Slot paytable explained
The paytable is the slot's rulebook. It is one tap away and answers nearly every question a player has.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Symbol values are multiples of the line or total bet.
- Feature rules state the triggers.
- The RTP is listed in the rules.
- Two minutes here beats any review.
Opening it
Look for an "i", a menu icon or the word "Paytable". On phones it is often in a corner menu.
What is inside
| Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Symbol payouts | What three, four or five of each symbol pay |
| Wild and scatter | What they substitute for or trigger |
| Feature rules | How free spins or bonuses start and work |
| Paylines or ways | How wins are counted |
| Game rules | RTP, maximum win, stake limits |
Reading the values
Payouts are multiples. On a payline slot they usually multiply the line bet: with ten lines and a 20p spin, the line bet is 2p, so a 50x symbol win pays £1. On a pays-anywhere slot they multiply the total bet.
A worked example
| Result | Paytable says | You receive |
|---|---|---|
| Three low symbols on a line | 5x line bet | 10p |
| Four mid symbols on a line | 25x line bet | 50p |
| Five top symbols on a line | 500x line bet | £10 |
Illustrative values, not those of a particular slot.
Three things to look for
- The RTP, and whether it matches the developer's default.
- How many scatters trigger the feature.
- Whether paylines are fixed or selectable.
Terms: glossary. Next: how to play online slots.
More guides: Online slot bonuses, UK online slot rules and Online slot budget guide.
Paytables on pays-anywhere slots
Grid slots such as Gates of Olympus list payouts by count instead of by line: so much for 8 to 9 matching symbols, more for 10 to 11, more again for 12 or over. The values multiply your total bet, which makes them easier to read than line-bet multiples.
Reading the feature rules
Look for three facts: what triggers the feature, how many spins or picks it gives, and what is different while it runs. For Big Bass Bonanza that is three scatters, ten spins or more, and a fisherman who collects fish values.
The line that changes
The RTP is the one figure in a paytable that can differ between casinos for the same slot. Everything else is fixed by the game.
Slot figures are developers' published defaults, each confirmed against two sources; a casino may run a lower RTP. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What is a paytable?
The slot's list of payouts and rules.
Where is it?
Behind the information or menu button.
Does it show RTP?
Yes, in the rules.
What does 50x mean?
Fifty times the line bet or total bet, as stated.