All slot games have paylines and most players see them as something “mysterious”.

In general, everyone agrees that it is good to play with a “big” number, but almost no one has a clear idea of why.

Therefore, the question of how many lines should I play on a slot machine is quite common.

So, what’s the truth about pay lines? How many is best to have? Should you prefer slots with few lines or lots of lines?

Below, you can find answers to all these questions and more.

Best Online Casinos To Play The Best Slots (2023)

No matter how many lines you prefer, you need to take advantage of the bonus offers while playing slots. But not any bonus offer will do: You need to use the best ones. We searched the internet, analyzed all the online casinos, and found the best options for you. Below, you can see the best casino sites with the best bonuses to play all kinds of slot machines.

Casombie Casino
265x75_ casombie logo
Casombie Casino Welcome Bonus (Skateboarder): Up to €1000 

  • 1st deposit: 100% up to €500;
  • 2nd deposit: 75% up to €300;
  • 3rd deposit: 50% up to €200;
  • Wagering requirements: 35x
  • Minimum deposit: €20
Windetta Casino
Windetta Casino Welcome Bonus: 215% Up to €2000 + 200 Free Spins

  • 1st deposit: 90% up to €500 + 75 Free Spins on Gates of Olympus;
  • 2nd deposit: 50% up to €500 + 50 Free Spins on The Hand of Midas;
  • 3rd deposit: 75% up to €500 + 75 Free Spins on Sugar Rush.
Cashwin Casino

Register today at Cashwin and get this amazing welcome package: Up to €1750 + 50 Free Spins

  • 1st deposit: 100% up to €1000 + 50 Free Spins
  • 2nd deposit: 100% up to €250
  • 3rd deposit: 50% up to €250
  • 4th deposit: 50% up to €250
  • Minimum deposit: €20
  • Wagering requirements: 35x (Bonus + deposit)
Time2Spin Casino
time2spin medium logo
Time2Spin Casino Welcome Bonus: 500% up to €3000 + 500 Free Spins

  • 1st Deposit Bonus: 200% up to €1000 + 200 Free Spins
  • 2nd Deposit Bonus: 100% up to €1000 + 100 Free Spins
  • 3rd Depsoit Bonus: 200% up to €1000 + 200 Free Spins
  • Wagering requirements: 35x (bonus + deposit)
  • Minimum deposit for the bonus: €25

Time2Spin Casino VIP Welcome Bonus: 600% up to €6000 + 600 Free Spins

  • 1st Deposit Bonus: 250% up to €2000 + 250 Free Spins
  • 2nd Deposit Bonus: 150% up to €2000 + 150 Free Spins
  • 3rd Depsoit Bonus: 200% up to €12000 + 200 Free Spins
  • Wagering requirements: 35x (bonus + deposit)
  • Minimum deposit for the bonus: €250
Damslots Casino
damslots medium logo
Damslots Casino Welcome Package: 750% up to £/$/€3000

  • 1st Deposit Bonus: 400% up to £/$/€800
  • 2nd Deposit Bonus: 150% up to £/$/€1,000
  • 3rd Deposit Bonus: 200% up to £/$/€1,200
  • Minimum deposit: €25
  • Wagering requirements: 50x (bonus)

Other bonuses are up for claim:

  • Crypto Bonus: 500% up to £/$/€500
  • Weekend Recharge Bonus: 75% up to £/$/€500
  • Daily Casino Cashback: 5% up to £/$/€2,000
  • Daily Extra Cashback: 30% extra cashback up to £/$/€2,000

What Is A Payline And How Does It Work?

Before answering how many lines should you play on a slot machine question, let’s explain what they are. Pay lines are actual lines that connect both sides of the reels. You don’t see them during the normal gameplay but they become visible after scoring a win. They can be straight, cross, and even in a zig-zag shape. They exist because that’s how slot machines pay. In order to qualify for a payout, you need to land the same symbols next to each other on one of these pay lines. For example, Cleopatra slots have 20 lines and you need to land at least three same symbols on any of them to score a win. In this context, the number of lines varies depending on the type of slot. In general, it is possible to say that it is between
1-10 in classic slots and 10-20 in video slots. However, as we will explain in more detail below, there are games with lines of 1,000 or even more.

  • Cleopara Slots

    We've mentioned Cleopatra Slots above. Why not come check it out?

