The horizontal choices
The upper row crosses the top window of every reel. The centre and lower rows cross their respective levels. Each uses exactly one symbol from each of the three columns.
Columns themselves are excluded from scoring. They are the fixed strips being moved, whereas a scoring route compares positions across those strips. The distinction remains the same in both candidate panels of the workbench.
The diagonal choices
The descending route runs upper left to centre to lower right. The ascending route runs lower left to centre to upper right. Neither can skip the centre or bend into a neighbouring window.
A pair at the two ends of a diagonal counts normally. The unmatched centre symbol does not prevent a pair, but it would need a legal Strike substitution to turn that pair into a triple.
The selected route is collected once
All different symbols yield one point coin. A pair yields two coins and one matching emblem; a triple yields four coins and one matching emblem. Other visible matches are not added to the same turn.
The comparison workbench shows two possible results side by side. Its commit control chooses only the selected candidate. That prevents a comparison of alternatives from accidentally looking like two awards earned on one turn.