A closer look at symbols and their impact in online slot games

Amy Fenton
Authored by Amy Fenton
Posted: Thursday, June 26, 2025 - 14:24

One of these key components in slot games is the wide range of symbols featured in the games which play a critical role in shaping gameplay, determining payouts, and altering the in-game mechanics.

To help you understand the various types of Slots UK game symbols and how they function, we’ve put together this article to break down the role of symbols and help you make more informed decisions during play time on platforms like VBET Casino.

Symbol combinations and paylines

Symbols are what appear on the reels when playing a game of Slots. When you press the spin button, the reels rotate and then stop, leaving a certain combination of symbols showing. If you land a matching combination, according to the paylines, you can receive a payout.

The correlation between symbols and paylines determines the overall outcome of each spin of the reels. Paylines can range from a single line in traditional Slots to hundreds or even thousands of ways to land matching combinations in modern multiway Slots.

Standard symbols

Standard symbols are the most common types of symbols found on slot reels and generally form the combinations that lead to regular payouts.

These standard symbols will typically align with the specific theme of the slot game — for instance, this could be fruits in classic Slots, or mythological icons in themed games. Higher-value base symbols will typically payout more for fewer matches, while lower-value ones require more frequent alignment for smaller payouts.

Wild symbols

Wild symbols are among the most important special symbols in online Slots. Their primary role, when triggered, is to substitute for other symbols on the reels – excluding bonus or scatter symbols in most cases.

This is to help complete or increase the number of matching combinations. In many Slots, wilds can also carry additional features, such as:

  • Expanding wilds, that cover an entire reel
  • Sticky wilds, that remain in place for a set number of spins
  • Stacked wilds, that appear in groups to increase payout potential

Some modern games also introduce multiplier wilds. These symbols not only substitute symbols but also multiply the value of the payouts.

Scatter symbols

Scatter symbols typically don’t need to appear on a specific payline to trigger, but instead, landing a set number of scatters anywhere on the reels can often activate the features. This can include things such as free spins or bonus games.

The number of scatters required to trigger can vary from two to five, depending on the specific slot game.

Bonus symbols

Bonus symbols are used to unlock in-game bonus rounds in Slots, which can include things like mini-games, pick-and-click features, or wheel spins.

Unlike scatter symbols, you often need to land bonus symbols on specific reels or in a certain order to activate them. These rounds generally offer the opportunity to receive larger payouts.

Symbols in online slot games serve not only to bring the visual elements and fresh style to slot games, but also as functional components that drive gameplay and influence payouts.

By understanding how these symbols interact with paylines and game mechanics, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions when choosing and playing different slot titles.

18+. Please gamble responsibly. Set limits on your gambling. For support, contact the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 or visit GambleAware.org.