Slots with Win Both Ways

What Are Win Both Ways Slots?

Win both ways slots are games where paylines pay from left to right as well as from right to left. In most slots that fall into this category, the feature is active in the base game, while in others it is only available as a triggered feature.

Key Takeaways: What Makes Win Both Ways Slots Different

• Wins can form left to right and right to left;
• Higher volatility compared to classic slots;
• Usually paired with lower symbol payouts;
• Slots with this mechanic often feature reduced paylines;
• Can be default gameplay or a triggerable feature.

Top 5 Win Both Ways Slots

The table below highlights some of the best win both ways slots, comparing key details such as provider, RTP, and volatility.

SLOT	PROVIDER	RTP	VOLATILITY
Starburst	NetEnt	96.09%	Low
Trojan Tales	Spinomenal	96.3%	Medium
Excalibur Unleashed	Pragmatic Play	96.05%	High
Turning Totems	Thunderkick	96.1%	Medium
Nitropolis 5	ELK Studios	94%	High

Top 5 Win Both Ways Slot Reviews

Here’s my take on each game after playing them for the past few weeks. 

1. Starburst

SPECIFICATION	DETAILS
Provider	NetEnt
Release Date	November 2013
Paylines	10
RTP	96.09%
Volatility	Low
Theme	Space

This is the slot that made Win Both Ways famous. If you’re curious like me, you’ve probably already played it. The expanding wilds on reels 2, 3, and 4 are the real stars here (literally). Each one that lands triggers a respin, and you can stack up to three.

The low volatility means frequent small hits. Don’t expect life-changing wins. What you get instead are steady payouts that keep your balance alive longer than most video slots.

PLAY STARBURST DEMO

2. Trojan Tales

SPECIFICATION	DETAILS
Provider	Spinomenal
Release Date	June 2021
Paylines	20
RTP	96.3%
Volatility	Medium
Theme	Ancient Greece

The grid setup is different here. Those middle three reels join together to form colossal 3x3 symbols. This creates some wild action you won’t find in standard slots.

The volatility is higher than Starburst. You’ll have dry spells followed by decent hits. The free spins can save a session if Lady Luck is with you.

Just imagine those colossal symbols landing perfectly with the pay both ways mechanic. That’s the sweet spot.

PLAY TROJAN TALES DEMO

3. Excalibur Unleashed

SPECIFICATION	DETAILS
Provider	Pragmatic Play
Release Date	April 2023
Paylines	20
RTP	96.05%
Volatility	High
Theme	Fantasy

High volatility hits different with this one. The wilds only land on reels 1 and 5, but they come with random multipliers up to 20x. Landing wilds on both edges triggers 6 free spins.

The diamond-shaped grid looks cool and the design is whimsical, far from childish, but this doesn’t really pay the bills. The real money comes from those sticky multiplier wilds during the bonus rounds.

Being a Pragmatic Play slot, it also has a Bonus Buy for 85x your bet, in case you find it difficult to free Excalibur in the base game.

PLAY EXCALIBUR UNLEASHED DEMO

4. Turning Totems

SPECIFICATION	DETAILS
Provider	Thunderkick
Release Date	November 2016
Paylines	11
RTP	96.1%
Volatility	Medium
Theme	Desert

The totem poles spin horizontally instead of vertically, making it distinguishable from other games in this category. Thunder Snake symbol turn entire reels into Thunder Reels, which wake up sleeping wilds.

Three or more Thunder Reels give you 5 free spins. The max win caps at 998x your bet, which is not massive, but the medium volatility means it hits more often.

The graphics are playful and have survived the test of time, as I find Turning Totems still nice to look at during longer sessions.

PLAY TURNING TOTEMS DEMO

5. Nitropolis 5

SPECIFICATION	DETAILS
Provider	ELK Studios
Release Date	July 2024
Paylines	4096
RTP	94%
Volatility	High
Theme	Animals

This is the explosive finale to ELK Studios’ dystopian Nitropolis series. The win both ways action comes through the Nitro Booster feature, where a Both Ways modifier can pop up above the reels and let symbols pay left to right and right to left.

It’s a high-volatility slot, so wins don’t land constantly. The Avalanche mechanic is where the magic happens. Once the Both Ways modifier triggers, it stays active until the cascade sequence ends, and the expanding grid (up to 8 rows) gives those bidirectional payouts more room to connect.

When everything lines up, the win potential climbs to 50,000x.

