What are Slot Symbols?
Slot games main feature are Symbols, so it’s essential to understand them. Slot Symbols or rather the combinations of them, are how players turn amusement playing time into money.
When slot games first started, they had (3 reels) either with different numbers, fruit symbols or traditional card symbols. With traditional 3 and 5 reel slot games the whole game revolved around getting 3 or more symbols in a line.
As slot game makers got more sophisticated they came up with using different types of symbols, with the addition of ‘wild symbols’ and ‘bonus symbols’, slot games became much more sophisticated, exciting and fun to play.
Once technology caught up with slot game developers, things got really interesting. For online slots this meant the arrival of video themed slot games’
Certain symbols have special purposes. Each themed slot game uses different features or graphics depending on the theme of the game, and adjusted the standard symbols to fit with the theme and play of the slot game. This is why it is always a good idea to read the slot reviews or play for free first.
There are 3 main bonus symbols that result in winnings:
- Wild
- Scatters
- Multipliers
What are Wild Slot Symbols?
Wild Symbols have been used in all form of games of skill and chance since the beginning, with the most common form being the Joker that you find in a pack of cards. A wild symbol can be anything the developers want it to be in order to create a winning pay-line.
Ex, if you have a spade on the first and second reel, and a Wild Symbol on the third one, you will have a winning combination as the Wild Symbol will substitute the spade symbol.
Wild Symbols exist, to increase the chances of winnings and to make the game more enjoyable. And they do this by substituting other symbols in the game. There are some exceptions however; a Wild Symbol can never substitute for a Scatter, Free Spins or other relevant bonus symbols.
Wild Symbols, as with all the other symbols, are completely random and unpredictable and can pop up at any point in the game. In some games they only pop up on certain reels, so always read the Pay Table (the rules) of any game that you intend to play.
Types of Wild Symbols
There are a few types of Wild Symbol that you’ll encounter as you play casino Slot Games.
Expanding Wilds: that can grow to fill an entire reel.
Sticky Wilds: that remain in place on the reel after multiple spins.
Stacked Wilds: that appear on top of one another until they fill an entire reel.
Why Scatter Slot Symbols are a bonus!
Scatter Symbols also appear randomly during game play and give a reward of some form. Unlike other symbols that need to be lined up in a row on a pay-line to give you a reward, scatter symbols only need to pop up to unlock a bonus feature. Often in the form of free spins or mini bonus game.
In order to work, a certain number of scatter symbols need to appear on a single spin. Slot games are individualistic in their style of play, so it’s important to read the Pay Table first to know how many.
Multiplier Symbols
As the name suggests, Multiplier Symbols, increase winnings by a percentage, sometime x2 sometimes x3 or more. Multipliers normally get triggered by a special Multiplier Symbol in slots and are one of the most exciting reasons to play online slot games. Some multipliers might increase your winnings while others can multiply your line bets and total bets.
Types of Multiplier Symbols
Base Play Multipliers only multiply the winning pay-line value. Base Play Multipliers are relatively rare so do look out for the casino slot games that have them.
Free Spins Multipliers appear during a Free Spins round. Free Spin Multipliers are far more common and can result in big bonuses.
Scatter multipliers can appear anywhere and not necessarily on the pay-line and act as multipliers. They are sometimes combined with wild Symbols offering further bonuses and winnings.
Wild Multiplier Symbols that act as multipliers and can substitute any symbol to form a winning combination. These are the most sought after symbols as they will always enhance any pay-line.
Receiving a multiplier (of any kind) is a great way to accelerate your gameplay and increase your winnings so keep an eye out for them as you play.