Wild Symbols in Slots
Nearly every slot game available online features wild symbols. Players can uncover wild symbols and unlock additional winnings whilst spinning the reels. Many wild symbols are accompanied by loud sounds and visual effects.
Wild symbols can be profitable because of their ability to increase players’ winnings. Slot game fans should learn as much as possible about the different wild symbols to maximise their winning potential.
The slot machine “One Armed Bandit” is believed to be the first game to offer wild symbols. It revolutionised the gaming industry and wilds are nowadays included in most online pokies. Players can use the symbols to create a winning combination on the reels. The symbols not only add to players’ profits, they also boast their very own prizes.
Understanding Wild Symbols
The purpose of wild symbols is to replace other game symbols and create winning combinations on the reels. Many slot games allow wild symbols to generate winning combinations unless there are other significant symbols. A wild cannot replace a bonus symbol, free spin, or scatter.
Wild symbols typically land randomly. In some slot games, the symbols only appear on specific reels. Players need to learn the rules of the slot game and read the paytable to fully understand the wild symbols.
There are different types of wilds available in most online slot games:
- Expanding Wild Symbols
- Stacked Wild Symbols
- Sticky Wild Symbols
- Random Wild Symbols
- Cascading Wild Symbols
The Mechanics of Wild Symbols
Symbols make a slot game more exciting to play. By unlocking a wild symbol, players become more engaged in the gameplay. Wilds replace regular symbols to pave the way for possible winning combinations. They can combine with regular symbols to make winning paylines.
A wild can replace nearly every symbol except bonus icons, free spins symbols, scatters, and multipliers. All other symbols can be substituted by a wild. Multiple winning combinations are possible courtesy of several wild symbols landing on one spin. One wild may not be enough to create a winning formation.
The amount of money players can win thanks to wild and other bonus symbols differs. In some slots, wild symbols can lead to the maximum prize, while in other games the wild symbol may double the win amount. It’s highly recommended to read a slot game’s rules before placing a wager.
Wild Symbols and Winning Potential
Players should always take a look at the paytable of a slot game before they start spinning the reels. The paytable indicates the symbols that are used as wilds. Some slot games have multiple wild symbols available. Wild symbols typically pop up in bonus rounds. But all slots are different, and players may uncover a wild at different times during the game. Since wilds appear randomly, there’s no strategy to improve the chances of landing them.
Wild symbols can boost players’ profits as they replace other symbols on the reel to complete paylines and create winning combinations. Therefore, wilds are able to turn a non-winning spin into a successful one. Moreover, wilds have the potential to help players scoop jackpots, bonuses, and free spins during a game.
Wild symbols produce a great deal of excitement. They add up to the fun gameplay and potentially improve a player’s chances of creating a successful combination. Additionally, wins can include small, and even huge jackpots. One thing’s for sure: wilds level up the winning potential significantly.
Wild Symbols and Bonus Features
Wild symbols can also emerge in bonus rounds. Spinning reels can reveal wilds that have the power to generate a winning combination. Moreover, wilds can trigger unique bonus games and extras, such as the jackpot feature.
Many slots have fixed or progressive jackpots, which require specific symbol combinations. Players can hit these jackpots by landing a combination including a wild symbol. The latter may be just the symbol a player needs to create the combination that awards a jackpot.
This is one of the reasons why wild symbols are so exciting. To add to this, bonus rounds like free spins can come into play thanks to wilds. In some stages of the gameplay, wild symbols are not available, such as during free spins. Slot games’ rules explain how wild symbols can be combined with other symbols.
Types of Wild Symbols
There are different wild symbols available in most video slot games. Here are some of the popular wild symbols:
Expanding Wild Symbols
Expanding wilds can multiply in various directions. The expanding wild symbols may fill the entire reel to create a winning combination.
Stacked Wild Symbols
Stacked wild symbols can stack on top of each other and cover an entire reel. Stacked wilds tend to deliver higher payouts because more wilds are being combined.
Sticky Wild Symbols
Sticky wilds lock in position. They appear during bonus rounds, often during free spins rounds. Sticky wilds remain in place as the bonus round continues.
Random Wild Symbols
Random wilds show up randomly during bonus rounds and increase chances of getting winning combos.
Cascading Wild Symbols
Winning symbols will disappear, and more symbols will replace the empty spaces. The cascading wilds give players a second chance to win.
Popular Online Slots with Wild Symbols
Many online slot machines and games are equipped with wild symbols. Let’s explore some of the most popular slot games with wilds.
Wild Buccaneers Megaways comes from the Four Leaf Gaming stable. It features six reels, up to seven rows, along with a maximum of 117,649 ways to win on a spin. The top payout amounts to 5,000x the stake. Wild symbols boost the winning potential considerably. Wild Buccaneers Megaways is enriched with extra features, including free spins, bonuses, replays, and more.
Pragmatic Games Wild Wild Riches is a five-reel slot game with 576 paylines, delivering wins that can rocket to 4,608x the stake. Wild Wild Riches has a classic slot game design and feel, an Irish theme, plenty of pots of gold, and rewarding bonus fun. The wilds assist players in their hunt for big wins on the reels of Wild Wild Riches. There are also a healthy dose of free spins up for grabs.
Thunderkick is the mastermind behind Midas Golden Touch. This five-reel slot boasts 15 paylines. Midas Golden Touch offers a great RTP of 96.10%. Players can win up to 10,100x their bet. The game is ideal for both newcomers and advanced players. Along with wild symbols, it is packed with features, including free spins, multipliers, and autoplay.
Dead or Alive has been entertaining players for years. This Wild-West-themed game is fueled with five reels and nine paylines. Produced by NetEnt, Dead or Alive takes players back to the heyday of the American cowboy era. The game is popular with players thanks to its free spins with sticky wilds. The latter remain in place during the free game to help players win big.
Microgaming is the slot provider behind Wild Link Cleopatra. This five-reel, three-row game provides players with 243 ways to win. The wild link feature expands the grid to nine reels, increasing the number of win-ways to 177,147. The maximum payout is capped at 4,841.25x the stake. Besides the thrilling wild link feature, Spinplay Games has packed Wild Link Cleopatra with free spins, scatter symbols, wild symbols, and sun symbols.
Wild Symbols FAQ
What are wild symbols in online slots?
Wild symbols are available in various online slot games, and they take different forms. They help players to create winning combinations. Wilds replace regular symbols on the reels to build winning combos, which makes them potentially quite profitable.
How do wild symbols enhance gameplay and winning potential?
Wild symbols create excitement in a slot game, because they show up randomly. Players never know at what moment they appear. There is no strategy to unlock them. Since wilds have the potential to trigger winning combinations, they can lead to large payouts.
Are there different types of wild symbols in online slots?
There is a wide variety of wild symbols in online slot games, including sticky wilds, cascading wilds, stacked wilds, expanding wilds, other wild icons and random wilds. Each has its own specific function.
Can wild symbols trigger bonus features or free spins?
Wilds can trigger bonus rounds, free spins, and jackpots.
Are there online slots that offer unique wild symbol features?
All online slots are different, and players should read the paytable before playing. The paytable includes information on the different symbols and their features.
How do wild symbols affect the Return to Player (RTP) in online slots?
The slot’s return to player (RTP) takes shifting wilds and symbols into account. Or put differently, the availability of wilds affects the RTP.
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