Slots & Gaming Machines
5 reel slot machine paylines
A payline is one of the predefined lines across the reels of a 5-reel slot machine on which matching symbol combinations are evaluated for a payout.
Key points
- Each payline is a fixed path through the reel positions; a winning combination must land on that path to pay.3
- In some games all paylines are always active; in others the player selects how many to play.5
- A 3-reel slot machine also uses paylines, but with fewer reels the number of possible paylines is typically smaller.2
Where this term is used
Related terms
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Slot machine reels
The spinning columns of symbols that determine the outcome of each spin.
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Slot machine
A gambling machine that spins reels and pays out based on symbol combinations.
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Slot machine jackpot
The largest payout available on a slot machine, often triggered by a rare symbol combination.
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Slot machine price
The cost to purchase or lease a slot machine for a casino or private collection.
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Slot machine payouts
The amounts paid to players for winning symbol combinations on a slot machine.
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Cascading reels slots
A slot mechanic where winning symbols disappear and new ones fall into place for additional wins.
Sources
- Formal Modelling and Analysis of Slot Machines arxiv.org Defines paylines and explains how multiple winning paylines are summed.
- GLI-11 Gaming Devices in Casinos gaminglabs.com Provides the definition of a payline and distinguishes it from reels; also used for 3-reel comparison.
- Slots - General Questions wizardofodds.com Explains that a winning combination must appear on a payline to pay.
- Play Five-Line Australian Reels Slot Machine for Free wizardofodds.com Gives the example of a five-line game with 5 paylines (three horizontal, two diagonal).
- Regal Riches and Prosperity Pearl - Wizard of Odds wizardofodds.com States that in some games the player selects how many paylines to activate.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.