Slots have come a long way since their early days, and have evolved into one of the most popular types of games at both land-based and online casinos. Gone are the days when players were presented with a single, solitary payline that could potentially deliver the coveted winning combination in the middle of the reels. Today, advanced video slots come with an impressive number of paylines, not to mention crisp visuals, sophisticated animations, and lucrative special features that can keep slot fans on the edge of their seats for hours on end.
The popularity of slots has reached unseen heights during the past few years and, currently, they have grown to become a vital component of the gaming suites of nearly all casinos that operate across the Internet. Since slots quickly started to make their way onto the scene, this prompted many creators of gaming content to look for ways to add to the thrill that such games deliver.
For that reason, they have made every effort to command the attention of players by introducing games that do not lack entertainment value and provide a much greater range of winning opportunities. This led to the advent of slots that award payouts in 243 different ways.
Unsurprisingly, classic one-armed bandits started to give way to their more innovative cousins. If such slots are a novelty to you, read on to find out how they work, what their advantages and disadvantages are, and which are the most popular 243-ways-to-win titles you can play from the comfort of your home.
How 243 Ways to Win Slots Work
If you are well-versed in betting on slots, you are probably aware that, usually, slots have a predetermined number of paylines or winning combinations. While sometimes the number of these paylines is fixed, in other cases, players can pick which paylines they want to activate and bet on. With such games, a win is awarded when a combination of identical symbols lands on one of the paylines, and, typically, this combination needs to appear from the leftmost to the rightmost reel.
This, however, is not the case with 243-ways-to-win video slots, in which the win lines are done away with altogether. At first glance, these slots can be a bit confusing because they appear to have 243 paylines at the same time, but, in practice, the win lines are eliminated.
As it seems, the most confusing thing for players about such slots remains figuring out whether they have managed to score a win or not. Luckily, this is difficult only on the surface, and, once gambling enthusiasts become better acquainted with the ins and outs of such slots, it will strike them that they function in a much more straightforward fashion than their counterparts with traditional reels.
In most cases, while gambling enthusiasts are enjoying a slot that provides payouts in 243 ways, they will see a five-reel screen. Typically, each reel features up to three symbol positions. Another distinctive trait of such slots is that players can collect a payout as long as several identical symbols land on consecutive reels. In most instances, at least two matching icons are needed for players to be rewarded. What type of line the symbols form is irrelevant because all symbols in a 243-ways-to-win slot function as adjacent scatters.
The popularity of such slots has skyrocketed, which is hardly surprising because, while indulging in such games, players are freed from the limitations of traditional win lines. It goes without saying that, from the players’ perspective, these slots are much more engaging and attention-grabbing because they offer a significantly wider range of winning opportunities.
Some slots that do not feature the ordinary fixed-line win format are equipped with stacked symbols, which further facilitate the formation of winning combinations. Such symbols bear a strong resemblance to expanding icons and, most of the time, may appear in stacks of 2, 3, 4 or even 5 symbols, thus partially or fully covering the reel on which they land.
Of course, before they hit the spin button, players will be required to decide what coin denomination they are most comfortable with and how many coins they feel like putting on the line per round. Naturally, while playing a slot that offers the 243-ways-to-win format, avid casino fans will not be asked to decide on the number of paylines to activate.
This means that players will receive a payout whenever a combination of identical or other specific symbols is formed anywhere on the screen. If multiple winning combinations are formed during the same round, gambling aficionados will be paid out accordingly.
Let’s provide an example to make things clearer. Assume you hit a lemon symbol at the bottom of the first reel, another lemon in the middle of the second reel, and a third lemon at the top of the third reel. In this case, you are guaranteed a payout, as it doesn’t matter where the lemon symbols are positioned, provided they land on adjacent reels. It really is as simple as that, and there is no need to keep track of paylines if the slot you have chosen allows for winning combinations in 243 ways.
You may be wondering why software developers have opted precisely for the number 243. It all comes down to simple mathematics. There are three visible symbols on each reel, and each of these three symbols can be combined with a single symbol on every other reel. If the slot had only two reels, the number of possible visible combinations would be nine – 3×3. Yet, this particular type of slot employs five reels, so the number of possible combinations increases exponentially and can be presented as 3×3×3×3×3, which equals precisely 243.
