Slot machines come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. You only need to browse through the selection here at Casino Kings to realise just how many themes, genres and styles these games cover. From classic retro slots to mythology-themed cinematic adventures, no two slots are the same.
In an online slot game, the action takes place on a set of reels. And on these reels are the slot symbols, which are the most important part of any slot game. Almost every spin, win and feature is built around how these slot machine symbols interact.
For beginners, this can be confusing, and even experienced players can benefit from learning more. Read our slot symbols guide below for a clear breakdown of what these symbols are and how they work.
What are Slot Symbols?
Slot symbols are the icons that spin across a set of reels. They land in different positions on every spin, and wins are calculated based on the position and layout of these symbols. If they line up in the right way, you’ll score a payout based on the value of the symbols involved. Some are low paying symbols that appear frequently, while others are much rarer and come with higher payout potential.
Not all symbols result in direct payouts. Some, like scatter symbols and bonus symbols, are tied to specific in-game features and are used to trigger bonus games and features like free spins.
As you explore different slot games, you’ll notice that symbol layouts can change. Some games use standard three-reel, three-row setups, while others expand to five reels or more. The size and shape of a grid setup can affect how often symbols appear and how wins are caculated.
Put simply, slot symbols are what determine the outcome of every spin. The next time you’re playing the best real money slots, understanding how slot symbols work will help you make better decisions.
Classic Slot Machine Symbols
Long before the days of online casinos, slot machines were physical machines that filled casino floors. These vintage slots used traditional symbols that you’ll likely recognise, including things like:
- Cherries
- Lemons
- Oranges
- BAR symbols
- Red sevens
While the era of the physical one armed bandit is quickly becoming a thing of the past, classic symbols are still widely used in online slots. Some games include them alongside more modern symbols, while other slots use only classic symbols to create a retro aesthetic. Fire Joker is an excellent example of the latter.
Modern Slot Symbols
Of course, slots have come a long way since those early days. With the power of modern technology, game developers can now create highly immersive online slot games with cutting-edge graphics and cinematic visuals that wouldn’t look out of place in a premium video game.
New modern slots are incredibly varied, which means the symbols used in these games vary too. Depending on the slot you’re playing, symbols might include:
- Characters (such as heroes, explorers or mythological figures)
- Animals (these can be real animals or mythical creatures)
- Objects (treasure, weapons, artefacts)
- Branded or story-driven symbols
Symbols in modern slots are often designed in precision detail. They’re usually much more visually distinctive than the symbols in classic slots, and are often tied to the game’s overall theme. Check out Le Pharaoh from Hacksaw Gaming to see how modern game developers use slot symbols.
High Paying Symbols vs Low Paying Symbols
In most slot games, symbols are divided into low paying and high paying symbols.
Low Paying Symbols
These are usually the most common symbols in a game. They’re easy to land, but come with low payout values. Low value symbols are often represented by card values, such as:
- Ace
- King
- Queen
- Jack
- 10
High Paying Symbols
High value symbols are typically the game’s main theme symbols. They appear less often than low paying symbols, but can offer higher payouts if you manage to form winning combinations.
How Slot Symbols Work with Paylines
Another key slot machine feature is the payline. These paylines are closely related to symbols, and it’s important that you understand how they both interact.
Paylines are used to indicate patterns that matching symbols must fit into to score wins. They run across the grid, from one reel to the next, and are usually calculated from the leftmost reel to the rightmost reel.
Paylines that remain locked and stay the same for every spin are known as fixed paylines.
Cluster Pay Slots
Not all slots come with fixed paylines. Some use what’s known as a cluster pays system. These games have no set paylines. Instead, wins are formed by landing clusters of matching symbols anywhere on the grid.
Special Slot Symbols Explained
Most slot symbols are used to create winning combinations and deliver payouts, but some have more specific roles.
Wild Symbols
Wild symbols can stand in for other symbols. For example, if you have two matching symbols on a payline and need one more to form a winning combination, a wild symbol can fill in instead of a third matching symbol.
Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols are usually used to trigger bonus features, like free spins rounds. Unlike other symbols, these don’t need to land on a payline. Instead, landing a certain number of scatters in any position, or ‘scattered’ across the reels, will trigger their associated feature.
Bonus Symbols
Bonus symbols and scatter symbols are often used interchangeably, but some slots keep them as distinct elements. Like scatters, bonus symbols trigger bonus rounds and usually don’t have to land on a payline.
Multiplier Symbols
If you score a win with a multiplier symbol involved in the combination, your win will be multiplied by the value of that symbol. For example, a winning combination involving a multiplier symbol of 2x will see your winnings doubled.
Hold & Spin Features
Another popular mechanic in online slots is the Hold & Spin feature. When triggered, certain symbols are held in place while the remaining symbols continue to spin. Landing more sticky symbols will reset your spins, creating a real sense of progression. Check out Big Bass Hold & Spinner for an example of this feature.
Other Common Slot Features Linked to Symbols
Symbols play a central role in online slots, and they’re often tied to special mechanics.
Cascading Reels
Many modern slots come with cascading reels. In these games, winning symbols disappear from the grid and symbols from above drop down to fill in the gaps, creating additional winning opportunities without having to spin the reels again. Consecutive winning cascades can build seriously impressive wins.
Expanding Symbols
Expanding symbols can grow to fill up extra spaces on the grid. You may also come across expanding wilds, which work in the same way and make it easier to form winning lines.
Symbol Upgrades
In some slots, symbols can change or upgrade during gameplay. Low value symbols can become high value symbols to increase your potential payouts.
Why You Should Understand Slot Symbols
Understanding slot symbols and learning how they work can improve your gaming experience. Whether you’re playing a classic retro slot or the latest mobile slot, you’ll know how wins are actually formed rather than just spinning and hoping for the best, and you’ll be able to spot how to unlock special features and bonus rounds.
Beyond that, you’ll be able to choose games that suit your style of play. You’ll know what to expect from a game just by the look and feel of the symbols, making it much easier to find your next favourite.
Slot outcomes are always random, but having a clear understanding of symbol mechanics can make you feel more confident when you play.
Play Online Slots at Casino Kings
Now that you know how slot machine symbols work, it’s time to put that knowledge into action. At Casino Kings, you can explore a huge collection of the best slot games on a fully regulated platform, licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.
Our online casino is easy to use and accessible across devices, whether you’re on desktop, mobile or tablet. Create an account and make a deposit using one of our supported payment methods before heading to our games lobby. There, you’ll find thousands of online slot games from the industry’s very best developers.
Always remember to play responsibly. We’re serious about player protection, which is why we offer several responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits and reality checks. Use the tools during your gaming sessions to stay safe and in control of your spending.
FAQs
What are slot symbols?
Slot symbols are the icons that spin across slot machine reels. Landing matching symbols on paylines awards payouts.
Are all slot machine symbols the same?
No. Slot machine symbols come in a huge variety of different styles. For example, retro slots will feature classic symbols like fruit symbols and BARs, while animal-themed games will often feature animal characters as symbols.
What do wild symbols do?
Wild symbols stand in for other symbols. These can help you complete winning combinations.
What are scatter symbols?
Scatter symbols can trigger bonus rounds, such as free spins. These can appear anywhere on the reels, they don’t have to land on a payline.
How do slot paylines work?
Paylines are the patterns across the reels along which matching symbols must land to score wins.
