Cascading Reels Slots Explained
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Cascading reels are a slot mechanic allowing multiple wins from a single spin, as matching symbols are removed and replaced. This one-spin chain loop is known by terms like tumbling, avalanche, or reactions, as each game tends to have its own label for it.
How the Cascade Works
The basic process: a win is cleared, the remaining symbols slip down, new ones fill the gaps, and the grid is checked again. The process continues until no paid combination remains on the screen, all within the one paid spin.
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Gonzo's Quest is a notable example of this in live use. In that game, the mechanic is called Avalanche: when symbols form a winning combination they crumble, and new ones cascade down to occupy the gaps.
The Different Labels
Cascading reels are the same mechanic as tumbling or avalanche reels. The name is set by the studio, but the basic sequence does not change: clearing a paid win, filling the empty spots, and re-evaluating to see if another win formed.
- NetEnt uses Avalanche for its version of the mechanic.
- Pragmatic Play uses the Tumble label.
- Big Time Gaming calls it Reactions.
- Rolling reels and gravity reels are also used, but these are more general terms than strict studio names.
Online slot games will use their studio's favoured title, but the same principles apply: matching symbols pay out, disappear, and are replaced with new ones, allowing a continuous cascade for as long as new wins form.
What to Expect in Play
Many games add a multiplier linked to the cascade, with the effect growing with each consecutive cascade. Multipliers are not universal in cascade-enabled slots, and the way they apply differs from game to game.
Because every game is designed independently by the studio, the exact mechanics can vary. Cascades are already built into a slot's published RTP, but how one studio implements its Avalanche will not be the same as how another runs its Tumble. As with any slot feature, it is best to check the paytable of the game you are playing. Gambling is for adults only and costs money; deposit limits and help services are available.