Slot Machine Symbols Explained - Types of Slot Icons & Guide
Before playing slot games from l eading game providers like Pragmatic Play , Hacksaw Gaming , and BGaming at Stake social casino , you need to understand what symbols are and how they work.
Symbols are integral to all slot games, from Megaways slots to games with cascading reels . Here, we explain everything you need to know about slot machine symbols so you can spin the reels and land big wins at Stake.us .
What are Slot Machine Symbols?
Symbols are integral to online slot games, powered by RNGs , as they determine the value of winning combinations that land on the reels. Each game has low value and high value symbols, which are indicated in the game’s information table.
For example, a game might have five low-winning symbols in the form of card symbols (10 - J - Q - K - A) and five high value symbols (a fish - a snake - an eagle - an elephant - and a lion).
The objective of a slot game is to land winning combinations of these symbols on any of the game’s lines. Naturally, the premium symbols offer the biggest wins, as they are the most valuable symbols in the game. Slots also include special symbols like wilds and scatters, as we introduce in the following sections.
How Many Symbols are in Slots?
This really depends on the game, but most slot games have between five and 12 regular symbols. Each of these basic symbols is attributed a value, which is paid out when at least three of these symbols land on one of the game’s lines.
In addition to the regular symbols, the game might also include various special symbols like wild symbols, scatter symbols, and multipliers. These slot machine icons can unlock special features and big bonuses, depending on the type of slot machine.
Types of Slot Symbols
In addition to regular symbols, slot games tend to include a host of special symbols to make things even more interesting and potentially result in bigger wins. Common types of symbols on modern video slots include:
Wild Symbols
Wild symbols can substitute for all regular symbols to create winning combinations. So, for instance, if two gems land on one line and are accompanied by a wild, you would earn a win for three-of-a-kind. Wilds can also come in the form of stacked symbols and sticky wilds. Stacked wild symbols are stacked across multiple rows on a single reel, therefore increasing the chance of landing on a line. Whilst sticky wild symbols are similar to regular wilds, but they stay on the playing grid rather than disappearing after the reels spin again.
Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols are your keys to the bonus game. Most slots require three scatter symbols to land across the reels, which then triggers access to the bonus game. For example, three scatter symbols might provide a win of 50x the amount played alongside ten free spin rounds . Some slots have feature spin options that let you trigger the bonus game right away.
Multiplier Symbols
Multiplier symbols increase the value of winning combinations. For instance, if you land a 2x multiplier as part of a 40x regular game win, the multiplier would deliver a win of 80x the amount played. The size of the multiplier varies from game to game, but you can expect to see anywhere between 2x and 100x the played amount.
Bonus Symbols
Bonus symbols are like scatter symbols, as they trigger access to the game’s bonus features. As some games have multiple bonus symbols, it’s best to check the information table to understand their functions before spinning the reels.
Sticky Symbols
When they land, sticky symbols remain on the reels for a predetermined number of spins. These symbols are commonplace in bonus rounds like free spins, and lock onto the reels until the end of the feature. This is beneficial because they can help you form wins for the duration of the bonus game.
Mystery Symbols
Some slots make use of mystery symbols. When these land in the game, they tend to transform into a specific symbol that offers a particular modifier or bonus feature. Mystery symbols may also transform into high value symbols, depending on the rules of the game in question.
Standard Symbols
Finally, standard symbols are classic slot machine symbols that are included in the game’s table. There will be low winning symbols (often 10-A royals) and high winning symbols, which are aligned to the game’s theme , be it ancient , Vegas , sea , or the Wild West , for example.
What are the Best Slot Symbols & Combinations?
To determine the best slot symbol and combination, you need to check the game’s information table. Typically, most slot games require you to land combinations of at least three symbols in a specific pattern across the reels to win.
In most games with five reels, landing five of the most valuable symbols in the table will yield the biggest win in the base game. This could be five candy symbols or five animal symbols, depending on the theme of the game in question. A lot of online gamers a superstitious and consider some symbols lucky . These include numbers like 7s and 8s, and some animals like dragons .
You can also land wins when the wild symbol contributes to a winning combination and when the wild has a multiplier attached, you can potentially land huge wins as a result.
What are the Original Symbols in Slot Machines?
Classic slot games are often known as fruit machines as they tend to use fruit symbols as the main symbols. The lower winning symbols tend to be fruits like cherries, watermelons, and lemons, while the higher winning symbols in these games include things like bells, BARs, and lucky sevens .
Though retro-style slots are still popular at Stake.us, software studios release a huge range of games that include loads of well-designed symbols, from space games to Egyptian slots .
Symbols, Paylines & Reels Explained
Three key elements of slot games are the symbols, paylines, and reels included in the games. Here’s what you need to know about each of these elements:
Symbols: In slot games, symbols appear on the grid to deliver wins. Some symbols are special (as introduced above) while others are regular symbols that are given a specific value when at least three land in a winning combination. These can trigger You can find out the value of each symbol by checking the game’s information table.
Paylines: The paylines are the patterns that the symbols need to make in a slot game for you to win. Some slots have fixed or variable paylines, while others use patterns such as clusters to form wins. Again, you can check the paylines included in a slot game before playing.
Reels: The reels in slot games form the horizontal axis of the game grid. Some games have just 3 reels , while others have 5+ reels. They are essentially the anchor of the game and spin between each round to reveal new symbols. Some slots even use cascading reels, which spin when a winning combination lands to deliver new symbols for another winning chance.
How to Win at Slot Games Online - Tips & Strategies
Though slots are games of luck, there are some things you can do to boost your winning chances when you spin the reels:
Learn how to play slots and to discover the ins and outs of slots and fully understand how these games work.
Our how to guides are also packed with top tips and our online social casino guide is the perfect resource as you play your favorite slot games online. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer support team .
Browse through our best games - including Stake Exclusives and Stake Originals - to discover a wide variety of slot games to play - this keeps things interesting as you spin the reels.
You should always read through the rules and study the symbols tables in every slot game that you play, so you know how to win and how much you can win when winning combinations land.
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