Understanding slot paytables and paylines represents essential knowledge for informed slot play. Paytables provide complete information about symbol values, special features, bonus mechanisms, and game mathematics, whilst payline structures determine how wins form. Reading and interpreting this information helps players choose appropriate games, understand win potential, and set realistic expectations.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about slot paytables and paylines, covering how to access and interpret paytable information, understanding different payline structures, calculating potential wins, and using paytable data to inform game selection.
Accessing Slot Paytables
Every online slot provides paytable access displaying comprehensive game information.
Finding the Paytable
Common locations:
- “i” button: Information icon (typically bottom-left or top-right of game screen)
- “?” button: Question mark icon serving identical function
- Menu button: Three-line “hamburger” menu often contains paytable access
- Paytable button: Some games label access explicitly
Desktop vs mobile: Button placement varies between platforms but functionality remains identical. Mobile games often integrate paytable access into streamlined interfaces with slightly different navigation.
Paytable Formats
Multiple pages: Most paytables span several screens or pages:
- Page 1: Symbol values
- Page 2: Special feature explanations
- Page 3: Bonus round details
- Page 4: Payline diagrams
- Page 5: Game rules and RTP information
Navigation: Arrow buttons, swipe gestures, or page indicators allow browsing paytable sections.
Always review completely: Don’t stop after viewing symbol values—later pages often contain crucial feature and rule information.
Understanding Symbol Values
The paytable’s core information details what each symbol pays for various combination lengths.
Reading Symbol Payouts
Standard format: Symbol images appear with corresponding payout values.
Example paytable entry:
7️⃣ Symbol:
5 symbols: 200 coins
4 symbols: 100 coins
3 symbols: 50 coins
2 symbols: 10 coinsInterpretation: Landing five 7 symbols on an active payline pays 200 coins per coin wagered.
Coin Values vs Stake Multipliers
Paytables display payouts in two common formats:
Coin-based payouts:
- Shows wins in “coins” (e.g., 200 coins)
- Actual win = coins × coin value
- Example: 200 coins at £0.10 coin value = £20 win
Stake multipliers:
- Shows wins as multipliers of total bet (e.g., 10x)
- Actual win = multiplier × total stake
- Example: 10x multiplier on £1 bet = £10 win
Converting between formats:
If paytable shows coins and you need stake multiplier:
- Multiply coin value by symbol payout
- Divide by total bet
Example:
- Total bet: £1 (10 paylines × £0.10 per line)
- Symbol pays: 200 coins
- Coin value: £0.10
- Calculation: 200 × £0.10 = £20 ÷ £1 total bet = 20x multiplier
Symbol Hierarchy
Paytables typically organize symbols from highest to lowest value:
Premium symbols (highest value):
- Theme-specific character or object symbols
- Require 3+ symbols for wins (sometimes 2+)
- Pay substantially for 4-5 symbol combinations
Medium symbols:
- Secondary thematic symbols
- Moderate payout values
- Bridge gap between premium and low symbols
Low-value symbols:
- Playing card symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10, 9)
- Most frequent symbols
- Lower payouts even for 5-symbol combinations
- Often require 3+ symbols minimum
Special symbols:
- Wilds: Usually pay similar to or exceeding premium symbols
- Scatters: Often pay regardless of payline position
- Bonus symbols: Typically don’t pay directly but trigger features
Minimum Winning Combinations
Varies by symbol value:
Low-value symbols: Usually require 3+ symbols
- Example: 3-4-5 J symbols pays, 2 J symbols doesn’t
High-value symbols: Sometimes pay with just 2+ symbols
- Example: 2-3-4-5 premium symbols all create wins
Wild symbols: Often match premium symbol requirements
Rationale: Balancing hit frequency—common low-value symbols need more matches, rare premium symbols pay with fewer.
Payline Structures Explained
Paylines determine which symbol combinations create winning spins.
Traditional Fixed Paylines
Definition: Predetermined patterns across reels where matching symbols must land to create wins.
