What do slot symbols mean?

Understanding slot symbols makes it easier to understand how slots work. Slot symbols can generally be categorized into standard symbols and special symbols. Standard symbols are primarily used to form winning combinations, whereas special symbols trigger special features, such as free spins and bonus games, or affect the size of the payouts.

Modern slots feature a wide variety of special symbols that make gameplay more dynamic. For example, symbols can split other symbols in two or award multipliers to other symbols on the reels. Some game providers or slot series can also be easily recognized by their distinctive special symbols and their features.

Slot symbols

Standard symbol

Standard symbols can be numbers, letters, fruits, or symbols that match the game's theme. Symbols are often divided into low- or high-value symbols, as they carry different payout multipliers. Payouts are determined by the game's win mechanics when matching symbols land on the reels. The size of the win depends on the bet, the number of matching symbols, and the symbol’s payout multiplier. The game's paytable can always be found in the game information.

Wild symbol

Wild symbol acts like a joker and substitutes for other standard symbols, so it can help form winning combinations. In some games, Wild symbols only appear on specific reels. There are multiple different Wild symbols, which bring some extra features to the game, in addition to their basic function. These include, among others:

• A Sticky Wild locks in place for the duration of a bonus game or a respin, for example.
• An Expanding Wild expands across the reel, either vertically or horizontally.
• A Stacked Wild appears stacked on top of each other on the reels.
• A Multiplier Wild combines the features of both a Wild symbol and a multiplier.

Scatter symbol

The most common function of a Scatter symbol is to trigger a bonus feature, such as free spins. Free spins are activated when a specific number of Scatters appear on the reels. The usual minimum requirement is three Scatter symbols, and typically, the more Scatters there are, the more free spins or other bonus features the player receives. Some games also feature a combined Scatter and Wild symbol that both triggers free spins and substitutes for other symbols.

Bonus symbol

The bonus symbol is most commonly used to trigger a bonus game and, in some cases, free spins, much like a Scatter symbol. Bonus games include special features and the player usually has a chance for bigger payouts than in the base game. Often, the bonus symbol must land in a specific position on the reels to trigger the bonus game.

Multipliers

Multipliers or multiplier symbols can appear both in the base game and during bonus features. Wins are multiplied by the active multiplier for that spin, with values ​​varying by game, ranging from as low as 0.5x up to several thousand times. There are also increasing multipliers, however they function differently depending on the game. For instance, consecutive wins within a single spin can increase the multiplier, or the multiplier can increase from one free spin to the next without resetting between spins.

Jackpot symbol

Jackpot symbols trigger jackpot wins, which are often larger than payouts from the other symbols. Jackpot prizes are usually awarded through bonus games and can be divided into different prize levels, such as Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand jackpots. The value of a jackpot can be fixed or progressive, in which case it increases as the game is played.