Slots have come a long way since the days of the one-armed bandit. There are now 5 line slots, multi-line slots, video slots, and titles that use modern reel mechanics, such as Megaways and Pay Anywhere. With so many different slot machine types, beginners may find it overwhelming to decide on the best slot format to play.
The common advice is to start with something simple, such as 5 line slot machine. These machines offer basic gameplay that is easy to understand, usually allow lower stakes, and can still offer plenty of enjoyment.
That said, while they’re a great option for inexperienced players, are they the most popular type of slot? That’s what we’ll discover as we take you through a comparison of the most popular slot machine types available at online casinos.
What are 5-Line Slot Machines?
If you’re wondering how paylines work in slots, they work by having specified paylines under the reels that stretch from one side of the reel format to the other.
They start from the left reel and move along consecutive reels in certain positions. When you land a specific number of matching symbols along a payline, you win a payout. That’s how to play and win 5 reel slots.
Some slots have a single pay line, while others have up to 5 paylines. Also, depending on the game delivered by the software provider, the number can increase to 100 or more. The most common configurations you’ll see for payline crypto slot games include 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 100.
Usually, 5 payline slots are on 5×3 or 3×3 slots. Below are examples of the paylines on both configurations:
On a 3×3 slot (Slot Machine from BGaming)
And on a 5×3 slot (Lucky Streak 2 from Endorphina)
Winning combinations usually require at least two or three matching symbols to land along a payline. In most cases, combinations must start from the leftmost reel and move along consecutive reels to the right. However, some slots use a pays-both-ways mechanic that allows winning combos to start from the rightmost reel and move left.
Who are 5-line slots best suited for? Players new to slots often go for simple 5-line slots, but they will also appeal to players who prefer traditional slots or titles with less complexity.
Other Popular Types of Slot Machines
With slot paylines explained and a quick overview of 5-payline slots provided, let’s look at other types of slot machines popular with players. Many other mechanics have been developed over the years, each offering a different way to calculate wins.
- Single Line Slots: The first slot machines ever created had a single payline. While they’re not as popular as they once were, there are still plenty of players who prefer their simplicity. Slots with a single payline usually have 3 reels and 3 rows and few (if any) bonus features.
- Multi-Line Slots (10, 20, 50+ lines): Slots with multiple pay lines, whether 10, 15, 25 or as many as 100, are among the most popular. Due to the popularity of this type of online slot, you’ll find thousands of titles offering multiple lines. They work similarly to 5 line slots but have more lines for players to create winning combinations.
- Video Slots: Video slots are modern titles featuring high-quality graphics and animations, interesting themes, and lots of bonus features. Usually, they’ll have lots of paylines or use other modern mechanics such as Megaways or Cluster Pays.
- Megaways Slots: Megaways is a random reel modifier mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming. Each reel can have between 2 and 6 symbols on each spin, meaning a random number of ways to win on each spin. Some modern titles can offer up to over 100,000 ways to win. Furthermore, as there are no paylines, winning combinations form when matching symbols land in any position on consecutive reels.
- Cluster Pays Slots: Cluster Pays is an exciting reel mechanic that mimics mobile puzzle games like Candy Crush. There are no paylines or ways to win, with winning combinations created when matching symbols land in clusters. Those are matching symbols connected horizontally or vertically anywhere on the reels.
- Pay Anywhere (Scatter Pays) Slots: One of the most popular reel mechanics right now is the Pay Anywhere mechanic. Winning combinations are created when an X number of matching symbols land in any position on the reels. This type of slot is usually accompanied by cascading reels and multipliers to ensure every spin is capable of racking up multiple wins.
- Ways to Win Slots: These work similarly to Megaways, although there is a fixed number of symbols on every reel. There are no paylines, just ways. That means you win when an X number of matching symbols land on consecutive reels from left to right.
- Progressive Jackpot Slots: The best Progressive slots online can use any kind of reel mechanic, so you could have titles with 5 paylines, 100, or mechanics like Megaways and Cluster Pays. However, they contain a progressive jackpot that grows with every player wager. The jackpot only resets when a player wins it.
Popularity: What Slot Types Do Players Prefer Today?
Slots using any type of reel mechanic can prove popular with players. Still, overall, multi-line slots and titles with mechanics like Pay Anywhere, and Megaways usually top the online slots popularity charts.
Players generally prefer slots with good graphics, popular slot themes, and lots of bonus features that can offer the chance for big wins. For instance, slots with cascading reels that remove winning symbols so more can fall in for the chance of multiple wins always attract plenty of playtime.