Most slots that fall within the all-ways-to-win category have their number of possible ways to bag a payout listed at the side of the screen. If this information is not available there, gambling enthusiasts are advised to inspect the pay-table of the chosen slot; in this way, they will also find out the minimum number of matching icons needed to get a payout.
In essence, slots that offer this win format are no longer a novelty because gambling aficionados can now encounter games in which scoring a win is attainable in 720, 1,024, or even 3,125 ways.
Advantages and Disadvantages of 243 Ways to Win Slots
Interestingly enough, NetEnt and Microgaming were among the very first companies to implement the 243-ways-to-win format into their slots. Such slots have not remained off the radar of other software providers, which has led to an immense diversity of options to pick and choose from. With this in mind, it is best to weigh their strengths and weaknesses before you start betting on them.
At first glance, playing 243-ways-to-win slots appears to be more expensive because players are presented with more winning opportunities, but this is hardly the case. Players are not actually required to pay for each of the 243 ways to win, as happens with games that utilise paylines, where players must bet on all activated lines.
What gambling aficionados need to bear in mind about such slots is that every possible winning way is covered with just one flat bet. Depending on your slot of choice, the minimum amount you might be prompted to risk per spin could be somewhere between £0.25 and £0.50, but this value may vary greatly from one slot to another.
For instance, if you play a slot with 15 paylines and bet ten coins with a value of £0.02, your wager per spin will amount to £3.00. But if you opt for a 243-ways-to-win slot, you will be able to cover all possible ways to win with the same bet. Yet, the number of winning opportunities has increased dramatically and your chances of collecting a payout are greater.
Another advantage stems from the fact that players are not required to keep track of any paylines in order to see whether they win or lose. As long as you see several identical symbols positioned on adjacent reels, you are guaranteed a payout. This renders 243-ways-to-win slots suitable for less experienced slot players as well. In addition, with such slots, wild symbols can lead to more lucrative payouts. Not to mention that winning combinations occur more frequently here because there are practically no payline restrictions and the symbols are not required to land on a specific part of the reel.
Adding to the benefits of playing slots of this type is that, usually, gambling enthusiasts are allowed to put numerous special features to good use. The majority of the slots that provide payouts in 243 ways tend to offer thrilling extras such as free spins or other types of bonus games that have the potential to make players’ betting sessions fun-filled and rewarding.
As good as 243-ways-to-win slots sound, they have one notable disadvantage, namely the payout amounts. Since there are more winning opportunities, the payouts on winning combinations are typically smaller, in order to compensate for the higher frequency of wins. In other words, players are given the chance to collect more frequent, though smaller, prizes. By the same token, if such slots award jackpots, gambling aficionados should be prepared for the fact that the amount they can potentially bag is unlikely to skyrocket, as is the case with some other slots.
When talking about the payouts such slots hand out, gambling enthusiasts should be aware that they can come across games with low, medium or high volatility. To figure out which option is best suited to them, virtual players simply need to ask themselves what results they hope to achieve during their slots session.
Before you start betting on slots, you should be prepared for the fact that such games do not provide payouts as consistently as some other casino games. Yet, it turns out that one of the main reasons why slots are all the rage among players is that they are hugely unpredictable. This is exactly what causes many players to keep setting the reels in motion, hoping that the next round will bring them a windfall.
Difference between 243 Ways to Win Slots and Two Ways Win Slots
If you are looking to learn about these slots inside out, you should also know that they are often referred to by gambling enthusiasts as all-ways-win slots.
As explained already, all icons in such games function much like scatter symbols because they do not necessarily have to pop up on one of the paylines in order to award a payoff.
In spite of the fact that all-ways-win slots share many similarities with both-ways-win slots, players should not be left under the impression that these games function in the same manner.
Visually, it might be slightly hard to tell all-ways-win slots from slots that pay both ways because, typically, the latter play out on a 5×3 reel grid. The most obvious dissimilarity between them, however, stems from the two-way pay mechanic, which makes it possible for players to bag payouts not only when matching characters appear from the leftmost to the rightmost reel, but in the opposite direction as well. Something slot mavens should take into account is that whether matching icons have popped up from left to right or from right to left will not affect their winnings. The only requirement to get a payout is to see matching icons on three or more consecutive reels.
