What Is a Slot Paytable?

A paytable (also called the "info screen" or "pay screen") is the built-in reference guide for every online slot. It tells you exactly how the game works — what each symbol is worth, how paylines function, what the special symbols do, and how bonus features are triggered. Before playing any slot for the first time, reading the paytable is the most important thing you can do.

You can usually access the paytable by clicking an "i", "?", or menu icon within the game interface.

Section 1: Symbol Values

The first section of most paytables lists every symbol in the game alongside its payout values. These values are typically shown as a multiplier of your stake or as a coin win based on the number of matching symbols landing on a payline.

  • Premium symbols: These are the thematic symbols unique to the game (e.g., explorers, artifacts, animals). They pay the highest amounts.
  • Low-value symbols: Usually represented by playing card values (A, K, Q, J, 10, 9). They pay less but appear more frequently.
  • Wild symbol: Substitutes for other symbols to help form wins. Does not usually substitute for Scatters or Bonus symbols.
  • Scatter symbol: Often triggers the bonus round. Pays regardless of payline position in many games.

Section 2: Paylines and Ways to Win

Paylines define the paths across the reels where winning symbol combinations must land. There are several common structures:

  1. Fixed paylines: A set number of lines (e.g., 10, 20, 25) that are always active. Your bet is divided across all of them.
  2. Selectable paylines: Older style where you choose how many lines to activate.
  3. 243 / 1,024 / All Ways: No traditional paylines — wins are formed when matching symbols appear on adjacent reels from left to right in any position.
  4. Cluster pays: Wins form when a group of matching symbols connect horizontally and vertically (e.g., Sweet Bonanza).

Section 3: Special Symbol Rules

The paytable will explain the specific rules for each special symbol. Pay close attention to:

  • Does the Wild stack? Some Wilds appear stacked, covering multiple positions on a reel.
  • Does the Scatter pay anywhere? Most Scatters pay regardless of position, but some require specific reels.
  • How many Scatters trigger the bonus? Usually 3, but this varies by game.

Section 4: Bonus Feature Rules

This section explains how the game's special features work — free spins, pick games, multipliers, and any unique mechanics. Read this carefully so you're not caught off guard when a feature triggers.

Section 5: RTP and Volatility

Many paytables now include the game's Return to Player (RTP) percentage and sometimes its volatility rating. RTP is the theoretical percentage of all wagered money a slot pays back over a large number of spins. A 96% RTP means that, theoretically, for every 100 units wagered, 96 are returned — though this is calculated over millions of spins and does not predict any individual session outcome.

Quick Reference Checklist

  • ✅ What is the highest-paying symbol?
  • ✅ How many paylines or ways to win are there?
  • ✅ What triggers the bonus round?
  • ✅ Does the Wild have any special properties?
  • ✅ What is the RTP of this game?

Taking two minutes to go through these questions before spinning will make you a much more informed player.