Slot machine symbols (also known as "slot icons") are the graphical representations on the reels of a slot machine that form winning combinations. These symbols determine the outcome of each spin and the amount of money won.
Slot machine symbols come in various themes and designs, adding excitement and entertainment value to the game.
I've been fascinated by slot machines for over a decade.
As an avid casino-goer, I've spent countless hours analyzing the intricacies of these games.
In this article, I'll share my knowledge of slot machine symbols, diving into their types, history, and significance in shaping the gaming experience.
What is a slot machine symbol?
Slot machine symbols are the graphic representations of the slot's Random Number Generator (RNG) results. These symbols determine whether you win or lose on each spin.
Slot machine symbols are the lifeblood of online casino games.
How many symbols does a slot have?
Slot machines typically have 8 to 10 symbols per reel. The number of slot machine symbols varies depending on the game's theme and design.
Types of slot machine symbols
When you play online casino games, particularly slot machines, you'll find a lot of symbols spinning on the reels. These slot machine symbols are the key to unlocking exciting gameplay and potential winnings.
Standard symbols
In the early days of slot machines, the standard symbols were often related to fruits, such as cherries, plums, and lemons.
These fruit symbols have become iconic in classic slots and are still widely used today. The first slot machines, like the Liberty Bell, featured these fruit symbols, lucky numbers, and bell symbols, which the Bell-Fruit Gum Company inspired.
Standard symbols in slot machines serve a simple yet essential purpose: to create winning combinations that award payouts to players.
When you spin the reels, the machine randomly generates a combination of symbols. If the symbols align in a specific way, as defined by the game's paytable, you win a corresponding prize.
For instance, let's say you're playing a classic slot that features cherry symbols. You might win a small payout if you land three cherry symbols in a row on an active pay line.
However, if you land five cherry symbols across all reels, you could trigger a much larger jackpot prize. The same principle applies to other standard symbols like plums, lucky numbers, and the iconic liberty bell.
These standard symbols have become a staple in slot machines, providing players a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. Even as slot machines have evolved with more complex themes and features, the classic fruit symbols and their counterparts remain beloved by many enthusiasts.
Wild symbols
Wild symbols are the most exciting and potentially lucrative reel symbols in casino slots. They're like the jokers in a deck of cards, substituting for other symbols to create winning combinations.
But not all wilds are created equal! There are sticky wilds that stay put for multiple spins, expanding wilds that cover entire reels, and even walking wilds that stroll across the screen, leaving a trail of wins.
Imagine landing a high-paying symbol and a wild on the same pay line - it's like hitting the jackpot twice! Multiplier wilds up the ante even further, completing combinations and boosting your winnings.
And if you're lucky enough to land stacked wilds, you could be looking at a screen full of matching symbols and a massive payout.
Scatter symbols
Scatter symbols are a special symbol in slot machines that can unlock exciting bonus features like free spins and bonus games. Scatter symbols can trigger these features when they appear anywhere on the slot machine reel, making them a highly sought-after symbol for players.
One of the most common features triggered by Scatter symbols is free spins. Landing a certain number of Scatters, usually 3 to 5, can award you a set number of free spins, giving you more chances to win without placing additional bets.
For example, landing 3 Scatter symbols can award you up to 15 free spins in a game like Starburst.
Remember that not all slot games feature a Scatter symbol, but when they do, they are often the key to unlocking the game's most exciting and rewarding features.
Bonus symbols
Bonus symbols are the keys that unlock exciting features. These special symbols, often represented by unique icons like the ace, have the power to trigger bonus games, transforming a simple spin into an exciting adventure.
Imagine landing three glittering bonus symbols on the winning line, and suddenly, you're whisked away to a new screen where you can play for extra rewards, like free spins or multipliers. It's like hitting the jackpot within the game itself.
Bonus symbols also add depth to the gameplay. In some fruit machines, for example, bonus symbols might lead you to a mini-game where you navigate a maze or spin a roulette wheel for prizes.
These interactive elements keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat, waiting for that next bonus symbol to appear.
Multiplier symbols
Multiplier symbols are a player's lucky number in slot games. Depending on the game, these special symbols can increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, or even higher.
Imagine landing a winning combination with card suits and then seeing a multiplier symbol land on the reels - suddenly, your payout is multiplied.
