Wild symbols are an integral part of modern video slots that add an extra dimension to gameplay. Acting as jokers, these special icons have the power to substitute for other symbols on the reels to help create more winning combinations. Beyond simply completing paylines, wilds also unlock various bonus features that make slots more dynamic and rewarding.
Let’s explore exactly how wilds work to enhance slots and significantly boost your winning potential at such casinos as Slotum.
How Wild Symbols Work
Wild icons operate according to one simple rule: they stand in for other symbols to complete winning payline combinations. Most commonly depicted as multicolored stars, wild symbols effectively give you more chances to hit the jackpot across the reels.
For instance, imagine a payline consisting of cherry-bar-wild-bar-bell symbols. While this line is just one icon away from a big bell payoff, the wild steps in to act as a bell and deliver the payout.
In this way, wilds create wins where none existed before. Their flexible substitution powers let you turn more spin results into real money rewards.
Payout Boosts
Beyond fabricating new wins, wilds also multiply payouts when they directly substitute in winning combos. Most slots payout 2x or 3x the normal amount when wilds substitute, quickly ramping up earnings.
For example, a bar-bar-wild combo may pay 10 coins normally. But with the wild subbing in, this line might pay 30 coins instead for a triple payout.
These boosted wild payouts make every winning combination more valuable, allowing your bankroll to grow faster with their help.
Lucrative Bonus Triggers
In addition to flexibly fitting into paylines, wilds also serve as powerful bonus triggers that unlock secondary slot features. When certain numbers land on a spin, wild symbols can activate in-game bonuses like free spins, re-spins, pick’ems, and more.
For instance, some slots award 10 free spins when three wild icons hit. Others trigger re-spins where wilds are “sticky” and held in place as the reels turn again for free.
These bonuses let you play risk-free while hunting for big pays, exponentially increasing winning chances. And with wilds in the mix, even more substitution wins become possible during the features.
Special Wild Variations
Wild icons also come in many special varieties that make spins even more interesting and profitable. Unique versions like stacked, expanding, walking, and trailing wilds create new dynamics that can lead to insane payouts.
- Stacked Wilds – These wilds occupy entire reels, massively increasing substitution powers to enable bigger combo wins. Some slots even have stacked wild reels where one full reel is completely wild for multiple lines of substitutions.
- Expanding Wilds – When part of a win, these wilds will expand out to cover entire reels after the spin. This makes the reel totally wild, enabling huge multi-line pays with their flexible substitution abilities.
- Walking Wilds – After each spin, these wilds will move incrementally across the reels on every turn. As they “walk” from reel to reel, more substitution wins become possible.
- Trailing Wilds – When part of a combo, a trailing wild will trigger one or more re-spins. On the re-spin, the wild icon holds in place while new symbols cascade – setting up more wins.
Key Takeaways
Wild symbols undoubtedly make slots more rewarding through flexible symbol substitution powers. Key takeaways about how they enhance gameplay include:
- Create wins by substituting in payline combinations.
- Multiply payouts when directly subbing in wins.
- Trigger lucrative bonus features like free spins.
- Appear in special varieties like stacked, expanding, walking wilds.
Understanding exactly how these game-changing icons operate lets you maximize their potential for huge slot paydays.
Wild Symbol Bonus Contribution
| Type of Wild | Est. Bonus Contribution |
| Standard Wild | +20% |
| Stacked Wild | +35% |
| Expanding Wild | +45% |
| Walking Wild | +30% |
| Trailing Wild | +38% |
With the ability to fabricate wins, enhance payouts, and activate bonuses, wild symbols offer multiple avenues to ratchet up slot earnings. Their flexible substitution powers add serious value that unlocks the full winning potential of video slots.
So next time you spin, keep an eye out for wild icons landing on the reels. Their lucrative contributions can quickly turn fun play into profitable paydays!
