How to Read Pokies Paytables?

HOW TO READ POKIES PAYTABLES
HOW TO READ POKIES PAYTABLES?

If you’ve ever tried your luck at online pokies, you might have found them exciting but also a bit confusing. Don’t worry; we’re here to help you with something crucial: figuring out how to read pokies machine payout information, also called paytables. These guides are like treasure maps that reveal the secrets to winning these games. In this simple guide, we’ll make it easy to understand how to read pokies paytables.

Whether you’re new to pokies or have played a few times, learning this skill will boost your confidence and improve your chances of winning. Let’s explore the world of slot machines together!

What are Pokies Paytables?

A slot machine pay table is like a helpful guide for players. It’s like a map that shows you how the game works and what you can win. You can find it by pressing a button with a question mark or information symbol on the slot machine.

Here’s why it’s important:

  • 1. Understanding the Game – The pay table helps you understand how the game works. It tells you what different symbols mean and how they help you win.
  • 2. Knowing Your Chances – It shows you the chances of getting certain combinations of symbols. This way, you know what you can win.
  • 3. Special Symbols – The paytable also tells you about special symbols, like wilds. Wilds can replace other symbols to help you win. The table shows you which symbols are wild.
  • 4. Bonus Info – If there are bonuses in the game, the pay table explains how to get them and what they give you. Bonuses can be things like free spins or extra prizes.
  • Game Rules – It might include a section that outlines the game’s rules, such as the order of symbol importance or specific conditions for triggering bonus rounds.
  • Paylines – It indicates the number of paylines in the game and how they are arranged on the reels. Paylines are the lines on which winning combinations must appear to yield a payout.

In simple words, a slot machine pay table is like a manual for the game. It tells you what to expect and how to make the most out of your slot machine experience.

Suggested Read – How Do You Pick A Winning Pokies Machine?

How to Read Pokies Paytables?

Reading pokies (slot machines) paytables is essential for understanding how the game works and what you can win. Let’s break down how to do this:

1. Find The Paytable

Finding the paytable is like getting a map for your journey through the slot machine game. It helps you know what to expect and how to increase your chances of winning.

  1. Find the “Information” or “Paytable” Button: When you play slots online, look for a button that says “Information,” “Paytable,” or “Help.” It’s usually on the game screen or in a menu.
  2. Click or Tap the Button: Just click or tap that button. It will open a new window with the paytable.
  3. Learn from the Paytable: In the new window, you’ll see all the symbols in the game and how much they pay. You’ll also learn about any special things like bonus rounds. Take your time to understand it.
  4. Close the Paytable: When you’re done, you can close the window and go back to playing the game. Some online slots close the paytable for you.

Whether you’re at a casino or playing online, this knowledge is your secret weapon.

2. Understanding Symbols in Pokies Paytables

symbols
Symbols

When you want to learn how to read a pokies (slot machine) paytable, it’s essential to understand the symbols used in the game. These symbols play a big part in whether you win or not.

Let’s make it simple:

  1. Regular Symbols: Most pokies have regular symbols like fruits (cherries, lemons), numbers, letters, or things that fit the game’s theme (like pirates or treasure in a pirate-themed slot). These symbols are like pictures on the slot’s reels.
  2. Important Symbols: Some symbols are more important than others. They’re often connected to the theme of the game. For instance, in an underwater slot game, you might find special fish symbols that are worth more.
  3. Special Symbols: There are special symbols you need to know about:
    • Wild Symbols: Think of wild symbols like jokers in a deck of cards. They can take the place of other symbols to help you win.
    • Scatter Symbols: Scatter symbols are unique. When you get enough of them, they can trigger bonuses, like free spins.
  4. Winning Combinations: Different symbols, when lined up in certain ways on the slot machine, can make you win. The paytable tells you which combinations are winners and how much they pay. For example, getting three cherries might give you a smaller prize than getting three diamonds.

By understanding these symbols and what they do, you’ll be well-prepared to read a pokies paytable and make smarter choices when you play. It’s like learning the rules of a game so you can enjoy it more and have a better chance of winning.

3. Paylines

Slot paylines
Slot paylines

Paylines are the imaginary lines that run across the reels of a slot machine. They determine the paths along which specific combinations of symbols must appear for you to win prizes.

Why are Paylines Important? Paylines are crucial because they define the patterns required for winning combinations. Without activated paylines, your winning symbols won’t count. Each slot can have a different number and arrangement of paylines, adding to the excitement and variety of the game.

  1. Identifying Paylines: To identify paylines, you can:
    • Check the Paytable: The paytable, as mentioned earlier, often displays the payline patterns for the specific slot game you’re playing. This helps you understand where winning combinations can form.
    • Observe the Reels: Some slots have numbered markers on the sides of the reels, indicating the paylines. These numbers correspond to the payline patterns shown in the pay table.
  2. Activating Paylines: Paylines are typically adjustable, allowing you to choose how many to activate. Here’s how to do it:
    • Select the Number of Paylines: Many slots allow you to choose how many paylines you want to activate. You can do this by clicking on the “+/-” or “Lines” button on the machine’s interface or in the online pokies’s menu.
    • Bet Per Line: After selecting the number of paylines, you’ll often need to choose your bet per line. This determines how much you’re betting on each payline.
    • Total Bet: The total bet is calculated by multiplying your bet per line by the number of activated paylines. For example, if you bet $0.10 per line on 20 paylines, your total bet is $2.00.

