Slot games use different symbols on the reels. Most are regular symbols that simply pay when they line up, but some are special symbols with extra functions that can boost your wins or trigger bonus features. This guide explains the main special symbols you'll come across. Every slot is different, so always check the individual game's paytable or info section for its exact rules.
Wild symbols
A wild symbol is a special icon that substitutes for other symbols on the reels to help form winning combinations, much like a joker in a card game.
When a wild lands, it can replace any regular symbol needed to complete a win line. Wilds do not replace special symbols such as:
- Scatter symbols
- Bonus symbols
- Free spin triggers (where these are separate)
Types of wilds
Wilds often come in enhanced versions that change how they behave:
- Expanding wilds stretch vertically to cover an entire reel. When one lands it usually expands up and down to fill every position on that reel, then substitutes for other symbols to complete paylines. They appear more often in free spins and bonus rounds, where they may also carry multipliers or locking features.
- Stacked wilds appear in groups covering two or more positions on the same reel, sometimes filling it entirely. When they line up across multiple reels they can complete several paylines at once, increasing the chance of larger or more frequent payouts.
- Sticky wilds stay in place for several spins rather than disappearing after one.
- Walking wilds shift position across the reels with each spin.
- Multiplier wilds multiply any winnings they help create (see Multiplier symbols below).
Scatter symbols
A scatter symbol unlocks bonus features such as free spins, interactive rounds, or multipliers. Unlike regular symbols, scatters don't need to land on a payline — they can appear anywhere on the reels to take effect.
Common roles of scatter symbols:
- Trigger free spins. Landing a set number of scatters (commonly three or more) anywhere on the reels unlocks a free spins round. The number of spins awarded often depends on how many scatters land.
- Activate bonus rounds. In many games scatters are the entry point to interactive features — mini-games, extra prizes, or special reels.
- Act as multipliers. In some games scatters multiply your total bet or line win.
- Pay from any position. Because they don't need to align on a payline, even two or three scatters showing anywhere can deliver a payout, often based on a multiplier of your total bet.
Multiplier symbols
Multiplier symbols increase your winnings by a fixed factor — 2x, 5x, 10x, or more. They can appear in different forms and at different stages of a game. Multipliers aren't tied to one symbol type: they can arrive via wilds, scatters, or the base game.
- Base game multipliers appear during regular spins and multiply the payout of any winning combination they're part of.
- Free spin multipliers are active only during bonus rounds and are often higher than base-game ones.
- Scatter multipliers are triggered by scatter symbols and frequently apply to your total bet rather than a single line.
- Increasing multipliers grow with each consecutive win, often in features like cascading reels or re-spins.
The multiplier wilds mentioned under Wilds above are simply the wild-delivered version of this feature.
Finding games by feature
You can browse slots by the features you enjoy. In the casino lobby, open the Popular Features section and choose a category such as Multipliers, Expanding Wilds, or Stacked Wilds — or type the feature name into the search bar to see a filtered list of games.
Before you play
Each slot has its own rules for how these symbols behave. Before playing, open the game's help, info, or paytable section to see exactly how wilds, scatters, and multipliers work in that specific title.
