Wild symbols are one of the most popular features found in slot games. Wild symbols create excitement, increase the potential for bigger wins, and add unpredictability to each spin. Understanding Wild symbols is essential for any slot player, as they can significantly impact gameplay.
What Are Wild Symbols?
During a slot game, the Wild symbol functions as a substitute for other symbols on the reels. Similar to a “joker” in card games, Wilds substitute regular symbols to help create a winning combination.
Wild symbols first appeared in traditional, land-based slot machines and have since become a popular feature in online slot games. While initially, their role was straightforward, modern-day slots have taken Wilds to a whole new level.
What Do Wild Symbols Do?
A Wild symbol’s main function is to increase the likelihood of creating winning combinations. Here’s how they work:
Substitution: Wilds can substitute for other symbols (except special symbols like Scatters) to help form or complete winning combinations.
Multiplier: Some Wilds come with multipliers that boost the payout of any win they help create.
Bonus Activation: Wilds can trigger bonus features, such as free spins or mini-games, making them even more valuable.
When Wild symbols appear on the reels, they can change the dynamics of a spin. Players have more opportunities to land winning combinations or access exciting features within a game.
Different Types of Wild Symbols
As slot games evolved, so did the variation in Wild symbols. Game developers became more creative with wilds, and each has its own unique properties and effects.
Here’s a look at some of the most popular Wild symbols found in online slots:
Standard Wilds
These are the simplest and most commonly used Wilds. Their function is straightforward: they act as a substitute for regular symbols to help form winning combinations. Standard Wilds have no additional features, making them easy to understand. However, even without additional bonuses, they are highly valuable for increasing the chances of winning.
Expanding Wilds
When an Expanding Wild lands on the reels, it expands vertically or horizontally to cover the entire reel. This increases the potential for forming winning combinations across multiple paylines, as the fully extended Wild connects with symbols across the reel. Expanding Wilds are popular in slots with a stacked reel design.
Stacked Wilds
This type of wild appears in clusters, occupying multiple positions on a reel. When Stacked Wilds land, they can fill part or all of a reel, depending on the stack size. They’re often grouped together and provide increased chances for forming winning combinations across multiple paylines.
Sticky Wilds
When a sticky Wild lands on the reels, it remains in position for the next spin or several spins. Sticky Wilds create multiple opportunities to land additional winning combinations while the Wild remains active on the reels, making them a popular feature for sustaining wins over consecutive spins.
Walking/Shifting Wilds
Shifting Wilds, or Walking Wilds, move across the reels on each spin. Typically, these Wilds shift one position left or right with each spin, continuing to create winning opportunities as they go. The nature of shifting wilds can create a sequence of spins where wins can occur continuously until the Shifting Wild falls off the grid.
Wild Multipliers
This type of wild adds a unique twist. They substitute as normal but apply a multiplier to the win it is involved in. Depending on the slot, the multiplier value can vary, from 2x up to a staggering 1,000x. Multiplying Wilds are especially valuable in high-stakes games or during bonus rounds where multiple Wild Multipliers can combine to deliver exceptionally high rewards.
Colossal Wilds
Colossal Wilds, or Giant Wilds, occupy multiple positions on the reels. They appear 2×2, 3×3, or even larger, effectively covering multiple reel positions. Colossal Wilds are particularly helpful in games with cluster mechanics, as they create multiple connections simultaneously, leading to significant wins.
Random Wilds
As the name suggests, these wilds appear randomly during the game. With random wilds, you never know when they will appear and potentially create a winning combination. Random Wilds often occur during features, adding excitement and surprise to the game.
Overlay Wilds are unique Wilds that are not tied to specific reel positions. Instead, they are placed over other symbols on the grid, allowing them to exist in addition to the base symbol. Overlay Wilds are typically triggered during bonus rounds or special features. They combine the base symbol’s properties with the substitution power of a Wild, enhancing the game’s potential for more complex winning combinations.
Tips for Playing Slots with Wild Symbols
Wilds can affect a slot game in different ways, so understanding each type can help you make the right decision.
Focus on Games with multiplying wilds as these can lead to bigger payouts, especially if they appear frequently during a game.
Games that include shifting or sticky Wilds provide sustained winning potential over multiple spins.
Each Wild symbol brings a distinct element to slot gameplay. Sticky Wilds provide a strategic advantage, Colossal Wilds have a major impact, and Random Wilds introduce unexpected surprises. Together, these features create innovative outcomes that boost player engagement and increase the chances of winning.