Cascading reels slots are online casino games with a special feature. When a winning combination lands, the reels “cascade,” which removes the winning symbols from the game grid. This then triggers the arrival of new symbols from above to fill the empty spaces, which can potentially deliver another winning combination.
The cascade feature continues until no new winning combinations land, which can be extremely profitable for players.
NetEnt is the studio that pioneered the cascading reels mechanism, which first appeared as the avalanche feature in its hit slot game, Gonzo’s Quest. Numerous developers have followed suit since the game’s release in 2011, and cascading reels can be found in many video slot games today.
Best cascading reel slots
Popular games using the cascading reels feature include:
- Da Vinci Diamonds by IGT
- Bonanza Megaways by Big Time Gaming
- Rainbow Riches Megaways by Barcrest
- Reactoonz by Play’n GO
- Jammin Jars by Push Gaming
How cascading slots work
Slot games deliver a payout when a specific number of matching symbols land on one of the game’s paylines.
In most slots, a minimum of three matching symbols on a payline delivers a win, and if the game has cascading reels, the winning combination triggers a feature that removes the winning symbols and replaces them with new ones from above. If these new symbols help form another win, the game delivers another payout, and so on, until no new winning combinations form.
Cascading reels are commonly found in cluster pays slots, which offer wins when clusters of at least five symbols land on the game matrix, and in many Megaways slot games. You might see the cascading feature referred to as “avalanche” or “tumbling reels” – but they mean the same thing.
The cascading mechanism essentially offers multiple opportunities to win from just one spin of the reels. When the player places a qualifying bet to play the slot, the reels can theoretically cascade unlimited times, provided that wins continue landing on the game matrix.
This is the most attractive aspect of cascading reel slots, as they increase the value of each bet and potentially deliver multiple wins.
Recap: Cascading reels slots
Cascading reels slots allow players to land multiple winning combinations with the same bet.
When winning patterns land on the game grid, the winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones from above. This action might form another winning line, and the process continues until no new winning combinations land.
It’s for this reason that cascading reels slots are particularly popular at online casinos today.