What Is a Paytable?
A paytable is an information screen built into every slot game. It lists every symbol, explains what winning combinations pay, and describes all special features. Before you play any slot — even one you've played before — checking the paytable takes less than a minute and gives you a significant informational advantage.
The Main Sections of a Paytable
1. Symbol Values
The first page of most paytables shows all the game's symbols ranked from highest to lowest value. Payouts are usually expressed as a multiplier of your bet or as a fixed coin value. For example, landing five of the highest-value symbol might pay 500x your bet.
- Premium symbols: Usually themed characters, objects, or card suits with higher values.
- Low-value symbols: Often standard playing card royals (A, K, Q, J, 10) with smaller payouts.
2. Paylines and Ways to Win
This section explains how winning combinations are formed. There are two main systems:
- Fixed/selectable paylines: Wins must land on specific lines across the reels, typically from left to right.
- Ways to Win (243, 1024, etc.): Any matching symbol in adjacent reels from left to right counts as a win, regardless of row position.
Knowing whether a game has 20 paylines or 1,024 ways to win dramatically affects how often you hit winning combinations.
3. Wild Symbols
The paytable will explain exactly how the Wild symbol behaves in that specific game. Wilds commonly substitute for other symbols to complete wins, but each game can give them unique rules — expanding, stacked, sticky, or walking wilds all work differently.
4. Scatter Symbols
Scatters typically trigger bonus features (like free spins) when a certain number appear anywhere on the reels — they don't need to be on a payline. The paytable will tell you exactly how many scatters you need and what they trigger.
5. Bonus Features and Rules
This is often the most important section for experienced players. It details:
- How to trigger the bonus round.
- What happens during the bonus (free spins count, multiplier values, special rules).
- Whether the bonus can be retriggered.
- Any rules around special mechanics like cascading reels, hold-and-spin, or pick-me games.
6. RTP and Volatility Information
Some paytables (and game info screens) also disclose the game's Return to Player (RTP) percentage and volatility rating. If this information is available, always check it — it tells you how much the game pays back over time and how "risky" it is in terms of win frequency.
A Quick Paytable Reading Checklist
- ✅ What is the highest-paying symbol and what does it pay?
- ✅ How are wins formed — paylines or ways to win?
- ✅ What does the Wild do in this game?
- ✅ How many Scatters trigger the bonus?
- ✅ What does the bonus round involve?
- ✅ Is the RTP listed anywhere?
Why This Matters
Many players spin without reading the paytable and miss out on features, misunderstand how wins are formed, or don't realize a game's maximum potential payout. Taking 60 seconds to read the paytable transforms you from a passive player into an informed one. Every slot game is different — treat the paytable as your rule book.