It goes without saying that slot machines have evolved dramatically since they first appeared on the scene in the 1900s. Today, slot machines come with high-quality graphics, feature top-notch graphics and have mesmerising soundtracks to keep players engaged throughout the gameplay.
Along with the visual aspects, the gameplay mechanics and icons in slot machines have also undergone some serious transformation. These days, you’ll find slot games featuring several different types of slot machine symbols. In this article, we explore the most common slot symbol types in full detail. Stick with us!
Standard symbols
Standard symbols are basic symbols that are present in every online slot game. The main and sole function of these symbols is to offer a payout if players manage to get enough of them on a winning payline. Apart from that, standard symbols have no extra use.
The potential payout for standard symbols depends on a number of factors. They include your stake amount and the specific icon you’ve won with. Also, the payout is based on the number of identical standard icons landed on the payline.
In many modern slot games, standard icons are created to match slot themes. If you’re playing a jungle safari slot game, for instance, the standard icons may take the form of various animals. But it’s also not uncommon to find card values, card ranks and classic fruit icons taking the form of standard symbols in online slot games.
Wilds
Wild symbols are highly popular among online slot players and can be found in almost all the top slot games. You can think of slot wilds as jokers in card games. In other words, slot wilds have the potential to replace any symbol in a given slot game. The only exception to this is special symbols like scatters and multipliers.
Here’s an example to make this clearer. Let’s say you are playing an online slot game where at least three identical symbols are required to form a winning combo. After hitting the spin button, you get a diamond symbol (basic icon) on reels 1 and 2 and a wild on reel 3. Here, the wild symbol can act as the diamond icon to help you complete the winning combo.
Usually, slot wilds don’t pay on their own. But there are some online slots where the wild symbol also acts as a multiplier symbol. Other types of slot wilds you’ll come across when playing slots online are sticky wilds, expanding wilds and wandering wilds.
Scatters
Scatter symbols are special symbols that can be found in almost all modern online slot machines. The main function of this slot symbol type is to activate the free spins feature. Along with that, slot scatters can also award a high payout in some online and mobile slots.
Usually, having at least three scatter symbols on the reels get you some free spins. In some online slot machines, the number of free spins offered is fixed. In other slot games, the amount of free spins increases with the number of scatter icons landed.
A great thing about the scatter symbols is that you don’t need to get them on a payline. So, as long as you have the required number of scatter icons on the grid, you stand the chance to receive the free spins or any other bonus reward associated with the scatter symbol.
Multipliers
The name of these slot symbols says it all. Multiplier symbols are slot symbols that can multiply your potential winnings by a specific number. These slot icons can be found in several different slot types, including 3D slots, video slots, megaways and progressive jackpots.
At times, multiplier icons are attached to slot wilds. Here, the potential winning amount is multiplied by the number present on the wild symbol. In some online slot games, multipliers can also take the form of scatter icons.
Summary
So, this covers the basics and the working of the most common slot symbol types. Every online slot machine features some basic icons and most of them have some special icons like scatters and wilds as well. For players who want to know some interesting things about online slot machines, we’ve got an excellent article covering popular online slot games facts. Have an enjoyable and entertaining slot gaming experience there!