The Paytable Is Your Rulebook

Every slot machine has a paytable — the complete information screen accessible via an 'i' or '?' button on the game interface. The paytable shows: which symbols pay and how much, how many paylines exist, what the wild and scatter symbols do, how bonus features are triggered, and what the game's RTP is. Reading the paytable before playing a new slot takes 30 seconds and is the most important habit for informed slot play. This guide covers what every element means.

Animated diagram showing slot payline patterns across a 5x3 grid
Paylines: from 1-line classics to 243-ways-to-win modern slots — understanding paylines is key. — Photo credit: PagBets.org

Symbols and Payouts

Most slots have two tiers of symbols. Low-value symbols (typically 10, J, Q, K, A) pay small multiples of your line bet for 3-5 matching symbols. High-value symbols (themed images) pay significantly more — usually 10x to 50x your line bet for 5 matching symbols. The paytable shows exact payouts for each combination, listed as multiples of your line bet (not total bet).

Symbol typeTypical payout (5 of a kind)Example
Low value (10-A)2x - 5x line betFive Aces = 5x
High value (themed)10x - 50x line betFive Dragons = 50x
Wild symbol20x - 500x line betFive Wilds = 500x
Scatter2x - 100x total betFive Scatters = 50x total

Special Symbols

Wilds substitute for any symbol (except scatter) to complete winning combinations. Types include regular wilds, expanding wilds (cover entire reel), sticky wilds (remain for multiple spins) and stacked wilds (appear in groups). Scatters trigger bonus features regardless of payline position — 3 or more scatters typically trigger free spins. The paytable explains the specific behaviour of wilds and scatters in each game.

Animated graphic showing free spins bonus round triggering with expanding wilds
Free spins with expanding wilds are the most common bonus feature — the paytable shows exactly how they work. — Photo credit: PagBets.org

Bonus Features

The paytable describes all bonus features: free spins (most common — triggered by 3+ scatters, usually 10-20 spins with enhanced features), pick-and-click (choose items to reveal prizes), cascading reels (winning symbols disappear and new ones fall), and multipliers (increase wins by 2x-10x during bonus rounds). The paytable also shows the maximum win potential (e.g., 5,000x your stake).

Chart showing common slot symbol values and their multipliers
Symbol hierarchy: low symbols (card values) pay 2-5x, high symbols pay 10-50x, wilds pay 50-500x. — Photo credit: PagBets.org

Paylines and Ways to Win

Fixed paylines (classic): wins must land on specific line patterns (1-50 lines). All ways (243 ways to win): any left-to-right combination of matching symbols wins. Megaways (up to 117,649 ways): reel heights change every spin, creating varying numbers of ways to win. The paytable or game info shows the exact payline patterns or ways-to-win structure.

  • Before playing any new slot: open the paytable (usually an 'i' button)
  • Check: RTP (aim for 96%+), volatility, maximum win and bonus trigger conditions
  • Understand: what wilds, scatters and bonus symbols do in that specific game
  • Note: some casinos run the same slot at lower RTP settings — always verify
Gambling involves risk — 18+, set deposit limits, and use the tools in our responsible gambling guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a slot paytable?
A slot paytable is the information screen that shows all symbol payouts, payline patterns, bonus features, wild/scatter rules and the game's RTP. It is the complete rulebook for any slot machine. Always read the paytable before playing a new slot — it takes 30 seconds and tells you everything you need to know.
What are wild symbols?
Wild symbols substitute for other symbols to complete winning combinations. Some wilds are 'sticky' (stay for multiple spins), 'expanding' (cover the entire reel), 'stacked' (appear in groups) or 'walking' (move positions each spin). The paytable explains exactly how wilds behave in each specific slot.
What are scatter symbols?
Scatter symbols trigger bonus features (usually free spins) regardless of their position on the reels. Most slots require 3 or more scatters anywhere on the reels to trigger the bonus round. Scatters typically also pay a multiple of your total bet (not just line bet) for 3, 4 or 5 symbols.
How do I find the RTP of a slot?
The RTP is usually listed in the paytable or game rules section, accessible via an info button on the game screen. If it's not shown, check the casino's game info page or the provider's website. Our slots guide lists the RTPs of the most popular slots.