How Cascading Reels Work
On a standard pokie, each spin produces one result. The reels stop, any wins are paid and the next spin starts from scratch. Cascading reels work differently.
1. You spin. The grid fills with symbols as normal.
2. Wins are paid. Any winning combinations are paid.
3. Winning symbols disappear. The symbols that formed the win are removed from the grid.
4. New symbols fall in. The remaining symbols drop down, and new symbols fall from above to fill the gaps.
5. The game checks again. If the new arrangement forms another win, that win is paid and the process repeats.
6. The sequence ends. When no new win forms, the cascade sequence is over, and you need to spin again.
All of the wins in a sequence come from the one stake you placed for that spin. No extra bet is taken for each cascade.
A Simple Example
You spin and land four matching symbols, winning $0.40. Those four symbols disappear, and new ones fall in, creating a second win of $0.60. Those symbols disappear too, but the next drop does not form a win. Your total for the spin is $0.40 + $0.60 = $1.00.
Different Names for the Same Idea
Different developers use their own names for cascading mechanics:
- Avalanche: used by NetEnt, most famously in Gonzo's Quest, where symbols crumble and fall like blocks of stone.
- Tumble: used in many Pragmatic Play games, such as Sweet Bonanza and Gates of Olympus.
- Reactions: used by Big Time Gaming in Megaways games such as Bonanza Megaways.
- Rolling reels and cascades: used by various other studios.
The core idea is the same in each case, although the details, such as how symbols are replaced, can vary.
Features Often Paired With Cascading Reels
Increasing Multipliers
Many cascading games add a multiplier that grows with each cascade in a sequence. In Gonzo's Quest, for example, the base game multiplier rises from 1x to 2x, 3x and 5x on consecutive avalanches, and during the Free Falls feature it rises from 3x to 6x, 9x and 15x.
In some games, the multiplier resets after each paid spin. In others, especially during free spins, it keeps building across the whole bonus round.
Multiplier Symbols
In tumble games such as Gates of Olympus, and during free spins in Sweet Bonanza, multiplier symbols can land during a sequence. Their values are combined and applied to the total win of that tumble sequence.
Cluster and Pay-Anywhere Wins
Cascading reels are very common in cluster pays and "pay anywhere" games, where symbols win in groups rather than along lines. Removing a cluster opens space for new groups to form.
Megaways
In many Megaways games, each cascade can also change the number of ways to win, as new symbols of different sizes fall into the reels.
Progress Meters
Some games fill a meter with each cascade or each removed symbol, unlocking a feature, extra wilds or a bigger multiplier when the meter is full.
Cascading Reels, RTP and Volatility
Cascades can make a game feel generous, because one spin can produce several wins. But every possible cascade is already built into the game's return to player (RTP). The extra wins are not a bonus on top of the game's maths. They are part of it.
Some points to keep in mind:
- Many cascade wins are small. A sequence of small wins can still total less than your stake.
- Big wins rely on long sequences. The largest payouts in cascading games usually come from long chains combined with rising multipliers, which are rare.
- Volatility varies. Games with growing multipliers or multiplier symbols tend to be higher volatility, because much of their return depends on rare, long sequences.
Common Misconceptions About Cascading Reels
"Cascades are free spins."
Not quite. Cascades are extra results within a single paid spin. They are not a separate bonus round and they are included in the game's RTP.
"A long cascade means the next spin will be quiet."
No. Each spin is independent and decided by the random number generator. One spin's result says nothing about the next. See Pokies Myths Explained.
"More cascades means a better game."
Not necessarily. Frequent cascades often mean smaller individual wins. A game's overall return is set by its RTP, not by how often it cascades.
Playing Responsibly
Chains of wins, with animations and sounds for every cascade, can make a spin feel more successful than it was. Watch your balance rather than the number of wins, and set a budget and time limit before you play. Our guides on setting gambling limits and recognising gambling harm explain practical steps, and Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.