button in SafariWild (Symbols)
A Wild symbol is a symbol that appears on a slot machine that can act as a substitute for a regular symbol. They can act as a symbol within a winning combination to make or enlarge the win.
What are Wild Symbols?
A wild symbol in slots is a direct equivalent to the joker used in a set of cards, joker poker, or video poker. It is a symbol that can essentially take the form of any other, in order to create matches. For example, a spin that yields four identical symbols on a payline, along with a wild symbol, would pay out the equivalent of five of those identical symbols.
Not only do wild symbols give players more ways to land winning combinations, but they also increase the payout of winning spins, as more matching symbols line up. They have become a key part of almost all forms of slots, and are the most recognisable of all symbols on a slot machine.
Example of Wilds
Wild symbols can come in many different forms, with many pertaining to the theme of the slot, such as Zeus himself in the Greek Mythology-themed slot Zeus III, or dynamite in the Gold Mining-themed Gold Rush. Others simply use the word "wild" to represent the symbol, seen in Big Bad Wolf.
As seen above, wilds impact paylines by increasing the chances of a payline being hit and by increasing the number of paylines hit per average spin. They also affect slot payouts, as wilds allow for bigger combinations to be hit more easily, therefore increasing the payout.
When do Wild Symbols Land?
Wild Symbols do not have a fixed rate of landing, as their appearances on a slot are completely random. On a slot that contains wild symbols, they can land anywhere at any time, much like scatter symbols. The rate at which they do land, however, is linked to the Return to Player (RTP) of the slot. A slot with a higher RTP will most likely include wilds that land more frequently.
Wilds vs Sticky Wilds - What's the Difference?
Wilds are a standard feature that can be found in the large majority of slot games. They can be used as a substitute for any other symbol to help create a winning combination. In most slots, wilds can drop at any time, and are an ever-present symbol on a slot's reels.
Sticky wilds are a specialised type of wild symbol, that don't land during normal slot spins. They often have to be triggered by something within a game's standard spins, or are included as part of a bonus round. Once landed, a sticky wild stays on its reel for multiple spins, often until the bonus round or free spins come to an end. These can help generate much bigger wins, as sticky wilds further increase the chances of large winning combinations.
The Dog House Megaways is a slot that involves sticky reels during free spins. Any wilds that land during free spins stay there until there are no spins left.
| Wilds | Sticky Wilds |
|---|---|
| Part of standard slot spins | Triggered or part of a bonus round |
| Can replace any other symbol | Stay in position for multiple spins |
| Make bigger and more frequent combinations land | Offer opportunity of even bigger wins |
Wild Symbols FAQs
Do wilds guarantee a win on slots?
No, wilds don't guarantee a win on slots, however they increase the chance of a winning combination being landed, as less matching symbols need to land for a win.
Do wild symbols trigger a slot bonus?
Wild symbols don't necessarily trigger a slot bonus, as they often simply act as a substitute for a regular symbol. However, they can help to trigger bonus rounds on a slot, depending on the conditions needed for any given slot's bonus.
How often do wild symbols land on slot reels?
The rate at which wild symbols land on slot reels is random, and has no set probability of occurring. They can land often often on some slots, and rarely on others, depending on the RTP of the slot.
What's the difference between wild symbols and wild bonuses?
A wild symbol is a symbol that appears on the reels, whereas a wild bonus is a feature that involves wilds. A wild bonus can include wilds with multipliers, expanding wilds, or sticky wilds.
What happens if all symbols are wilds in slots?
If all reels of a slot are wild symbols, the payout depends on that specific slot's rules. Since wild symbols can act as any other, they will count as many winning combinations, with some slots counting them as the highest-paying combination.
