The Many Types of Slot Machine Symbols
There is no foolproof winning strategy for online casino slot games. However, slot machine symbols are the essential fundamentals players are urged to understand to maximize gameplay time and increase their chances of winning.
Slot machine symbols have evolved significantly, from classic symbols like fruits, bells, and sevens to more unique ones based on movies, ancient civilizations, animals, cultures, etc. These were introduced to keep slot games dynamic and exciting.
Today’s casino news discusses the diverse types of slot symbols, their functions, and their importance for furthering your gaming experience.
Slot Machine Symbols: The Ones You Need To Know
Slot machine symbols are the characters or icons found on the reels of a slot game. When they land on paylines, players are rewarded with cash prizes. Therefore, one of the best ways to find the best slots to play is to check out the symbols and their worth.
Below are the standard symbols on slot machines, from classic to modern.
Classic Slot Machine Symbols
Classic slot machine symbols laid the foundation for all slot symbols. They’ve existed since the early 1900s when the Liberty Bell mechanical slot was invented. These symbols, known for their simplicity, have remained relevant, sparking nostalgia in players, though they are sometimes of lower value if they are not the game’s main focus.
Here are some of the most common classic symbols in online slot machines. We’ve got them all, just check out our casino games section.
Fruit Symbols
Fruit machine symbols include cherries, lemons, oranges, plums, and watermelons. They were the symbols available when casinos gave slot players chewing gum as prizes to evade anti-gambling laws. To date, they are available in many online slots, such as Fruit Super Nova 60 by EvoPlay, Joker Fruit by KA Gaming, Fruit Zen by Betsoft, etc. If you are a beginner, these are the slots for you.
BAR Symbols
The Bell-Fruit Gum company introduced the BAR symbol in 1907. This symbol represents the chewing gum pack that slot machines dispense as a prize. BAR symbols are common in online classic slots.
777
The Sevens (777) symbol is a high-paying symbol in several classic slots. The number 7 in many parts of the world is often associated with good luck. Featured on the reels of the first slot machine by Charles Fey, 777 has remained an iconic symbol in present-day machines.
Modern Slot Machine Symbols
Modern slot games have different themes inspired by ancient cultures, fairy tales, movies, etc. The symbols in such slot machines follow the themes. Examples of modern slot machine symbols include:
Ancient Civilization Symbols
Slot machines, themed after the ancient civilizations of Egypt, often feature symbols such as pyramids, hieroglyphs, pharaohs, and gods. Examples of such games include Play with Cleo, Rise of Horus, Book of Kemet, and Treasures of Egypt.
Fantasy Symbols
Slot games inspired by fantasies and mythologies often feature casino symbols such as wizards, unicorns, dragons, legendary heroes, and more. Enchanted Forest and Aladdin’s Lamp are examples of such slots.
Pop Culture Symbols
Movies and TV shows have been popular sources of inspiration for slot games. Wizard of Oz by KA Gaming is a typical example. Its symbols include Scarecrow, Dorothy, the Lion, Tinman, the Good Witch, and Glinda, all from the famous story.
Other symbols in this category are found in pirate-themed slots, often featuring treasure maps, compasses, pirate ships, Jolly Roger flags, and more. Captain Pirate and Captain’s Quest are examples of these slots.
Animal Symbols
Various animals are used as symbols in modern online slot games. Pandas, tigers, crows, bulls, etc., are all creatures you can find in an animal-themed slot game.
Animal Quest by EvoPlay, Bull Stampede by KA Gaming, and Tiger’s Claw by Betsoft are online slot games with animal symbols.
Special Slot Machine Symbols and Their Functions
Special slot machine symbols have entirely transformed how we play online games. They increase your chances of winning and allow you to experience engaging and interactive gameplay, which are things we know about at Slots Paradise Casino.
There are two primary special slot symbols: Wild and Scatter. Bonus and multiplier symbols are also considered special.
Wild Symbols
Due to their dynamic nature, wilds, which can take different forms, are powerful slot machine symbols. They can substitute for other winning symbols on the reels, increasing the chances of winning.
Multiplier wilds can multiply any wins they contribute to. Expanding wilds can transform an entire reel into a Wild symbol. Sticky wilds remain in place to help you land subsequent spins and multiple wins. Stacked wilds, as the name depicts, appear in stacks and can cover an entire reel to give you massive wins.
Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols are special slot machine symbols that can trigger bonus features. They’re coveted in online slot games as they can unlock with bonus rounds and free spins. Usually, you would need at least three Scatter symbols to trigger these bonuses.
Bonus Symbols and Multipliers
Hitting a bonus symbol allows you to access bonus rounds like mini-games or extra free spins. Multipliers exist as 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, etc., which can multiply your win. If you land a 10x multiplier and wagered $5, you get a reward of $50.
Paylines and Ways To Win With Slot Machine Symbols
To maximize the potential of online slot machine symbols, you must understand paylines and “ways to win.” Of course, you can get all the lowdown on how to master these moves by accessing our casino guides section!
Symbols on Paylines
Paylines are patterns on slot reels on which symbols must land to become winning combinations. Slots can have up to 50 lines that can be fixed or adjustable. Symbols must line up on an active pay line for you to win, and the payout size depends on the symbol value and your bet size.
Ways To Win
Many modern slots feature multiple ways to win. You can have winning combos by matching symbols on adjacent reels, irrespective of their position. The typical number of win ways include 234, 1024, etc. Some games even boast up to 117,649 ways to win, e.g., Divine Fortune, Extra Chilli, and Diamond Mine Megaways. Some of the biggest jackpots ever have come from increased-win slots.
Briefly Put…
Slot machine symbols play a significant role in gameplay and payouts. Games without wilds or scatters may not pay as much as slots with these symbols. It’s always a good idea to check the symbols of a game before you place a wager.
Why spin alone? Join our social media jackpot crew!