Wild Symbols in Slots Explained: Every Type of Wild & How They Work

A wild symbol in online slots is a special icon that substitutes for other regular symbols to help complete winning combinations. It works like a joker in a deck of cards — filling in wherever a matching symbol is missing from a payline. In most games, wilds cannot replace Scatter or Bonus symbols.

In the vast majority of slots, no. Wilds and Scatters operate on separate systems. The only widespread exception is the "Book" mechanic (seen in games like Book of Dead), where a single symbol functions as both the Wild and the Scatter simultaneously.

An expanding wild lands as a single symbol and then animates to fill the entire reel. A stacked wild arrives already occupying multiple positions on the reel. The visual outcome is similar — a full or partial column of wilds — but the underlying mechanic is different. Expanding wilds often trigger re-spins; stacked wilds typically do not.

In most modern slots, when two multiplier wilds contribute to the same win, their values are multiplied together — not added. For example, a 2× and a 3× wild on the same payline produce a 6× multiplier. This compounding effect is how the biggest slot wins are generated. Always verify in the specific game's paytable, as rules can vary.

No. While the vast majority of modern video slots include at least one type of wild symbol, some games do not use them. Scatter Pays titles like Sweet Bonanza have no traditional wilds. Some classic 3-reel slots also omit wilds entirely. The paytable will always confirm whether a game includes a wild.

Sticky multiplier wilds that persist throughout a free spins round and compound their values generally offer the highest win potential. The longer the bonus lasts and the more wilds accumulate on the grid, the larger the final multiplier applied to each win.

Open the paytable or game info screen — every licensed slot is required to display this information. It will specify which reels the wild can land on, what it substitutes for, whether it carries a multiplier, and whether it has its own payout value. This takes seconds and is the most important check you can do before playing.

A walking wild lands on the reels and then shifts one position (usually to the left) with each subsequent spin, triggering a free re-spin each time it moves. The wild continues walking across the grid until it exits the screen. This gives you multiple free spins from a single wild landing. Jack and the Beanstalk by NetEnt is the classic walking wilds slot.

Not necessarily. A game with a single well-designed wild mechanic — like sticky multiplier wilds in a bonus round — can offer far greater win potential than a game with multiple weak wild variants. The quality and integration of the wild mechanic matters more than the number of different wild types present.

Wild symbols substitute for other symbols within the payline system to create or extend wins. Bonus symbols trigger special features (like pick-and-click games or wheel spins) and typically need to land on specific reels or in a specific quantity. In most slots, wilds cannot replace bonus symbols — they function on separate systems.