Common structures:
5-payline slots:
- Three horizontal lines (top, middle, bottom rows)
- Two diagonal lines (top-left to bottom-right, bottom-left to top-right)
10-payline slots:
- 5 basic lines plus additional V-shapes and zigzag patterns
20-25 payline slots:
- Complex patterns covering numerous reel position combinations
50+ payline slots:
- Extensive pattern coverage
- Nearly every conceivable reel position combination included
Viewing Paylines
Static display: Some slots constantly display all paylines overlaid on reels (can appear cluttered).
Interactive viewing: Most modern slots allow viewing individual paylines:
- Click/tap payline number buttons
- Selected payline highlights on reels
- Review each pattern separately understanding win formation
During wins: Active winning paylines often highlight during win animations showing exactly which pattern generated the win.
Win Direction: Left-to-Right vs Both Ways
Standard left-to-right: Most slots pay only when matching symbols start from leftmost reel (reel 1) and continue rightward:
Example:
- A-A-A-B-C on payline = 3-A win
- B-A-A-A-A on payline = no win (A symbols don’t start from reel 1)
Both-ways-pay slots: Accept wins from both left-to-right AND right-to-left:
Example on both-ways slot:
- A-A-A-B-C = 3-A win (left-to-right)
- B-C-A-A-A = 3-A win (right-to-left)
Effective payline doubling: Both-ways functionality effectively doubles winning opportunities, often reflected in paytable values (slightly lower per-symbol payouts compensating for doubled win chances).
Fixed vs Adjustable Paylines
Fixed paylines: All paylines always active, stake divided equally across all lines:
- 20-payline slot at £1 total bet = £0.05 per payline
- Cannot deactivate paylines
- Simpler betting structure
Adjustable paylines: Choose how many paylines to activate:
- Select 1-25 paylines (for example)
- Stake per line chosen separately
- Total bet = lines activated × stake per line
Modern trend: Fixed paylines dominate modern slots for simplicity and optimal play (activating all lines always mathematically superior).
Ways-to-Win Mechanics
Many modern slots abandon paylines entirely, using ways-to-win systems.
How Ways-to-Win Works
Adjacent symbol matching: Win by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels regardless of vertical position.
Requirements:
- Symbols must appear on consecutive reels starting from leftmost reel
- Vertical position irrelevant
- Each matching symbol on each reel multiplies win
Example:
- Reel 1: symbol A at bottom
- Reel 2: symbol A at middle
- Reel 3: symbol A at top
- Result: 3-symbol win despite non-aligned positions
Calculating Ways to Win
Formula: Ways = positions per reel multiplied together
Example 1: Standard 243-ways slot:
- 5 reels, 3 rows each
- 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 243 ways to win
Example 2: Megaways variable:
- 6 reels, 2-7 symbols each (varies per spin)
- Spin showing 3-5-7-4-6-2 symbols:
- 3 × 5 × 7 × 4 × 6 × 2 = 5,040 ways to win that spin
Win multiplication: If multiple matching symbols appear per reel:
- Reel 1: 2× symbol A
- Reel 2: 1× symbol A
- Reel 3: 3× symbol A
- Calculation: 2 × 1 × 3 = 6 separate winning combinations
Advantages of Ways-to-Win
Increased win frequency: More winning combinations possible compared to limited paylines.
Simpler comprehension: No complex payline patterns—just match adjacently from left.
Better coverage: Effectively covers all possible adjacent matching combinations.
Modern preference: Players generally prefer ways-to-win over paylines for clearer understanding and better coverage.
Scatter Symbols in Paytables
Scatters follow different rules than regular symbols.
Scatter Payout Information
Positional independence: Paytables clarify scatters pay regardless of position or payline:
Example paytable entry:
⭐ Scatter Symbol:
5 scatters anywhere: 100x total bet
4 scatters anywhere: 20x total bet
3 scatters anywhere: 5x total bet
+ Triggers 15 free spins (3+ scatters)“Anywhere” indication: Key phrase showing positional independence.
