Slot Features Explained

You might think all slots are the same – spin the reels and hope for the best, right? Well, not exactly.

In classic online slots, features are pretty limited. If you’re lucky, you might land a wild symbol or, on a really good day, maybe even trigger a basic bonus game. But when it comes to video slots, the sky’s the limit for features and bonuses, making the gameplay way more exciting.

If you’re scratching your head over what all these features mean and how they work, don’t worry! Here’s a quick rundown of the most common slot features you’ll come across – whether you love the straightforward nature of classic slots or the jam-packed bonuses of modern video slots. Whatever your preference, understanding these key features can help you become a slot wizard.

Free Spins

Free Spins are one of the most sought-after features in slot games. Typically triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols, free spins allow you to play a number of rounds without having to place a bet for each spin. What makes free spins especially exciting is that during this round, additional bonuses, such as multipliers or extra wilds, might increase your chances of landing big wins.

Scatter Symbols

Scatter symbols are one of the most common and fun features in modern slot games. They come in a few different varieties, but the basic idea is that these symbols can pay out no matter where they land on the reels.

• Traditional Scatter: This is the simplest form. You get a payout if you land a certain number of scatters anywhere on the reels (usually two or more). The more you land, the bigger the win.
• Multiplier Scatter: This one’s even better. When two or more scatters hit the reels, they can multiply your win for that spin. So, two scatters might double your payout, while three, four, or five scatters can boost it by much more.
• Bonus-Triggering Scatter: In many slots, landing three or more scatters unlocks some kind of bonus feature. This could be anything from free spins to a mini-game where you can grab even more prizes. It’s always worth checking the paytable to see what those scatters can do for you in a particular game!

Wild Symbols

Wild symbols are like the jokers of the slot world. They substitute for other symbols on the reels, making it easier for you to land a winning combination. Wilds are a lifesaver when you’re just one symbol away from a big payout, but they usually can’t replace scatter or bonus symbols – though that can vary depending on the slot.

Wilds aren’t just useful for filling in the gaps; they can also lead to some serious wins. In many games, if your winning combination includes a wild, it might multiply your payout, meaning you could walk away with much more than expected.

Multipliers

Multipliers do exactly what they sound like – they multiply your winnings by a set amount. For example, if you land a 3x multiplier on a £10 win, you’ll walk away with £30. Multipliers can apply in both the base game and during bonus features, and some games even have progressive multipliers, which increase with each consecutive win.

Cascading Reels

Also known as Avalanche Reels or Tumbling Reels, this feature is all about non-stop action. When you hit a winning combination, the symbols in that combo disappear, and new symbols fall into their place. This can lead to multiple wins on a single spin. Some games even increase the multiplier with each consecutive win during a cascade, making it even more exciting.

Expanding Wilds

Expanding Wilds are like regular wilds but with a twist. When an expanding wild lands, it spreads across the reel, covering it entirely. This can dramatically increase your chances of landing a winning combination. In some games, expanding wilds can stretch vertically or even across multiple reels.

Sticky Wilds

Sticky Wilds stay in place for several spins, giving you extra chances to win big. Once a sticky wild lands, it "sticks" to its position on the reels for a set number of spins, increasing your opportunities to form winning combinations.

Stacked Wilds

Stacked Wilds come in clusters, often filling up an entire reel. These wilds are positioned one on top of the other, which increases the chances of multiple winning combinations across different paylines. Some slots have stacked wilds that appear randomly, while others offer them in bonus rounds or free spins.

Pick-and-Click Bonus Games

Many modern slots include Pick-and-Click Bonus Games, which add an extra interactive element. Usually, these mini-games are triggered by landing a specific combination of symbols, and they let you pick from a selection of items, each hiding different prizes like cash rewards, multipliers, or free spins.

Megaways™

Megaways™ is a game-changing feature that varies the number of symbols on each reel with every spin, leading to hundreds or even thousands of possible ways to win. Developed by Big Time Gaming, the Megaways™ mechanic has become incredibly popular, with countless slots now featuring this dynamic and unpredictable system.

Win Both Ways

In most slots, you only win by matching symbols from left to right. Win Both Ways slots, however, pay out for matching symbols in either direction – left to right or right to left. This feature effectively doubles your chances of hitting a winning combination.

Cluster Pays

Instead of traditional paylines, Cluster Pays slots payout when you form a cluster of matching symbols. Typically, a group of five or more matching symbols touching horizontally or vertically triggers a win. These slots often have cascading reels, meaning the clusters disappear, and new symbols fall into place for potentially more wins.

Gamble Feature

The Gamble Feature lets you double (or even quadruple) your winnings by playing a mini-game after a successful spin. Usually, this involves guessing the colour or suit of a hidden card. Be careful, though – if you lose the gamble, you can lose your original winnings.

Slot Features Are Evolving

Some players love these bonus games, especially when they come with interactive elements, while others long for the simpler days of classic slots. Either way, these mini-bonus games are here to stay, and they’re only getting more creative and engaging.

Whether you're into retro slots with minimal features or all singing and dancing modern slots packed with bonuses and wilds, understanding these key features will help you get the most out of your game. Scatters, wilds, and bonus games all add layers of excitement and potential winnings to your play, and now you know what to look out for next time you spin those reels.