    Cleopatra Slots

Top online casinos selection

Rank

Casino Name

Bonus

Casino License

Rating

Get started

1
Up to €1000
Curacao
Rating 9.99 out of 10
2
215% up to €2000 + 200 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.99 out of 10
3
Up to €1750 + 50 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.98 out of 10
4
500% up to €3000 + 500 Free Spins
Costa Rica
Rating 9.98 out of 10
5
Up to €3000
Curacao
Rating 9.98 out of 10
6
100% up to €1000
Curacao
Rating 9.97 out of 10
7
Up to €800 + 75 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.95 out of 10
8
Up to €2000 In Welcome Bonuses
Curacao
Rating 9.93 out of 10
9
100% up to €300 + 20 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.92 out of 10
10
Up to €4000 Welcome Package
Netherlands Antilles
Rating 9.91 out of 10
11
Exclusive 166% + 66 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.86 out of 10
12
100% up to €500 + 200 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.83 out of 10
13
Up to 360% Bonus - No Max Deposit Limit
Curacao
Rating 9.80 out of 10
14
Up to €600 + 170 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.76 out of 10
15
150% + 250 No - Wager Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.72 out of 10
16
200% Up To 1BTC + 100 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.65 out of 10
17
100% Up To €500 + 500 Free Spins
Malta
Rating 9.62 out of 10
18
100% up to €1500 + 150 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.50 out of 10
19
100% up to €500 + 200 Free Spins
Curacao
Rating 9.45 out of 10
20
€1050 + 300 Free Spins
Netherlands Antilles
Rating 9.40 out of 10

Types Of Slot Paylines: What You Need To Know

Pay lines are not just a condition to qualify for a payout. They also determine what the actual stake will be. Contrary to popular belief, slot machine wagers are based on per line, not per spin. For example, let’s assume that we are playing Zeus slots. The minimum bet amount is 0.10 coins and there are 20 lines in the game. This bet amount shows the cost per line. So it is necessary to multiply it by 20 to find the real minimum bet amount per spin. In this example, the minimum coin you need to spend per spin is 2 (0.10 x 20).

There are different types of pay lines. We list the most important of them below.

Straight Lines
The most common type of pay lines. They are “normal” lines that connect both sides of the reels, as explained above. Rise Of Ra slot is a good example.
Both Ways Wins
These are also normal pay lines but the winning combination is calculated not only from left to right, but both ways. We will explain this in detail below.
Cluster Pays
These are not actual lines. Such games use a “cluster” system and calculate the winning combinations like a match-3 game.

So, How Many Lines Should I Play On A Slot Machine?

The answer to how many lines to play on slot machines question depends on your taste and budget. As can be guessed, it is better to play with more lines because there will be more possibilities for generating winning combinations. However, since the number of lines affects the bet amount, the more lines you have, the more money will be needed per spin. In short, in games with more lines, you are more likely to win, but you need to spend more. In games with fewer lines, you can make more spins with the same amount of budget. In the long run, you will be able to get almost the same chance of winning. As we mentioned above, you need to decide according to your budget and personal tastes.

Creating A Winning Combination On Paylines

Tip

You will qualify for a payout after landing the same symbols next to each other but which direction will be taken into account in the payout calculation? If there is no rule on this issue, players can say that “I have created two separate combinations both from left to right and from right to left, and I want the payment to be calculated accordingly”. To avoid this, a large portion of slot games explicitly states that they will only calculate from left to right. Some games, however, include both ways in the calculation. These types of games are called “both ways” and they pay more in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

More lines mean more possibilities to create winning combinations, so yes, it is better. However, more lines also mean higher bets, so you will be risking more money too. Decide according to your bankroll.
This means how much money you have won on a specific payline. To qualify for a payout, you need to land the same symbols side by side on a line, and this term defines the payout amount for that line.
You cannot use a “system” or “technique” as the results of all spins are random. However, you can prefer slot games with higher RTP rates and play with the maximum bet amount.
There is no actual “trick” to increase your winning chances. But if you prefer slot games with higher RTP rates (at least 95%), the payout frequency will be better, i.e., you will win more frequently.

Learn How Many Lines To Play On Slot Machines, Spin The Reels!

Now you know the answer to how many lines should I play on a slot machine question: In short, bigger is better but only if you can afford it. Otherwise, slot games with fewer lines are still a good option, especially because you can spin the reels much more with the same bankroll. No matter which one you prefer, stick with one of our recommended online casino sites to play with the best bonuses. May the reels always spin in your favor!