We can guarantee that every time you log on to your favourite online casino, there are plenty of new slot games to sink your teeth into. Of course, there was a time where you could only play three-reel games with limited symbols and features.
These days, at an online casino in UK, there are a whole host of themed games, with so many different symbols – and it can be difficult to get to grips with. Which is why we’ve written this article – to give you the lowdown on slot games symbols. Read on to find out more.
Standard symbols
When playing any slot game, there is a set of symbols, which don’t do anything other than offer a set pay-out. These are usually only found in the base game, and will be known as standard symbols – because they aren’t particularly lucrative or special.
Generally speaking, all Slots games have lower-value symbols, which are signified by the high-value playing cards symbols – usually from 10 through to Ace. These will be decorated according to the Slots theme. The higher-value standard symbols will also bear relevance to the theme you have selected. For example, classic or retro Slots reels will consist of lemons, cherries, watermelons and maybe even lucky 7s and BAR symbols. The iconic franchise Fishin’ Frenzy will have related symbols such as tackle boxes, fish, buoys and fishing rods.
By looking at the pay-table, you can see how many symbols you’ll need to land for a pay-out, and what their value is.
Wild symbol
The wild is amongst one of the most lucrative symbols. In its most basic and common form, its purpose is to act as any other symbol – excluding the scatter, but more on that later – to award winning combinations on any given pay-lines.
Some games have wild symbols that have many different properties, and the most common include:
- Stacked: these will cover different rows (horizontally) or reels (vertically). All the stacked symbols will become stacked wilds.
- Sticky: unlike standard wilds, which disappear after a spin, sticky wilds will remain on the reels for several spins – offering multiple chances to land more winning combinations.
- Expanding: as its name suggests, when you land a winning combination with an expanding wild, it expands to fill the reels or rows to offer more lucrative wins.
- Shifting: also know as walking wilds, these shift places on the reels – again, triggering more winning combinations. Occasionally, they have extra properties, such as adding a multiplier to your winnings.
Scatter symbol
The scatter is the most highly-anticipated symbol to fall on the reels. They will offer a pay-out wherever they appear – regardless of them landing on pay-line or not. They’re a lucrative symbol which unlock bonuses, and you’ll usually need to land a certain number to win bonuses, such as free spins or multipliers, or be taken to play a side-game.
While the scatter could unlock a bonus game, some Slots may have a specific bonus symbol. These generally wouldn’t offer a pay-out, and you may need to unlock the symbol on a certain number of reels, or specific ones.
