Have you ever played on a slot machine but are clueless about what the symbols mean on the screen? It is crucial to learn about slot machine symbols, their types, meanings and differences for smart plays.
Slot machines engage players with vibrant colors, many game options for any budget. They are the most favorite games in the industry, as they bring fun and are easy to play. There are million types of slot machine games with diverse themes. Each of these games have different game rules, pay lines and of course slot machine symbols.
Every slot game defines its unique winning symbols under the game rules. While playing gamblers can also unlock extra symbols that will boost their wins. This means, symbols can influence your wins and prize size.
This article will discuss most common, bonus and game-specific symbols and their meanings. Furthermore, the article will highlight low, medium and high-paying symbols at the end.
Most Common Symbols
The first category is the most common symbols: the ones that gamblers encounter the most on many slot games.
| The symbol | Meaning |
| Fruits š | Lemons, pears, grapes apples and many more are under the fruit symbol category. They are the most common ones on slot machines. Fruits are so common that there are separe “Fruit Slot Games” |
| Cherries š | Single cherries are very common, so they offer small wins. More cherries offer more rewards. |
| 7 (seven) š° | Sevens are associated as lucky symbols that offer bigger rewards. |
| Bells š | Bells come as a one, two or more. While players can see single bells often, multiple bells are rare. It is connected to their prize sizes: most common – less, less common – more. |
| Bars šø | There are single, double and multiple bars on slot games. Single bars are the most common ones, and the more a number grows the more is the payout size. |
| Cards š | Players can find cards with letters or numbers while playing on slots. Since they are popular they offer smaller prizes. |
| Jewels š | Jewels and gems happen in regular slot games and in thematic ones. They usually offer average size wins. |
Bonus Symbols
Bonuses can increase the amount of wins when gamblers hit a winning combination.Ā ThisĀ increases the potential reward of particular spins, even if the winning odds remain the same.
Bonus symbols can be distinguished into three main categories: wilds, scatters, and multipliers. Let’s understand each of the symbols separately!
Wilds
Wild symbols can match with any other symbol on the pay line and mark a win. They can complete winning combinations and improve a player’s chances of hitting a win. There are various types of wilds that add to the exciting gaming experience. The article will go through each of the types in a moment.
Wilds add to the increased winning odds and fun during the game. For instance, in the figure below, a wild creates a horizontal win by substituting for the third cherry. Also, we note that a wild created a double win diagonally with lemons.
As you learned, there are many variations of the wild symbol, that make this symbol even more useful. To know which one you have in your slot, go to the game rules.
Expanding Wilds
Expanding wilds grow horizontally or vertically to cover the entire reel. They grow more and more on the reel and create more winning chances. This substitutes for more and more symbols, thus increasing winning odds. Expanding wilds boosts many winning combinations and total prize size.
Stacked Wilds
This type of wilds come in stacks or groups and are placed on top of each other with every spin. If you manage to gather stacked wilds vertically on the entire screen, you may unlock additional features. This symbol also contributes to more winning experiences.
Sticky or Locked Wilds
This type of wilds stay in the same place for consecutive spins in a slot machine. With this wild players have more combination opportunities, thus, more chances for wins.
Walking Wilds
This wild symbol moves throughout the game with each spin. Walking wilds that change their positing per spin. In contrast to sticky wilds that remain in the same spot, walking wild changes its position. By moving, this symbol can act as a substitute for another symbol and create wins.
How do you know which type of wild is on your slot game?Ā There areĀ wild symbol descriptions on each slotĀ machine eitherĀ writtenĀ on the symbolĀ itself or the info button.Ā Before starting a game on a slot, gamblers should learn more about game rules, features, and wild types.
Scatters
Scatters are extra symbols that activate bonus features, free-spins, or progressive jackpots. Scatter symbols are common in many video slots. Scatters are extra symbols that activate bonus features, free-spins, or progressive jackpots.
Unlike other symbols that need to be placed in a specific spot on the pay line, scatters can be anywhere on the reel. Scatter symbols are special symbols that don’t need to land on an active payline to trigger a payout or feature. In contrast to other symbols, scatters can be activated as long as they are on the payline. The specific place does not matter: scatters operate on the same logic as wilds. Yet, the main difference is that wilds substitute for any symbol, while scatters unlock bonuses.
If there are more than one scatter on the reel, players activate free-spins or multiply their winnings. So, when you see scatters anywhere on the screen, you can unlock bonus features or prize awards.
Multipliers
Multipliers are special bonuses that increase your prize size by 2, 5, or 10 times. If you hit a win on a pay line and you have a 2x symbol anywhere on the reel, your win size will double. For example, if you marked a $10 win on a slot with a 2x multiplier, your total payout will be $20. Multipliers are a great way to enhance the gaming experience and the slot rewards.
Some slots have random multipliers that can appear at any time. Their purpose is to boost prize size by a random amount.
Moreover, round multipliersĀ are often tiedĀ to specific conditions in the game. For instance, the number of wild symbols or scatters that land during a bonus round.
Multipliers do not directly affect players’ winning chances on each spin, since all of them are unpredictable. These work only when a player marks a win.
Game-Specific Symbols
The third category of symbols are specific game-related. As you know, slot themes are diverse ranging from Ancient Egypt to 21st century illustrations. This means, besides very common and bonus symbols there are other ones.
For example, if you play on a slot machine with a pirate theme, the game symbols would be related. There can be gems, pirates, waves, jewelry, or fish. Another example is when you play a slot game with Ancient Egypt theme there would most probably be Pyramids, Cleopatra, or Ancient Egyptian symbols.
Symbols and Pay sizes
It is crucial to note that payout size can be connected to symbols. This means that some symbols may result in bigger prize sizes compared to others. For example, by matching the 7 symbols on the pay line, you can win a bigger prize than matching cherries.
| Payout size | Symbol |
| Low-paying | Fruits, Cards, single Cherries & Bars, |
| Medium-paying | Double Cherries & Bars, Jewels, Gems |
| High-paying | Multiple Bells & Bars, 7 (sevens), Bonuses |
Conclusion
To sum up, slot machine symbols are crucial to learn for better plays on slot machines. We can distinguish the symbols into two categories by their types and payout sizes. As you learnt, there can be common symbols that players see the most, bonus symbols like wilds, scatters or multipliers and game-specific ones. Lastly, symbols can influence for the low, middle or high prize sizes.
You will find more insights about gambling at HelpGamblers.
Did you know that the slot machine symbols were not just for the visuals but they have different meanings? Have you ever managed to get bonus symbols? Share in the comments below!