When I first started to load Reactoonz, I spent about a minute or two looking at the 7×7 grid, trying to figure out where the paylines were. They weren’t there. No neatly labeled horizontal, diagonal or zig-zagging paylines listed in the game’s information display. Just a grid full of little alien-appearing symbols and a win indicator popping up at random. I had been playing slots for years, but I’m embarrassed to say that it took me a couple of seconds longer than normal to realize I wasn’t looking at a defective payline slot – I was looking at a completely different win system. That is Cluster Pays and, once you learn the logic behind it, Cluster Pays is actually one of the most logical (if unusual) slot mechanics out there.
Cluster Pays slots have earned themselves a solid foothold in the world of online slots. Players that have grown weary of paying attention to paylines or squinting at the ways to win listing to try to determine how many ways their current spin could result in a win enjoy playing Cluster Pays slots. While symbols do need to make contact to create a winning cluster, the method by which they make contact does not follow the traditional “left to right” rule. Symbols simply need to be in contact either horizontally or vertically, and never diagonally in nearly every Cluster Pays game.
When enough symbols are in contact with each other and a winning cluster is formed, the winning cluster is highlighted with an outline or glowing effect surrounding the cluster, and a payment is made for that cluster. Many Cluster Pays titles require a certain minimum cluster size before any payments are awarded. Five symbols in contact is the most common minimum required by many games; however, some may award for a smaller or larger cluster size depending upon how the grid and mathematical model were constructed. If less than the minimum required number of symbols are in contact with each other (i.e., four in contact), no payment is made, and this surprises many new players as it appears like a win that was just missed.
How Cluster Pays slots differ from payline slots and way-to-win slots
It is important to define this clearly as the three systems are confused with one another constantly and truly function distinctly at the table. Traditional payline slots require matching symbols to land along a predetermined line on the reels. The paytable for each individual payline will detail which lines are active. A way-to-win slot drops the requirement for a payline and requires matching symbols to land on adjacent reels reading left to right. In a way-to-win slot, the reels are used to determine the position of the matching symbols and therefore a match on the third reel of row three and row four will result in a win, whereas a match on the fourth reel of row one and row two will also result in a win.
Cluster Pays throw out the concept of reels altogether. In Cluster Pays slots, there are no requirements for matching symbols to read left to right or be adjacent to one another; instead, the positions of matching symbols on the grid are what determine whether or not they are eligible for a win. A cluster of matching symbols on the bottom left hand corner of the grid will receive the same payment as an identical cluster of matching symbols on the top right-hand corner of the grid. This is not the case in payline slots nor in many way-to-win slot configurations, where the reels provide structural weight to the potential for a win.
Understanding how to read a Cluster Pays slot paytable
Most players gloss over details that are critical to making informed decisions when choosing which slot machine to play. A Cluster Pays slot paytable provides details regarding the value of each symbol as related to cluster sizes rather than providing a flat rate for each symbol. The jump between tier levels can be quite substantial. An example of such structure may include: 1) a specific payment level for clusters consisting of 5 to 6 symbols; 2) a higher payment level for clusters containing 7 to 8 symbols; 3) an additional higher payment level for clusters containing 9 to 10 symbols; and 4) an upper-tier payment level for clusters of 11 or more connected symbols.
Due to the relatively large grid size of most Cluster Pays slots (40 to 50 cells or more), it is entirely feasible for a single spin to produce a large cluster covering much of the grid and creating the opportunity for a large payout as described above.
As previously mentioned, it is worthwhile taking the time to review a Cluster Pays slot’s paytable prior to beginning play to ensure familiarity with how payouts escalate as cluster size increases. Although RTP ranges are typical of modern online slots (i.e., 94% – 97%), as always, it is best to confirm the RTP for your specific game as outlined in the paytable.
More importantly, due to the variance inherent in Cluster Pays slots, it is likely that you will experience long stretches between clusters producing wins. In addition, although it may appear as though a large cluster occurred, it may be comprised solely of low-paying symbols resulting in minimal payout. Conversely, you may encounter instances where a moderate-sized cluster occurs and is comprised primarily of mid-to-high paying symbols resulting in significantly larger payout.
Cascade reels & chain reaction sequences
In addition to providing variable payout opportunities due to varying cluster sizes, most Cluster Pays slots utilize cascading reels. Once a winning combination occurs, the symbols involved in the winning combination are removed from the grid (as opposed to having the entire grid reset). New symbols are then added from above to replace those removed, and if a winning combination occurs again with these newly added symbols, that winning combination will be paid and the process will repeat itself until no further combinations occur.
The repeated series of winning combinations occurring as a result of removing winning combinations from the grid and adding new ones is referred to as a “chain reaction.” A chain reaction can result in multiple consecutive wins for a single spin. Many Cluster Pays titles combine cascade sequences with increasing multipliers. These multipliers increase consecutively with each subsequent win produced by each successive cascade sequence. For example, some titles may offer increasing multipliers ranging from 1x through 5x or greater over the course of a single spin. Occasionally, some titles incorporate un-capped multipliers (i.e., unlimited multipliers) that increase indefinitely during special bonus rounds.
Common bonus features incorporated into Cluster Pays titles
Many Cluster Pays titles continue using cascade sequences and multiplier logic during free spins bonus rounds. However, unlike base game bonuses, some titles allow multipliers generated during free spins bonus rounds to accumulate throughout the duration of the bonus round rather than resetting between individual spins. This allows particularly successful early cascade sequences to generate significant additional earnings via accumulation of multipliers. Additionally, some titles expand or modify their grids during free spins bonus rounds.
Expanding grids from smaller sizes (e.g., 5×5) to larger sizes (e.g., 7×7) can lead to increased potential for larger clusters to occur and subsequently generate larger payouts. Some titles also add wild symbols to their grids at the onset of free spins bonus rounds or incrementally throughout its progression. Both actions can contribute to generating larger clusters than otherwise possible during base-game spins.
Scatter symbol triggers
Free spins bonuses are triggered by Scatter symbols in virtually all Cluster Pays titles. As with most online slot titles featuring Scatter symbols, Scatter symbols typically require placement anywhere on the grid (not necessarily on specific lines) to qualify as valid triggers. As stated earlier, Scatter counts can vary widely among titles.
Variance, RTP & session expectations
Cluster Pays titles tend towards medium-high variance compared with other slot types due to their payout structures focusing on generating periodic large wins/cascade sequences rather than frequent small wins. While RTP percentages for Cluster Pays titles generally fall into the same general range as those for most modern online slots (typically between 94% – 97%), RTP percentage can vary from title to title. Regardless of RTP percent, variance is far more influential on session experience and expectations.
Players may experience extended periods without generating a win-producing cluster due to the fact that there is no payout generated when fewer than the required number of symbols connect. Conversely, players may experience runs where several clusters occur consecutively due to favorable positioning of connecting symbols.
Prior to play
Since payout structures differ greatly from those found in payline/ways-to-win slots, performing a cursory evaluation of any new Cluster Pays title’s rules prior to wagering real funds can save headaches and disappointment down the road.
Check whether there is a minimum number of connected symbols required for a payout prior to play; verify whether wild symbols are able to substitute across all positions on the grid or only within designated areas; examine how steeply payouts escalate between tiers; identify whether multipliers associated with cascade sequences reset after each spin or remain active during free spins bonuses; and practice navigating cascades and chain reactions utilizing demo credits before placing bets with real funds.
Additionally, since payout structures can vary widely between titles within this genre, reviewing a few key differences between various Cluster Pays titles can help prevent costly missteps when selecting which titles to pursue in earnest.
