Slot machines have come a long way from their humble beginnings as simple mechanical devices. Today’s digital, online Slots offer many features designed to create a modern gaming experience.Â
Understanding these features can help you get the most out of your slot gaming experience. Here’s a detailed look at various slot features and what to expect from them.
Wild symbols
Wild symbols are one of the most common features in modern slot games. They act as substitutes for other symbols to help create matching combinations. Here are some variations of wild symbols you might encounter:
- Expanding: These wilds expand to cover an entire reel, providing more opportunities for multiple matching combinations.
- Sticky: Once they appear, sticky wilds remain in place for a certain number of spins, potentially creating more opportunities for matching symbols on the lines.
- Stacked: These wilds appear in stacks, covering two or more positions on a reel, which is especially handy if multiple stacked wilds align.
- Shifting: Shifting wilds move across the reels with each spin, adding extra elements to the gameplay.
Scatter symbols
Scatter symbols are another feature that can be included in many slot games. Unlike regular symbols, scatters can trigger extras regardless of their position on the reels. Landing a certain number of scatter symbols can activate various features, such as:
- Extra games: Scatter symbols often trigger extra rounds, adding another level to gameplay. These can often come in the form of mini-games.Â
- Multipliers: In some games, scatter symbols come with multipliers that can apply to your total bet.
Extra rounds
These are designed to break up regular gameplay and offer more opportunities within gameplay. They can be triggered by specific symbol combinations or randomly during the game. There are several types of extra rounds, each offering unique gameplay experiences. These include:
- Pick: In this type of extra round, players choose from a selection of objects to reveal added elements like multipliers.Â
- The wheel: Players spin a wheel to reveal extras, which sometimes includes entry into another round for even more potential opportunities.
Multipliers
Multipliers can increase success on the reels, making them a favourite among slot players. They can apply to lines, total bets, or specific features. Multipliers can be triggered in various ways, depending on the game:
- Base game multipliers: Some games include multipliers in the base game, often attached to wild symbols. When a wild with a multiplier forms part of a matching combination, it boosts the payout by the multiplier’s value.
- Cascading multipliers: In games with cascading reels, multipliers often increase with each potential success.
Cascading Reels
Cascading reels offer a unique twist on traditional spinning. When a matching combination is formed, the symbols involved disappear and new symbols fall into place for more potential opportunities. This feature often continues until no new matching combinations are formed. Cascading reels often come with:
- Increasing multipliers: With each consecutive success, a multiplier may increase.
- Extra round triggers: Cascading success can contribute to triggering extra rounds, adding another element to gameplay.
Mystery symbols
Last but not least, mystery symbols add another element of unpredictability to slot games. These symbols transform into a random symbol once the reels stop spinning, potentially creating multiple matching combinations. Mystery symbols can appear individually or in stacks, and their transformation can significantly impact the outcome of a spin.
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The diverse features in modern slot games offer players a varied gaming experience that goes beyond simple spinning. Understanding how these features work and what to expect from them can create a better time playing.Â
Whatever type of slot player you are, there’s something for you. As you explore different slot games, take the time to familiarise yourself with their unique features and mechanics to make the most of your gaming experience.Â
But remember that these features won’t necessarily add to your gameplay, they are all based on chance, so just have a fun time spinning the reels!