You’re probably thinking of the moment when you have the “aha!” Experience. You’ve been spinning the reels, and suddenly you receive a small win. And instead of having a relatively static picture with a moderate-sized prize displayed, the winning symbols suddenly break apart. Then, new ones (symbols) drop in from the top to fill the newly created holes. Next, you receive another win. Another symbol disappears. Another drops in. Suddenly, a $0.40 win has turned into a $1.20, then a $3.60, and before you realize it you’ll be leaning forward, completely engrossed in the screen.
What are Cascading reels in online slots?
Cascading reels are fundamentally different from traditional slots. On a traditional slot machine, the reels spin, stop, and the game awards any applicable prizes. Once the game is finished, you need to enter another bet to begin the next spin.Cascading reels change only one aspect of that process. When a winning combination is awarded, the winning symbols are removed from the grid. The remaining symbols collapse down to fill in the voids that were created by the removed symbols. New symbols then drop down from the top of the grid to fill in the vacant spots at the top.
The game then assesses the new layout to see if any additional winning combinations exist. If they do, the game will award those prizes, remove them and replace them with new symbols via the same collapsing mechanism. The process continues until either the collapsing mechanism produces no new wins or reaches an internally defined maximum number of collapses.
While Cascading reels can be implemented using virtually any grid size/shape and/or win method (classic 5 x 3 pay-line slots, big cluster pays, “anywhere” pay slots and even mega ways slots with changing reel heights), this versatility is a major reason why Cascading reels are today one of the most commonly found features in modern online slots.
How does a cascade operate? Win, remove, refill & repeat
Cascades can be viewed in stages. As such, it’s helpful to slow down and view each of these stages individually because the differences between them illustrate both why cascades are so appealing visually and why cascades can be so damaging financially (from a mathematical standpoint).
Stage 1: the reels land normally
First, the reels spin normally, producing a standard payout based upon whatever win condition(s) are specified in the game. Whether those conditions include evaluating wins from left-to-right on pay-lines, forming clusters of adjacent symbols to match, counting any number of symbols located on a grid, etc., this evaluation process occurs as it would in any other slot.
Stage 2: all symbols involved in winning
Next, all symbols involved in any winning combinations are removed from play. While there may be animations associated with this process (e.g. Exploding symbols, shattering symbols, dissolving symbols or cartoon creatures consuming winning symbols), none of these are relevant to determining the final outcome. What is important is that removing winning combinations reduces the number of available ways to form future winning combinations.
Stage 3: gravity takes effect
Gravity causes any remaining symbols above the empty spaces to slide down into those spaces. Meanwhile, new random symbols fall into the space at the top of the grid to replenish it.
Stage 4: the entire grid is rescanned
Finally, the game rescans the entire grid to determine if any additional winning combinations were formed during this cascade. If they did occur, those combinations are awarded. The cascade then begins anew. However, if no new winning combinations occurred during this cascade (i.e. No subsequent cascade took place), then the game has reached the end of its current spin and a new spin can proceed.
Avalanche vs Tumbling vs rolling reels: same thing – different names
If you’ve spent considerable Time reading slot reviews and couldn’t help but wonder whether Avalanche reels and Tumbling reels are different features, you’re certainly not alone. Both are simply labels for what amounts to essentially the exact same core mechanic. Game developers use different terms for what is functionally equivalent because using a unique term provides each developer with greater identity and because an identifiable term for a feature promotes that feature better than a generic term.
Terminology definition common usage
Cascading reels: winning symbols are removed from play and randomly selected symbols fall down into vacant spaces potentially creating additional winnings industry wide term for feature.
Avalanche reels same core mechanic as Cascading reels – branded by NetEnt NetEnt branding. Tumbling reels same core mechanic as Cascading reels – industry standard label used by Pragmatic Play and Relax Gaming games standard labels for many Pragmatic Play and Relax Gaming slots. Rolling reels same concept as cascade – studio specific animation and nomenclature alternative providers using similar terms. Reactions or reaction wins one or Multiple consecutive payouts caused by the removal of winning symbols and subsequent collapsing/refilling of the grid big Time gaming cluster/grid slots. Chain reaction wins two or more payouts awarded in succession based upon one initial paid spin Player description.
Why only one bet can produce several wins
This is clearly the primary marketing advantage of Cascading reels and is true. Cascading reels extend the amount of Time a single bet is active in generating potential winnings since each cascade (and therefore each possible win) generates a new assessment of all symbols on the grid.
Is playing Cascading slots free money?
Technically speaking, yes. You pay nothing extra for each subsequent cascade. However, all possible cascades (including any that would take place after your bet has expired) are factored into the expected return-to-Player percentage of the game prior to release. To allow for these potential extended sequences of cascades in the math model of your game, you will reduce certain elements (such as hit rate or symbol values). Therefore, a game featuring cascades does not provide any more return per dollar wagered than a game offering cascades does not provide any more return per dollar wagered than a non-cascade slot. The Cascading slots simply distribute that return over an extended period.
How long do cascades typically last?
In theory, a cascade could theoretically go on indefinitely as long as each new sequence of collapsing/refilling produces at least one more win. In reality however, most cascades terminate after only one or two payouts. Although long sequences of ten or more cascades do occasionally occur and are remembered by players precisely because they rarely occur.
Many games implement caps on both cascades themselves and/or on their respective multipliers (see multiplier section below). The pay table will indicate which type of cap exists.