With this in mind, players need to know that the odds of their chosen game will reflect this change in gameplay. Still, one of the biggest advantages of betting on slots of this breed is that the frustration of getting a combination of identical symbols from right to left without earning a payout is eliminated.
Another thing slot mavens should pay attention to is the duration of the rounds because, with slots that pay in both directions, game rounds can last longer. With games that pay only from left to right, gambling enthusiasts will know whether they have secured a payoff once the second reel stops spinning, which is not the case with slots that pay in the opposite direction as well. While betting on slots that pay both ways, gambling aficionados will be kept on the edge of their seat until the last reel locks in place.
Things to Consider when Picking Slots of This Type
Avid casino fans who are currently on the lookout for a slot that allows for 243 winning combinations should make sure they have taken a few details into account before they start betting.
First off, players should inspect the bet limits and the available coin denominations so they can determine whether the chosen game measures up to their requirements and, most importantly, their bankroll.
Not all gambling enthusiasts acknowledge the importance of the RTP of slots, which should be one of the decisive factors when choosing such games. Yet, it is worth mentioning that the RTP of slots that provide wins in 243 ways and that of the rest of the games available online will not be poles apart, as some players might erroneously assume.
The volatility of the preferred slot is also worthy of attention because it will give players a hint about how often, and how big, payouts they can expect to receive. Occasionally, such games have low or medium volatility, which means that, while betting on them, gambling enthusiasts should be prepared for smaller but more frequent wins.
Of course, if you want to ensure an enjoyable slots session, the visual presentation and sounds of your slot of choice are two more things that should be taken into account.
To make sure that your betting session is not devoid of thrill, you are advised to explore the special features of the preferred slot as well. Often, slots that allow for 243 winning combinations come with wild and scatter icons, free spins, and many other exciting bonus features.
Popular 243 Ways to Win Slots to Play Online
The variety of slots based on the 243-ways-to-win style of play is staggering, which is why gambling enthusiasts might end up bewildered when selecting among them. Still, we have done the heavy lifting and compiled a short list of four slot titles that serve as excellent examples of the 243-ways-to-win format. Check them out to see whether they suit your preferences.
Multi-payline Slots
Marvel Slots
Progressive Slots
243 Ways to Win Slots System
Wild and Scatter Symbols
The Dark Knight Rises
| Software Provider | Microgaming |
| Release Date | 2012 |
| Number of Paylines | 243 ways to win |
| Bet Limits | £0.20 – £7.50 |
| Special Symbols | Wild and scatter symbols |
| Bonus Features | Expanding wilds; the fight between Batman and Bane unlocks either the Batman Extra Wild Blast Feature or the Bane Rolling Reels Feature |
| Theoretical Return | 96.41% |
| Maximum Win | N/A |
Slots fans have industry leader Microgaming to thank for this thrilling title, which is based on the hugely popular blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises. When it comes to aesthetics, the game is unmatched, as the graphics, sound effects and animations are superb, to say the least. The Dark Knight Rises is played on five reels and, of course, offers players 243 winning opportunities.
It goes without saying that the game employs characters from the film as symbols, including Batman himself, his nemesis Bane, John Blake, Miranda Tate, Commissioner Gordon and Catwoman. The Dark Knight Rises logo functions as a wild symbol. While playing this slot, players can also be awarded free spins, which makes the betting session even more enthralling.
Another interesting feature is the so-called Symbol Scramble, which occurs at random on losing spins, shakes the screen and scrambles the symbols in order to help players form winning combinations.
It is important to mention that The Dark Knight Rises is part of Microgaming’s Mega Moolah progressive jackpot network. The game contributes to the central progressive jackpot, which is one of the main attractions of this title.
