From the very earliest slot games that were invented, symbols have been the main ingredient that makes each slot unique. The first slot machine had the Liberty Bell, and this was the highest paying of all other symbols on the reels, it was also behind the name of the actual game itself.
It is the very makeup of all slot games to have different types of symbols that have different monetary values. Modern slots that new players should check out have taken this concept to the next level. Video slots have not only developed a myriad of different types of symbols, but they have also reinvented symbols and made them serve other purposes on the reels.
The Purpose of Wild Symbols
Wild symbols on slots are not a new concept, and when it comes to slots that utilize card faces, it is the Joker that is usually the wild. What has changed, is the function of wild symbols, they still substitute for other symbols to create winning sequences, all except Scatter symbols, but wild symbols are more complex now than they have ever been. There are Stacked Wilds, Roaming Wilds, Expanding Wilds, wilds that hide multipliers, and Sticky Wilds. These are particularly interesting forms of these wild symbols.
Sticky Wilds: A Closer Look
Sticky Wilds are wilds that do exactly what the name suggests, when they land on the reels, they stick in a position either for a set number of spins or indefinitely during a bonus round. If the position is favourable, then these wilds can build huge winning sequences.
Sticky Wilds are more common than you would think and the number of slot game releases that use Sticky Wilds continues to grow. There are classic games like Rumpel Wild Spins by Novomatic and if you land three or more Frog Scatter symbols, then you initiate 15 free spins. During these games, Rumpel Wilds fall and stay in position. The ideal place for these to land is on the front three reels, the more wilds the bigger the wins.
The Latest Sticky Wild Games
The popularity of Sticky Wilds in slots is at an all-time high and some new slots have added a twist. The Sticky Wilds involved now hide multipliers and this is illustrated in Pragmatic Play slot The Hand of Midas. Three or more Scatters trigger the free spins bonus round and the aim here is to collect as many Sticky Wilds as possible. The wilds come as single, double, or triple wilds that add to the ever-growing multiplier that is displayed clearly throughout the bonus spins. Again, the amount that is won is highly dependent on the positioning of the wilds.
The Dog House also by Pragmatic Play, features Sticky Wilds that come in the shape of little pooch houses and these contain multipliers within them. During the bonus round on this highly volatile slot, each Dog House that falls can ignite some huge wins and the multipliers just add to the thrills of this fun game.