What is a wild symbol?
What would slots lovers do without the excitement, winnings, and fun that Wild Symbols give in slots? A wild symbol will brighten your gloomy mood even if you think you are having a bad day at the slots. These unique symbols help you win by substituting other symbols to create winning combinations. Nowadays, slots are rare in which the “wild” symbol does not appear on the spinning reels. All top online casinos offer a wide selection of items with this unique bonus feature.
So, one of the symbols that brings more winnings and bonuses in slots is the Wild symbol. This symbol is like a chameleon – it can change into any other symbol, thanks to which winning combinations appear on the online slots even more often. Please note, however, that this symbol does not substitute for Free Spins Scatters or any other bonus symbol.
Example
When you spin the reels of your favorite online slot game, you get a payline with a combination of monkey-monkey-rabbit-monkey-monkey symbols. Under normal circumstances, this is a waste. However, if the rabbit is a wild symbol in this slot, it means that it replaces the missing monkey, making you the winner!
What does the wild symbol look like?
This symbol has a specific type or design. Wild symbols take many different forms, creating multiple winning lines. Each slot game has its wild symbol that is most often related to the game’s theme. For example, in the well-known Gonzo’s Quest slot, where blocks of stone fall across the screen, the wild symbol is a yellow block with a question mark.
How to play slots with wild symbols?
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play slots with wild symbols effectively:
- Choose the right slot
Start by selecting a slot game that features wild symbols. Look for slots with wilds and other exciting features like scatters, multipliers, or bonus rounds. Games with additional features offer more dynamic gameplay and better winning potential. - Understand the rules
Before spinning the reels, familiarize yourself with the game’s rules and paytable. Check how the wild symbols function in the game—are they regular wilds, expanding, sticky, or stacked? Understanding these details can help you strategize better. - Set your bets
Adjust your bet size according to your budget. Managing your game budget effectively ensures you can play longer and enjoy more chances to hit wilds. - Look for special wild features
Some slots have wilds with special functions, such as triggering a re-spin, acting as multipliers, or unlocking bonus features. Knowing these can significantly impact your gameplay and winnings. - Play and monitor wilds
Start playing by spinning the reels. Pay attention to the appearance of wild symbols and note how they affect your payouts. Wilds can replace other symbols to form winning combinations, making them highly beneficial.
Why are slots with wild symbols so popular
Slots with wild are immensely popular among casino players for several reasons:
- Increased winning chances: Wild symbols can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations, significantly enhancing a player’s chances of hitting a win on any given spin. This flexibility makes wilds one of the most desired features in slot games.
- Dynamic gameplay: Wilds often bring more dynamics and excitement to the game. They can trigger special effects, animations, and sounds that enrich the gaming experience. This can include expanding wilds that cover an entire reel, sticky wilds that remain in place for multiple spins, or walking wilds that move across the reels.
- Higher payouts: Wild symbols often carry payout values, usually higher than the standard symbols. In some slots, landing a combination of wilds can yield the highest possible payouts in the game, making them a lucrative target during gameplay.
- Innovative features: Game developers continually innovate the role of wild symbols, introducing features like multiplying wilds, which increase the payout of any winning combinations they form part of. Such innovations keep the games fresh and exciting, pushing players to return and try new functionalities.
- Versatility in themes and bonuses: Wild symbols are versatile in their integration into different slot themes and bonus features. They are a central element in numerous bonus rounds and often the key to unlocking major jackpots and high-stake wins, adding depth to the gameplay that appeals to players seeking more than just basic spins.
What kinds of wild symbols do we find in slots?
Online slots differ significantly from each other, which also affects the properties of bonus functions, including the Wild symbol. In addition to the most common wild symbol in slots, you can also find expanding wild symbols that occupy not one, but several places on the reel (sometimes even the entire reel), bringing really substantial slot bonuses.
