Payline

A payline is a pattern across the reels that determines whether a combination of symbols counts as a win. Classic slots had a single horizontal line across the middle. Modern video slots can have 10, 20, 50, or even 243+ paylines running in zigzag patterns across the screen.

Some slots use fixed paylines, meaning all lines are active on every spin and you can't change them. Others let you choose how many paylines to activate, though playing with fewer lines means you're literally paying less but also missing potential wins on the lines you turned off.

The terminology has shifted in recent years. Many new slots use "ways to win" instead of traditional paylines. In a 243-ways system, any matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right count as a win, regardless of their vertical position. Megaways slots push this even further.