However, 5-line slots haven’t faded into obscurity. Many players still love them for:
- Their fast and simple gameplay
- Nostalgic feel that mimics land-based slot machines
- Lower variance, making them great for casual sessions or tighter budgets
- Being less graphically intense (earlier video slots), the games tend to load faster and feel less cluttered than modern games. On the plus side, that means even in a high-tech world, there’s still room for old-school charm.
Pros and Cons: 5-Line Slots vs. Other Types
So, how do 5-line slots compare across a range of specifications and factors? Below, we’ve put together a slot machine comparison that shows how they stack up against the many other slot types available.
| Feature | 5-Line Slots | Other Slot Types |
| Complexity | Low – Easy to understand | Medium to high and may involve extra features |
| Betting Flexibility | Usually fixed with lower stakes available | Wide range of betting options |
| Bonus Features | Generally a low number of features or none at all | Bonus rounds, free spins, multipliers, wilds, & more |
| Ideal For | Beginners or fans of classic slots | Feature hunters, risk-takers, and fans of entertainment |
| Volatility | Low to medium | Low, medium or high |
| Visuals/Themes | Simple or retro | Immersive, cinematic |
| RTP (Varies) | Competitive but often lower | Often higher, especially in video slots |
Essentially, 5 line slots are great options for players who enjoy simple gameplay, lower stakes, and reduced risk. That said, experienced players often prefer more modern titles with higher volatility, the chance for insane wins, and better themes and graphics.
Which Slot Type Should You Choose?
You can see what to expect in our crypto slots comparison, so which you choose will depend on the gameplay experience you think will suit you best. We suggest asking yourself this question:
Are you more interested in entertainment, strategy, or big wins?
If your answer is that you prefer a classic feel and uncomplicated but quicker gameplay with a lower variance, we recommend 5 payline slots. To get you started, we’ve provided some recommendations for popular 5-line slots in the mBitcasino lobby:
- Joker’s Jewels (Pragmatic Play): A perfect example of a simple 5-line slot is Pragmatic Play’s Joker’s Jewels. It offers no bonus features, a classic theme, and is simple to play. Plus, the slot has some impressive symbol payouts of up to 1,000x the stake, making it a worthwhile slot if you’re after bigger wins.
- Clover Force (Onlyplay): If you don’t mind the chance to win fixed jackpots, then Clover Force is another great option. The 3×3 slot has wild symbols and a Hold & Win style bonus game that could land you one of three fixed jackpots.
- Coins of Ra Power Hold & Win (Betsoft): Another 3×3 slot, but this time, there is Betsoft’s Hold & Win bonus game that could deliver jackpots of up to 1,000x the stake. Plus, the slot has a maximum win of 15,022x.
Do you have an appetite for risk?
Alternatively, if you’d rather play slot machines with bonus features, appealing graphics and animations, and you mind a bit more risk and higher stakes, maybe some of the following crypto slots will suit your style of play.
- Elvis Frog in Vegas (BGaming): One of BGaming’s biggest hits, this 25-payline slot has you covered if you enjoy bonus features. As well as wild symbols that can land unexpected wins, it has an amazing re-spins bonus that could land a jackpot worth up to 2,500x the stake.
- Sugar Crush: A candy-coated explosion of color and payouts, this 7×7 cluster slot offers the potential to land big wins. With tumbling reels and cascading symbols as just a couple of examples, this slot is packed with features. One to keep an eye out for is the Sugar Bomb feature which can explode clusters and boost your wins with multipliers!
- Book of Dead: An iconic classic that needs no introduction, Book of Dead takes you deep into ancient Egyptian tombs alongside Rich Wilde. With high volatility and a free spins bonus that includes expanding symbols, it’s a go-to slot for thrill-seekers chasing those legendary 5,000x max wins.
If you’re unsure what type of gameplay and style you’ll prefer, there’s nothing stopping you from trying them all out.
Play at mBitcasino
Five-line slots offer simplicity and charm and are a great option for first-time slot players looking for a low-risk entry into the world of casino slot gameplay. However, other reel mechanics offer more excitement, lucrative bonus features, and appealing visuals.
At the end of the day, there is no right answer to which slots are the best or the most suitable for new players. It will come down to what type of slots a player prefers or the type that you’re in the mood to play.
Try a mix of 5-line and modern multi-line slots at mBitcasino – play for fun or big wins, all from your browser.