A slot paytable will be built into a slot game and give you all the information you need to play the game. This will include rules, special symbols, features, and the most critical pieces of information. You can find winning combinations and paylines in this section.

Within these bibles, there will also be dedicated pages to explain the unique gameplay features of a game, like Wild and Scatter icons, free spins, and other elements of play. Here, you can read about when these features are triggered, what will happen, and what you can win. 

 Specifically, with progressive slot games, you will find information on the different bet sizes needed to trigger the different jackpots when clicking on a paytable.

You should always check the paytable of a slot game before spinning for the first time. You don’t miss out on crucial information about playing or end up confused during the game. 

Our guide will explain how to read paytables and what to expect from these necessary tools.

How do You Read an Online Slot Pay Table?

Typically, while playing an online slot, you can find paytables through an icon somewhere on the screen. When clicked, the icon (Which is usually an ‘i’) will take you through to a new window where all the information you need about the slot is displayed. Paytables have sliders that navigate you between the different topics to make things easier for players. Each topic will have its own screen and display images, charts, and game information. 

This vast amount of information can seem confusing at first, but you will find paytables to be very informative after adjusting. Developers are always trying to make the information simpler to understand and use symbols as a way to make it easier to scan. Sometimes these tables are interactive. There may be a button you can press, and if you see one, you should give it a try. 

Slot Pay Table Contents

Paytables, of course, vary from game to game. Different slots have different degrees of complexity and therefore require different amounts of explanation. Simpler slots may have one page for a pay chart, whereas a more advanced slot could need multiple pages to explain this.

The theme of the slot will change the design of the paytable, but the layout is universal. We will look at the general paytable structure below to help you understand it better.

• Paylines: The paylines are what you hope comes up while you’re playing. This is the pattern you need symbols to come up in to win from the slot. Older slot machines are based around horizontal lines, but newer slots have a plethora of patterns that can provide a win. There will usually be an illustration to help explain.
• Bet Limits: This will display information about the minimum stakes for the game, as well as the maximum bet you can place. There will be guidance about which prizes are available to you, depending on your wager. For example, in some games, you need a higher wager to trigger a jackpot. 
• Paying Symbols: Each game will have a collection of symbols that appear during the spins. The paytable will explain the winning combinations that can come from these symbols and what each symbol represents in terms of winnings. The images of the symbols will be placed next to multipliers, or coin amounts, to display this information. There is an expanse of symbols to remember with so many games with different themes in online casinos. Always check the paytable to remind yourself of its meaning. 
• Special Symbols: Most games have Scatter or Wild functions that have unique gameplay features. The paytable will explain how these bonuses function with the game and when they come into play. 
• Features: Every slot wants to differentiate itself, and they do this through special features. These can be free spins or special multipliers. All will be explained in the playtable. As a part of this, the auto-spin feature will be described. Auto-spins make modern games much more efficient but need to be used responsibly. The paytable will give you advice on how to do so. 
• Jackpots: The truth is as fun as slots are, everyone wants to win the jackpot. The paytable will give you all the information you need to know about winning the jackpot to ensure you are playing the correct way. 

Familiarity leads to better gameplay with online slots, and the paytable is your best way to learn about a game.

Playing Slots at US Online Casinos

Now that you understand how paytables work, you should be able to play any online slot that appeals to you. So now it’s time to do that! If you live in the US, you will need to check your state laws about online casinos. Many states allow players to gamble online, and more are trying to pass the necessary legislation. Find yourself an online casino and join the fun of playing slot games online.