What Is a Paytable?

A paytable is the information screen built into every slot game that tells you everything you need to know about how the game pays. Before placing a single bet, reading the paytable is the smartest thing you can do. It's completely free to access — just look for an "i", "?" or "Paytable" button in the game's interface.

What You'll Find in a Paytable

Different games lay out their paytables differently, but they all contain the same core information. Here's what to look for:

1. Symbol Values

The most prominent section of any paytable shows how much each symbol pays when it lands in a winning combination. Symbols are typically listed from highest to lowest value. You'll see:

  • Premium symbols — often theme-related characters or objects; these pay the most.
  • Low-value symbols — usually card ranks (A, K, Q, J, 10) or simple shapes; these pay smaller amounts.
  • Pay values are shown as either a multiplier of your total bet (e.g. "5x") or as a coin amount (which you'll need to translate based on your stake).

2. Payline Structure

The paytable explains how many paylines the slot has and how they run across the reels. Some important things to note:

  • Fixed paylines — all lines are always active; you can't deselect them.
  • Adjustable paylines — you can choose how many lines to play (though playing fewer lines reduces your win coverage).
  • "Ways to win" games — no traditional paylines; wins form anywhere adjacent symbols match.

3. Wild Symbol Rules

Every slot with a Wild will explain exactly how it behaves:

  • Does it substitute for all symbols or only some?
  • Is it an expanding, sticky, or multiplier Wild?
  • Can it appear on all reels, or only certain ones?

4. Scatter Symbol and Bonus Trigger

The Scatter symbol usually triggers the main bonus feature (often Free Spins). The paytable will tell you:

  • How many Scatters are needed to trigger the bonus (typically 3).
  • Whether Scatters pay regardless of position.
  • What the bonus round involves and any multipliers or special rules within it.

5. RTP and Volatility (Sometimes)

Many modern slots display the RTP percentage and sometimes a volatility indicator within the paytable or game info screen. Always check this — it's one of the most useful pieces of data the game gives you.

6. Minimum and Maximum Bet

The paytable (or adjacent settings screen) shows the betting range. Always confirm the minimum bet per spin before starting, especially on Megaways or multi-feature games where the default bet is sometimes higher than expected.

A Practical Example: Reading a Paytable Entry

Say a paytable shows: "Crown symbol — 5 of a kind = 20x"

If your total bet per spin is £0.50, a 5-of-a-kind Crown win pays: £0.50 × 20 = £10.00.

If it shows "5 of a kind = 500 coins" and you're playing at 0.01 coins per line with 20 lines active (total bet = 0.20 coins per spin), then: 500 × 0.01 = £5.00. Always trace the maths back to your actual stake.

Tips for Beginners

  1. Always read the paytable before your first spin — no exceptions.
  2. Check the RTP — it's often listed in the game info section.
  3. Understand the bonus trigger conditions — know how many Scatters you need before you start.
  4. Verify the max win — this tells you the ceiling of what the game can pay, which reflects its overall potential.
  5. Note whether there's a bonus buy option — and be aware of its cost relative to the expected value.

Summary

The paytable is your roadmap to any slot game. Spending two minutes reading it before playing means you'll never be caught off guard by unexpected rules, and you'll understand every win (and non-win) as it happens. It's the single most empowering habit a slot player can develop.