Avalon II
| Software Provider | Microgaming |
| Release Date | 2014 |
| Number of Paylines | 243 ways to win |
| Bet Limits | £0.20 – £8.00 |
| Special Symbols | The game’s logo is the wild icon, while the Lady of the Lake is the scatter icon |
| Bonus Features | Merlin Feature, Lady of the Lake Feature, Grail Bonus Features including Lake of Legend, Misty Vale, Whispering Woods, Forest Falls, Dusky Moors, Morgan’s Keep, Isle of Avalon and Hall of Shadows |
| Theoretical Return | 95.92% |
| Maximum Win | 16,200× the staked amount |
Another popular title that employs the 243-ways-to-win format again bears the brand name of the software developer Microgaming. Avalon II is played on five reels and was obviously inspired by the story of King Arthur and the pursuit of the Holy Grail. Apart from the different high cards, the game employs characters from the legendary story as symbols, including the fair Guinevere, Morgan Le Fey and the magician Merlin.
The Lady of the Lake symbol functions as an expanding wild and can create more winning combinations. Players who are lucky enough to land three or more Grail symbols on the reels will unlock the Grail Bonus feature.
In fact, it is possible to trigger eight different bonus games in Avalon II, which renders it one of the most exciting slots of this format available online. The bonus games include Lake of Legend, Misty Vale, Whispering Woods, Forest Falls, Dusky Moors, Morgan’s Keep, Hall of Shadows and Isle of Avalon. Minimum and maximum bet amounts range between £0.30 and £7.50 per spin.
Immortal Romance
| Software Provider | Microgaming |
| Release Date | 2011 |
| Number of Paylines | 243 ways to win |
| Bet Limits | £0.30 – £30.00 |
| Special Symbols | The game’s logo is the wild icon, while the lion’s head is the scatter icon |
| Bonus Features | Wild Desire Feature; Chamber of Spins, which holds the Amber, Troy, Michael and Sarah features |
| Theoretical Return | 96.86% |
| Maximum Win | 12,000× the staked amount |
Microgaming appears to have focused on the creation of 243-ways-to-win slots, as the developer is responsible for releasing the third suggestion on our list, namely Immortal Romance. Inspired by vampire movies and stories that have been quite popular in the past few years, Immortal Romance is also played on five reels and offers an impressive number of winning opportunities.
Some of the symbols you will encounter in the game include male and female vampires, castles and, of course, the Immortal Romance logo, which functions as a wild symbol and can double players’ winnings. The golden lion door-knocker is a scatter symbol – if you are lucky enough to get three, four or five golden lion door-knockers, you unlock the Chamber of Spins bonus feature, where numerous rewards await you. The Chamber of Spins consists of four levels, namely Amber, Troy, Michael and Sarah (after the characters in the game), which can reward players with 10, 15, 20 or 25 free spins, respectively. Coin values range from £0.01 to £0.10, with the option to bet up to ten coins per spin.
Thunderstruck II
| Software Provider | Microgaming |
| Release Date | 2010 |
| Number of Paylines | 243 ways to win |
| Bet Limits | £0.20 – £60.00 |
| Special Symbols | The game’s logo is the wild symbol, while the hammer is the scatter icon |
| Bonus Features | Wildstorm feature and four free-spins features, including Loki, Odin, Thor and Valkyrie |
| Theoretical Return | 96.65% |
| Maximum Win | 8,000× the staked amount |
Thunderstruck II is yet another 243-way-to-win slot developed by the leading software supplier Microgaming and is, in fact, a sequel to the popular slot Thunderstruck. With Thunderstruck II, Microgaming introduced the Pay-table Achievements feature, which enables players to keep track of their winnings easily. The Pay-table Achievements are earned when players collect all payouts for each symbol available on the reels.
Thunderstruck II is inspired by Norse mythology, and various Nordic gods like Thor, Odin, Loki and Valkyrie are used as symbols. Thor’s hammer assumes the role of a bonus symbol, while the Thunderstruck II logo functions as a wild and can substitute for all other symbols on the reels, with the exception of Thor’s hammer.
If you land three, four or five Thor’s hammer symbols, you will be granted entry into the Great Hall of Spins, where you can trigger four different bonus games. These include the Valkyrie, Loki, Odin and Thor bonus levels, where players can receive 10, 15, 20 and 25 free spins, respectively. It is possible to bet up to ten coins per spin on Thunderstruck II, with a maximum bet amount set at £15.00.
