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Wild Symbols Explained

Wild symbols are icons that can substitute for most other symbols to create winning combinations.

Think of them as a joker in a deck of cards, providing flexibility and increasing your chances of winning.

They can transform your losing spin into a winning one by standing in for a missing symbol in a payline. If you have a sequence of symbols on reels 1 and 3 with a wild symbol on reel 2, the wild symbol will complete the winning sequence.

History

A staple in slot machines since the advent of the One Armed Bandit, initially slots featured simple mechanics with a limited set of symbols. The introduction of wild symbols added a new layer of excitement.

In early mechanical slot machines they were often represented by stars or bells. As technology advanced and video slots became more popular, the variety and complexity of wild symbols expanded.

Today, wild symbols can take on numerous forms and functionalities as explained in detail below.

Types of Wild Symbols

Standard Wilds

The most common type of wild symbol found in slot games. Their primary function is to substitute for other symbols (excluding special symbols like scatters or bonus symbols) to complete winning combinations.

For example, if a player lands two matching symbols and a wild symbol on a payline, the wild will act as the third matching symbol to create a win.

Some notable slots with standard wilds include:

• Book of Ra (Novomatic)
• Mega Moolah (Microgaming)
• Cleopatra (IGT)

Expanding Wilds

Expanding wilds start as a single wild symbol but expand to cover the entire reel, significantly increasing the chances of forming winning combinations. They are usually triggered when a wild lands on a specific reel during a spin, causing it to expand vertically to fill all positions on that reel. Examples include:

• Starburst (NetEnt): The Starburst wild expands to cover the entire reel and triggers a respin.
• Jack and the Beanstalk (NetEnt): Features expanding wilds during the free spins round.
• Epic Ape (Playtech): Expanding wilds appear during the base game and free spins.

Sticky Wilds

Sticky wilds remain in place for multiple spins once they appear on the reels. This feature is particularly advantageous during free spins or bonus rounds, as it increases the potential for multiple wins over several spins. Notable slots include:

• Dead or Alive (NetEnt): Sticky wilds remain in place during the free spins round.
• Vikings Go Berzerk (Yggdrasil): Sticky wilds appear during free spins and help accumulate additional wins.
• Immortal Romance (Microgaming): Sticky wilds can appear during the Chamber of Spins feature.

Stacked Wilds

Stacked wilds appear in stacks on a reel, covering two or more positions vertically. This can lead to multiple paylines being activated at once, resulting in substantial wins. They are particularly effective in games with a high number of paylines such as.

• Thor: The Mighty Avenger (Playtech).
• Wolf Gold (Pragmatic Play)
• Buffalo Blitz (Playtech)

Walking or Shifting Wilds

Walking or shifting wilds move across the reels with each spin. Typically, they shift one position to the left or right with every spin until they disappear off the reels. This feature can span multiple spins. Some slots with this type of wild are:

• Jack and the Beanstalk (Remastered) (NetEnt): Walking wilds shift to the left on each spin.
• The Invisible Man (NetEnt): Features both police and Griffin wilds that move across the reels.
• Dazzle Me (NetEnt): Shifting wilds appear during the free spins feature.

Random Wilds

Random wilds appear unpredictably during gameplay. They can transform regular symbols into wilds, usually triggered by specific in-game events or bonus rounds. You can find these wilds in:

• Gonzo's Quest (NetEnt): Random wilds appear during the Avalanche feature.
• Immortal Romance (Microgaming): Random wilds can be triggered during the base game.
• Vikings Go Wild (Yggdrasil): Random wilds appear during the free spins feature.

Multiplier Wilds

Multiplier wilds not only substitute for other symbols but also multiply the win. This can significantly boost payouts when they are part of a winning combination. Find them in these slots:

• Gonzo's Quest (NetEnt): Features multiplier wilds that increase the win multiplier.
• Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt): Multiplier wilds during free spins can multiply wins by up to 16x.
• Thunderstruck II (Microgaming): Multiplier wilds in the Great Hall of Spins feature.

Colossal and Spreading Wilds

Colossal wilds are larger than standard wilds, often covering multiple reel positions. Spreading wilds, on the other hand, transform adjacent symbols into wilds, creating a cascading effect of wins. Check these slots for exmaples:

• RoboCop (Playtech): Features colossal wilds during the OCP bonus round.
• Reactoonz (Play’n GO): Spreading wilds appear during the Gargantoon feature.
• Dolphin Reef (Playtech): Includes shifting wilds that can spread to adjacent symbols.