Everything You Need to Know About Wild Symbols

Introduction

Wild symbols are like the jokers in slot games. They can take the place of any other symbol to help you win. This makes them super helpful because even if you’re close to a win, a wild can help you get there. These symbols can show up at any time or during special bonus rounds, making your chances of winning bigger. There are different kinds of wilds, like sticky ones that stay in place, stacked ones that fill up whole reels, expanding ones that grow to cover more spaces, and multiplier ones that boost your winnings. All of these wilds make slot games more fun and exciting, and they can help you win more money.

Types of Wild Symbols

When it comes to online slot games, wild symbols are a big deal, and it’s something I think you should know more about if you want to really enjoy the experience. They come in different varieties, and understanding how each one works can make a real difference in how successful your gaming sessions are.

Standard Wilds

Let’s start with the basics: standard wilds. You or I — or anyone, really — will see these often. They pop up to substitute for other symbols, helping to complete winning paylines. Sure, they’re simple, but don’t write them off. Any player quickly realises that they are very important in increasing the chances of a payout by filling in the gaps between matching symbols.

Sticky Wilds

Now, if you’re looking for something more exciting, sticky wilds are where it gets interesting. Unlike the standard ones, these wilds stay locked in place across multiple spins. Usually, they show up during free spins or bonus rounds and hold their position while the other symbols keep spinning. This means you or anyone else could hit several wins in a row — something that always feels good.

Stacked Wilds

Stacked wilds are another variety, appearing in vertical blocks that often cover an entire reel. What’s great about them is that they increase the chances of hitting multiple winning lines at once. When they appear during the bonus round, it can be the deciding factor, giving you a much better chance of a big payout.

Expanding Wilds

Expanding wilds take things further. They grow to cover more space on the reels — sometimes even an entire column, either vertically or horizontally. For players, this means that there are more symbols involved in the game, which creates more chances to win and leads to bigger payouts.

Shifting (Walking) Wilds

Then, there are shifting wilds, also called walking wilds. These are fun because they move across the reels with each spin, staying on the screen and shifting their position until they eventually disappear. It gives players multiple chances to win, especially during bonus rounds, and adds an extra level of excitement.

Multiplier Wilds

Here’s where the fun really ramps up: multiplier wilds. These don’t just help complete a winning combination — they multiply it. Whether it’s a 2x, 3x, or sometimes even higher, multiplier wilds can significantly increase your payout. I’m sure you’d agree, that’s a thrill worth chasing.

Colossal Wilds

Colossal wilds are exactly what they sound like—huge symbols that cover areas as large as 2×2 or 3×3 grids. Their size allows them to occupy several paylines at once, which means you can snatch a big win in just one spin.

Duplicating/Replicating Wilds

Duplicating wilds offer something a little different. They replicate themselves by transforming adjacent symbols into wilds, increasing the likelihood of forming winning combinations. It’s a feature that can really change the momentum of a game for you.

Overlay Wilds

Lastly, overlay wilds mix things up a bit. They combine into specific patterns or shapes on the reels, often unlocking special features or triggering bonus rounds. Beyond just boosting payouts, they add a layer of strategy and fun that can really keep players engaged.

Knowing these types of wild symbols and how they operate can make a big difference when you’re aiming to maximize your wins. So, keep an eye out for them and use their strengths to your advantage.

How to Use Wild Symbols in Slots

When you play slots, the first thing you should do is check the pay table to see if there are any wilds in the game, and if so, what they look like. Some games have more than one. Wilds usually pop up during bonus rounds, but there’s no telling when they’ll hit. So, don’t expect any foolproof strategy to guarantee a win.

If you’re new to slots, try the demo version before putting real money on the line. This will help you get used to the game and understand how the wilds work in this particular case. And remember: gambling responsibly is key.

How Volatility and Wild Symbols are Related in Slots

When you’re deciding whether to play a slot game, volatility is key. It determines how often you win and the size of those wins. Low volatility slots offer frequent, smaller wins. Think of them as a steady stream of small payouts.High volatility slots offer less frequent, but potentially larger wins. This means you might go a while without a win, but when you do hit, the payoff can be substantial.

