In this guide, we’ll break down the paylines and payouts of Rainbow Riches, explain how different versions of the game vary in their setup, and provide tips for how to maximise your winnings. Whether you’re a Rainbow Riches veteran or new to the game, understanding these mechanics will give you a strategic edge.
1. What Are Paylines?
Before diving into Rainbow Riches specifically, it’s important to understand the basic concept of paylines in slot games. Paylines are the lines on which winning combinations of symbols can land. In most slot games, including Rainbow Riches, you win when identical symbols land in a specific pattern across the reels.
- Traditional Paylines: These are the fixed lines that run horizontally, vertically, or diagonally across the reels. You need to land matching symbols on these lines, starting from the leftmost reel, to form winning combinations.
- Ways to Win: In more modern games, paylines can be replaced by systems like the Megaways™ mechanic(featured in some Rainbow Riches versions), which offers a set number of ways to win instead of fixed paylines. This provides even more chances to land winning combinations.
2. How Many Paylines Does Rainbow Riches Have?
The number of paylines in Rainbow Riches varies depending on the version of the game you’re playing. However, the classic version of Rainbow Riches features 20 paylines. These paylines are fixed, meaning they are always active on every spin, giving you multiple opportunities to land winning combinations with every spin.
Understanding Paylines in the Classic Version
In the classic Rainbow Riches slot, the 5 reels and 3 rows offer 20 potential paylines. Paylines are activated from the leftmost reel, and to win, you need to land at least three matching symbols on one of the paylines.
- The paylines run across the reels in different patterns, including horizontal, diagonal, and zig-zag lines.
- Winning combinations must start from the first reel on the left and follow the payline pattern across adjacent reels.
Because the paylines are fixed, you don’t have to worry about selecting the number of active paylines. This means every spin covers all possible lines, giving you the maximum chance of hitting a winning combination with every spin.
3. Paylines in Other Rainbow Riches Versions
While the original Rainbow Riches has 20 paylines, other versions in the Rainbow Riches series offer different setups. Here’s a look at the paylines and payout systems in some of the most popular Rainbow Riches games:
Rainbow Riches Megaways
Rainbow Riches Megaways introduces the popular Megaways™ mechanic, offering up to 117,649 ways to win. Instead of traditional paylines, this version uses a dynamic reel system, where the number of symbols on each reel changes with every spin.
- With 6 reels, the number of symbols on each reel can vary from 2 to 7. The more symbols that appear, the more ways to win.
- Winning combinations are formed by matching symbols on consecutive reels, regardless of where they land on the reel.
This setup creates a much larger number of potential winning combinations than traditional paylines, significantly increasing the chances of landing a win with each spin.
Rainbow Riches Reels of Gold
Rainbow Riches Reels of Gold offers an expansive setup with 100 paylines, spread across two sets of reels: the main reels and a colossal reel set.
- The main reels have 5 reels and 4 rows, while the colossal reels feature 5 reels and 12 rows, giving you 100 active paylines in total.
- Paylines run across both sets of reels, increasing your chances of landing winning combinations.
The addition of the colossal reels and extra paylines makes this version of Rainbow Riches particularly exciting, as it offers more chances to win on each spin.
Rainbow Riches Pick ‘n’ Mix
In Rainbow Riches Pick ‘n’ Mix, players can choose which bonus features to activate before they start spinning. However, the base game still follows a traditional setup with 20 fixed paylines.
- As in the original game, winning combinations must land on active paylines, starting from the leftmost reel.
- The game also offers the familiar bonus features, such as Road to Riches, Wishing Well, and Pots of Gold, which can enhance your payouts.
4. How to Read the Paytable in Rainbow Riches
To truly understand the potential payouts in Rainbow Riches, it’s important to know how to read the paytable. The paytable provides information on how much each symbol is worth and how many matching symbols are needed to form a winning combination.
