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Top 10 Both Ways Slots

The top 10 Both Ways slots ranked by RTP — expert reviews, free demos, and full specs.

Top 10 Both Ways slots Browse all slots →
#2
Joker Pro 96.80% RTP Review →
#1
Flower 96.90% RTP Review →
#3
Wild Wild Riches 96.77% RTP Review →
#4
Twin Spin
Medium
96.60% Review →
#5
Viking Runecraft
Very High
96.60% Review →
#6
Raging Rex
Very High
96.51% Review →
#7
Energoonz
Medium
96.50% Review →
#8
Fortunium
Medium
96.47% Review →
#9
Spina Colada
Medium
96.40% Review →
#10
Wanted Dead or a Wild
Very High
96.38% Review →
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How Both Ways Works

Left-to-Right and Right-to-Left, Simultaneously

Both Ways — sometimes listed as "243 Both Ways" or simply "pays both ways" — is a payline modifier that evaluates winning combinations in two directions simultaneously: the standard left-to-right read starting from reel one, and a mirror right-to-left read starting from the final reel. Any matching combination that qualifies in either direction generates a payout, and combinations that qualify in both directions pay twice.

NetEnt made the mechanic mainstream with Starburst (2012) and Twin Spin (2013), two games that remain among the most widely distributed slots in the industry over a decade later. The mechanic's appeal lies partly in its transparency — players immediately understand that more directions means more chances — and partly in the fact that it requires no additional complexity or special features to explain.

Volatility Low–Medium
Win Directions 2 (L→R and R→L)
Key Developer

Why Both Ways Slots Feel More Forgiving

The perceived effect of paying both ways is a meaningful increase in win frequency — not because the base RTP changes (it typically does not), but because combinations that previously missed by starting on the wrong side of the reel now qualify. A three-of-a-kind combination landing on reels 3, 4, and 5 would fail on a left-to-right-only layout. On a both-ways layout it pays from the right. This recovers wins that players would otherwise experience as losses, smoothing the session variance.

Starburst builds on this with an additional expanding wild that locks and triggers a respin. When a Starburst wild lands, it expands to cover the entire reel, re-evaluates wins in both directions, and awards a respin. Landing additional Starburst wilds during that respin extends the sequence. The combination of both-ways evaluation and expanding-wild respins has made Starburst the default "low-risk" recommendation at the vast majority of online casinos — its simplicity and consistent return profile make it uniquely accessible.

Thunderkick's Esqueleto Explosivo takes the format in a different direction, adding a Mucho Multiplier that increases with each cascading win and applies to both-ways combinations — demonstrating that both-ways is a foundation mechanic compatible with complexity layers rather than a purely simple format.

Playing Both Ways Slots

  • Good for session starters: the smoother variance profile makes both-ways titles good warm-up sessions before moving to higher-volatility games.
  • Three-of-a-kind pays more often: with bidirectional evaluation, mid-reel matches pay from both ends. Short combinations are proportionally more valuable than on directional layouts.
  • Starburst wild timing: when a Starburst wild lands near the end of a spin sequence, multiple wilds locking simultaneously (one from each reel) can deliver disproportionately large respins.

Other Popular Both Ways Games

Starburst NetEnt; jewel theme, expanding wild respins, the industry's most widely played slot.
Twin Spin NetEnt; adjacent reels spin in sync, both-ways with a classic fruit machine aesthetic.
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Both Ways Slots — FAQ

SlotExplorer has reviewed 33 Both Ways slots. Every review includes the verified RTP, volatility rating, max win, and a free demo where available. Use the filter bar above to sort by RTP or explore by provider.

Among Both Ways slots reviewed on SlotExplorer, 1429 Uncharted Seas carries the highest verified RTP at 98.60%. Higher RTP reduces the house edge over long sessions, though short-session variance still applies. Always confirm the RTP with the operator before playing.

Yes. Most Both Ways slots are available in demo mode — no deposit and no registration required. Each SlotExplorer review links directly to a free demo where one exists, so you can test the mechanic at zero cost before committing real money.

Both Ways slots span a range of volatility profiles. High-volatility variants pay less frequently but can deliver larger individual wins; medium-volatility titles balance win frequency against payout size. Each SlotExplorer review lists the volatility rating alongside the RTP so you can match the game to your session bankroll and risk appetite.