Slots are popular game types you will come across at most online casinos. They are often categorised by their symbols, icons, numbers, or images that appear on the reels of a slot machine. When you play online slots, the symbols, governed by RNG, will determine the outcome of each spin. They determine wins, unlock bonuses, and have the potential to shape your overall gambling experience. In this article, you will discover how slot symbols work and the popular types, including scatter, wild, bonus, and multiplier symbols.
Background of Slot Symbols
The earliest slots featured simple symbols like horseshoes, stars, and playing card suits. These symbols were easy to recognise and helped players quickly understand the outcome of each spin. As slot machines gained popularity, especially in the early 1990s, developers introduced more themed symbols. As reported by Britannica, the reel symbols of various fruits were used in 1909 by the Industry Novelty Company. Cherries, lemons, plums, and oranges became common sights on the reels. Today, slot games feature a wide range of animated and interactive symbols to match the preferences of different players both on desktop and through mobile casino apps, which many licensed operators provide for convenient access.
|
⚠️ Disclaimer: Be sure to check your local laws and regulations before participating in any form of gambling. This article does not guarantee any form of winning, and outcomes with slot symbols, as wins are also subject to chance. |
How Slot Symbols Work
As said by Steve Badger, “once you start thinking you've got nothing left to learn, you have everything to learn”. While slot symbols might look simple, they are mechanics designed to provide gambling entertainment. It follows a complex algorithm called the Random Number Generator (RNG) to ensure a completely random and fair bet outcome. This RNG determines which symbols land on the reels every time you spin the slot machine.
Reels and paylines
Slot machines typically have 3 to 5 reels, each displaying several symbols. Each reel spins independently, and when it stops, the symbols that pop up across the paylines will determine if you have won.
Dr. David Sack was right when he said, "Much of the reward comes not from winning, but from the possibility of winning." Game developers often set how each symbol appears, affecting the volatility. You will see low-value symbols more frequently than high-value symbols, but the latter offer bigger payouts. The low-valued symbols are often numbers or letters, while the high-valued ones are usually themed or characteristic. So, while a slot spin may seem like pure luck, a lot also happens behind the scenes. The interaction of symbols, reels, RNG, and paylines gives the thrill.
What is a payline?
A payline is a predefined path across the reels, where matching symbols must land to form a winning combination. A payline can either be horizontal, diagonal, or zig-zag.
Let's say a slot has 20 paylines; it means there are 20 ways symbols can align to reward you with payouts. Whereas modern slots have countless paylines or winning possibilities—especially Megaways formats—your wins are unpredictable, and it depends on how the symbols land. On the other hand, classic fruit slots like Golden Winner have a 5x3 layout with fixed paylines between 10 to 40.
Types of Slot Symbols
While the design of slot symbols varies by theme, they are all placed into a few categories, which include standard symbols, wild symbols, scatter symbols, and multipliers symbols, as further described below.
Standard symbols
Standard symbols are the basic signs on slot machines, with less special functions. They appear frequently on reels and are responsible for the regular payouts at most casinos. Standard symbols are subdivided into two: low-paying symbols and high-paying symbols.
- Low-paying symbols: These usually include playing card icons like 10, J, Q, K, and A. They also help to keep the game active. Even though the payouts from these symbols are small, they form winning combinations easily, since they appear more often.
- High-paying symbols: These are custom-designed symbols that match slot themes. For example, the high-paying symbols in the Sugar Rush game are the colourful jellybeans and gummy bears. In other slots, you might see symbols like weapons or gods, especially mythology-themed ones. These symbols pay more than the low-paying ones but appear less frequently on reels.
Wild symbols
Wild symbols are special icons acting like jokers, just like the wild in poker cards. Wilds can substitute for most other symbols to help players form a winning combination. Let's say a payline needs three candy symbols that match; your spin lands on two candies and a wild; the wild can use the place of the last missing candy.
Scatter symbols
Unlike regular symbols that need to land on specific paylines, scatter symbols can land anywhere, and you will still be rewarded. However, it's vital that you hit the required number of scatter, which is usually three or more. Scatter symbols, such as treasure chests, stars, or candy machines, are typically themed to match the slot.
Bonus symbols
Bonus symbols are special icons in slot games, triggering unique bonus features and sometimes mini-games. These symbols don't pay out directly as scatter symbols do, but they trigger bonus rounds, often with huge wins. Let's use the Big Bass Splash as an example, where a fish hook or bass logo represents the bonus symbol. If you land 3 or more bonus symbols on a single spin, you trigger the free spins bonus round. The game also has a pre-bonus feature, where modifiers like extra fisherman wilds or more free spins can be added.
Multiplier symbols
Multiplier symbols are a special feature in slot games that increase players' winnings by a specific multiple. It could be 2x, 5x, 10x, or even as high as 100x. Multiplier can apply to a single win, an entire spin, or across a bonus round, and when it's part of a winning combination, the payout value is then multiplied. Depending on the game, the multiplier symbol can appear during regular gameplay or be exclusive to free spins or bonus features.
Other special slot symbols
Slot games continually evolve, and according to YahooFinance, the slot machine market is expected to see an impressive growth trajectory and is predicted to reach $3.39 billion by 2027. This means slot developers will create more innovative and new symbols.
The other special slot symbols you may come across at casino sites are in the table below.
|
Symbol Type |
Description |
|
Sticky symbols |
These are symbols that remain in place for a set number of spins or a bonus round. |
|
Stacked symbols |
These are symbols that appear in groups or blocks on a reel. They can be vertical or horizontal. |
|
Colossal symbols |
These are oversized symbols that cover multiple reel spaces. For example, 2x2, 3x3 blocks. |
|
Overlay symbols |
These symbols are layered over the standard symbols. They often randomly appear during spins. |
|
Bank symbols |
These symbols collect and hold value, which are also often used in hold and spin or cash features. |
Conclusion
Slot symbols are more than just colourful graphics. They are a unique part of slot machines, and each has its function and impact on gameplay. From standard and wild symbols to multipliers and sticky features, it's crucial to understand how every symbol works to enhance your gaming experience. Most of these symbols create wins and more opportunities for massive prize pools, especially in slots with jackpots. Know your symbol today, and enjoy the thrill of playing slot machines.
For more information on slot mechanics and safer play tools, visit Prime Casino and explore our safe gambling resources. 18+ | Play Responsibly.