Scatter Dual Functions
Immediate win + Feature trigger: Most scatters both pay instantly AND activate bonuses.
Clarifying paytable information: Distinguishes between:
- Scatter wins (paid immediately)
- Feature triggers (requires 3+ usually)
- Enhanced features (4+ scatters might grant more free spins)
Example:
- 2 scatters: Small win, no feature
- 3 scatters: Medium win + 10 free spins
- 4 scatters: Large win + 15 free spins
- 5 scatters: Huge win + 20 free spins
Retrigger Information
Paytables explain whether scatters during features award additional spins:
Typical wording: “Landing 3+ scatters during free spins awards additional free spins”
Retrigger values: Usually 5-10+ spins per scatter set.
Wild Symbol Rules
Wilds require specific paytable explanation due to varied behaviours across games.
Substitution Rules
Standard explanation: “Wild substitutes for all symbols except scatters and bonus symbols.”
Exceptions: Some games include other exceptions:
- Wilds don’t substitute for special symbols
- Wilds only substitute on particular reels
- Conditional wild substitution
Payout as symbols: Some paytables show wild symbol payout values when forming combinations of only wilds.
Wild Variations
Paytables must explain non-standard wild behaviours:
Expanding wilds: “Wild symbols expand to cover entire reel after landing”
Sticky wilds: “Wilds remain in position for [number] respins”
Walking wilds: “Wild shifts left by one position each respin”
Multiplier wilds: “Wilds carry 2x-5x multipliers applied to wins they complete”
Random wilds: “Game randomly adds 2-8 wilds to reels on any spin”
Complex wild mechanics: Some games feature elaborate wild systems requiring multiple paytable pages explaining functionality.
Bonus Features in Paytables
Comprehensive bonus explanations appear in paytable sections.
Free Spins Details
Trigger requirements: How many/which symbols activate free spins
Initial spin count: Number of free spins awarded (may vary by trigger symbol count)
Enhanced rules: How free spins differ from base game:
- Multipliers applied
- Additional wilds
- Different symbol sets
- Expanded reels
Retrigger possibility: Whether/how to award additional spins during feature
Example paytable text:
Free Spins Bonus:
- Triggered by 3+ scatter symbols
- Awards 10-20 free spins depending on trigger
- All wins during free spins multiplied by 3x
- Landing 2+ scatters awards 5 additional spins
- Feature cannot retrigger after 100 total spinsPick-and-Click Bonuses
Activation method: Which symbols/combinations trigger interactive bonus
Gameplay explanation: How bonus functions (pick items, select paths, etc.)
Prize possibilities: Range of potential wins (cash prizes, multipliers, jackpots)
Termination conditions: How bonus ends (collecting “end” symbol, set number of picks)
Mystery Features
Random activation: Explanation that features trigger randomly without specific symbol requirements
Feature types: What can occur (added wilds, symbol transformations, multiplier boosts)
Frequency information: Some paytables indicate approximate trigger frequencies
RTP (Return to Player) Information
UK regulations require RTP disclosure in paytables.
Understanding RTP
Definition: Theoretical percentage returned to players over millions of spins.
Example: 96% RTP means theoretically returning £96 for every £100 wagered long-term.
Long-term statistic: Applies over millions of spins, not individual sessions.
House edge relationship: House edge = 100% – RTP
- 96% RTP = 4% house edge
- 94% RTP = 6% house edge
RTP Variations
Feature buy different RTPs: Games with purchase options often show:
- Base game RTP: 96%
- Feature buy RTP: 96.5%
Bonus game contributions: Some paytables break down RTP contributions:
- Base game: 70% of total RTP
- Free spins: 25% of total RTP
- Random features: 5% of total RTP
Helps understanding: Shows which elements contribute most to returns.
