In this article, we explore the significance of wild and scatter symbols. These special symbols add an extra layer of thrill and potential winnings to the gameplay, making them highly sought-after among players.
Slots Symbols Explained
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Symbols in slot machines are key to making the game more entertaining and increasing your chances of winning. Wilds replace ordinary symbols for combos, while Scatters activate bonus features with free spins. Together, they enhance the excitement of every game.
Wild Symbols
Wild symbols are distinct from regular icons, often labeled with "WILD" or represented by an item related to the game's theme.Wild symbols substitute for regular symbols on the pay lines to complete winning combinations. Their appearance may result in bigger payouts and add more excitement to the game. It's important to note that wild symbols are not the same as scatter or bonus symbols.
Types of Wild Symbols
Each type of Wild Symbols offers unique gameplay benefits;
Regular Wild Symbols
These cover one position on the reels and can create new line wins that would otherwise be impossible. They can replace most other symbols to generate additional wins. However, in some games, wilds do not substitute for jackpot symbols.
Special Wild Symbols
These wild symbols have additional features that make them stand out from regular ones. For example, they can expand to cover entire reels, stay locked in place for a certain number of spins or multiply wins.
Expanding Wilds
When an expanding wild appears on a reel, it stretches to fill the entire reel, potentially creating multiple winning paylines. This feature adds excitement and can lead to significant wins.
Sticky Wilds
Sticky wilds remain on the reels for several spins, giving players more chances to form winning combinations. They can also trigger bonus rounds or free spins when they stick around long enough.
Shifting Wilds
Shifting wilds are a special feature in online slots games where wild symbols move or shift across the reels with each spin. Shifting wilds can increase the chances of hitting winning combinations and add excitement to the gameplay.
Stacking Wilds
Stacked wild symbols are essentially multiple wild symbols stacked on top of each other on one reel. This increases the likelihood of creating winning combinations and can result in significant payouts.
Special Wild Symbols by Game Developer
Top game developers like Playtech, NetEnt, Microgaming, and Betsoft Gaming also offer special wild symbols, such as:
- Frozen Wilds
- Locked Wilds
- Soaring Wilds
- Split Wilds
- Magnetic Wilds
Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols differ across games and slot titles. They are a player's best friend, as they pay out on any line and often trigger bonus features like free spins.
Functionality of Scatter Symbols
Fixed Payouts: Scatter symbols do not need to land on a specific pay line to award a prize. Most pay for two or more in view and typically offer fixed payouts. You might see one, two, three, or more scatter symbols on the reels.
Bonus Features
Landing three scatter symbols can trigger a bonus round, such as free spins or a pick-me bonus, adding excitement to the game.
Some slots require scatters to appear on specific reels to activate bonuses, while others may re-trigger bonuses during the bonus round.
Additional Bonus Rounds
Bonus symbols that appear above the reels can activate additional bonus rounds on a second screen. Depending on the game, these bonuses can be triggered by scatter symbols landing on the outer reels or anywhere in view.
Spotting Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols are easy to recognize; the more you find, the better. Game developers continue innovating by incorporating scatter symbols into new releases for fun and variety.