What are cluster slots, and how do they work?
The cluster mechanic in online slots is one of the biggest key features available to players, helping them to potentially win big on small base bets. Here’s everything players should know about how cluster slots work and what to expect from them.
Traditional slots only pay when matching symbols line up as needed along set paylines, which means consistent wins rely almost entirely on getting lucky around this static result. But modern slot developers have changed the game in a variety of ways, adding new mechanics and bonus systems that make gameplay both more entertaining and more rewarding.
The cluster mechanic in online slots increases players’ chances of hitting meaningful wins. Here’s how.
What are cluster slots?
In online slots, the cluster mechanic activates when matching symbols appear anywhere on the grid and connect either side-by-side or vertically. This system removes the need for aligning strictly with traditional paylines, so players can find winning spins even without lining symbols up perfectly.
In traditional slots, symbols have to line up perfectly along set paylines to trigger a win. Cluster slots break that rule by paying out whenever matching symbols connect anywhere on the grid, as long as they’re in some way touching. The symbols must touch either side-to-side or top-to-bottom to count as one connected group. Symbols touching diagonally generally doesn’t count here.
After a winning cluster forms, the involved symbols disappear and new symbols drop in to fill the gaps. If these fresh symbols create another cluster, it sets off a chain reaction known as a cascade, letting players rack up multiple wins from a single spin. This mechanic allows you to score multiple wins in one go without even placing another bet.
Candy jar clusters slot. Image credit: Pragmatic Play
Many cluster slots also include multipliers, wilds, and bonus rounds that can turn one small win into something far bigger. Games like Sweet Bonanza and Jammin’ Jars made this mechanic popular by giving players opportunities to win even without rigid paylines.
When you hit a cluster, the game pays out based on two factors:
- How many symbols are in that cluster.
- What kind of symbol is included in the cluster, as some symbols are worth more than others
For example, in a game like Sweet Bonanza, landing 8–9 matching symbols may pay 2 times the bet, while hitting 12–15 of the same can pay 50 times or more. The bigger the cluster and the rarer the symbols involved, the higher the payout on the slot.
Are cluster slots good for new players and beginners?
While traditional slots might seem simpler at first, cluster slots are actually easier for new players and beginners to pick up. They don’t require following specific paylines or tracking exact symbol patterns. If matching symbols land next to each other, in any shape, you win.
New bettors usually want results that are easily to identify to stay interested, and cluster slots deliver just that. They often showcase their full potential early on, with frequent bonus rounds, multipliers, and free spins that keep things moving along swiftly.
A slot’s volatility is important to consider here. While high-volatility cluster slots can empty one’s balance quickly if you’re not finding the game’s rare hits, low- and medium-volatility options are good bets for beginners who want to learn without taking heavy losses.
This balance between frequent smaller wins and the opportunity for bigger payouts helps new players stay in the game longer without depleting what they’ve set aside for play. Statistically, most cluster slots have an RTP of 95–97%, meaning players retain more of their money over time compared to many older payline-based games.
So while cluster slots are often the best pick for most players regardless of experience level, beginners in particular may prefer this type of slot for its simplicity and and the variety of winning potential made available.
Best online slots with cluster mechanics
There are typically plenty of new slots available to play that run purely based on the cluster pay system, but not all play the same way. Before jumping in, it’s worth checking a few basics for each such game. Keep in mind the game’s RTP, after learning how RTP works if you’re unfamiliar. Choose a volatility level that suits you, and look for a good variety of bonus features. Some cluster slots pay out small amounts frequently, while others are designed for longer periods of inactivity followed by a single massive payout.
Image credit: Push Gaming
Jammin’ Jars by Push Gaming and Reactoonz by Play’n GO are two of the best picks for cluster slots because they really show the mechanic’s potential. Even better, both slots are available on Stake, which is one of the more reliable places to play slots online.
Jammin’ Jars operates on an 8×8 grid and pays for clusters of five or more matching symbols. It’s Jam Jar wild moves after wins and increments a multiplier each cascade, so a single paid spin can really snowball. The default RTP is typically around 96.8%, with a high volatility level that suits players chasing big jackpots.
Reactoonz, on the other hand, rewards groups of five or more matching alien symbols. Each win triggers a cascade, clearing space for new symbols and potential chain reactions. With a 96.51% RTP and high volatility, it’s the perfect slot for players who think they’re lucky enough to hit a cascade.
These are far from the only options. Cluster slots are among the most popular that you’ll find across online betting sites, and with good reason. They tend to offer plenty of action to players new and old. And that action is exactly what most players are looking for when they load up a slot and place a bet.
Featured image credit: Play’n GO
Fariha Bhatti is a long-time gaming writer who loves competitive FPS games and slots with particularly fun themes. She got her start playing classic games developed by SNK, from legendary fighting game series The King of Fighters to challenging platform franchise Metal Slug. She now spends most of her time playing Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 while working her way through new slot releases to find her next favorite. Fariha has been published at PCGamesN, TalkEsport and ONE Esports.
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