There is one thing to be said for classic slots; they are easy to understand and give you an accurate idea of what you can win on each spin. Multi-line slots are a different matter altogether. Modern video slots feature anywhere from 30 to 100 paylines with five or six reels which means there are dozens of symbols floating around with zigzagged paylines and multiple ways to win. For anyone just starting out, it can be difficult to understand exactly how a win is achieved. Much like online blackjack, you need to understand how the games work before you play.
For those who have been playing a while, multi-line slots have become the new norm, with games adding in bonus features and interactive rounds to keep us busy for hours on end. But if you are looking to make a profit, what is the best way to go? Let’s say you have a fairly limited budget and you want to decide how to maximise your output on a single session. In this theoretical scenario, you have two slot games to choose from. On the one hand, you can play a single line slot with a 0.50 coin value. On the other hand, you have a 10-line slot which you can play at a 0.05 coins per spin.
Greater Odds or Better Payouts?
In both cases, you are spending the same amount of money per spin. The question is, after a one hour session which slot would give you the best returns? Assuming both slot machines have the same payout ratio (around 95%), we would have to look at what you can win and how often you can win. In the case of the single line slot, each bet is 10x higher than the multi-line slot. When you do land a winning combination, they payout is significantly more.
On the other hand, a multi-line slot gives you more chances to win. In fact, you are chances of landing a winning combination is 10x greater. The downside, is the payout is 10x less. So, what do you do? Do you go for the opportunity to win more often or the opportunity to win bigger, less often? This all depends on your playing style and the size of your bankroll.
Spreading Your Bets
If you are just starting out, it is advisable to manage your bankroll, reduce the size of your bets and spread your bets across multiple opportunities. In this way, you are giving yourself the maximum amount of opportunities to pull in a win. You never know, one of the paylines could give you a significant payout. What you will find is that the wins and losses will equal themselves out with a much lower fluctuation rate. At the end of a session, you might find yourself slightly up or slightly down.
Going for Big Payouts
If you have a healthy bankroll and you are mentally prepared to take a few knocks, you can go for the higher coin value. While your chances of landing a win are lower, but you can pull in some seriously big wins. Don’t be surprised though if you end the session with a significant loss. This is a riskier way to play which can pay off big or break your bankroll on a single session.
