How to Read a Slot Paytable: The Complete Guide to Understanding Every Symbol, Payout & Feature

A slot paytable is an information screen built into every slot game that shows symbol values, payline patterns, bonus feature rules, RTP, volatility, and bet limits. You access it by clicking the "i" or "Info" button on the game screen.

You do not technically need to — the game calculates wins automatically. But reading the paytable tells you which symbols matter most, what triggers the bonus, and whether the game's risk profile matches your budget. It takes two minutes and prevents confusion about why certain things happen during play.

Look for an "i", "?", or "Info" button, usually in the bottom-left corner of the game screen. On mobile, it may be inside a hamburger menu. Every regulated online slot is required to include a paytable.

Low-value symbols (usually playing card royals like 10, J, Q, K, A) pay small amounts and appear frequently. High-value symbols (theme-specific graphics) pay significantly more but appear less often. The paytable lists exact payout values for each.

Some slots have adjustable RTP, meaning the casino operator can select from several settings (e.g., 94.5%, 95.5%, or 96.5%). The paytable shows the possible range. The actual RTP depends on which version the casino has chosen to run. Always check if the RTP shown is a range or a fixed value.

Most modern online slots show paytable values as multipliers of your total bet. If a symbol shows "10x" and you bet £1, that combination pays £10. Some older games use coin values instead, which require knowing your coin denomination to calculate real payouts.

No. Every spin uses a random number generator (RNG), so outcomes are completely random. The paytable shows you what is possible and how the game is structured, but it cannot predict when any particular result will occur.

Start with RTP and volatility to confirm the game matches your bankroll and goals. Then check the scatter and bonus rules to understand what you are playing towards. Finally, review the top symbol values and the max win cap.

The paytable states this clearly, usually on the first page. Payline games show line patterns. Ways to win games state the number (e.g., "243 ways"). Cluster pays games explain the minimum cluster size required for a win.

Wild symbols substitute for other regular symbols to complete winning combinations on a payline. Scatter symbols trigger bonus features (like free spins) and typically pay anywhere on the reels regardless of payline position. Most wilds cannot replace scatters.