PLAY NITROPOLIS 5 DEMO

How do Win Both Ways Slots Work?

The math is simple. Doubling the winning directions means doubling the potential combinations. Providers had to balance this somehow.

What providers do is they adjust other factors to keep the house edge as close to the norm as possible.

The Trade-Offs

Since the wins can be greater, the provider has to find a way to make it profitable for it as well. There are several ways to do this:

1. Lower symbol payouts: Premium symbols pay less than similar slots with traditional one-way paylines;
2. Reduced paylines: You’ll often see 10-20 paylines instead of 25-50;
3. Only the highest-paying combination is paid: Multiple winning combos on the same line? You only get the biggest one;
4. Lower RTP: Some games reduce the return to player slightly;
5. Higher volatility: In most cases, slots with win both ways mechanics operate at a higher volatility compared to classic video slots.

Feature Integration

The pay both ways is usually a part of the game by default. In other games it might be a triggerable feature. You activate it during bonus rounds or special modes, as is the case with Nitropolis 5.

The most popular slot with this feature is by far Starburst. It’s been poster child for this mechanic since 2013.

Why Play Win Both Ways Slots?

Let me break this down for you. You’re essentially playing with double the active paylines. A 10-payline slot becomes 20 opportunities to win. This changes the whole rhythm of gameplay.

The hit frequency goes up. You’ll land winning combinations more often than traditional slots. Small wins add up and extend your playing time.

The catch here is that those individual wins are usually smaller. What makes you say that? Simple math. Providers maintain their edge by reducing symbol values. 

The real excitement comes from stacked symbols and wild features. When those line up in both directions? Just imagine the satisfaction.

Best Strategies for Win Both Ways Slots

There’s no magic formula to beat these games. Pseudorandom number generators don’t care about your betting patterns. 

What you can control is bankroll management. Set limits before you start spinning.

Bet Sizing

Start smaller than you would on traditional slots. The increased hit frequency means your balance fluctuates differently. You’ll see more action per session, so you don’t need massive bets to stay entertained.

High rollers can still push max bets, but volatility should be considered first. Highly volatile games can eat through bankrolls faster, even with frequent small wins.

Feature Hunting

Some players buy bonus rounds. I’m guessing you haven’t got around to trying this if you’re not familiar with win both ways slots. It’s pricey, you’re paying 50x to 100x your bet for instant access.

The math rarely favors bonus buys long-term. But they deliver concentrated action for players with limited time.

Comparing Win Both Ways to Traditional Slots

Two types of people play slots: those who want frequent small wins and those chasing big multipliers.

Win both ways slots serve the first group better. The constant action keeps things moving. You’ll rarely sit through long losing streaks.

Traditional one-way slots can deliver bigger individual hits. Premium combinations pay more because they’re harder to land.

Volatility Differences

Low-volatility win both ways games like Starburst play smooth. Your balance dips and rises, but it flows gradually.

High-volatility traditional slots swing harder. Ten dead spins followed by a 50x hit. That’s a different experience entirely.

What would be easier for you depends on your expectations. Action-focused players love the constant feedback, while patient players prefer fewer but bigger wins.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t worry, everyone makes these errors starting out. The earlier you detect and fix them, the better your experience in the long run. 

• Chasing losses in low RTP games: Some slots with win both ways feature reduce RTP to offset the double directions. Check the numbers before you commit;
• Ignoring volatility ratings: A slot with both ways pays AND high volatility can drain your bankroll fast. The combination creates wild swings;
• Betting too aggressively: The frequent small wins create an illusion of probability. You’re still facing the house edge on every spin;
• Misunderstanding “both ways” mechanics: Some games only activate this feature during bonuses. Make sure to read the game info;
• Skipping the demo mode: Free demo slots show you the hit frequency and win patterns without risking cash.

Finding the Right Win Both Ways Slot

You have three options here. Pick based on what matters most to you.

1. Low volatility for extended play: Games like Starburst keep you spinning longer. Perfect for casual sessions;
2. Medium volatility for balance: Turning Totems sits in the middle. Decent action without extreme swings.
3. High volatility for big win potential: Slots like Excalibur Unleashed offer larger multipliers. Bring a bigger bankroll;

Responsible Gaming

Win both ways mechanics don’t change the fundamental odds. You’re still playing a game of chance with a built-in house edge.

Never chase losses. The both ways mechanic can create an illusion of near-misses from both sides.