In former two article, introducing some basic definition of slot composition and data. This article will focus on the types of slot and how to differ them from each other
Lines
Lines are the most familiar type of slot for most people, such as 3-1 slot or larger slot like 5-3 with numbers on each side of the window
Those numbers refer to different paylines. Each payline started from the first column to the last column and pass one and only one symbols on each column. Theoretically, you cannot find two paylines have same route in one slot
You can think of those paylines as single 5-1 slots. When the symbols match any combination, players can get corresponding rewards, and the total bet need to be divided by the number of paylines when you calculate the reward
Some people think that is because the original 3-3 line slot are the simple combination of 3-1 slot. Players were playing three individual slots at the same time, so the bet and reward are calculated separately
However, those paylines become the most significant feature of line slot
Ways
Comparing to line slot, ways' break the game rule about paylines. Once symbols land adjacent from first column, it might match combinations. When there are more than one matched symbols on matched column, the reward would be multiplied by the number of symbols in each column
So, when you calculate total wins of line slot, you need to sum up the wins in each paylines at last. However, when you calculate total wins of way slot, you need to sum up the wins of all symbols as the last step. Resulting in total different mathematical models cause you need to consider the expected numbers of matched symbols of way slot
Megaways
Megaways can be seen as a special way slot, whose amounts of symbols on each reels vary from each spin
When you build the mathematical model of megaway slot, you can use the model of way slot as the foundation, and add the consideration of variable amount
In many cases, megaways have the cascading feature, which means the symbols would cascade after match the combination and there would be new symbols landing for more winning chance. It is not likely to calculate the RTP of it, so you would better know how to simulate slot to get the RTP of slots with cascading feature. You still can use the mathematical RTP you get in excel as the reference to check the simulated RTP without cascading, but final results are not likely to be calculated without simulation
Cluster Pay
Cluster pay is a very special feature in slot. Normally, symbols need to be adjacent from first reel, but cluster pay feature only require symbols landing close to each on any place of windows
The original cluster pay only create as a bonus feature in slot. After few years development, there are some slot created which abandon the classic game rule and only use cluster pay in them
Like megaway slot, Clusters are often designed with cascading feature. You need simulation to get the RTP (Actually more like SRP)
Grids
As you can see, the windows of clusters are normally larger than lines and ways. Grids also have similar windows
Grids and clusters have one thing in common which is both of them do not restrict the place of matched symbols
Once the amount of symbols match the combination, players can get a win in grids, no matter where are those symbols and whether those symbols are adjacent
As you can see, grids simplify rules of slots to a minimum scale, making it super easy to be understood. The popularity of grids might have something to do with its simple rules and massive variance
Megacluster(Optional)
Megaclusters are the new version of clusters. Like megaways adding different sizes of symbols in ways, Megacluster add larger symbols in cluster which would turn into smaller symbols after match the combination
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