Slot machine symbols 101: A complete guide

Slots remain one of the most popular games for players in the UK. I totally get this, as they’re one of my favorite casino games to spend time with too! It’s too easy to just dive into playing slots before you understand them though. Slot machine symbols are key to get to grips with, which is why I would never advise playing before you do this. 

This guide is the ideal way to find out about symbols in slots and what they mean. Read on to explore the most common symbols in slots, how they tie in with pop culture, and everything else UK gamers need to know on the subject.

Understanding slot symbols

Having looked into slots symbols deeply, I can confirm that each symbol in a slot machine is not just there for decoration! They actually have specific meanings and bring the main game theme to life. I find that slot symbols have a real influence over my chances of winning. Lower-paying symbols for example may come out more often in some slots than higher paying ones. 

I need to point out that symbols in slots have a direct effect on how much winning combos payout as well. If I land a winning combination of several high paying symbols for example, the payout I receive is more than if the combo contains low paying symbols at the best payout slots.

Main slot machine symbols

For me, getting a better understanding of symbols in the best online slots involves getting to know the most common ones. Read on for my beginner’s guide to the major slot symbols: 

Low paying

• Fruits

Slot machine symbols like cherries, lemons and grapes were based on the flavor of gum players could win from slot/vending machines, and come in bright colors. Some fruit symbols payout for matching two on a payline, but others may need three or more. 

• Playing cards

These are normally lower-paying slot machine icons and often have an impact on the names given to slots. The most common playing card symbols I see in slots include Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10. 

• Jewels

Jewel slots symbols add a real air of luxury to the slot machines I try online. I find they’re normally one of the lower-paying symbols, but I did scoop a bigger win once when matching several on a single payline. 

High paying

• Bells

These slot machine symbols are high-paying ones usually and I have enjoyed larger payouts with them. This is especially true when I match several Bell symbols on a payline.

• Bars

When looking into this symbol’s history, I found it represented gum packets originally. It has since gone on to become a real classic of slot gaming. Single, double or triple bars payout various amounts in the slots I play.

• Sevens

As is the case for many UK casino fans, I consider seven a lucky number, this is something I notice in many other cultures globally. Due to this, I find that Sevens in slots usually allow me to access bigger wins. 

Common slot machine symbols 

As well as the major slot machine symbols that appear in games featured at the best new slot sites in the UK, any guide on this subject should cover other common examples too. 

• Scatters 

Scatter symbols are something I see in most video slots online and trigger free spin/bonus rounds. The image above is the Scatter from ‘Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead’ and ties in perfectly with the game’s Egyptian theme.

• Wilds

Wilds are another video slot symbol I come across regularly, creating new winning combos by standing in for other symbols. As with Scatters, I find they tie in with the overall theme (the Wild symbol from Immortal Romance shown above for example)

• Multipliers

Multipliers come in various amounts and multiply wins on reels they’re attached to. The above screenshot shows how win multipliers in the Gates of Olympus slot can help enhance wins.

• The Bonus 

Bonus symbols are another feature I always look out for in modern video slots. I like how they trigger special bonus features when I land them on the reels. From free spins to engaging mini-games, I really love the depth bonus symbols bring to sessions. 

Special slot machine symbols 

Lots of modern slots have special symbols which I think are essential to get to grips with. Here are the ones I pay most attention to:

• Stacked Wild

Wilds are one of the best things about video slots in my opinion and help increase my chances of winning. Stacked Wilds see Wild icons stack on top of each other to offer multiple ways to win. 

• Expanding Wild

For me, this symbol always adds excitement to any slot I try. They act like normal Wilds but expand to cover whole reels to give me more chance of landing a winning combo.

• Re-spins 

Re-spin slot machine symbols give me another chance to spin the reels for a set amount of times, after my initial spin is done. In Big Bass Bonanza for example, the Fisherman Wild shown above can trigger more spins in the Free Spins bonus.

• Pick Me

I like how this symbol triggers a fun ‘Pick and Win’ bonus game. I’m able to choose from multiple symbols on screen and try to uncover cool prizes behind them.  

• Expanding Symbols

I find these symbols act in part like Expanding Wilds and cover whole reels to increase my chances of hitting a winning combination. I notice that games with them usually tie the symbol itself to the game theme. 

• Sticky Symbols

I love how these slot symbols stick in place once on a reel and stay put for a set number of spins. This helps boost my chances of landing a win on these spins. 

• Progressive Symbols

Progressive symbols are something I find in progressive jackpot slots. After I collect them, I trigger the jackpot bonus round and try to win the main prize. Some games like this also trigger the jackpot bonus at random. Mega Moolah does this and gives players the chance to spin the Jackpot Wheel shown above. 

Themed slot machine symbols

As mentioned earlier in our guide, the majority of slots now have specific symbols which tie in with their overall theme. But what are the major ones I stumble across most?

• Fruit machines

This is one theme I love to get involved with and I find games based on it have classic slot machine symbols like bars, sevens, lemons, cherries and plums. Sweet Bonanza is one of my go-to choices. 

• Adventure

I love how these slots take me anywhere in the world and use specific symbols which tie in with the overall setting. Gonzo’s Quest uses carved stone symbols which transport you to  its exotic gameworld.

• Ancient civilizations

For me, slots with Aztec, Egyptian or Greek mythology themes are lots of fun to play. I find these games come with specific symbols which help set the mood. Cleopatra for example uses symbols like Cleo herself to transport players back in time. 

• Fantasy

Fantasy slots are among the most interesting, I like how they use certain symbols to make them pop. I find vampire themed games for example will often use fangs, stakes or vampire symbols to set the right tone. 

• Animals and nature

Animal and nature slots use special symbols on a slot machine to make them more  awesome. I notice that fishing games use images of hooks, rods and fish to amp up the action. 

Popular slot symbols today

There’s no doubt that modern slot games have moved on a lot from traditional ones. Although I believe this is true for their overall design (where RNG tech has taken over), I think the type of symbols most popular today are important. 

From my experience of playing slots online, I tend to see the ones listed below regularly: 

• Theme specific symbols
• Wilds
• Scatters
• Playing cards
• Jewels
• Classic slot machine symbols (like fruits)

Pop culture and slots

As a keen slot player in the UK, the way modern slots blend with pop culture really stands out. Over the last decade or so, I’ve noticed more and more slots released which are based on hit TV shows, celebs, bands or popular movies. Good examples I have personally played include The Flintstones, James Bond: Casino Royale and Cirque Du Soleil: Kooza. 

Conclusion

In my own personal experience, I think it’s key to fully understand slot symbols before playing these kinds of games. Doing this has helped me to gamble in a more responsible way and from a more informed position. This guide contains all the information needed to do this and get to grips with what symbols mean in slots.

FAQ

How do slot machine symbols affect winnings?

I’ve played lots of slots and know just how symbols affect the money I win. In simple terms, each symbol pays out at a different value, based on how many I match up and whether it’s a low or high paying symbol. This in turn directly affects how much I get when matching up winning combinations. 

Who invented the first slot machine?

After doing some research into symbols on a slot machine, I found that Charles Fey created the first slot in 1887. These games featured classic symbols like playing cards, bells and fruits. As our guide shows, these symbols are still used in many slots today and link back to the game’s origins.  

What are the signs of a high-paying slot machine?

If I’m looking for a high-paying slot, I keep an eye out for types of slot machines which have multiple high value symbols. More high paying symbols means I have more chance of creating high value winning combos. I stick to gambling on high volatility games as well, as I’ve noticed these deliver bigger wins.

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Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.