Debunking the Symbols in Online Slots

When you first create a casino account and select your first online slot, you might just do a double take! There are so many different kinds of symbols on the reels, and each one triggers a different feature, jackpot or bonus game. Slots with three reels usually have less special symbols than their 5-reel counterparts, but you’ll still encounter plenty of Wild and Scatters in these games as well.

As you begin to explore different slots titles, you will learn more about each of these special symbols, as they often vary from game to game. However, our Spin Palace guide to debunking slots symbols will give you a head start, and probably boost your chances of winning big in the process!

There are 6 main types of slots symbols that you’ll find on the reels of most online slots today. Each one has a different function, whether it be simply triggering fixed payouts or activating a generous progressive jackpot. Read more about each of these symbols below to master the slots in no time...

• Standard Reel Symbols

These are the basic symbols on the reels of every slot. Whether it be bells, bars and cherries in classic slots or themed symbols in newer video slots, these symbols award fixed payouts when they land in winning combinations. They are often ranked in value, and playing card values from 9 to A are also often featured to award smaller wins throughout the game.

• Wild Symbols

Wild symbols are found in almost every online slot, be it a classic, video or progressive variant. The purpose of a Wild is to fill in for other symbols on the reels, taking the place of any symbol to help create a winning combination.

Some Wild symbols also act as multipliers to multiply the value of the wins they help to create, and others appear stacked on the reels as well. There are also many Wild bonus features in modern slots, including Expanding Wilds, Sticky Wilds and Transferring Wilds.

• Scatter Symbols

Scatter symbols can also be found in both video slots and classic slots. In most cases, the purpose of these symbols is to trigger a free spins feature or a bonus game, but some games also use them purely to award Scatter pays.

Scatter pays are generally awarded for 2 or more Scatters on the reels, while a bonus feature typically needs at least 3 of these symbols to be triggered.

• Free Spins Symbols

In many slots, the job of the free spins symbol is done by the Scatter symbol instead. However, some games utilize special free spins symbols, which are often presented as a “Free Spins” logo to tell you exactly what bonus you’re triggering.

You’ll often find these symbols in slots with multiple bonus games, as the Scatter will then trigger a different bonus feature.

• Multiplier Symbols

In some cases, a slot’s Wild symbol will act as a multiplier. However, many online slots also have their own dedicated multiplier symbols on the reels. These symbols can be very beneficial to your bankroll when they land, as they can double, triple or even quadruple the value of the wins you land.

• Bonus Slots Symbols

Bonus symbols can be very similar to Scatter symbols. Basically, a bonus symbol is any symbol that activates a bonus game or bonus round in your online slot of choice. Bonus symbols are generally dependent on the theme of the slot in which they appear, and can activate everything from free spins to a Pick Me bonus game to boost your winnings.