The key is to understand how they function in each game by checking the paytable. Whether attached to specific symbols, reels, or pay lines, multipliers can lead to seriously impressive prizes.
Sticky symbols
Sticky symbols, like lucky numbers and card suits, add an exciting twist to slot machines. These symbols stay on the reels for multiple spins, increasing your chances of hitting a winning combination.
Imagine landing a sticky wild shaped like your lucky number 7, watching it hold its position as the reels keep spinning. Or picture a sticky scatter as a heart suit, triggering bonus rounds that could lead to big wins.
Sticky symbols bring extra anticipation and potential for huge payouts, making them a favorite among slot enthusiasts.
Progressive symbols
Progressive symbols add an exciting twist to your typical slot game. Instead of a fixed jackpot, a portion of each bet is pooled into a constantly growing prize.
The potential payout increases with every spin until a lucky player hits the jackpot.
To win, you might need to fill the reels with coins or land three matching jackpot symbols, but some slots trigger the progressive round randomly during regular play.
Check the paytable to identify the progressive symbols - they're usually pretty distinctive.
Expanding symbols
When an expanding symbol appears on the reels, it expands to cover the entire reel, potentially creating more winning combinations across multiple pay lines.
For example, suppose you land an expanding wild symbol on the middle reel. In that case, it may expand to cover all positions on that reel, substituting for other symbols and possibly forming multiple winning lines.
History of slot machine symbols
The history of slot machine symbols begins in the late 19th century.
In 1891, Sittman and Pitt of Brooklyn, New York, developed the first gambling machine, a precursor to the modern slot machine, using five drums and playing cards as symbols.
However, Charles Fey, a mechanic, invented the first-ever slot machine in 1895. Fey's early creation had three spinning reels containing 5 symbols: horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and a Liberty Bell.
As slot machines evolved and made their way into land-based casinos, especially in Las Vegas, so did the variety and significance of their symbols. In modern slot games, you can still find Classic symbols like fruits, sevens, bars, etc.
Fruit symbols, originating from the gum flavor one could win, are often associated with traditional or classic slots. The Liberty Bell machine gave rise to the bell symbol, often a high-paying symbol today.
Bars, previously representing gum packets, and lucky sevens, offering large payouts, have become synonymous with slot machine icons.
In modern slot games, symbols have expanded into realms of creativity and imagination. Wild symbols can substitute for others to create winning combinations, and scatter symbols, which can provide free spins or activate bonus rounds, have become staples in video slot games.
From their humble beginnings to their current digital form, slot machine symbols have evolved alongside the industry, maintaining a connection to their rich history while embracing innovation.
What are the most common slot symbols?
Here are the most common slot symbols you'll find in slot machines:
- Fruit Symbols: Cherries, lemons, oranges, and melons are arguably the most iconic slot machine symbols. These colorful icons originated from the gum flavor you could win back in the day and are often associated with traditional or classic slots.
- Number and Letter Symbols: Many slot machines use numbers and letters (often A, K, Q, J, 10, and 9) as symbols. These symbols are reminiscent of playing cards, adding a touch of familiarity to the reels.
- BAR Symbols: The BAR symbol, which looks like a rectangle with the word "BAR" inside, traces its roots back to the early logo of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company. It's a classic symbol that's still widely used today.
- Lucky Number 7: Universally considered lucky, sevens in slot machines typically offer large payouts due to various cultural and religious beliefs. You might be in for a big win if you see a 7 on the reels.
- Liberty Bell: This symbol originated from the Liberty Bell machine, one of the first slot machines ever created. The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol that pays homage to the history of slot machines.
- Wild Symbols: Primarily seen in video slot games, wild symbols can substitute for other symbols to create a winning combo. They add an extra layer of excitement to the game.
- Scatter Symbols: Scatter symbols are special icons that provide free spins or activate bonus rounds. They're often the key to unlocking extra features and big wins.
How important is a slot symbol icon in slots?
Slot symbols are the heart and soul of every slot machine. They determine wins, trigger special features, and bring the game's theme to life.
Slot icons' primary function is to determine wins. Players are awarded payouts when specific combinations of these symbols line up on the reels.
Slot machine icons are indispensable. They determine wins, trigger special features, reinforce the game's theme, and keep players engaged and entertained.
Without these symbols, slot games would simply not be the same.