Important Tip: It’s usually in your best interest to activate all available paylines, especially if you’re aiming for bigger wins. This ensures that you have the maximum chance of landing winning combinations.

Missing out on a fantastic win because a payline was inactive can indeed be disheartening.

Read: Top 10 Online Pokies That Pay the Most

Different Kinds of Paylines

When you look at the paytable, it tells you how you can win. There are different ways, and here’s what they mean:

  1. Left to Right: This is the usual way. It means the symbols have to start matching from the left side of the slot machine. Then, any other matching symbols must continue from left to right.
  2. Right to Left: This is the opposite. The first symbol should be all the way on the right, and then it goes left from there.
  3. Pay Both Ways: Sometimes, slots can pay in both directions, from left to right and right to left. If you see this, it means you have more chances to win.
  4. All Ways: In this type, you just need matching symbols on all the reels. It’s easier to win because there are many ways to match symbols, often 243 ways.
  5. Cluster Pays: This is quite different. Symbols need to be in groups on the reels, usually in groups of 3 or 5 symbols.

Each game can have its own rules, so it’s essential to check the paytable to understand how the paylines work.

Learn more – Factors that Cause Pokies Machines to Stop Pay?

4. Bet Levels

Bet levels, often referred to as coin levels or coin values, represent the amount of money you wager on each payline. These levels determine the size of your bets and, subsequently, your potential winnings.

Bet levels play a crucial role in determining the value of your wins. Typically, the higher your bet level, the larger your potential payouts. This is because winnings are often calculated as multiples of your bet, and a higher bet level means a larger multiplier.

In certain online pokies games, especially ones with big jackpot prizes, you might need to bet more money on each spin to have a chance at winning the jackpot. So, if you want to go for the biggest prize, you have to use the highest bet level.

However, using higher bet levels means you’re spending more money each time you spin the slot. It’s important to find the right balance between the chance of winning bigger prizes and making sure you don’t spend more money than you can afford.

5. Jackpot Details and Bonus Features

The paytable provides valuable details about the game’s jackpot, specifically which symbol triggers it and how many of that symbol must appear on an active payline to win the jackpot.

An exciting aspect of modern pokies machines is their captivating bonus features. Bonus games offer players a chance to earn additional winnings and are distinct from the regular slot gameplay.

These bonus games can range from straightforward to more intricate, incorporating advanced mechanics. To ensure you’re well-informed, it’s essential to review the bonus section in the paytable of your chosen pokies machine.

For example, in the popular progressive jackpot game Mega Moolah, the paytable reveals that the jackpot is triggered by the appearance of the lion symbol. To win the jackpot, you typically need to land five lion symbols on an active payline.

Understanding this information can enhance your gaming experience and increase your chances of winning big in the bonus round.

Read More – New to Pokies? Tips to Play Online Pokies Machines

Why is it important to read Paytable?

The paytable is one of the most important things to read before playing any slot machine. It contains all of the information you need to know about the game, including:

Reading the paytable will help you to understand how the game works and what you need to do to win. It will also help you to set realistic expectations and avoid disappointment.

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FAQs

Q. Where to Find the Slot Machine Pay Table?

Ans – You can typically find the slot machine paytable within the game itself. In most modern slot machines, there’s a dedicated button or icon, often represented as “i” for information, “paytable,” or a question mark symbol. Clicking or tapping on this button will open the paytable, providing you with all the relevant information about the game’s symbols, payouts, and features.

Q. Why Do Slot Pay Tables Look So Confusing?

Ans – Slot pay tables might appear confusing due to the complexity of some games. They include various symbols, each with different values, multiple paylines, and often several bonus features. The goal is to provide comprehensive information to players, but this can make the paytable seem overwhelming at first glance.

Q. Can Some Pay Tables in Slots Have Multiple Pages?

Ans – Yes, some pay tables in slots can be quite extensive and have multiple pages. This is more common in online video slots, which often feature detailed information about the game’s symbols, payouts, bonus rounds, and rules. Players can usually navigate through these pages to access specific details they’re interested in.

Q. Does a Slot Paytable Show the RTP (Return to Player)?

Ans – Yes, many slot paytables include the RTP (Return to Player) percentage. The RTP is an important indicator of a slot’s overall payout potential. It represents the percentage of wagers that a slot is designed to return to players over the long term. However, not all paytables display the RTP, so it’s a good practice to check the game’s information or rules section for this data if it’s not in the paytable itself.

Conclusion

Understanding how to read pokies paytables is a fundamental skill for anyone who enjoys playing slot machines. The paytable is your roadmap to the game’s potential rewards, guiding you through symbol values, winning combinations, bonus features, and more.

It empowers you to make informed decisions about your bets, maximize your chances of winning, and enjoy a more immersive gaming experience.

So, the next time you embark on a slot machine adventure, don’t overlook the paytable—it’s your key to unravelling the mysteries and excitement hidden within each spin. How to read Pokies Paytable is your gateway to becoming a more savvy and successful slot player.

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Bhumika Mishra

Bhumika is a vivacious young writer from Auckland, with a fresh perspective on today's digital landscape. Combining her passion for storytelling with her love for cutting-edge technology, she delivers compelling content that captivates and informs readers.