Slot Machine Symbols Guide 2025

Manish Radzha is author of slotsgames.in.
Article by Manish Radzha, Co-Founder and CEO
Last updated

The basic principles of how slots work are the same. At the heart of each of them is a random number generator that determines the results. You, as a player, simply select your bet size and start the spin. The reels start moving, and when they stop, the result is summed up. But despite the same principle of operation, all slot machines are very different from each other, both visually and in mechanics. Manufacturers add various bonus symbols to their games, which change the gameplay, make it more exciting and increase the number of ways to win.

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Learn slot machine symbols for more exciting gameplay and wins.

What Are Slot Symbols?

There are two types of symbols in online slots. The first ones are ordinary. They are necessary to form paid lines. That is, they have one function – to give the player winnings if the conditions for their accrual are met. The condition may be to collect identical symbols on one of the lines, to obtain a cluster or a certain number of such symbols on the field.

Slot bonus symbols don’t always take part in a paid combination. They may not be taken into account at all when forming lines. They have a different task – to make the gameplay more diverse. Bonus symbols can give an additional multiplier, activate free spins, re-spins, open new reels, play a jackpot, etc.

Ordinary slot symbols form paid lines, while bonus symbols add diverse features.

Slot Machines with Bonus Features

Slot Symbols History

The first slot machine in history was developed by American engineer Charles Fey at the end of the 19th century. It was a simple mechanical slot called Liberty Bell. It had only one row and three reels. To get a win, the same symbols had to appear on two or three reels, starting from the first.

Like dozens of others in the future, this slot machine used symbols of card suits, diamonds and horseshoes. The image of a bell was considered the most valuable. These symbols have become classics, and for many years, until the mid-20th century, they could be found on most slot machines.

Later, symbols of fruits and berries were added to them. However, both these and the symbols described above were not bonus symbols. The only function they performed was the formation of paid lines.

Real bonuses slot machine symbols began to actively appear in the second half of the 20th century when gambling in Las Vegas and other resort cities experienced its heyday. The emergence of online slots casinos gave them the greatest development.

Check slots symbols history to learn the evolution of it.

Types of Slot Machine Symbols

There are many types of slot game symbols, and each of them performs its special function. Slots can have either one of these symbols or a whole set. The main types of bonus symbols, how they work, as well as the slot games list where you can find them, are shown in the table below.

Bonus SymbolDefinitionSlots Examples
WildReplaces any other symbol when forming a winning combinationLegacy of Dead
Starburst
The Wildos
MultiplierIncreases the size of the current winnings by a certain number of timesGates of Olympus
Sweet Bonanza
Midas Goldentouch
ScatterTriggers a series of free spinsBook of Dead
Zombie Carnival
In Jazz
BonusLaunches the bonus gameHottest 666
Floating Dragon Megaways
Divine Fortune
StandardA common symbol for forming paid combinationsMongol Treasures
Book of Santa
Pink Elephants 2
StackedIdentical symbols that can be located on top of each otherMoney Train 2
Honey Rush
Retro Tapes
StickySymbols that are fixed on the reel for the next spinsThe Dog House
Cleopatra
Wild West Gold

It happens that one symbol combines several functions at once. For example, in slots whose names begin with Book of, in most cases, the scatter also acts as a wild. And in many other slot machines, wilds have multipliers.

Wild Symbols

This is the most common type. Slot machine symbol values are that they can replace any other symbol when forming a paid combination. Wild replaces all symbols except other bonus symbols.

In addition to the regular wild, there are bonus symbols with additional options:

  • Sticky. Remains on the reel during the next spin;
  • With a multiplier. Adds a multiplier to any winnings in which it participates;
  • Expanding. Can occupy not one, but several cells on one or adjacent reels;
  • Moving. With each rotation, it changes its position on the playing field.

Some slots have several types of wilds at once. You can see what a particular slot machine has in its rules.

Wild symbols replace others, including sticky, multiplier, expanding, and moving types.

Multiplier Symbols

When this symbol is included in a paid combination, it increases the winning amount by a certain number of times. The multiplier can be triggered if it is part of a combination, or without this condition.