Sometimes, the wild symbol “sticks” to the reel, meaning other symbols change with each spin, but the wild symbol stays in place for a few predetermined rounds. Yet another type is the floating wilds that change their place on the reels as they spin.
So, how do you find which wild symbol is winning the most? Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this question, so it is recommended that you consult the slot table’s paytable to see what benefits this unique symbol brings to your game. And if you don’t know which slot to play, check out our free slots where you can pick the best one!
Types of wilds
The wild symbol can crank up any game, no doubt about it. However, it is important to know that there are many types of wilds with different properties. Players often encounter wilds in various forms when choosing an online gambling slot. Below we will explain the basic wild types to help readers choose a favorite.
- Colossal Wild
Big, wild, and huge wins are the recipes for the success of online slots. Which player hasn’t dreamed of filling the slot drums with wilds at least once? Colossal Wild is a wild giant that can cover several rows and several reels at the same time. It appears in e.g., Scruffy Duck from Netent or Wolf Gold from Pragmatic Play. - Walking Wild
Walking Wilds offer players the chance to score a few paid hits as they are present on the reels for several spins. Walking Wilds are nothing but Wild symbols that move across the slot slots from reel to reel to create payouts with random symbols. Such an interesting bonus is a nice addition to the game. For example, this type of wild can be found in the slot The Invisible Man from Netent or Wild Heist from Thunderkick. - Expanding Wild
An Expanding Wild appears on the spools of the slot as an inconspicuous Wild symbol, but after a while, it grows into several adjacent fields. Usually, it extends over the entire drum, but in some cases, it can also take up additional areas. Expanding Wild is a big advantage of some very good games, such as Starburst from Netent or Ariana from Microgaming. - Sticky Wild
A Sticky Wild sticks to a selected spot on the drum and stays there for several turns. It may not sound very effective, but if you imagine that more sticks appear in other places during subsequent spins, you can conclude that this is one of the most interesting bonus options. The most famous Sticky Wilds appear in Dead or Alive, from Netent. - Stacked Wild
Stacked Wild is a more modest version of Expanding Wild. It appears on spools, occupying a space of two to five spaces. It doesn’t develop dynamically like Expanding but falls in as a ready-made symbol. It allows you to create favorable layouts in various configurations. Stacked Wild can be found, among others in the Basketball Star slot by Microgaming. - Random Wild
Random Wilds most often appear in bonus games. They go to random spots on the reels, turning a specific symbol or group of symbols into Wild. Thanks to this, a large part of the table can be filled with the most attractive symbols in the game, bringing colossal winnings. The feature appears in Koi Princess by Netent. - Straight (Diagonal) Wilds
Straight / Diagonal Wilds is a very specific feature present in very few games. The Straight Wild symbol only appears on the third reel and replaces the symbols. If Diagonal Wilds appear on the same spin, they will be pushed to other rows depending on the slot’s function. Such an unusual bonus appears in the Fisticuffs game from Netent. - Wild Duplication
What if instead of one stack of wilds you had two? Wild Duplication is an option to copy wilds to adjacent columns, which makes the excitement twice as large. This function is in the Wonky Wabbits slot from Netent. - Spreading Wilds
Spreading Wilds is an explosion of possibilities. Wilds run wild on the drums, occupying many extra spaces and spreading in different directions. This type of function can be found in bonus games, including Wild Wild West by Netent. - Floating Wild
Floating Wild has a predetermined field in each spin. A frame appears anywhere on the reels to show where the wild is activated. If it falls into the marked box, it will help create a paid layout. The Bollywood Story slot from Netent offers players this bonus. - Wild Reels
Wild Reels please the eye and the heart of the player. Columns filled with wilds pop in by surprise, forming pairs or even groups. This is one of the most lucrative and spectacular varieties of wild. You can admire it, for example, in the Playboy slot from Microgaming. - Wild Generation
In the Wild Generation option, a wild appears when a paid system consisting of at least three symbols is cleared on the board. This option is present in many slots from Play’n Go, e.g., the iconic Moon Princess.
