Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Verdict: Step-by-step guide for all players
Last updated: March 2026
What is a Slot Paytable?
A paytable is an information screen within every online slot that shows you exactly how the game works. It lists every symbol and its value, explains all special features, shows payline layouts and often includes the game’s RTP and variance information. Reading the paytable before playing is one of the smartest habits any slot player can develop.
Where to Find the Paytable
Look for an information button in the game interface — usually labelled “i”, “?”, “Info” or “Paytable”. It is typically found in the corner of the game screen. On mobile, it may be accessed through a hamburger menu (three lines icon). Click it to open a series of information screens.
How to Read Symbol Values
The paytable shows each symbol with its corresponding payout values. Payouts are usually shown as multipliers of your total bet or as multipliers of your line bet. High-value symbols (often premium theme symbols like characters or special icons) pay the most. Low-value symbols (typically card suit symbols: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9) pay smaller amounts but appear more frequently.
Example: If the paytable shows the golden crown symbol pays 20x for 5-of-a-kind, and your total bet is £1, landing five crown symbols would win you £20.
Understanding Paylines vs Ways to Win
Fixed paylines are set paths across the reels where matching symbols must land from left to right. A 20-payline slot always has those 20 lines active. Ways to win slots (like Megaways) count any matching symbols on adjacent reels, regardless of exact position. Some slots use cluster pays where groups of matching symbols touching horizontally or vertically form wins.
Wild and Scatter Symbols Explained
Wild symbols substitute for other symbols to complete winning combinations, similar to a joker card. They may be standard, expanding (covering a whole reel), sticky (staying in place for respins) or multiplier wilds (doubling wins). Scatter symbols usually trigger the bonus round or free spins when three or more appear anywhere on the reels. They do not need to be on a payline.
Finding RTP and Variance in the Paytable
Many modern slots display their RTP in the paytable or game information screen. Look for a section labelled “Return to Player”, “RTP” or “Theoretical Return”. Variance is sometimes described as “Volatility” in the game info and rated as Low, Medium or High. If not shown directly, check the provider’s website or a trusted review site. Read our full RTP guide and volatility vs RTP guide.
Worked Example Walkthrough
Let us walk through reading the paytable for a fictional slot called “Golden Temple”:
- Open the paytable by clicking the “i” button
- Page 1 shows symbol values: Golden Temple logo = 25x / 10x / 5x for 5/4/3 of a kind
- Page 2 shows wild: Golden Wild substitutes for all symbols except scatter
- Page 3 shows scatter: 3+ scatter symbols anywhere triggers 10 free spins
- Page 4 shows bonus features: During free spins, all wilds are sticky
- Page 5 shows game info: RTP 96.2%, Volatility: High, Max Win: 5,000x
FAQ — How to Read a Slot Paytable
Do all slots have a paytable?
Yes. Every licensed slot game is required to have a paytable displaying all the game rules, symbol values and bonus features.
Where are payouts shown in the paytable?
Usually on the first page of the paytable as a table of symbols with their respective multipliers for different numbers of matching symbols.
How do I know if a slot has free spins?
Check the paytable for a scatter symbol description. It will state how many scatters you need to trigger free spins and how many spins you receive.
Can the paytable tell me how often I will win?
The paytable shows RTP and sometimes volatility, giving you a theoretical win rate. However, actual results in any session can differ significantly from the theoretical RTP.
What does “bet multiplier” mean in a paytable?
A bet multiplier means the payout is calculated as a multiple of your total bet. If a symbol pays 50x and you bet £0.20, winning that combination pays £10 (50 x £0.20).
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