Many modern pokies advertise their structure with a number rather than a count of paylines: 243 ways, 1,024 ways, 4,096 ways. For players used to paylines, these figures can be confusing. Where do they come from, how do they work, and do more ways mean better chances of winning?
Ways-to-win systems are now used in many of the best online pokies, so understanding them makes a large part of the modern pokies landscape easier to read. This article explains how ways are calculated, how they differ from paylines and what the number of ways actually means for your play.
How Ways to Win Work
In a ways-to-win game, wins are formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel, regardless of which row they appear on. If a symbol appears anywhere on reel one, anywhere on reel two and anywhere on reel three, that is a three-of-a-kind win.
This removes the need for fixed paths across the reels. Every combination of positions on adjacent reels counts.
Where the Numbers Come From
The total number of ways is calculated by multiplying the number of rows on each reel.
| Grid layout | Calculation | Ways to win |
|---|---|---|
| 5 reels × 3 rows | 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 | 243 |
| 5 reels × 4 rows | 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 | 1,024 |
| 6 reels × 4 rows | 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 | 4,096 |
| 5 reels × 5 rows | 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 | 3,125 |
| 3-4-5-4-3 layout | 3 × 4 × 5 × 4 × 3 | 720 |
Some games have uneven reel heights, which produces less round numbers. Variable reel games change heights on every spin, so the number of ways changes constantly.
Counting Multiple Matches
In ways games, if a symbol appears more than once on a reel, each instance creates additional ways. For example, if a symbol appears twice on reel one, once on reel two and twice on reel three, the win counts as 2 × 1 × 2 = 4 ways. The payout for that symbol combination is multiplied by four. This is why ways games can produce surprisingly large wins from stacked symbols.
Ways Versus Paylines
The difference between ways and paylines affects how a game feels:
- Ways games usually produce more frequent wins
- Payline games require symbols to follow specific paths
- Ways games are easier to read, as row positions do not matter
- Payline games can use line patterns in features
- Both types have their stake spread across all possible wins
Neither system is inherently more generous. A game’s RTP and volatility depend on its symbols, paytable and features, not on whether it uses ways or lines.
Do More Ways Mean More Wins?
More ways generally lead to more frequent wins, but individual wins are often smaller. A 4,096-ways game may produce wins on many spins, yet many of those wins will be less than the total bet. This is closely related to hit frequency and the effect known as losses disguised as wins.
The number of ways tells you about the structure of the game, not about its value. Always check the RTP and volatility for a complete picture.
Ways in Features
Some games increase the number of ways during features. Free spins might add an extra row, expanding a 243-ways game to 1,024 ways, or add reels to create thousands more. These expansions increase the frequency of wins during the feature and often concentrate the game’s value there.
Ways and Bet Size
In ways games, your bet usually covers all ways automatically. You cannot switch ways off as you might with adjustable paylines. The paytable often shows wins as multiples of the total bet, which makes it straightforward to calculate potential payouts.
Reading a Ways Game
When trying a ways game, check:
- The number of ways and whether it changes during play
- Whether wins pay left to right only or in both directions
- How stacked symbols affect payouts
- Whether ways increase during features
- The RTP, volatility and maximum win
Both-Ways Games
Some games pay both left to right and right to left. In a both-ways system, matching symbols on adjacent reels starting from either the leftmost or rightmost reel count as wins. This roughly doubles the number of potential winning combinations, which increases hit frequency. As with other structural choices, the game’s maths accounts for this, so both-ways games are not automatically more generous.
Why Studios Moved Towards Ways
Ways systems became popular partly because they simplify the player’s experience. There is no need to study line diagrams or wonder why a visible match did not pay. They also suit stacked symbols and expanding wilds, which can fill entire reels and create many winning ways at once. For designers, ways systems offer flexible maths and dramatic win moments, which helps explain why so many modern games use them.
A Worked Example
Imagine a 243-ways game where a premium symbol pays 10x the total bet for three of a kind. If that symbol appears once on reel one, twice on reel two and three times on reel three, the win counts as 1 × 2 × 3 = 6 ways. The payout becomes 60x the bet for a single combination. Stacked symbols can therefore turn an ordinary three-of-a-kind into a much larger win, which is one reason ways games feature stacks so often.
Final Thoughts
Ways-to-win systems replaced fixed paylines in many modern pokies, counting any matching symbols on adjacent reels as a win. The headline number, whether 243 or 4,096, describes the game’s structure rather than its generosity. Understanding how ways are calculated and how they affect win frequency helps you read games more clearly and set realistic expectations. Play within your limits, and remember that Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support on 1800 858 858.