Comparing RTPs
Higher is better: When choosing between similar slots, prefer higher RTPs:
- 97% RTP superior to 94% RTP
- 3% difference significantly impacts long-term results
Typical ranges:
- Premium slots: 96-97%+
- Average slots: 94-96%
- Lower-quality slots: 92-94%
- Progressive jackpot slots: 88-95% (lower RTP funds jackpot contributions)
Maximum Win Information
Paytables disclose maximum possible wins.
Win Cap Details
Format: Usually expressed as multiplier of total bet
- “Maximum win: 10,000x bet”
- “Wins capped at 50,000x bet”
Regulatory requirements: UK regulations require win cap disclosure.
Practical meaning: Understanding theoretical maximum helps set expectations.
Examples:
- £1 bet, 10,000x max win = £10,000 maximum possible win
- £0.20 bet, 50,000x max win = £10,000 maximum
Jackpot Information
Fixed jackpots: Set maximum wins shown clearly (5,000x, 10,000x, etc.)
Progressive jackpots: Current jackpot amounts usually displayed on game screen rather than paytable, though paytable explains mechanics.
Multiple jackpot tiers: Paytables explain different levels (Mini, Minor, Major, Grand).
Calculating Your Potential Wins
Using paytable information, you can calculate exact win amounts for any combination.
Basic Win Calculation
Formula: Symbol payout × line bet = win amount
Example 1 – Payline slots:
- Symbol pays: 200 coins
- Total bet: £1 across 20 paylines
- Line bet: £0.05 (£1 ÷ 20 lines)
- Coin value: £0.01
- Win: 200 coins × £0.01 = £2
- Or: 200 coins × £0.05 line bet = £10 (if using line bet calculation)
Paytable format matters: Verify whether paytable shows:
- Coins (multiply by coin value)
- Line bet multipliers (multiply by line bet)
- Total bet multipliers (multiply by total stake)
Ways-to-Win Calculations
More complex: Each matching symbol per reel contributes:
Example:
- Symbol A pays 5 coins for 3-symbol match
- Spin shows: 2× A on reel 1, 3× A on reel 2, 1× A on reel 3
- Calculation: 2 × 3 × 1 = 6 separate winning combinations
- Total win: 6 × 5 coins = 30 coins
- Convert to currency: 30 coins × coin value
Multiple Simultaneous Wins
Adding wins together: Spins commonly create multiple different wins simultaneously:
Example spin results:
- 3× symbol A on payline 1: 10 coins
- 4× symbol K on payline 5: 5 coins
- 5× symbol Q on payline 12: 8 coins
- Scatter win: 20 coins
- Total spin win: 10 + 5 + 8 + 20 = 43 coins
Games handle automatically: You needn’t calculate manually—games sum all wins, but understanding helps verify correctness.
Bet Configuration and Paytables
Understanding how your bet settings affect wins helps optimize play.
Bet Level vs Coin Value
Some slots separate:
Coin value: What each coin costs (£0.01, £0.05, £0.10, etc.)
Bet level: Multiplier applied to coin bets (1x, 2x, 5x, 10x)
Total bet: Paylines × coin value × bet level
Example:
- 20 paylines
- £0.05 coin value
- 5x bet level
- Total bet: 20 × £0.05 × 5 = £5.00
Win calculation: Paytable coin values × coin value × bet level = actual win
Fixed Bet Structures
Modern slots increasingly use simplified betting:
Stake selector: Single slider/buttons adjusting total bet directly (£0.20, £0.40, £1.00, £2.00, etc.)
Clearer for players: Removes confusion around paylines, coin values, and bet levels.
Paytable adaptation: Shows wins as total bet multipliers rather than coins.
Special Paytable Sections
Beyond basic symbols and features, paytables include additional information.
Game Rules
Malfunction voids: Standard disclaimer that malfunctions void all pays and plays.
Simultaneous wins: Explanation of how multiple wins combine (usually additive).
Incomplete games: Policy on disconnections during play (usually games resume automatically).
Currency: Specified currency for demonstration purposes.
Autoplay Information
Available settings: Explanation of autoplay options (spin count, stop conditions).
Loss limits: Autoplay stopping upon reaching loss thresholds.
