Understanding Wild Symbols in Online Slots

If you have ever played a slot game, you've probably seen wild symbols displayed on the reels. Wild symbols are exciting icons that can stand in for other symbols and sometimes even unlock bonus features. Wild symbols play the same role just as jokers in poker games. When you play real money slots, you will come across different kinds of wild symbols, including sticky and expanding wilds. Read on for more information on wild symbols, how they work, and their popular slot games.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Online gambling carries financial risk and may be addictive. Always play responsibly and ensure you are of legal age in your jurisdiction before participating in any online gaming activities.

What are Wild Symbols in Slot Games?

Wild symbols are like the jackpots of slot games. Once players hit these symbols, they can get better payouts from their winning combinations. Wilds can often substitute for any regular symbol on the reels, except for special ones like scatter and bonus symbols.

Wild symbols are flexible yet powerful enough to boost players' winnings. And the best part? Most modern casinos are now introducing more Megaways slots with wilds. With Megaways alone, players can get hundreds of thousands of ways to win, and with wilds added, they add more thrills to the game.

The most common types of wild symbols are highlighted below.

• Cascading wilds: These wilds are different from the regular wilds. Cascading wilds disappear after forming a winning combination and do not stick around for a spin. The disappeared symbol is then replaced by a new symbol, which can trigger even more wins in the same spin.
• Multiplying wilds: These wilds serve as substitutes for other symbols and multiply your win when they are part of a winning combo. If you hit a multiplier wild, you could see your payout increase by 2x, 3x, or more.
• Sticky wilds: When sticky wilds appear, they stack on top of each other, covering multiple positions on a reel. Stacked wilds increase your chance of hitting big wins, mainly if they cover a full reel.
• Expanding wilds: When this wild hits the reel, it expands to cover the entire reel, creating more winning combinations. Expanding wilds is usually a great deal if the reel already has much payout potential.
• Walking wilds: Shifting wild is another term commonly used for walking wilds. Walking wilds move from one reel to another with each spin, allowing players to hit bigger as they move across the screen.

Note that the UK Government has introduced a £2 maximum stake for players under 25 years to protect its people from potential gambling harms. Thus, strategically set a betting plan before playing games with wild symbols.

How Wild Symbols Work

"Gambling is entertainment. People go to casinos to be entertained." -Eric Schneiderman, and it even gets more fun with wild symbols. Here's how it works.

Let's say you are playing a slot where you need three matching symbols on a payline and land two cherries and a wild symbol. The wild can act in the place of the last cherry symbol you should have gotten. It gets more interesting because wilds in many modern slots now have extra features that make the games even more fun. These features are further highlighted below.

Extra features in Wild Symbols

1. Wilds in bonus round: Some games only bring out wild symbols during free spins or bonus features.
2. Wild combinations: Some slots payout when you hit multiple wilds on a line, even if they do not match any other symbol.
3. Wild-triggered features: When you hit a wild, it might trigger extra features such as re-spins, expanding reels, and multipliers.

Popular Online Slot Games Featuring Wild Symbols

According to Statista, the casino games market is predicted to reach a 761.0m number of users by 2029. Undoubtedly, developers will keep introducing new titles and slots for mobile play into online casinos.

The table below compares wild symbols by slot game, including the popular Big Bass Halloween game.

Slot Game	Type of Wild Symbol	Special Wild Feature	Volatility
Starburst	Expanding Wild	Triggers re-spins when it lands	Low
Big Bass Halloween	Collecting Wild	Has spooky visuals and collects money during free spins	Medium
Gonzo’s Quest	Cascading Wild	Stays during avalanches. Avalanche is a part of spin machine	Medium - High
Book of Dead	Standard Wild/Scatter	Triggers free spins	High
Dead or Alive II	Sticky Wild	Sticks during free spins for big win chances	Very High
Immortal Romance	Multiplier Wild	Doubles wins in base game	High
Big Bass Bonanza	Collecting Wild	Collects money symbols during free spins	Medium
Extra Chilli Megaways	Standard Wild	Appears in bottom row to complete combos	High

Strategies for Using Wild Symbols Effectively

Implementing some key strategies is definitely what you need for your big win. Some of these tips are highlighted below.

List of Strategies of Wild Symbols 

1. Play games that feature wilds heavily: Not all slots are created equal. Some use wilds more often or in more creative ways. Also, look for games with features like sticky wilds, expanding wilds, or multipliers. They offer more potential for big wins, especially during free spins or bonus rounds.
2. Learn about the game's wild appearances: Check the slot paytable to see how the wild symbols work in specific games. Some wilds only show up during bonuses, while others can trigger extra features or multiply wins. Knowing when and where wilds appear helps you to plan your bets better.
3. Watch your volatility: Games with many wild features often have higher volatility. As a result, it may take a longer time before hitting a huge win. Thus, ensure your bet size matches your bankroll so you can stick around long enough until you hit your luck. "I've found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often." -Brian Tracy.
4. Use demo mode first: Some casinos provide slot games in demo versions. This way, you can figure out how wilds work without risking your real money. It's also a great way to test different games and find the ones where the wild features feel rewarding.

Bonus point - Wilds are awesome, but do not rely on them alone. You must also know a game's full feature set, including the bonuses, scatters, paylines, and multipliers symbols.

Conclusion

Every wild symbol adds something unique to its game, whether free spins, big multipliers, or more frequent wins. Wilds have the power to turn a regular spin into a winning moment. They not only substitute for other symbols to complete paylines but often come with bonus perks. Games like Monopoly Megaways take things further by combining dynamic reel systems with powerful wild features. So, next time you hit the slots, always keep an eye out for wild symbols.

To continue learning about slots, features, and safer gaming practices, view the dedicated resources at Prime Casino. 18+ | Play Responsibly.