Slots are pretty simple as far as games go – you simply spin the reels and, if symbols hit in the right order, you get to win a prize! But there’s always more than meets the eye, even when it comes to slots. You’ll surely want to know how much the symbols are actually worth, or how to trigger the bonus rounds if any are available. Well, there’s a single place where all of that information is available, and that’s the paytable. But do you want to know how to truly understand the paytable? Then you’re at the right place, so continue reading if you want to feel like a true pro next time you’re visiting your favourite slot sites.
What is a Slot Machine Paytable?
In its most basic form, the paytable is exactly what it sounds like - it’s a table that tells you how much a slot can potentially pay out. This was simple enough in the earliest slots, which featured 3 reels and 1 paylines, as the paytable would just tell you how much 3 matching symbols on the payline were worth. In fact you can still find this type of payline in fruit machine-style slots, since these typically feature 3 reels and 5 paylines at most.
As slots got more sophisticated, so did the paylines. Modern slots can have 5, if not more, reels with paylines formed by landing at least 3 matching symbols on adjacent reels. There can be wilds which substitute for all paying symbols, scatters that trigger special features, or winning combinations formed in different symbol combinations. As a result, the paylines got similarly more complex as now they have to detail all of the slot’s features. You’re not sure how a slot plays? Then check the paytable to find all the relevant information!
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What to Look for in Slot Paytable
We’ve told you what a paytable is, but we’re sure you’ll agree that’s not enough. What should you look out for in a paytable? We recommend following these pointers:
1. Symbol Values
This is perhaps obvious, but still worth noting. After all, you’ll want to know which symbols are the high and low pays, right? If you’re not familiar, as the name suggests high pays are high paying symbols while low pays are, of course, the low paying ones. The high pays are typically more elaborately designed to fit around the theme of the slot, while a lot of the times the A, K, Q, J, and 10 card royals act as the low pays.
2. The Paylines
How many paylines are there, and how are they formed? This is another question answered by the payline. The typical payline starts from the leftmost reel and is formed by landing 3 or more matching symbols, but there are plenty of slots that twist the formula around. There are games where paylines can start from the rightmost reel, or even from any reel. Then there are scatter pays slots which have symbols pay out by landing enough on any position on the reels. We’re sure you’ll agree that it’s good to know how wins are formed no matter the kind of game you prefer to play!
3. Wild Symbols
Wilds are special symbols that can substitute for the paying symbols - well, typically anyway. Sometimes wilds can substitute for the scatters, or even act as the scatters themselves. Whichever the case it’s good to know why symbols act as the wilds as they can often be key for a slot’s more spectacular winning combinations.
4. Scatters
The scatters are a slot’s main bonus symbols. In the early days of slots the scatters would simply pay out by landing from any position on the reels (thus the name, they could be “scattered” around!) but nowadays scatters typically trigger a game’s bonus round if you land 3 or more. As to what the bonus round involves, that’s also detailed in the paytable!
5. Bonus Rounds
We’ve mentioned how scatters trigger bonus rounds, but what do these actually involve? You’ll find all of this in the paytable. A bonus round can consist of free spins, a hold and spin-style feature, or something wholly unique to the slot. Read up on these, as this is where you can learn how to potentially trigger a jackpot or other kinds of big prizes.
6. Further Slot Details
What’s the slot’s RTP and what about its volatility? As a rule this information is also found in the paytable. It’s always worth checking these details so that you know exactly what the slot involves. A high RTP slot can be possibly more generous in the long run, or you may find high volatility slots more exciting to play.
What to Look for
How the Pros Use a Paytable
We’ve promised we’re going to teach how to use a paytable like a pro, and we’re not going to renege on that promise! We just have a couple of points here, so it should be quite easy to keep them in mind.
1. Find Your Right Game
Every player has their preferences as far as games go. Do you enjoy relaxed low volatility slots, or the risk of high volatility gameplay? Do you care about RTP or not? It’s important to know these details, and a slot should provide them clearly in its paytable. As such, if a slot fails to at least tell you its RTP in the paytable then it’s something of a red flag in our book. Remember that the more informed you are the more you are able to make the right decision.
2. Better Manage Your Bankroll
With knowledge of RTP, volatility, and potential payouts you’re also able to better manage your bankroll. We always recommend that you set a budget for playing slots, and to stick to it. Slots are games of pure chance, and don’t have “hot” or “cold” periods - the reels spin randomly every single time. That said, we recommend making small wagers so that your bankroll lasts longer!
Knowing is Half the Spinning Battle!
It’s always good to be properly informed to make the right decisions, and now you’re informed as to how to, well, get even more informed! The paytable is the first place you should go before you even think about committing your hard earned cash on a slot - you’ll even find it when playing in demo mode, with absolutely no differences compared to the paid version of the game. So while slots are a fun way to relax, remember to play smart and, as always, do so responsibly.