Cascade multiplier
As discussed previously under how does a cascade operate?, once a win occurs due to a cascade, any subsequent cascades will generate larger payouts than their predecessors provided that subsequent cascades occur. These increased payouts are generated through use of a “cascade multiplier”. Cascade multipliers are typically implemented as a multiplier ladder (a.k.a. Multiplier progression). This means that after each successive win within a series of cascades, each subsequent payout will be larger than its predecessor due to an increase in the multiplier assigned to those payouts.
Additionally some games assign only one level of increase for each cascade whereas other games assign one level of increase for each successive win within the cascade.
Big Time gaming’s bonanza megaway is an excellent example of an uncappped cascade multiplier. During the free spins phase of bonanza megaway, each reaction (winning cascade) results in an increase in the win multiplier by 1 level regardless of whether the next reaction occurs immediately or hours later. Due to this property, when a Player experiences many Reactions in succession at the beginning of their free spins round (which is typical), their subsequent free spins will likely benefit from larger and larger multipliers.
Do cascade multipliers reset?
Similar to most other aspects of casino games regarding Cascading reels, this is determined by individual game providers and should be checked for each game played.
In most cases, base-game cascade multipliers reset to 1x at the beginning of each new paid spin. However, behavior varies greatly in free-spins mode. Some games reset their cascade multipliers with each free-spin whereas other games carry those multipliers throughout their entire free-spins round.
When an individual has access to a free-spins round that carries its cascade multiplier across all spins in that round (not resetting after each spin), they will generally have a significantly greater chance of experiencing significant volatility swings during their free-spins session than someone whose game resets their cascade multiplier after each free-spin.
Multiplier symbol drops inside tumble
Unlike many other popular tumble-slots, some do not utilize a fixed ladder system but instead drop multiplier-symbols into the grid randomly. Gates of Olympus from Pragmatic Play is perhaps one of the best examples: multiplier orbs may drop into any position with various values (up to 500 times), and when a tumble sequence concludes, all orb values are summed and multiplied against the total take-home win value for that tumble sequence. Additionally, in free-spins mode those values accumulate throughout the round and contribute to a growing total.
Sweet Bonanza operates similarly in its free-spins mode, utilizing multiplier-bombs that combine during each tumble-sequence.
Why players find cascading reels visually so engaging
This is where honesty is required in answering your question. Cascading reels produce an engagement level that few other types of slots create and it is not accidental.
Lengthens anticipation between spins
Typically, a standard spin completes in a couple of seconds. A Cascading reel spin resulting from a win extends that anticipation by continuing as long as it produces new wins and stopping only when it ceases to produce them. Since each refill represents an opportunity for an additional win (and therefore represents uncertainty), every refill constitutes a “will it or won’t it?” Moment for the Player viewing it. It is this prolonged anticipation that drives much of the attraction to Cascading reels.
Losses disguised as wins
There is well-documented research demonstrating that modern multiline slot players frequently perceive “losses disguised as wins,” i.e. Slots celebrating lower-than-bet payouts as wins. Cascading reels can exacerbate this issue. An example would be receiving only $1.00 back on a $0.50 bet but being treated to full animation and audio effects for three separate small tumble-wins totaling $0.60. Although you netted only -$0.40 for those three tumbles, you perceived your slot as paying you Multiple times. Over a lengthy gaming session, this can alter your perception of how you’re truly performing.
Why does this matter for problem gambling?
Cascading reels aren’t particularly problematic by themselves but similar characteristics present in Cascading reels — long sequences of wins/losses/animation/sound; frequent celebrations; multipliers that appear to build momentum — are precisely those factors that cause individuals to gamble longer than they had planned.
Therefore, if you find yourself attempting to chase “that next big tumble” or losing track of Time while watching cascade-sequences unfold around you, this too warrants monitoring.
Fortunately, most licensed internet casinos offer deposit limits and/or session reminders/Time-out options. Additionally, organizations such as GamCare in the u.k., the National Council on Problem Gambling in the United States, and similar service providers worldwide offer complimentary support for gamblers struggling with problems related to excessive gaming.
FAQs: About cascading reels & chain wins
What are cascading reels on slots?
Cascading reels pay out for winnings and then eliminate those winning symbol(s), dropping a new set of random symbols into the open spaces. If these new symbols generate a new win, they too get paid, and this cycle continues as long as there are additional wins to be had.
How is cascading different than tumble/avalanche reels?
The primary difference is the name. Cascading is a generic term that applies to all three mechanics. Avalanche is a brand name (net ent) for cascading reels. Tumble is what other brands call cascading reels (Pragmatic Play, Relax Gaming etc.). Although each of the games will have their own added features, the core mechanism is always the same.
Will I ever hit two or more wins off of one single spin?
Yes, you can hit two or more wins per spin. This is because each cascade is a separate win; all of them were generated from the one single paid spin.
What is a cascade multiplier and will it reset to default during my next spin?
A cascade multiplier is a multiplier that increases with each successive win in a chain. Most base games will reset the cascade multiplier at the beginning of your next spin. However, when free spins occur, some games will reset the cascade multiplier at the start of each new spin while others will carry over the entire cascade multiplier throughout the duration of the bonus.
Does using cascading reels on slot machines improve RTP?
No. The cascades that occur during play are included within the RTP of your chosen slot machine. What cascading does differently is where and how winnings are created. But overall, cascading reels won’t affect RTP.
Why do players find cascading slots more exciting than traditional reel slots?
Traditional reels (or classic slot machines) provide players with a fixed outcome upon each pull of the lever. While that may seem appealing to many, cascading reels allow for an experience that stretches a single pull of the lever into an unpredictable series of events. With every successful outcome being celebrated with special animations and sounds, and multipliers adding excitement throughout the experience, it’s no wonder that players find cascading reel slots so exciting.
