The lightning Link and Dragon Link series of machines, developed by Aristocrat, are some of the most popular machines in any casino today. People flock to play the games to get the hold and spin or bonus rounds, but many don’t bother checking to see how the particular game and denomination pays. Today I am going to do a quick run-down of the payables on the various machines to help you understand where to look the next fime you sitsown at your favorite machine.
Oftentimes, machines will pay you more for playing higher denominations. In video poker, it’s not uncommon for the lower denom machines to pay less on flushes and full houses and the higher denoms to give you “true odds” on the machine. This is not the case with these two games.
Lightning Link: High Limit Versus Casino Floor
Whether playing Magic Pearl, Sahara Gold, High Steaks or a host of other variations available, Lightning Link machines generally follow the below paylines. Keep in mind that the minimum bet increases on 10 cent in high limit from $2.50 to $5. While that might be too steep for some, if you coninuously find yourself betting $5 or more on the various regular denoms, you should move into high limit and play there (or check yourself into a Gamblers Anonymous metting). Your paylines are doubled, so any hits on the payline will have better payouts and keep you alive longer to play for the Hold and Spin feature, which is what we all want anyway🤣😅😥😭
| Denom | Reg Paylines | High Limit Paylines |
| 1 cent | 50 | n/a |
| 2 cent | 50 | n/a |
| 5 cent | 25 | n/a |
| 10 cent | 25 | 50 |
| 25 cent | n/a | 50 |
| 50 cwnt | n/a | 25 |
| 1 dollar | n/a | 25 |
Dragon Link: Regular vs High Limit
Dragon link has an even larger difference in their regular slot machines versus their high limit slot machines. Their pay lines can vary between 50, 25, 15 and 5 paylines. It’s important to make sure that if you’re playing the higher denominations and placing the higher bets that you’re actually getting the biggest bang for your buck. For these machines, high limit truly is a greater value.
| Denom | Regular Paylines | High Limit Paylines |
| 1 cent | 50 | n/a |
| 2 cent | 25 | n/a |
| 5 cent | 25 | n/a |
| 10 cent | 15 | 50 |
| 25 cent | 15 | 25 |
| 50 cent | 15 | 25 |
| 1 dollar | 5 | 15 |
| 2 dollar | 5 | 15 |
| 5 dollar | n/a | 5 |
Two last notes:
1) The major jackpot is usually significantly higher in high limit then on the floor for both these machines. For example, a regular casino floor machine will have a Major below $1,000 and a Grand typically in the $10,000 range. Inside high limit, these machines will have Majors around $5000 and up and Grand starting at $50,000 and up so keep that in mind when you’re playing.
2)These machines are configured per a casino’s specification, so it’s possible to get great paylines on the casino floor (although I have yet to see it for these machines). Always check the paytables!
