How many paylines?

Quote: Pebbles23

I heard somewhere that simple slot machines with only one payline pay out better than those machines with 15 lines, for example. Is that true? Are there any good reasons to play machines with just one line?

Sometimes, though it's impossible to tell just based on looking at the machine(s). Statewide statistics in Nevada do show that penny machines, even those that take 200 pennies, have a higher hold than quarter machines. On the other hand, multi-denom machines (which many video slots are) show a lower average hold. Again, it's impossible to tell without looking at the par sheets and the slot floor game map.

The real reason to play a single-line game is if you like it. With mechanical single-line games, you get an immediately-comprehensible pay structure and what I call in-game suspense: the game plays out slowly enough for you to see it happen. Video games, on the other hand, offer bonus rounds and lots of other entertaining features that aren't often possible with a mechanical reel set. At the same time, most video slot players can't comprehend whether they won or lost until the very end, and even then they're just looking at the credit meter instead of the payline highlighting. So it's really up to what you prefer the most.

I prefer multi-lines, by far. 3-reel single or 3/5 lines are simply interminably boring to me. I play slots rarely, for strictly entertainment (heh), and usually regret it. When I do play, I want the full sensory entertainment experience, or else it is not worth the high house edge that I am giving up. So I'll gravitate to a Wizard of Oz, Jaws-type game, or, dare I say it, Sex and The City. I do make an exception for three-reel games with a third reel bonus symbol, like Wheel of Fortune. I was also really into the old Slingo 3-reeler, which I thought offered a decent payback. By otherwise, I try to stay away from slots, even though they are the funnest game in the casino IMO.

I agree teddys. I want a game to entertain me when I choose to play slots. Plus the 'chance' for a big bonus win is nice. I don't know of any table games (side bets not included) where I can win a couple hundred bucks or more on a 50 cent bet.