The online casino industry continues to expand, bringing with it new titles, special features and innovative mechanics while offering an enormous variety of games. For example, if you visit a licensed casino in the UK, you’ll typically find more than 2,000 different slots available.
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A distinctive feature found on slots is the “ways to win” format, which unlocks hundreds of possible winning combinations because it doesn’t stick to fixed paylines. Formats such as 243, 720 or 1024 change both how you play and how you win. The following is a look at what those numbers mean, how the system works, and what you should consider when choosing a game.
What Are “Ways to Win”?
“Ways to win” slots break away from the model of the rigid paylines found on classic slot machines. Preset paylines require matching symbols to fall exactly on their path, but on “ways to win” machines, wins can happen without symbols appearing in a predetermined pattern.
How many combos can happen on a “ways to win” machine will depend entirely on the game’s design. In a slot with five reels and three rows, for example, there are 243 different ways to line up matching symbols. But some games go even further to 720, 1024, but the only thing that matters is landing identical symbols on consecutive reels, starting from the left.
Unlike traditional slots, where symbols must land in specific positions along a payline, “ways to win” systems only require that the symbols appear on adjacent reels, regardless of their vertical position.
The 243 Ways Format: Why 243?
243 may seem like a fairly random number, but it’s all down to the maths. It comes from multiplying all the possible combinations on a five-reel slot with three symbols per reel (3×3×3×3×3).
It was Microgaming that popularised this format with titles like Thunderstruck II and Game of Thrones, where the focus isn’t on where the symbols land on specific paylines, but rather on them appearing on consecutive reels.
NetEnt also embraced the format with Twin Spin, which introduced synced reels to boost your chances. The appeal? More dynamism, less rigidity, and the thrill that anything could happen. What’s more, slots with 243 or more ways to win usually offer a fixed bet per spin, removing the need to wager on individual paylines, something many players see as a definite advantage.
What Does 720 Ways Mean?
Just when you thought 243 ways was the peak of slot innovation, along comes 720 to shake things up. While this format still sticks to five reels, the row layout goes rogue: 3-4-5-4-3. This gives you an impressive 720 potential winning combos per spin.
You won’t see this setup as often as the classic 243, but when it does appear, it tends to come with extras such as bonus rounds, stacked symbols and additional payout paths. IGT embraced this structure in its MultiWay Xtra system, which pays both ways, not just left to right. Ghostbusters Triple Slime is a prime example of this, combining retro charm with a highly unpredictable mechanic.
The advantage is that you get a bit more beautiful chaos with every spin. Admittedly, it’s messier than standard formats, but if you enjoy surprise wins and breaking slot symmetry, you’ll love the mayhem.
What About the 1024 Ways System?
This is where things get serious as the 1024 ways format takes possibilities to the next level: five reels with four rows each (4×4×4×4×4), giving you (yes, you guessed it) 1024 ways to possibly win.
As long as a symbol matches on three consecutive reels starting from the left, it counts as a win. Games like Buffalo by Aristocrat, White Orchid by IGT, and Stampede by BetSoft have made this format a favourite among players who crave non-stop excitement.
Beyond the Paylines: Choose Your Own Path
Winning isn’t just about how many combos the slot offers; it’s also about how you like to spin. The 243-way format is the go-to for steady, reliable action. Jump to 720 and you get a splash of visual flair. Then there’s 1024, where things get a bit unhinged in the best possible way with more ways to win and a healthy dose of unpredictability.
Most games built on these mechanics come with variable RTPs, typically hovering between 94% and 96%. Volatility? That’s a mixed bag. You’ll often see medium to high, which means you can expect a tug-of-war between frequent small wins and the occasional juicy hit. Some games tip the scale toward bigger, rarer payouts.
Why do players love these formats? Mainly because they skip the whole “pick your paylines” step, and winning lines can form in all sorts of ways. Each setup has its own tempo for play, and the trick is to find the one that fits your vibe. Whether you’re in it for mellow spins or white-knuckle moments, there’s no wrong approach. Experiment a bit, see what works for you.