Key Symbols and Their Payouts
Rainbow Riches features a variety of symbols, each with its own payout values. The most common symbols include:
- Rainbow Riches Logo: This is one of the most valuable symbols in the game. Landing five of these on an active payline can result in one of the highest payouts.
- Leprechaun: Another high-value symbol, the leprechaun is associated with both standard payouts and triggering bonus features.
- Playing Card Symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10): These symbols typically offer lower payouts but appear more frequently, helping to build smaller, consistent wins.
Each symbol has a specific value, and the paytable will show you how much you can win for landing three, four, or five matching symbols on a payline.
Bonus Symbols and Special Features
In addition to the standard symbols, Rainbow Riches includes special symbols that trigger bonus features and enhance your potential winnings:
- Wild Symbol: The Rainbow Riches Wild symbol can substitute for any other symbol (except scatters) to help form winning combinations. This symbol appears frequently, increasing your chances of landing a payout.
- Scatter Symbol: Scatter symbols trigger the game’s famous bonus features, such as the Road to Riches and Pots of Gold bonuses. The more scatters you land, the more rewarding the bonus rounds will be.
5. How Payouts Work in Rainbow Riches
Payouts in Rainbow Riches are determined by several factors, including the value of the symbols you land, the number of matching symbols on a payline, and the size of your bet. Let’s break down how these payouts work:
How to Calculate Payouts
The value of your payout is calculated by multiplying the value of the winning combination (found in the paytable) by your line bet. For example:
- If you land three Rainbow Riches Logo symbols on an active payline, and the paytable shows that this combination pays 50x your line bet, your payout will be 50 times the amount you wagered per line.
- If your line bet is £1, you would win £50 for this combination.
Total Bet vs. Line Bet
When calculating payouts, it’s important to distinguish between your total bet and your line bet:
- Line Bet: This is the amount you wager per active payline. For example, if you bet £0.05 on each payline and there are 20 paylines, your line bet is £0.05.
- Total Bet: This is your total stake for the spin, calculated by multiplying your line bet by the number of active paylines. In the example above, a £0.05 line bet across 20 paylines results in a total bet of £1.
While the total bet reflects your overall wager, individual payouts are typically based on the line bet multiplied by the paytable values.
6. Tips for Maximizing Your Payouts
Understanding the mechanics of paylines and payouts in Rainbow Riches is just the first step. To truly maximize your winning potential, here are some tips and strategies to keep in mind:
1. Bet Strategically
Since payouts are tied to your line bet, it’s important to find a balance between betting high enough to secure significant payouts and staying within your budget. Increasing your bet per line will increase your overall payout if you hit a winning combination, but it also means your total stake for each spin will be higher.
2. Take Advantage of Bonus Features
One of the most rewarding aspects of Rainbow Riches is its bonus features. Features like the Road to Riches and Pots of Gold can lead to huge payouts, often far exceeding what you can win during regular gameplay.
- Focus on landing scatter symbols to trigger these bonuses, as they offer some of the best chances to win big.
- In some versions, like Rainbow Riches Megaways, features such as cascading reels and multipliers during free spins can significantly boost your payouts.
3. Understand Game Volatility
Different versions of Rainbow Riches have different levels of volatility, which refers to how often the game pays out and the size of the wins. For example:
- Low volatility: Games with low volatility, like the classic Rainbow Riches, offer more frequent but smaller wins.
- High volatility: Games like Rainbow Riches Megaways may pay out less frequently, but when they do, the rewards can be much larger.
Choose a game that aligns with your risk tolerance and payout expectations.
4. Play for Fun and Gamble Responsibly
While understanding paylines and payouts can improve your chances of winning, it’s essential to remember that slots are games of chance. Play Rainbow Riches for fun, and always set a budget to ensure that your gaming experience remains enjoyable.
7. Conclusion
Rainbow Riches offers a fantastic mix of fun gameplay, exciting bonus features, and the potential for big payouts. Whether you’re spinning the reels of the classic 20-payline version or trying your luck with Rainbow Riches Megaways, understanding the paylines and payouts is key to maximizing your success.
