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The traditional grid slots made use of the payline system for payouts. Ongoing revolution in the industry has birthed slots with cluster pays. This innovative format replaced the need to match symbols on a hidden line behind the reels with having a certain number of icons anywhere on the reels to win.
Matching clusters have become the primary way to win on modern slots with 6 or more reels. The way these pay mechanics are implemented can differ slightly from one game to another. What remains constant is that the more clusters you form, the larger the payout. This cluster pays slot guide will tell you everything you need to know.
The main reason why cluster mechanics have become so popular is that they make gameplay more dynamic as well as feel more within the grasp of players compared to the payline mechanic. In addition to having symbols win anywhere, games with this mechanic often include cascading wins where new symbols enter the reel after every win and could trigger consecutive wins with a single spin.
Another feature that has contributed to the increase in cluster pays slot popularity is the multiplier. In Endorphina’s Starshine Crystals, the fairy at the top of the reels randomly shoots multipliers into the reels, which can turn small wins into massive payouts.
How multipliers are implemented in the grid system differs. In Gems Bonanza, spinning matching clusters can trigger a multiplier in the base title.
Apart from the different way wins are recorded, cluster pays gameplay looks like traditional slots until the bonus rounds kick in. Once you launch the game, you will need to adjust your bet and hit the spin button. After every spin:
While forming clusters with a larger number of symbols will not happen often in this unique gameplay, smaller clusters tend to appear more frequently compared to lining up icons on a payline. Here is how software developers implement cluster pays slots explained.
In these innovative slots, you need to land 9 or more of the same symbols to trigger a payout. The caveat is that the sides of the nine icons must touch each other across adjacent reels. Even if you have more than nine symbols after a spin that don’t touch on adjacent reels, it won’t lead to a payout. A good example is NetEnt’s Aloha! Cluster Pays slot.
In this version of slots with cluster pays, punters would be paid as long as there are 8 or more of the same icons anywhere on the screen anywhere on the reels, whether they touch or not. A good example is Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Bonanza.
Virtually every game you will find under this unique gameplay will come with unique bonus features that make every individual experience worthwhile. When you want to choose a cluster pays slot, here are some of the most popular titles that are hard to miss.
Released in June 2019, this colorful, high volatility title will grab the attention of Candy Crush players or just any punter with a sweet tooth. It has a 6×5 grid layout and offers bettors the chance to win 21,100x their stake using the avalanche mechanic.
Play’n GO released this 7×7-reel, video game monster-themed slot in October 2017. In the pay system, 5 or more icons must align side-by-side to trigger a payout. What makes the matching clusters unique in this game is that when four of the same icons align like a square, they merge to become a bigger symbol with a 2x multiplier. There are no scatters or bonus rounds in this game.
Players with a low-risk appetite will easily choose cluster pays slot with medium volatility, like 6×6 reels of Coin Gobbler. It was launched in July 2024 and features multipliers, scatters, wilds, and symbol collections, all of which increase a player’s chance of hitting more frequent wins.
Although the outcome of slots with cluster pays is random and controlled by RNGs, just like their traditional payline predecessors, players still need some sort of strategy for the best experience in the long run. Some of the tips that will help you better enjoy these games include
Since these pay mechanics are fairly new and continually evolving, we always recommend that players try them out in demo mode to get familiar with the unique gameplay and see if investing real money is worth it. Doing so will improve your satisfaction in the long run.