What Are Cluster Pays Slots?

Cluster Pays slot mechanic explained

As we mentioned earlier, Cluster Pay slots machines work differently than your typical slot. While the foundation remains the same, which is to land winning combinations, the way you land them differs.

Here, you can land matching symbols across any part of the reel, position, or line. The main thing to note is that the symbols must be close to one another and touch any corners horizontally or vertically.

Like your standard slot machine, your payout is determined by the symbol’s value. However, you can significantly increase your winnings by landing larger clusters.

Most games require 4 symbols in a cluster to pay out, while others 5 or more. The rationale behind them is the same, though.

In most cases, Cluster Pay slots also work with the cascade mechanic; with this, winning symbols disappear to leave space for new symbols to land and potential for new clusters within the same spin.

7 Best Cluster Pays slots

Since NetEnt released the first Cluster Pays slots and gained massive success, many other software providers have also taken a jab at it. Now, you’ll find many slots with the Cluster Pays feature from leading names like Red Tiger and Yggdrasil. Not all are built the same way, with some offering more benefits than others.

Knowing this, we have listed 7 of the best Cluster Pays slots in US online casinos.

1. Aloha! Cluster Pays
2. Honey Rush
3. Twin Spin Deluxe
4. ️Sweet Bonanza
5. Legend of Shangri la
6. Riche Wilde and the Tome of Madness
7. Star Clusters Megaclusters

Aloha! Cluster Pays

It is impossible to begin a list of the best Cluster Pays slot machines without mentioning the game that started it all. This game, developed by NetEnt, features 5 rows, 6 reels, and an above-average RTP of 96.2%. It has low volatility making it great for players on a budget and supports bets from as little as 0.10$ per spin to up to $200 per spin.

Aloha features a Hawaiian theme alongside a range of features that make it worthwhile. These range from sticky wilds, free spins, substitution symbols, and many more. If you are lucky, you can rack up to 2,000x your wager with this slot.

Honey Rush

Honey Rush is a Cluster slots release from Play’n Go. It uses a 4-5-6-7-6-5-4 grid setup and features an RTP ranging from 94.5% to 96.50%. This is a high volatility online slot machine, which means payouts won’t be as frequent, but when you get one, it is significant. Wagers begin from $0.20 to up to $100 per spin.

This Cluster Pays slot machine features cascading symbols alongside a Rush Meter that can be charged to activate a unique feature. In addition, you’ll find sticky wilds, multiplier wilds, and a massive jackpot of 9,000x your wager.

Twin Spin Deluxe

This is yet another great game from NetEnt that was initially released in December 2013 and amassed massive success. With this, NetEnt released this Deluxe version in 2018 which has continued to grow in popularity. This is a fruit slot game with 5 symbols, 6 reels, and a 96.61% RTP which is decent.

Bets begin from $0.25 to up to $100. You won’t find many features here except for free spins, avalanches, and a Twin Reel feature that links neighboring reels for more wins. If you land a cluster of 30 diamonds, you can land up to 1,000x your wager.

Sweet Bonanza

Sweet Bonanza is a sugary-themed Cluster Pays slot from Pragmatic Play. If you have been playing online slots, there is a high chance you have heard about this popular slot title. It features a 6×5 reel setup and RTP of 96.48% – 96.51%.

Wagers are decent and start from $0.20 to up to $125 per spin, making it great for all types of players. It features a medium to high variance and offers multiple features, including free spins and multipliers, which could give you a max of 100x your wager. If you hit your cards right, you could rack up a massive 21,000x your wager, which is impressive.

Legend of Shangri La

This mystic-themed game with a Cluster Pays mechanic from NetEnt features 5 rows, 6 reels, and a 96.59% RTP. It is a low-variance game, and as you’d expect from a NeEnt release, it supports various types of budgets. Players who want to wager can begin from as low as $0.10 to up to $200 per spin.

This game contains free spins, mystery symbols, scatters, sticky re-spins, and stacked symbols. Lucky players can get a maximum win of up to $200,000, which is awesome.

Riche Wilde and the Tome of Madness

At this point, the Riche Wilde series is no longer a new name to the online gambling scene. Nonetheless, this adventure-themed game from Play’n Go takes a unique turn from the original and tells its own story in the universe of Cthulhu.

Players can navigate this 5×5 grid game with wagers starting from $0.10 – $100 per spin. Even though this cluster paying slot has high volatility, it makes up for this with its high RTP of 96.59%.

It is packed with features like special wilds, the Abyss portal effect, and Void Portal Effect. With these, you can amass a max win of 2,000x your wager, which is fair.

Star Clusters Megaclusters

Big Time Gaming is a developer who does not shy away from innovations and has made this evident in this release. This gemstone-themed game begins with a 4×4 reel setup and keeps the bet range simple, between 0.20$ – $20 per spin.

Its RTP is 96.54%, which is above average, and you can benefit from a range of features, including the Megaclusters. Each symbol in a winning combination will be divided into four smaller symbols to create additional Megaclusters. This can go up to a maximum of 64!

If you land the free spins round, the reels expand to an 8×8 setup giving you a chance to land up to 23,000 times your wager!

Highest RTP Cluster Pays slots

The RTP of a cluster pays slot determines how much of your wager will come to you eventually. RTP means Return to Player and is indicated in percentages in all slot titles. The maximum percentage you can find is 100% which means the closer the RTP is to this, the better.

For instance, if a slot has an RTP of 95%, it means the casino keeps 5% while the remainder returns to you on average. We recommend you aim for a Cluster Pays title with RTPs of 96% or more, as this will mean better returns in the long run.

Knowing this, here are some of the highest RTP Cluster Pays slots you can play for real money.

Cluster Pays Slots Vs. Classic Slot Games

Cluster pays slots and classic slot games have the same foundation as we mentioned earlier. The goal is to land a winning combination consisting of the same symbols. However, the main difference between both is how you land these matching symbols.

On classic slots, you are limited by the paylines. These paylines could range from 2-100 or more, depending on the slot. You’ll need to form a pattern using these paylines from the left or right. You’ll most likely need to land 3-5 winning symbols to win.

Cluster Pays games don’t have pay lines attached as you complete winning combinations using clusters. You’ll need clusters of 4 or more symbols to win, depending on the game; the more you land, the higher your payout. The main thing is that the symbols land close to one another and touch any of the four sides.

The basic concept to note is that while classic slot titles are great for players who want something simple, Cluster Pays is a better option if you want unpredictability. Since you are unsure of how a win will come and the size of it, you’ll be on your toes in anticipation – which further boosts the overall experience.

Another main difference is that cluster pays slots usually feature cascade mechanics, where winning symbols disappear to leave room for new symbols to land. This allows for multiple winning combos in a single spin.

Pros and Cons of Cluster Pays slots

Cluster Pays slots come with numerous benefits, but there are also drawbacks attached. It is important to weigh the pros and cons before you play, so you can determine if it is right for you. Knowing this, we have provided you with a list below.

Pros of Cluster Pays

• It offers unpredictability, boosting the thrill you get from a game since winning combinations show up randomly.
• Since there are no fixed paylines, your chance of winning is higher
• Landing larger clusters could mean bigger payouts
• Cluster pays slot come with exciting features like cascade wins and progressive multipliers
• Most Cluster pays slots have above-average RTP

Cons of Cluster Pays

• They may be more difficult for new players to grasp
• Keeping track of your winnings may be difficult
• You won’t find progressive jackpots on most Cluster pays slots
• Symbol payouts for the minimum number are usually lower than with payline slots