Emmanuella Oluwafemi is an iGaming expert with 12+ years creating casino, sweepstakes, and sportsbook content. She’s written 3,000+ articles, including guides on gambling laws and gambling ads policies. Aside from being a skilled writer, Emmanuella also...
Read Full Bio
Nick is an ex-casino manager turned PR specialist. He began his career as a croupier in the UK, and went on to work in Europe, Russia, Africa, Asia, and the USA. Previously he has worked...
Read Full BioSlots are the easiest casino games to play, even if it’s your first time in front of the reels. At the same time, what makes the difference between an enjoyable session and a confused stare at symbols is knowing what pays out and how to do it. In this guide, we discuss why you should never skip over them before you play.
Key Beats
- A slot paytable enables you to quickly understand the basic mechanics of a slot game and how all the symbols function.
- Understanding how a particular slot game operates can significantly enhance your enjoyment of the game.
- Reading the paytable will also help you manage your game strategy and become familiar with terms such as volatility and variance.
What Is a Slot Paytable?
A slot paytable is like a quick-start guide for every slot game. It shows you exactly how each part of the game works, all in one spot. When you open a paytable, you’ll see what each symbol is worth, so you know right away which ones pay the most and which are just fillers.
Most paytables also highlight the special features you’ll find. This includes bonus rounds, free spins, or unique mini-games. You’ll spot which symbols trigger those features and what you need to land on the reels to start them.
Look out for wild symbols that can swap for other icons to help you make winning lines. You’ll also see scatters, which might pay out no matter where they land, and multipliers that boost any win they’re part of. Every paytable lays out these details with simple pictures and numbers, making it easy for any player to learn the basics and maximize their chances on every spin.
Why Players Often Skip It
It’s easy to skip the paytable when you’re eager to get spinning. For many players, those tiny info buttons blend into the screen, especially on mobile. There’s also a common belief that winning on slots is pure luck, so the details feel less critical in the heat of the moment.
Quick-spin and autoplay features make it even easier to jump straight into the action. You might notice bonuses or wild symbols showing up, but without reading the paytable, it’s easy to miss how they work. Often, players only realize what they’re missing after a few lost spins or by accidentally triggering a feature they didn’t expect. Skipping the paytable may seem like you’re saving time, but it can keep you in the dark about the real fun and rewards built into every game.
Why You Should Always Read the Slot Paytable
Aside from knowing what to expect for each symbol combination, understanding the paytable can help you plan your gameplay effectively. You can control your bankroll by planning how much you should ideally spend per spin. This is great, especially if you understand a game’s variance and how long it may take to trigger a winning spin on average.
Once you have read the slot paytable and are equipped with all the necessary details, every session becomes an enjoyable one. You get excited as you look forward to triggering bonus features, anticipate the presence of special symbols, and even hope for high-paying ones. It’s always in your best interest to know how much those funky symbols pay out as you play on real money slots online.
Strategic Advantages of Reading the Paytable
Reading the slot paytable gives you absolute control over how you play. One key advantage is understanding volatility, which refers to the frequency and magnitude of payouts. High-volatility slots, like NetEnt’s Dead or Alive 2, pay out less frequently but with larger prizes. Low volatility slots, such as Play’n GO’s Fire Joker, give smaller, more frequent wins.
You’ll find this information in the paytable or game rules section, often listed as volatility or variance. Symbol distribution also plays a role. The paytable displays the number of symbols required to trigger a payout and the corresponding payout amount for each combination. Slots with more high-paying symbols and wilds tend to have fewer but bigger wins, while games with more low-paying symbols offer frequent but smaller payouts.
Bonus mechanics and triggers are spelled out in every paytable. You’ll see what it takes to activate free spins, pick features, or enter progressive jackpots. For example, landing three scatter symbols on Starburst triggers free spins, while three or more bonus symbols on Book of Dead launch a bonus round. Some paytables display bonus frequency, providing clues on how often to expect features.
There are also RTP (Return to Player) and payout structures, which are critical for comparing games. RTP, often displayed in the paytable or rules, indicates the percentage of money a slot machine returns to players over time. For instance, Gonzo’s Quest lists a 95.97% RTP, while Bonanza from Big Time Gaming has 96%. Slots with higher RTPs typically return a higher percentage of the bet to players over time.
Slot Comparison by Volatility, RTP & Bonuses
| Slot Game | Volatility | RTP (%) | Bonus Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead or Alive 2 | High | 96.8 | Free Spins, Wild Multipliers |
| Fire Joker | Medium/High | 96.15 | Respins, Multipliers |
| Gonzo’s Quest | Low | 95.97 | Avalanche, Free Falls |
Real-World Scenarios
Missing out on the paytable can have different effects on your gameplay.
Bonus symbols confusion
• You land three bonus symbols and expect a feature to trigger.
• Nothing happens because the symbols only count on specific reels.
• A quick look at the paytable would have avoided the frustration.
Jackpot banner misunderstanding
• A game advertises a giant “jackpot” on the screen.
• You assume it’s a massive progressive prize.
• In reality, the paytable reveals that it’s just the top-paying symbol with a significantly lower payout.
On the flip side, let’s say you actually take a minute to study the paytable before playing.
Using the paytable to your advantage
• You study the paytable before playing and notice the slot is high volatility.
• Knowing that wins are less frequent but larger, you adjust your bet size and pace accordingly.
• This helps manage expectations and makes the session more enjoyable.
6 Top Tips for Efficient Paytable Reading
To maximize your enjoyment in every slot session, make the paytable your first stop.
- Look for volatility or variance ratings – often displayed on the info page.
- Scan for bonus triggers and note which symbols unlock free spins or bonus rounds.
- Pay close attention to wilds and scatters, as they can significantly change gameplay.
- Check the maximum win potential and identify the symbols most worth chasing.
- Review the symbol hierarchy to understand which combinations yield the biggest payouts.
- Use demo mode (if available) to test your understanding before playing for real.
Conclusion
A slot paytable is your roadmap to more imaginative, more enjoyable play. Taking a minute to check the details can save you from missed bonuses, wrong expectations, and costly surprises. Next time you try a new slot, make it a habit to read the paytable before you start playing. It’s a simple step that can turn every spin into a better, more confident experience.
FAQs
A paytable shows the value of every symbol, how many you need for a payout, and the rules for special features like wilds, scatters, and bonus rounds. Some also include volatility, RTP, and jackpot details.
Start at the top and look for the highest-paying symbols; then, move down to view the regular symbols. Check the special symbol section for wilds, scatters, or multipliers, and review the bonus rules so you know how to trigger features.
Reading the paytable means you know what to expect. It helps you spot the best features, understand what triggers bonuses, and avoid missing out on big wins or wasting spins on the wrong combinations.
A paytable is a built-in guide for every slot. It explains how the game pays, which symbols are most important, and what rules you need to follow for features or special rounds.
The paytable helps you plan your bets, choose which slots match your risk level, and focus on games that feature the elements you enjoy most. Knowing the paytable enables you to play smarter and maximize your returns on every spin.
