What is the meaning of 3-Way Pay?
A 3-Way Pay is a feature of online slots that determines the positions on the lines where wins occur. In Irish, this is called 3-Wege-Auszahlung. It is an extension of 2-Way Pay, meaning that in addition to winning combinations from left to right and right to left, symbol combinations can also appear in the middle. This feature applies to slot machines with at least 5 reels, where 3 identical symbols are the minimum requirement for a winning combination.
How does the 3-Way Pay feature work?
Is it the same as Allway Pay?
3-Way Pay is not to be confused with All-Way Slots. The 243 All-Way winning ways simply determine that the symbols on the reels must be directly adjacent from left to right and do not have to follow specific paylines. On the other hand, the number of paylines in 3-Way Pay is specifically predetermined. The difference is that there are 3 possible positions for winning combinations, namely in the direction of and against the reader, plus in the middle. Therefore, this primarily applies to 3-symbol combinations in 5-reel slots.
2-Way Pay with Extra Opportunity
The 3-way payout is essentially like 2-way pay with an extra chance. The reversed direction of the paylines, effectively doubling the number of lines, is further complemented by the third position. While only 3-symbol combinations are possible here, there is still a chance to win instead of coming up empty on a spin. Think of it as an added opportunity to score a winning combination and avoid a losing spin.
Triple your chances with a simple bet.
When playing 3-Way Pay Slots, you have three different ways to achieve a winning symbol combination, but you only need to place a regular bet. The total bet in this online slot game is determined solely by the number of paylines you choose to activate. Therefore, the directions of the lines do not automatically increase the betting requirement. This means that there is a potential to win more frequently with the same bet amount.
Video slot machines and traditional slots
The 3-Way Pay payout principle is not just a feature you can find only in modern online video slots. Although 2-way payout and Allway slots are certainly more common, there are also some classic fruit symbol slot machines that determine and pay out winnings in all 3 ways. While providers are constantly developing new exciting game features, it doesn't mean that the 3-Way Pay function has become obsolete.