How Slot Mechanics Have Evolved Since the Early Days

In the past, slots were simple machines. There were three reels with three rows and a maximum of 9 symbols. Line matching symbols horizontally or vertically and you get a few coins, bubblegum, or a drink.

Of course, that was before casinos learned how to monetize them and create a Vegas attraction.

Nowadays, slots are paying more than ever. Yes, even more than the golden days of Vegas. Online slots have revolutionized the way we play this particular game thanks to the evolution of their mechanics. Things are less physical and slots may be missing a lever, but besides that, online casinos have changed radically and for the better.

New exciting slots mechanics are swallowing the industry and offering rewards beyond our imagination. From Megaways to Cluster Pays and progressive jackpots, here are some of the mechanics we believe you must try.

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Megaways – Tumbles for the Win

Invented by Australian developer Big Time Gaming, Megaways was the world's first truly innovative slot mechanic. It replaced the three reels and 3-5-or more paylines with a new 6-7 setup where between 2 and 7 symbols can appear on a reel. The number of symbols is directly related to the number of ways to win, of which there can be up to 262,144. Imagine a slot with that many winning possibilities?

Plus, it introduced the Tumbles also known as Cascades which are triggered by wins. New symbols replace the ones used in the winning combinations, creating new winning opportunities and respins. This mechanic can keep the wins going for a while, and some slots add multipliers to the action to give you even bigger wins.

If there is one mechanic that rocked the world of slots to the core, it's Megaways.

Cluster Pays – Pop Clusters for Big Win Busters

Now for something a bit different. Built with the Megaways mechanic at its core, Cluster Pays maxes out the grid to 7x7. Winning combinations are created in clusters and in more ways than just left and right. For example, it can be a cluster of 5 or more symbols in adjacent positions, and the more you pop, the bigger the wins.

Popping clusters of 15 or more symbols (or over that, depending on the developer), can lead to massive wins. It's your best way to reel in big wins like the ones you see on those controversial Twitch streams.

Infinity Reels – Stairway to Heaven

What if you got more reels on one side of a slot for each win? It's a crazy idea, but it wasn't so crazy for Red Tiger's innovative team. Each tumble win results in a new tumble in Megaways slots, and with this mechanic, you keep getting reels on the right side for each win. And get this – the number is not capped, but infinite.

Moreover, many of the top Infinity Reels slots will add a multiplier to the mix after you reach a certain number of reels. It's a mechanic that can offer infinite reels and wins, but the downside is that it works best with a string of wins.

Megaclusters for Mega Fun

Big Time Gaming is one of the busiest innovators in the industry. It's not just known for Megaways. BTG has Megaclusters as the antidote to the Cluster Pays virus. Whenever you score a win in this one, symbols are broken down into smaller instances. One can split into four, so that's four times the winning possibilities.

And yes, of course, each win leads to a respin. This is a relatively new mechanic with only but a few slots, but we see a great future ahead.

What's Next?

The online slots industry is marching forward at a fast pace and not looking back. Developers are always trying to come up with something new that will take slot gaming further forward. New mechanics are being developer as we speak for sure, although the details are kept under wraps.

One thing is for sure – we're in for more surprises and better winning opportunities. Just like one would hope in 2022 and beyond.