How to read the paytable and what to consider when bidding

Introduction

Paytable is the "technical passport" of the slot. It has rules for generating winnings, symbol multipliers, bonus conditions, RTP/volatility and limits. The ability to read Paytable allows you to assess the real value of your back, understand the risk of a game profile and choose a bankroll bet.

1. Symbols and multipliers. Bonus (high payments), mid/low (card). Calculation methods are indicated: * per line or * of the total rate *.
2. Payout type:

• Lines (fixed/adj. lines): win for consecutive symbols on the active line.
• Ways to Win (243/1024/etc.): pays for any combinations from left to right without lines.
• Clusters: pays for groups of adjacent characters (usually ≥5).
• 3. Wild (wild). What replaces where it appears (which drums/in bonus mode), whether the multiplier gives.
• 4. Scatter (scatter). Starts freespins/bonus, sometimes he pays * of the total bet independently of the lines.
• 5. Bonuses. Trigger conditions, re-triggers, multipliers, grid extensions, respins, Hold & Win, etc.
• 6. RTP (return to player). Often multiple versions (e.g. 96 %/94%). It's important to know which version your casino is using.
• 7. Volatility and/or hit rate. Nature of distribution of payments and frequency of events.
• 8. Maximum gain (x-potential) and/or cap on spin. Payout upper limit.
• 9. Ante Bet / Double Chance. Premium to bet for increased bonus chance; changes the cost of spin and sometimes RTP.
• 10. Buy Bonus. Purchase price (in multiples of the bid), purchase options (Normal/Super), restrictions.
• 11. Rate limits. Min/max per spin, limits for bonus game/vager.
• 12. Technical caveats. Order of reading combinations (left to right/both sides/anywhere), exceptions for wild, cascade rules (Avalanche/Tumbles).

Formulas and examples of payment calculation

A. Line Bet:

• Paytable = ×.
• Total Bet = (Line Bet) × (Number of Lines).
• * Example: 25 lines, bet per line 0.04 AUD (total 1.00 AUD). The combo "J × 5" with a multiplier of 20 × gives 0.04 × 20 = 0.80 AUD.

B. Total Bet slots:

• Paytable = ×.
• * Example: 1.5 × multiplier at 1.00 AUD = 1.50 AUD.

C. Ways/Clusters:

• Most often, multipliers are given from the total bet; with clusters - there may be a scale: 5, 6-8, 9-11,...
• * Note: with Ways from left to right, there can be several combinations per spin; summarize.

D. Scatter payments:

• Pay on total bet, not tied to lines (e.g. 3/4/5 scatters = 2 ×/10 ×/50 × total bet).

E. Ante Bet:

• Effective rate = Base Bet × (1 + surcharge). If the 25% surcharge and 1.00 AUD basis → an actual spin value of 1.25 AUD.

F. Buy Bonus:

• Price = N × total bet. Bought for 100 × at a rate of 1.00 - attachment 100 AUD; assess risk/variance.

How to read Paytable (checklist) step by step

1. Check the RTP version. Take builds ≥96% if the goal is a regular game without stocks.
2. Define the payout model as Lines/Ways/Clusters. This changes the winning formula and the frequency of events.
3. Look at volatility/hit rate. High oxen = rare but large drifts; low = frequent small payouts.
4. Parse the top/mid/low characters and their multipliers into 3/4/5/6 of the same (or cluster size).
5. Wild/Scatter behavior: where do they appear, do they replace the scatter, do they give a multiplier, do they work on the first reel.
6. Bonus conditions: how many scatters/tokens are needed, whether there is a re-trigger, how the multipliers/field are scaled.
7. Limits and caps: max win (e.g. x10 000), spin limit, max bet.
8. Acceleration options: Ante Bet (how much more expensive is spin) and Buy Bonus (cost/options).
9. Casino restrictions (important for AU): maximum bet limit when playing bonuses, list of excluded games, deadlines.

What to consider when choosing a bet

Bankroll → rate. Basic 0.5-1% of the bank per spin; for high volatility - 0.25-0.5%.
If Ante is enabled, lower the base rate so that the effective rate fits into the percentage of the bank.
With Lines: Keep * all lines active (if slot allows change) and size through bet per line.
With Ways/Clusters: only the general rate is regulated; focus on volatility and session objective.
For the wager: low/medium volatility, frequent respins/cascades; follow the max bet limit from the promotion rules.
To hunt for x-potential: a lower frequency of spins with a higher dispersion is allowed - but you need a bank supply and a hard stop loss.

Red flags in Paytable/rules

RTP below 95% or "regional" downgraded version without transparency.
Max. bet for bonus game/wager (e.g.> 5 AUD not allowed) - risk of cancelling winnings.
Cap on spin payout or "max cash out" for stock freespins.
Wild-exceptions (does not work on the 1st reel, does not replace premium/scatter) - reduces the frequency of large combinations.
Difficult bonus conditions without a re-trigger with high volatility - the risk of "dry" sessions.

Features of popular mechanics and how they are reflected in Paytable

Megaways: variable number of symbols on the reels, payments on ways from left to right, often cascades + a growing multiplier in the bonus.
Avalanche/Tumbles: after winning, the symbols fall, the multiplier can grow - see where it turns on (in the base/only in the bonus).
Hold & Win: respins until cells are full, Mini/Minor/Major fixed jackpots; conditions for good and blocking cells - in Paytable.
Sticky/Expanding Wilds: on which drums stick/expand, how many spins are active, whether the multipliers add up.

Mini slot selection algorithm for players in Australia

1. Licensed casino with AUD + responsible gaming tools.
2. RTP ≥96% (if multiple versions are available).
3. Mechanics for the task: for a vager - cascades/respins/low-medium oxen; for "skid" - high x-potential.
4. Clear rate: ≤1% of the bank (including Ante).
5. Stop rules: stop loss/stop wines/time limits.

Conclusion

Paytable is the main source of truth about the slot. Read it on the checklist: payout model → multipliers → Wild/Scatter → bonus conditions → RTP/volatility → limits/cost of options. Choose a bet from bankroll and session goals, taking into account the real value of the back (Ante/Buy). This approach reduces "blind spots" and improves the quality of solutions - and therefore the chances of playing the game consciously and effectively.