Feature stops: Whether autoplay pauses during bonus features.
Theoretical Information
Hit frequency: Approximate percentage of spins producing wins (some paytables include).
Volatility indicators: Some paytables rate volatility (low, medium, high).
Payback statistics: Detailed RTP breakdowns by feature.
Reading Paytables: Practical Tips
Before Playing Any Slot
Always review paytables first: Spending 2-3 minutes reading paytables prevents surprises and helps determine whether games suit preferences.
Key information to note:
- RTP percentage
- Maximum win potential
- Minimum bet requirements
- Bonus trigger requirements
- Volatility indicators
- Special feature mechanics
Comparing Games
Use paytables for comparisons when choosing between similar slots:
Comparison checklist:
- Which offers higher RTP?
- Which has better maximum win?
- Which features appeal more?
- Which symbol values provide better payouts?
- Which has clearer, simpler mechanics?
Spotting Good Value
Higher-paying symbols: Compare symbol values between similar slots—some pay significantly better for identical combinations.
Feature frequency: Games disclosing trigger frequencies help assess whether features hit often enough for enjoyment.
Balanced paytables: Well-designed slots show logical progressions:
- Clear value hierarchy (premium > medium > low)
- Reasonable gaps between symbol values
- Achievable bonus requirements
Common Paytable Mistakes to Avoid
Not Reading Complete Paytables
Stopping too early: Many players view symbol values only, missing crucial feature information on later pages.
Missing important details: Special conditions, betting requirements, or feature mechanics often appear on later paytable pages.
Misunderstanding Coin vs Currency
Confusion: Not recognizing whether payouts show coins or currency multipliers causes win calculation errors.
Solution: Paytables usually clarify (look for “coins”, “total bet”, or currency symbols).
Ignoring Minimum Bets
Feature requirements: Some features require minimum bet levels to activate:
- Jackpots accessible only at certain stakes
- Bonus features locked below bet thresholds
Check requirements: Ensure your planned bet level activates all desired features.
Overlooking RTP
Substantial differences: Some slots offer 92% RTP whilst others provide 97%—this 5% difference dramatically impacts long-term results.
Always check: Never assume all slots offer similar RTPs.
Mobile vs Desktop Paytables
Paytable presentation adapts to different devices.
Mobile Paytable Formats
Vertical scrolling: Mobile paytables often use vertical scroll rather than page-by-page navigation.
Touch-optimized: Larger touch targets, swipe gestures, pinch-to-zoom for detailed viewing.
Condensed information: Some mobile paytables abbreviate information fitting smaller screens.
Functionality Parity
Complete information: Mobile paytables contain identical information to desktop despite different presentation.
Equally accessible: All critical data (RTP, max wins, feature rules) available on both platforms.
Conclusion
Understanding slot paytables and paylines empowers informed game selection and realistic expectation-setting. Paytables provide comprehensive information about symbol values, special features, bonus mechanics, RTP percentages, and maximum win potential—everything needed to understand how slots function and what to expect.
Always access and review complete paytables before playing, noting RTP, maximum wins, feature requirements, and special symbol behaviours. Use paytable information to compare similar games, identify better value, and choose slots matching your preferences and bankroll.
Payline structures vary from traditional fixed patterns to modern ways-to-win systems, with paytables clearly explaining how wins form in each game. Understanding these mechanics helps recognize win potential and appreciate game design.
Calculate potential wins using paytable data, verifying whether payouts display as coins, line bet multipliers, or total bet multipliers. This understanding helps set appropriate bet levels and ensures you’re playing within comfortable stakes achieving desired win potentials.
Remember that paytables show theoretical information based on millions of spins. Short-term sessions produce any result regardless of RTP or paytable payouts. Use paytable information for informed decision-making whilst accepting that variance dominates short-term play.
Take time reading paytables—this simple habit dramatically improves slot experiences through better game understanding, appropriate selection, and realistic expectations. The few minutes spent reviewing paytables pays dividends through enhanced enjoyment and informed play.