Cluster Pays Slots: Breaking Away from Traditional Paylines

The world of online slots continues to expand with new formats and features to captivate players. One such innovation in recent years has been the emergence of cluster pays slots. These games veer away from the traditional concept of paylines and instead deliver payouts through clusters of matching symbols.

For slots enthusiasts interested in trying something different, understanding how cluster pays slots like those at Just Casino Canada work and weighing their pros and cons is key. Read on to learn all about this new take on winning combinations.

How Cluster Pays Slots Work 

Cluster pays slots remove the concept of paylines entirely. Rather than needing to line up matching symbols across activated paylines, wins are formed by landing a cluster of a certain number of matching symbols.

The cluster size needed differs between games, but often requires 5 or more matching symbols adjoining horizontally and vertically to trigger payouts. The symbols forming clusters can be arranged in any shape, as long as the minimum cluster size is met.

As soon as a qualifying cluster lands on the reels, the game pays out based on the symbol value. It then removes the winning cluster from play, allowing symbols to cascade down to fill the empty spaces. This opens up the potential for additional cluster wins, which leads to the cascading wins feature that cluster pays slots are known for.

Key Characteristics of Cluster Pays Slots 

By focusing purely on clusters rather than paylines, these slots introduce some key differences to the gameplay. Some defining characteristics include:

Higher Volatility 

Cluster pays slots tend to have higher volatility, given the potential for cascading wins to rapidly accumulate. While playing, clusters and payouts come fast when luck hits. But in periods of cold luck, it takes longer to incrementally build clusters symbol-by-symbol.

Cascading Wins 

The removal of winning clusters and replacement with cascading symbols allows for more consecutive wins per spin. When cluster pays are on fire, payouts can quickly compound.

More Ways to Win 

Rather than needing to line up symbols in specific payline patterns, any cluster of 5+ matching symbols pays. This opens up more possible winning combinations across the reels.

Engaging Gameplay 

Watching whole clusters of symbols explode and cascade keeps players glued to the reels anticipating what will fall next. The mechanic brings an enhanced level of anticipation compared to static payline wins.

Higher Maximum Wins 

When cascading cluster pays reach peak volatility, the upper limit on maximum payouts rises substantially. Top wins from a single spin can reach over 10,000x the bet amount.

Pros and Cons of Cluster Pays Slots 

Cluster pays bring some distinct differences from classic slots. Here are some key pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Exciting cascading wins lead to rapid-fire payouts.
• More winning possibilities with clusters vs. paylines.
• Bigger maximum payout ceiling per spin.

Cons:

• Increased volatility results in less consistent payouts.
• Harder to strategize ways to target wins.
• Often have lower RTP percentages.

Top Cluster Pays Slots 

Several software providers now offer their take on cluster pays slots. Some of the most popular titles include:

Game	Provider	RTP
Jammin’ Jars	Push Gaming	96.84%
Razor Shark	Push Gaming	96.63%
Koi Gate	Pragmatic Play	96.73%
Money Train 2	Relax Gaming	96.40%
Star Clusters	Big Time Gaming	95.86%

Bottom Line 

Cluster pays slots provide a modern alternative to traditional payline slots through their explosive, cascading wins. Removing the concept of fixed paylines gives more freedom for players to hit payouts through symbol clusters alone.

While they bring engaging gameplay, cluster pays also ramp up volatility. This makes bankroll management and smart betting even more critical. For those looking for something fresh and don’t mind swingy payout runs, cluster pays offer action-packed entertainment.