Paylines are the lines on which matching symbols pay, wilds substitute for other symbols, scatters pay or trigger features anywhere on the reels, and multipliers scale a win. These features shape how often and how big wins are, not the house edge itself.
A slot screen holds a lot of vocabulary. Most of it describes how wins are formed, and all of it sits inside the game's RTP.
Paylines and ways to win
A payline is a line across the reels on which matching symbols form a win. A game can have a handful of lines or dozens. The total stake equals the number of lines times the bet per line: in a hypothetical example, 20 lines at 0.10 each cost 20 × 0.10 = 2.00 per spin.
Some games use ways to win instead of lines. Symbols pay when they appear on adjacent reels, in any row. A 5-reel game with 3 rows gives 35 = 243 ways. Variable-ways formats reach up to 76 = 117,649 ways when six reels show seven symbols each.
Symbols with special jobs
- Wild. Substitutes for other symbols to complete a win. Some wilds also expand or carry multipliers.
- Scatter. Pays or triggers a feature wherever it lands, not only on a line. Three or more often start free spins.
- Multiplier. Scales the win by a factor such as 2× or 10×.
- Bonus symbol. Starts a separate mini-game with its own rules.
How features change the feel of a game
Features move value around. When much of the RTP sits in a rare feature, the base game pays small and the swings are large. When wins are frequent and modest, the game feels steadier. That is the same volatility described in slot RTP and volatility, explained: the features decide how the same average is spread out.
| Feature | What it does | Typical effect on swings |
|---|---|---|
| More paylines | More ways to form a win | Wins more frequent, stake per spin higher |
| Wild | Completes or boosts wins | Modest, depends on the design |
| Scatter-triggered rounds | Starts free spins or a bonus | Larger, because value is concentrated |
| Multipliers | Scales wins | Larger |
Read the pay table
The pay table inside the game lists the lines, the symbol values and the feature rules. Check it before you play: it tells you what a win looks like and what the bet covers. For what happens inside a spin, see how slot random number generators work.
See also: Gambling glossary; Slots guides.
Frequently asked questions
Do more paylines mean a better chance to win?
They mean more combinations pay, but the stake per spin rises with the number of lines, and the RTP is set by the whole game design.
What is the difference between a wild and a scatter?
A wild substitutes for other symbols to complete a win. A scatter pays or triggers a feature wherever it lands.
