Slot machines can look complicated when you first see them, especially if the screen is filled with colourful symbols and extra features you’ve not seen before.
A key part of understanding any slot is knowing how its pay table works.
This guide explains the different parts of a pay table, why it matters, and how to use the information to help make sense of the game. By breaking things down in plain English and using clear examples, it can help you read any slot’s pay table with confidence and understand the basics before you start playing.
What Is a Slot Machine Pay Table?
A slot machine pay table is a chart that shows how the game awards payouts for different symbol combinations.
Every slot has one, whether it is a traditional machine in a physical venue, or a modern video slot online. In online games, you can usually open it by selecting a button labelled “paytable”, “info”, or sometimes a small “i” icon.
The pay table lists all the game’s symbols alongside their potential payout values. Payouts are normally shown for getting three, four, or five matching symbols on a valid payline, depending on the game. The chart should also point out any any special symbols such as:
- Wild symbols – These can usually substitute for most other symbols.
- Scatter symbols – These may trigger features such as a free spins bonus, often without needing to land on a specific payline.
In some slot games, the pay table also gives details of the Return to Player (RTP) rate. This is a theoretical percentage that shows how much of the money staked on the game may be paid back to all players over a very long period.
For example, an RTP of 96% means that over many thousands of spins, the game could theoretically return £96 for every £100 wagered across all players. The RTP is not a prediction for any one player’s results and does not guarantee a return.
Pay tables may also explain any extra features, bonus rounds, or unique mechanics such as cascading reels or symbol upgrades.
Why Should You Check the Pay Table Before You Play?
Looking at the pay table before you start can help you understand the structure of a particular slot game. You can see which symbols offer higher payouts, how many symbols you need to form a win, and whether there are any bonus features that you might encounter.
It can also help you work out whether the slot game’s style suits you. For example, some slots might offer frequent smaller wins, while others may focus on less frequent, but potentially larger payouts. The pay table can give you an idea of how the game balances these possibilities, even though outcomes are random.
Checking the pay table can also help you avoid surprises. If a game includes special rules—such as wins paying both ways or symbols that can only appear on certain reels—you should see this explained there.
How To Read a Slot Machine Pay Table
When you open the pay table, you will first see a display of the symbols. Each one will be paired with its possible payout values for a given number of matches on a payline. For example, three matching BAR symbols on a payline might return 1.5x your stake, four might return £5x your wager, and five might return 10x.
If the game uses any special symbols such as wilds and scatters, you should see them clearly marked, often with a short description of what they do. Some slot games may include additional icons, such as multipliers, which can increase the value of an achieved win by a stated factor.
The pay table will also show how many symbols are needed to activate features like free spins. In some cases, these features may start when three or more scatters appear anywhere on the reels, rather than on a payline.
Bonus Features and Free Spins
Bonus features can add extra ways to win, or change how the reels work for a short time. Free spins, for example, let you spin the reels without using your own balance for a set number of spins. They often offer extra enhancements, such as additional wild symbols or higher multipliers during the free spins bonus.
Other types of bonuses might involve choosing from items on screen to reveal possible prizes, spinning a separate prize wheel, or playing through a themed mini-game. The pay table or rules section should explain exactly how each feature works in that specific slot game.
Do Different Slot Types Have Different Pay Tables?
Yes. Classic fruit machine-style slots often have just a few symbols and a straightforward pay table showing simple combinations. Modern video slots can have more complex setups with dozens of paylines, multiple bonus features, and several types of special symbols, depending on the game.
Some slot games show exactly how each feature starts and the potential payouts available. Others may keep the presentation simple, focusing mainly on symbol values. By looking at the pay table, you can quickly see how much detail is given and how the game’s structure compares to others.
Slot Machine Pay Table Example
Imagine a three-reel game with five paylines. The pay table might show:
- Three cherries on a payline = 5x your bet
- Three BARs on a payline = 2x your bet
- Three lemons on a payline = 1x your bet
The same pay table could explain that the wild symbol can replace any of the above to help form a potential win. It could also state that landing three bonus symbols triggers 10 free spins, with any wins achieved during those spins are multiplied by 2.
What’s the Difference Between Fixed and Adjustable Paylines?
Paylines are invisible patterns on which matching symbols must appear to create a win, according to the game’s pay table.
- Fixed paylines mean you play on all paylines for every spin. Your stake per spin covers all of them.
- Adjustable paylines let you choose how many lines to activate. Playing fewer lines reduces your stake per spin, but also lowers your chances of hitting a possible winning combination.
For example, in a slot game with 10 adjustable paylines, you might choose to play only five. This halves your paylines in play, but also means fewer potential winning patterns are active.
Does The Pay Table Show RTP?
Some pay tables display the RTP percentage, while others may place it in the help or rules section.
The RTP is a long-term, average figure for all players combined. In the UK, online slot RTPs typically range between 80% and 97%, with many sitting around 95–96%.
Even if the RTP is shown, remember that every spin is independent and random. The outcome of one spin has no effect on the next.
Discover The Best Online Slots Casinos
Here at Casino Beasts, you can browse a wide selection of UK-licensed online casinos, many of which offer an extensive range of slot games. Each casino is different—game libraries can vary in size, style, and themes—so you may want to check what is available before deciding where to play.
Some sites might focus on classic, straightforward slots, while others may provide more modern titles with more complex features.
Casino Beasts can help you compare these options, so you can find casinos that better match your preferred playing style, whether you prefer simpler setups or feature-rich games.
All slot outcomes remain random, regardless of the casino or game you choose. Gambling should be treated as paid entertainment, and it’s important to play within limits you can afford. Always gamble responsibly.