Such bonus symbols can be divided into two types:

  • Single. Triggers once for one combination;
  • Cumulative. They gradually accumulate. This usually happens in the bonus game and free spins.

If several multipliers are triggered at once, their values ​​can be added to each other or multiplied.

Multiplier symbols boost wins, either once or cumulatively during bonuses.

Scatter Symbols

Scatters do not take part in the formation of a paid line. The only function of this bonus symbol is to trigger free spins, a bonus game or other special mechanics. As a rule, at least three or four scatters must appear on the playing field during one spin to proceed to the free spins round.

Scatter symbols trigger bonuses, like free spins, with three appearances.

Bonus Symbols

Slot machine symbols’ meanings are almost the same as the scatter. But they do not activate free spins, but a bonus game. For example, Hold and Win or Wheel of Fortune. More than three bonus symbols may be required to trigger a special feature.

Bonus symbols activate games like Hold and Win or Wheel of Fortune.

Standard Reel Symbols

Regular symbols are only needed to form paid combinations. Winnings can be awarded by lines, per cluster, or by the number of identical symbols on the field. Each symbol has its payout ratio. They are divided into high-paying, medium-value and low-paying.

Standard reel symbols form paid combinations with varied payout ratios.

Stacked Symbols

Such symbols can be located above each other on the same or adjacent reels. Thus, one character can occupy several cells at once. For example 2×2, 3×3, 4×4 and even 5×5. This increases the chances of winning and its potential size.

Symbols stacked on reels increase winning chances and potential size.

Sticky Symbols

The main feature of these bonus symbols is that they remain in place for one or more subsequent spins. For example, in some slots, if a payline begins to form, then all the identical symbols along it remain for the next spin. If the line is extended as a result, another respin occurs.

Sticky bonus symbols are especially common in free spins. For example, the wilds may remain in place until the bonus game is completed.

Sticky symbols stay for multiple spins, common in free spins.

How Many Symbols Are There in a Slot Machine?

Each slot has its playing field format, that is, the number of reels and rows. This means that the total number of characters in its field may vary significantly. For example, in classic slots with 3 reels and 5 rows, 15 symbols appear on the screen in one spin. If there are 5 reels, then there are already 25. And in slots with a playing field format of 10×10, there are already 100 symbols.

But it is worth considering that we are talking about the total number of cells. If we talk about unique symbols, there are usually no more than 15 of them. Moreover, not all of them are bonus symbols. As a rule, new slot games use up to 3-5 bonus symbols in different game modes, so as not to complicate the gameplay too much.

Slot machines vary in symbols, with unique ones usually around 15.

Slots Symbols Conclusion

Bonus symbols are what make slot machines unique. They add more variety to the gameplay and provide additional ways to win. There are more than 10 types of bonus symbols, and each performs its functions. Slot machine providers use them in combination with each other, which further increases the winning potential. Often, bonus symbols can perform several functions simultaneously.

But slot machines with bonus features have more complex rules of the game. Therefore, before making money bets, it is advisable to study them and understand how certain mechanics work. This will help you evaluate the slot more objectively and make a final decision on playing it.

Understanding and knowing the types of symbols can help you to get bigger winnings.

FAQ

What are Bonus Symbols at Slots?

These are symbols that make the gameplay more varied. They do not always participate in the formation of paid combinations, but have other unique mechanics of work.

What are the Best Symbols in Slot Machines?

The best symbols are wilds and regular high-paying symbols. Also, in many slots, scatters can be called the most valuable, as they activate free spins.

How many Symbols are at Slot Machines?

There can be from 5 to 15 or even more unique symbols in a slot machine. It all depends on the format of the playing field.

What is a Wild Symbol in Slots?

This is a symbol that can replace any other when forming a paid combination.

What is a Scatter Symbol in Slots?

This is the symbol that is required to activate free spins. To go to them, you need 3, 4 or more scatters to appear on the reels during one spin, depending on the rules of the slot.

What is a Bonus Symbol in Slots?

This is the symbol that is required to trigger the bonus game. The transition to it occurs when 3 or more bonus symbols appear on the reels in one spin, depending on the rules of the slot.

What was the First Symbol in Slots?

The first symbols in slot machines were card values, golden horseshoes, bells, fruits and berries.

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