A recent trend in the online casino world has seen developers equipping their online slots with a unique format that offers up 243 Ways to Win with each spin. The format is known by different names for different developers (such as Reel Power or All Ways), but the general idea is the same: there are no paylines, and players are eligible to hit 243 different winning combinations.

But, are these games all they are cracked up to be? Slots Temple will investigate!

Pro: More Ways to Win!

When you spin the reels on a 243 Ways to Win online slots game, you have the potential to hit one (or more) of 243 potential winning combinations. This is because there are no paylines, and winning combinations are not dictated by how many symbols appear on a single payline. Instead, you hit winning combinations based on the number of like symbols appear on the screen. This results in more frequent wins for players.

When you take a look at payline-based games, the most paylines you will find are 100. So, the 243 Ways to Win format provides you with plenty more ways to hit winning combinations.

Pro: Cheaper Bets

In a payline-based pokie, you have to wager per payline. So, if you want to wager on all paylines on a 100-payline game and maximise your chances of winning, you will have to multiply your line bet by 100. If you are a penny slots player, this means betting $1.00 per spin, but you can expect quite small payouts.

In 243 Ways to Win online slots, there are set bets. These usually range from $1 to $50 per spin, which is perfect for players who are on a budget as well as high rollers. In some case, the game requires players to bet per reel, but this only means multiplying your wager by 5 to maximise your chances of winning.

Con: Smaller Payouts

In 243 Ways to Win slots games, individual payouts are much smaller. This is because winning combinations are quite easy to come by. As such, if you don’t have a relatively large gaming budget or plenty of time for your gaming session, it may be a good idea to opt for a payline-based slots game that offers up bigger prizes per win.

Can’t Decide? Play Multi-Format Games!

Some slots developers are giving players the chance to choose if they would prefer to play with a 243 Ways to Win format or a payline-based format. Microgaming’s Game of Thrones slot is one such example, so players can experience the game in both ways to figure out which format they prefer.