways Slots
Megaways slots use a random reel modifier, meaning each spin can produce a different number of symbols per reel. Instead of paylines, there are winways, with some titles offering 117,649 or more ways to win. You win when matching symbols line up on consecutive reels, rather than in a specific pattern. To spice up the action, you’ll find that the majority of Megaways slots give you multiple chances to win from a single spin via a cascading reels feature. When you land a winning combination, the cascade will remove all symbols, and new ones will drop in, which could potentially lead to more wins.
Award Winning Slot Alert: Gonzo’s Quest Megaways by Red Tiger Gaming won the Casino Product of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards 2021.
Pay Anywhere Slots
Pay Anywhere slots use a reel mechanic that forms combination wins when symbols land anywhere in view on the reels. Hence, this style of gameplay is also known as Scatter Pays. There are no paylines, and symbols do not need to land on adjacent reels to form a winning combination. As with Megaways, Pay Anywhere slots typically come with a cascading reel feature.
Award Winning Slot Alert: Money Train 4 by Relax Gaming won the Online Slot of the Year at the EMEA Global Gaming Awards 2024 + Gates of Olympus by Pragmatic Play has won the Game of the Year at the EGR Operators Awards 2021 and the Gaming Intelligence Latin America Awards 2021.
Cluster Pays Slots
Cluster pays slots form winning combinations using clusters of symbols instead of paylines. Symbols must land on adjacent positions anywhere on the game’s grid. They can also connect using all shapes and sizes. For example, L-shape, T-shape, squares, and rectangles, or line up horizontally or vertically. You will also find that cluster pays slots offer some of the most action-packed gameplay compared to all other slot types listed on this page. You’ll come across bundles of multipliers, wilds, cascades and often a barrage of other exciting reel modifiers.
Two Award Winning Slot Alerts: The Jammin’ Jars 2 Slot by Push Gaming won the Game of the Year at the EGR Operators Awards 2021 + Sugar Rush by Pragmatic Play won the Online Slot of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards 2023.
TrueWays
TrueWays slots use shape-shifting reels where each reel can display between two and six symbols, changing the reel layout with every spin. Instead of fixed paylines, wins are calculated through a dynamic ways-to-win system, counting matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right. The number of possible winning combinations changes every spin, reaching up to 46,656 ways when all reels display their maximum symbol count. Wins are multiplied by the number of matching symbols across reels, making stacked hits highly rewarding.
Jackpot Slots
There are two key types of jackpot slots: progressive and non-progressive (fixed). Both have the potential to land you big wins.
- A progressive slot’s jackpot continues to rise until eventually a lucky player wins. In most cases, prizes can be worth anywhere from 500 to 200,000 USDT. Moreover, you will find two types of progressive slots. Pooled jackpots that involve multiple games linking and contributing to the same jackpot, or stand-alone jackpots that accumulate only through bets placed on a single slot machine.
- Fixed jackpots are also known as non-progressive slots. For example, most games use a Mini, Mega and Major jackpot with fixed multipliers of 20x, 100x and 5,000x your spin bet.
Find an Online Slot Bonus
One of the reasons Casinoplusbonus exists is to help you track down the best casino bonuses online. Thanks to our team’s hard work and many reviews, we have created a series of no-deposit bonus guides giving you free spins to play slot machines and offers that give you a free bonus balance. As the name of this bonus implies, you don’t need to make a deposit. You get to play for free, and if you beat the wagering requirements, then you will earn a free real money balance. Take a look at our guide for more information.
Tip for further reading: You can also find out more about online video slot bonus deals via the Casinoplusbonus slot machine bonuses guide!
Spinning Into Your Next iGaming Adventure
Slot reel mechanics will continue to evolve, and so will this guide! Currently, software providers supply online casinos with everything from adjacent reel wins to symbols that can land anywhere in view and create a winning combination. Each type of slot machine offers its own rhythm, giving you the flexibility to choose a different way to play every session, so no two sessions ever feel the same.
Whether you enjoy chasing simple three-symbol wins on fast-paced classic slots or exploring slot types with modern reel mechanics, like TrueWays, there’s almost certainly a game tailored to your style. As the variety grows, your choice becomes not just about luck, but about finding entertainment that fits your mood. As the famous saying goes, slot machines are a hobby, and that’s we love the phrases ‘gambling entertainment’ here at Casinoplusbonus.
Don’t forget to look out for slot machines with the highest RTPs on your journey, as these games will reduce your losses, thus giving you the highest return on your investment over time. Also, check out the accompanying table for more information about online slots to help you understand the exciting world of slot machine iGaming!
Casinoplusbonus Slot Machine Guides
(Perfect For Further Reading)
| Header 1 | Header 2 |
|---|---|
| Online Video Slots Explained | Our online video slots explained guide is the best place to start learning about slot machines if you are new to iGaming. |
| What is an RNG? | We explain how random number generators give you fair and random spin results. |
| Variance in Slot Machines | Understand how variance affects the RTP of online slots. |
| What is online slot RTP? | Helping you understand how Return to Player (RTP) works with online slots. |
We have over 20,000 demo slots here on Casinoplusbonus: Try our free demo slot machine games here. Once you visit the page, you can use our user-friendly filters to sort video slot games by theme, software provider, and type.
FAQ
Why are There So Many Different Types of Slot Machines?
There are so many different types of slot machines because game developers continually invent new features and themes to keep players entertained. Online slots are also by far the most popularly played casino game. As a result, demand for fresh variations is consistently high.
Which slot machine type is best for beginners?
Beginners usually prefer classic or simple payline slots because they are easy to understand, with straightforward rules and fewer bonus mechanics.
Do Megaways and Cluster Pays slots pay more than regular slots?
Not necessarily. They offer more ways to win, but payout potential depends on the slot’s volatility, RTP, and bonus features rather than just the reel mechanic.
Are jackpot slots harder to win than regular slots?
Yes. Progressive jackpots especially have much lower odds of hitting compared to regular payouts, but the potential rewards are significantly higher.
Can I try different slot machine types for free?
Yes. Most online casinos and game developers offer demo versions of their slots, letting you test paylines, Megaways, and cluster mechanics without risking money.
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