Cascading reels (otherwise known as tumbling or avalanching reels) are a staple of modern slots. You’ll find them in countless games, from Sweet Bonanza 1000 to Gates of Olympus Super Scatter.
But how do cascading reels work, and what benefits do they offer? Learn the answer to both questions below.
What are Cascading Reels?
Cascading reels trigger whenever you form a winning symbol combination (e.g., three matching symbols on a payline). Instead of pressing the ‘spin’ button to start the next play, the winning symbols will disappear. New symbols will drop onto the grid and replace them.
How do Cascading Reels Work Behind the Scenes?
Games that include cascading reels are programmed to activate the feature whenever the triggering action occurs. If you match enough symbols to form a win, the game will remove those symbols automatically.
The vacant spaces will either be filled by symbols already on the grid or new ones that cascade in. Some symbols left on the grid may react to the empty positions and fall into another spot. Others will remain where they were before the winning combination landed.
Once a cascade sequence begins, there is no telling where it will go. A cascade may not create any new matches, and you’ll need to tap the ‘spin’ button to place another bet. But cascades could create one or more new wins automatically, allowing you to sit back and watch the action unfold.
PlayOJO Casino Offer
Advertiser Disclosure: At Gambling Zone, we may earn a referral commission if you sign up through links on our site. This helps support our work and does not influence our independent reviews or ratings. Learn more about our review criteria.
What are the Benefits of Cascading Reels?
Cascading reels offer the following benefits:
Awarding Multiple Consecutive Wins
The biggest and most obvious advantage of cascading reels is that they can help you win two or more times in a row. Triggering a cascade sequence could transform a small prize into a bigger one if symbols continue to match.
Over the course of a gaming session, cascading reels may lead to bigger wins than you would expect. Even in low-volatility slots offering small prizes only, cascades can combine several wins into one.
Giving You Free Chances to Trigger Payouts
Cascading reels award you a second chance to win again after matching symbols — without you placing another bet. They’re similar to free spins and respins, though you don’t need to match bonus symbols to trigger them.
Adding Depth to Slot Games
Cascading reels give slot games more depth and value, even if it’s the only feature. This can make a game more entertaining and distinctive, particularly if it has a similar theme and design to many other slots.
Potentially Making Your Bets Go Further
Cascading reel slots may award multiple wins in any spin, which could help you get more value out of your bets.
However, avoid placing higher wagers with the expectation that cascades will give you a better return. A game’s theoretical RTP and volatility will remain fixed regardless of the cascading reels.
Remember to stick to your betting limit and to play responsibly. To encourage safer gaming, the Gambling Commission has capped the maximum bet at £5 per spin for UK adults aged 25 and over. Adults aged 18-21 may bet no more than £2 per spin.
Triggering Additional Features
While cascade sequences may only last for a second or two, they can award extra chances to win and trigger other features at the same time. These include:
- Increasing win multipliers
- Expanding symbols
- Expanding reels
- Filling a meter (e.g., jackpot meter)
For example, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways includes Avalanche Multipliers. Each new Avalanche (cascade) that triggers will boost the win multiplier by one step. The maximum Avalanche Multiplier in the base game is x5 — but it will increase to x15 during the Free Fall feature.
Conclusion
Cascading reels slots are popular, and with good reason. Not only can they help you line up multiple wins in a single spin, but they can also activate additional bonuses and increase a game’s entertainment value.
You can choose from a massive selection of cascading reels slots online, with diverse themes, prizes, and bonuses to explore.
Want to play cascading reel slots online? Gambling Zone’s guide to the best slot sites has all the details you need to find the right places to play the top games!
