{"id":40655,"date":"2024-06-11T05:23:44","date_gmt":"2024-06-11T10:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/?p=40655"},"modified":"2024-06-11T05:23:44","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T10:23:44","slug":"slot-machine-symbols","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/slot-machine-symbols\/","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner’s Guide To Slot Machine Symbols"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Slot machine symbols are images that are displayed on the rotating reels of a slot machine. They are integral to the game because predefined combinations of symbols result in player wins. There are several different types, including standard symbols, wilds, and scatters. Let’s break down each type. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Standard Slot Symbols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most spaces on an individual reel are made up of standard slot symbols. Standard symbols are only meaningful if they appear together on a payline. Other than that, they have no special function or impact on gameplay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On any given spin, most of the matrix will be filled with standard symbols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The specific imagery of the symbols varies widely. Traditional symbols like fruit (cherries, lemons, grapes), along with bars and lucky 7\u2019s are still commonplace in many slot games. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Standard
Image credit: Saranai\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Many modern games make use of playing card values as their standard symbols. For example, the popular online game \u2018Mega Moolah<\/a>\u2019<\/em> uses cards from 10 to Ace as their standard symbols. But unlike a deck of cards, the higher the value, the rarer the symbols are on the reels. So three Ace symbols will pay more than three King symbols, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the prize for slot symbol combinations is always inversely proportional to that symbol\u2019s frequency. For example in the popular casino slot game \u2018Buffalo Ascension\u2019 <\/em>lining up three of the very common 9 symbols wins 5x your initial bet, while lining up three of the rarest Buffalo symbols wins 200x your bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re playing a themed game, you can expect to see standard slot symbols decorated to match the game\u2019s motif. The most valuable standard symbols might be specially themed images. For example, in the popular \u2018Wheel of Fortune<\/a><\/em>\u2019 casino slot game, the higher value standard symbols are evocative of prizes from the original game show, such as gold bars or an image of a cruise ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Wild Symbols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A wild<\/em> is a slot symbol with a special behavior to the player\u2019s benefit. Like a wild card in poker, wilds can represent any other standard symbol on the board needed to make a winning combination. And in multi-payline games, a Wild might stand in for one symbol on one payline, and a different symbol on a second payline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The below image shows a spin result from \u2018A Night with Cleo\u2019<\/em> where a Wild Cleo symbol has shown up in reel 2 in the center row.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A
Credit: Proprietary Games<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In this case, the Wild Cleo counts as a second Eye of Horus symbol for one winning combination on the center row. But it also counts as the middle of three Emerald 9 symbols for an additional prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Bonus Symbols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A bonus<\/em> is a special slot symbol type that triggers a special game mode or prize. Three or more of these rare symbols must appear in one spin to activate the bonus.  And whether it\u2019s free spins, a side game, or some other temporary change to gameplay, it\u2019s always good news for the player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the popular \u2018Harley Davidson\u2019<\/em> casino slot game, a single Bonus symbol adds a free spin to a bank that accumulates from spin to spin. When multiple Bonus symbols appear together it triggers a free-spin mode, where the player gets to finally use all the spins that have been building up in the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re playing a game and can\u2019t figure out why you never see bonus symbols, check the rules. In some games, bonus symbols appear more frequently when you bet more per spin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Scatter Symbols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scatter symbols aren\u2019t constrained by paylines. When these special slot symbols appear on the matrix, the player wins whether they are lined up neatly in a row or, you guessed it, scattered around the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like bonus symbols, scatter symbols sometimes deliver a nice payout, or they could trigger a bonus game mode. You\u2019ll usually need a minimum of two or three scatter symbols to reap the benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the image below, you\u2019ll see a welcome sight from \u2018A Night with Cleo<\/em>.\u2019 In this game the Ankh Keyhole is the game\u2019s lone scatter symbol. Two scattered Ankh Keyholes wins 2x your wager. When three appear, you win 10x your wager and enter a lucrative bonus round where you get 15 free spins and the prizes are all worth 3x their normal value.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Scatter
Credit: Proprietary Games<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As scatter symbols, all three Ankh Keyholes count for the player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Special Slot Symbols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Slot games continue to evolve. Here are other slot machine symbols you might encounter, along with an explanation of how they affect gameplay:<\/p>\n\n\n\n