Wild symbols don’t directly determine volatility, but they can be a clue. Games with several wilds, or wilds that trigger big bonuses or jackpots, tend to be more volatile. In contrast, some low-volatility slots might feature a single wild as their only bonus.

Top Slots with Wild Symbols

Let’s explore some of the top slots with exciting wild symbol mechanics. I will give examples of slots with the three most common types of wilds.

Classic Wilds

Double Diamond: This is a classic three-reel slot game featuring the “7” symbol as its wild. This iconic wild symbol can substitute for any other symbol on the reels to help players land winning combinations.

Mega Joker: This classic 3-reel slot game with a joker wild symbol that can substitute for any other symbol to create winning combinations. The joker can also trigger the progressive jackpot, offering players the chance to win a life-changing sum of money.

Sticky Wilds

Dead or Alive: This NetEnt game has a sticky wild feature during the free spins round. When a wild appears, it remains in place for the duration of the round, increasing your chances of winning.

Sticky Bandits: This Quickspin slot features sticky wilds on the reels. When a wild appears, it remains in place until a win is created.

Expanding Wilds

Jumanji: Inspired by the movie, this NetEnt slot has expanding wild symbols that can cover entire reels. It also features a free spins bonus round with additional wild features.

Wolf Riches: This Playtech slot has expanding wild symbols that can appear on reels 2, 3, and 4. When they expand, they can cover the entire reel, increasing your chances of winning.

Whether you’re a seasoned slot enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of online gaming, these top-rated slots are sure to provide you with hours of entertainment and the potential for big wins.

Conclusion

Wild symbols are crucial to slot games, altering the dynamics of each spin. They serve one main function: substituting for other symbols to complete winning combinations. This increases the likelihood of payouts, especially when positioned between matching symbols. The rules are straightforward — wilds replace regular symbols but not scatters or bonus icons.

Their impact multiplies during bonus rounds. Special wild features — such as expanding or sticky wilds — can drastically improve winning potential. Wilds also trigger certain bonuses or jackpots in specific games. Their behavior is programmed into the game mechanics, ensuring unpredictability and excitement. Whether appearing randomly or tied to bonus rounds, wild symbols enhance both the gameplay and payout opportunities.

FAQ

Can wild symbols substitute for any symbol in a winning combination?

Wild symbols can substitute for any symbols in the slot, except for scatters and bonus symbols.

Are there different types of wild symbols?

Absolutely. You’ve got your basic wilds, but then there are stacked wilds, sticky wilds, expanding wilds, etc.

What’s the difference between classic wilds and other wild symbols?

The classic wild is just a symbol that replaces others. But these newer types of wilds have extra powers, like sticking around or growing bigger.

Can wild symbols form their own winning combinations?

Sometimes, yes. It depends on the game. If the paytable says so, you can win just from having wilds on the line.

Do wild symbols always have the same value?

Usually, yes. But if there’s a multiplier involved, the wild can be worth even more.

Can wild symbols appear on any reel?

It depends on the rules of the game created by the developers.

Can multiple wild symbols land on the same payline?

It’s possible, especially with stacked wilds. That can lead to some pretty big wins.

Are there strategies for maximizing wins with wild symbols?

Unfortunately, no. Slots are games of chance, so there’s no guaranteed way to make wild symbols appear.

Do wild symbols have additional features?

Some wilds are just for filling in lines, but others can do things like staying on the reels for multiple spins or expand to cover more cells of the slot screen.

Can you use any strategy to maximize the potential of wild symbols?

No, wilds are random, like most slot mechanics. There’s no strategy to boost their effectiveness.

Can wild symbols trigger bonus features?

Sometimes, especially when combined with scatter symbols.

Do wild symbols affect the game’s payout percentage (RTP)?

No, RTP is a theoretical number and isn’t influenced by wild symbols.

Which slot games are known for their innovative use of wild symbols?

Popular games with creative use of wild symbols include Book of Dead, Fishin’ Frenzy and Mega Moolah.