The paytable is the single most informative screen in any slot — and most players never open it. Here is what every element actually tells you, in the order you should read it.

Key Takeaways
  • The paytable holds RTP, volatility, max win, and every symbol's payout — check it before your first spin
  • Symbol payouts are shown as a multiple of your total bet, not your per-line stake
  • Paylines and “ways to win” are different systems — know which one your slot uses
  • Max win (e.g. “5,000x”) is a theoretical ceiling, not a typical outcome

Finding the paytable

Look for an “i” (information) or “?” icon, usually in a corner of the game screen. It opens a multi-page panel covering symbols, rules, RTP, and volatility. It takes under a minute to read and tells you more about a game's real character than any review.

Symbol payouts

Each symbol lists a payout multiplier for landing 3, 4, or 5 in a matching combination — for example, “5× = 50x total bet.” This figure is always expressed as a multiple of your total bet (stake across all paylines or ways), not your stake per individual line. This trips up new players who assume the number shown is a flat payout regardless of bet size.

RTP and volatility labels

Reputable providers state RTP as a percentage (e.g. “96.5%”) and volatility as a low/medium/high rating, sometimes on the same page as symbol payouts, sometimes on a separate “Game Info” tab. See our guides on how RTP works and volatility explained for what these numbers mean for your session.

Paylines vs. “ways to win”

Two different systems, and the paytable will specify which one applies:

  • Fixed paylines: A specific pattern across the reels (e.g. “20 paylines”) must be matched left to right, usually starting from reel one.
  • Ways to win: Matching symbols on adjacent reels count regardless of position within the reel — a 6-reel Megaways slot can have up to 117,649 ways. No fixed pattern to memorise, but typically requires matching from the leftmost reel outward.
Check the bet-per-spin breakdown

The paytable or bet panel will show exactly how your total stake splits across paylines or ways. This matters if you're trying to control exact spend per spin rather than just setting a total bet size.

Bonus and scatter symbols

Scatter symbols typically trigger free spins or bonus rounds regardless of position on the reels, and the paytable will state how many are needed (commonly 3+). Wild symbols substitute for other symbols to complete combinations, sometimes with their own multiplier attached. Multiplier symbols, common in cascading/tumble mechanics, increase the value of a win by a stated factor — the paytable will show the multiplier range (e.g. “2x–100x”).

Max win: read it as a ceiling, not a target

Many modern slots display a maximum win cap, expressed as a multiple of your stake — “max win: 5,000x.” This is the theoretical highest possible payout on a single spin, hit under specific rare conditions (often maximum multipliers stacking during a bonus round). It says nothing about probability. Treat it as a ceiling that exists, not an outcome to expect.

The bottom line

Reading the paytable takes under a minute and tells you RTP, volatility, win mechanics, and the realistic ceiling of a game before you stake a single naira. It is the closest thing to a contract the game offers you — read it before you play, every time.