Popular slots with wild symbols
Here are some popular fresh slots featuring wild symbols, each with unique gameplay features and innovative design:
Twilight Spirits: Jackpot Chronicles by NetEnt
This slot is released in 2024 and features a mystical theme set in an enchanted forest. It includes 5 reels and 20 paylines. The game boasts a high RTP of 96.8% and offers medium volatility, making it appealing for regular payouts. Special symbols like Expanding Wilds and Random Wilds add excitement to the gameplay, and its unique “Chronicle Spins” can lead to substantial wins.
Solar Queen Megaways by Playson
Launching in 2024, Solar Queen Megaways brings ancient Egyptian themes to life with 6 reels and up to 200,704 ways to win thanks to the Megaways mechanic. The RTP stands at 95.85%, and it features high volatility for potential high payouts. Special symbols include Sticky Wilds during the free spins round, which increase winning chances dramatically.
Cyber Cluster Beats by Yggdrasil
This 2024 release offers a futuristic take with a setup of 6×6 reels and employs a cluster pays system. It has an RTP of 96.1% and medium volatility. The game includes features like Random Wilds that appear in the innovative “Beat Drop” bonus round, providing dynamic and engaging gameplay.
Mystic Bear XtraHold by Quickspin
Released in 2024, this adventure-themed slot transports players into a mystical forest filled with magical creatures. It features a 5×4 reel setup with 40 paylines and a high RTP of 96.5%. The slot offers medium volatility and includes XtraHold Wilds, which lock in place for subsequent spins, enhancing the chances for significant wins.
Aquatic Treasures Coast 2 Coast by Microgaming
This ocean-themed slot from 2024 dives deep into underwater adventures across 5 reels and 10 paylines with an RTP of 96.2%. It has low to medium volatility, making it ideal for steady gameplay. The game’s standout feature is Expanding Wilds, which can cover entire reels and trigger multi-reel wild respins.
Play slots with wilds for free
Playing slots with wild symbols for free is a fantastic way to explore various game mechanics without risk. Most online casinos and gaming platforms allow players to access demo versions of their slot games.
These free versions are identical to their real money counterparts, featuring the same gameplay, graphics, and bonus features like wild symbols, which can help form winning combinations or trigger special game modes. Free play is an excellent option for new players to understand how wild symbols work in different slots and for experienced players to test new games before committing their funds.
Play slots with wilds for real money
When you’re ready to elevate the excitement, playing slots with wild symbols for real money is the next step. Real money gaming allows you to win cash prizes and experience the full thrill of gambling. Before playing, choosing reputable online casinos that are licensed and offer secure gaming environments is essential.
These platforms often provide various bonuses, such as welcome offers, free spins, and deposit matches, which can extend your gameplay and increase your chances of winning. When transitioning from free play to real money slots, ensure responsible gaming by setting budgets and understanding the game’s pay structure, especially how wild symbols contribute to the payouts.
Best online casinos with wild symbol slots
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Final thoughts on wild symbol slots
It is fair to say that slots with wild symbols are luckier than slots without special symbols on the reels. The presence of a wild symbol in slots is an additional opportunity to win cash prizes. This symbol can form winning combinations according to the same rules as any other symbol.
It would be best to continuously chain several wild symbols on any active line to win a cash prize. Such a chain can consist of 3, 4 or 5 elements, less often, of 2-5 identical pictures. The wild symbol can also increase the frequency of winnings due to its ability to replace any regular symbols. In other words, under certain conditions and when necessary, the wild symbol can complete any incomplete prize sequence, allowing the player to win a cash prize. The wild symbol can also expand sequences containing enough elements.
Ultimately, wild symbols add a layer of excitement and potential for big payouts, making slots with these symbols highly popular among players. They contribute to a dynamic gaming experience where the anticipation of hitting a wild symbol adds to the thrill of the spin. This makes playing slots with wild symbols a continuously engaging and often rewarding experience.
