Understanding Slot Symbols and Special Features
Slot games are among the most played titles in online casinos. Whether you’re spinning the reels on a classic fruit machine or a modern video slot with dozens of bonus features, understanding the different symbols and how they work can make your sessions clearer and more enjoyable. This guide explains the basics, the role of each symbol, and the special features you’ll encounter.
Basics of Slot Games
Slot games are relatively simple in structure: the game consists of multiple reels where different symbols spin. Symbol combinations form payline patterns, and some of these combinations lead to wins. Depending on the game, there can be numerous paylines.
Slots are the most popular online gambling games. They don’t require any strategies or the need to learn complex rules; simply click, and luck does the rest. While slots don’t rely on understanding complicated rules, knowing what the different symbols mean can be useful.
The concept behind slots is the same whether you’re playing online or in a physical casino. However, online slots stand out by often featuring more special functions, symbols, and paylines.
Different Symbols in Slot Games
Symbols in slot games can generally be divided into two categories: basic symbols and special symbols. Every game has basic symbols, and if enough matching symbols land on the same line, the player wins.
Basic symbols differ in value: some offer smaller prizes, while others provide high payouts, and only one type of symbol typically grants the top prize. Naturally, there are more lower-value symbols than those offering bigger wins.
In addition to basic symbols, most slots feature some type of special symbol. Special symbols can include wilds, which act as jokers and substitute for any basic symbol. Scatter symbols, on the other hand, may give players free spins or unlock a bonus game.
Some slot games also have jackpot symbols that provide a chance to win massive jackpot prizes.
| Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Symbol | Regular symbols that form winning combinations. |
| Wild | Substitutes for any basic symbol. |
| Scatter | Activates special features like free spins. |
| Bonus | Unlocks a free bonus game. |
Next, we’ll dive deeper into the various special symbols in slot games and explain how they work.
Wild Symbols
Nowadays, it’s rare to find an online slot game that doesn’t include special symbols. The most common special symbol in slots is the wild, which works similarly to a joker in poker. A wild symbol on the screen substitutes for any other basic symbol.
There are several types of wild symbols, and below we will go through the most common ones. Check out some of the slot games featuring wild symbols as well.
| Wild Symbol Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Sticky Wild Symbol | Locks in place during a respin. It’s common in newer slot games. |
| Shifting Wild Symbol | Remains on the screen once it appears but moves randomly to a different position. |
| Walking Wild Symbol | Moves one position to the right, left, up, or down on the next spin, often offering additional respins. |
| Stacked Wild Symbol | Stacks on top of each other, potentially filling an entire reel. May appear on all reels or select few. |
| Expanding Wild Symbol | Affects adjacent symbols by replacing regular ones; may expand sideways, upwards, downwards, or diagonally. |
Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols are another common feature in slot games, often appearing alongside wilds. Scatters can have various functions, but they typically trigger free spins or boost multipliers.
Many players are familiar with free spins offered as bonuses by casinos, but you can also win free spins directly from the game. Landing at least three scatter symbols on the screen will usually activate these free spins.
There are also different types of scatter symbols. Below, we’ll cover the most common ones. Be sure to explore slot games that include scatter symbols!
| Scatter Symbol Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Sticky Scatter Symbol | It functions like a sticky wild; it stays in place for the next spins, increasing the chances of triggering special features. |
| Scatter Wild Symbol | Combines the functions of wild and scatter symbols; replaces regular symbols like a wild and triggers free spins. Can also multiply winnings instead of triggering free spins. Always check game rules for specifics. |
| Expanding Scatter Symbol | It works like an expanding wild; it spreads to adjacent symbols, potentially covering an entire reel. Can move sideways, upwards, downwards, or diagonally. |
Other Slot Symbols
Wilds and scatters are the most common special symbols in slots, and knowing how they work can get you far. However, there are also other special symbols, such as bonus symbols and jackpot symbols.
Like wilds and scatters, these special symbols can also be expanding, stacked, or sticky.
Bonus Symbols
Bonus symbols add an extra layer of excitement to the game. Each game has its own unique bonus symbols, but typically they trigger a bonus round. Sometimes, scatter symbols also unlock bonus rounds. Bonus games often offer larger payouts, and jackpots are usually awarded through these rounds. In some modern titles, you can even trigger these instantly through a bonus buy feature instead of waiting for symbols to land.
Jackpot Symbols
A jackpot symbol is exactly what it sounds like: when enough jackpot symbols land on the reels, you win the game’s jackpot prize.
There can be various types of jackpot symbols, with the more rare and valuable ones offering larger payouts. These symbols often only appear after unlocking the bonus game.
Slot Game Features
Traditional slots are straightforward: spin the reels, and if a winning combination lands, you win a prize. However, modern slots include a wide range of features and mechanics that are worth understanding.
Knowing how multipliers work, how in-game free spins are triggered, and how autoplay functions can significantly improve your gameplay.
Here’s a closer look at some of the common slot features.
Paylines
In the past, classic slots typically offered up to 20 paylines, and there were no special symbols. But with online slots, more imaginative features have been introduced.
One of the most significant changes is the disappearance of traditional paylines. In recent years, Megaways slots have become very popular. Instead of traditional paylines, Megaways slots offer thousands of possible winning combinations. Megaways is a slot mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming, and the company has licensed this feature to other developers.
Another modern feature is the Avalanche mechanic, first introduced in Gonzo’s Quest. Instead of spinning, the symbols fall into place. When a winning combination lands, the symbols explode, making way for new ones to drop in. This gives players a chance to multiply their winnings.
Multipliers
A multiplier increases the amount of your winnings. Different symbols have different multiplier values, and in general, rarer symbols lead to higher payouts.
Some slot games have features that let you increase your multipliers. Scatter symbols can also boost your multipliers. Slots offer a variety of multipliers, including growing multipliers and free spin multipliers, and understanding how they tie in with RTP can help you compare games more effectively.
Free Spins
Free spins can be offered by the casino as part of a promotion, or they can be earned within the game itself. Game-awarded free spins are typically triggered by landing a certain number of scatter symbols.
Free spins awarded within a slot must be used during the same play session. They cannot be saved for later or used in another game.
Autoplay Feature
The autoplay feature allows the player to set a specific number of spins to run automatically, so you don’t have to click the spin button each time. You can choose how many spins you want to play, and after pressing play once, the game will handle the rest of the spins for you.
Bonus Rounds
Bonus rounds are free spins or special rounds triggered within the game when certain symbols land on the reels. For instance, scatter symbols often activate bonus rounds, as do walking wilds.
If you’re trying a slot for the first time, start in demo mode to see how often features trigger and how they impact payouts. This gives you a feel for the game without risking your bankroll — just remember the difference between free spins and free demo games so you know what’s real money play and what isn’t.
Summary
Slot symbols are the key to understanding how wins and features are triggered. While basic symbols deliver the standard payouts, special symbols like wilds and scatters unlock additional possibilities. For Canadian players, knowing how these elements work can make your time on the reels more enjoyable and informed—whether you play on a provincially licensed platform or at an internationally regulated site.
