Symbols on Slot Machines
Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
Updated: Feb 2025, Read time: 11 minutes
Online slot machines have continued to grow popular over the years. They are, in fact, one of the most played games in casinos. And there are several reasons for this, including their tendency for amazing graphics and elements of symbols. Understanding slot symbols is the first step to playing the game. They are images that appear on the spinning reels, and they each have their own unique value.
These icons determine the outcome of a round and also the reward. Images in slots have evolved over the years, bringing more options and excitement to players. In this article, we will discuss all there is to know about these images. There are various types of slot machine icons, with some being more powerful than others and serving different functions in general. Find the answer to the question; what are the symbols on a slot machine
History of Symbols on a Slot Machine
Slot machines are from 1887 when the German origin Charles Fey, who was the first we won of the idea, proposed his concept in San Francisco. His product, known as «the Liberty Bell game», was a three-reel device that let players spin the wheel with a nickel. The reels were decorated with playing cards, fruits and bells and, to be specific, certain combinations of those would give the player a reward. We might as well call this the point of the origin.
Although the young people of today may still be skeptical about this, Fey’s design clearly reformed the face of gambling and entered a multi-billion dollar industry. The elements that still appear on the landscape of online slots can bring out the nostalgia of those old symbols you were playing. During the period of Prohibition and so as to evade gambling laws, gaming machines offered goods in a way that they were mechanically identical to slots. They blow machines that were showing symbols depicting fruits which represented different gum flavors, hence in this way winning partners knew precisely what they would receive.
Then in 1907, the American Steven Harper Mills was able to introduce slot machines with discs bearing the bar picture from a patch of a chewing gum packet. These were all done to counter legalities. The developers now have the option to sway in only one direction, to offer the players several image choices for their games. However, some of the iconic symbols of the past which were last used can still be found on the rolls of symbols we have, for instance the bar which is a 7, the ace, king, queen, jack, etc.
Fruit themed titles have added some new icons such as Cherries, Lemons, Oranges, Grapes, Strawberries, Watermelons, Plums, Pineapples and some more. The common slot machine symbols are an expression of creativity, where developers add certain unique icons to identify with the title.
Types of Slot Symbols
They are categorized into various types. You can be sure to find at least two of these types in modern titles. They include:
Standard
Standard slot machine symbols are in most spaces of an individual reel. They are only of use if they appear together on a single payline. Apart from that, there is no special function or impact in the gameplay. This type is usually in the matrix of any given spin. How it looks varies widely, depending on the theme of the machine. Some common images include cherries, lemons and grapes, especially for fruit-themed games. They might also include lucky 7s.
A common option for modern games is playing card values. A good example is the popular title «Mega Moolah» which uses cards from Ace to 10 as their standard symbol. But unlike a deck of cards, higher value cards are the rarest on the slot machine reels. So three Aces will pay more than three kings. The price for a symbol combination tends to be inversely proportional to the frequency of an icon. For example, when playing the popular «Buffalo Ascension», lining up three of the common 9 symbols earns you a 5x initial bet, while doing the same for the rarest icon earns you 200x your bet.
For titles that are themed, the standard symbol is usually decorated to match the motif of the game. The most valuable icon might, in fact, be themed images. This is the case for many popular titles, including Wheel of Fortune. The higher value standards are evocative of prizes from the original game show.
Wilds
A wild symbol in a title serves a special function that benefits the player. It is the most rewardable feature. Similar to a poker wild card, wilds can replace other slot symbols on the reels in order to make a winning combination. And in multi-payline games, a wild can substitute for one icon on a payline and a different icon on another payline. This is the case for most titles. Hence, why they are regarded as the most powerful feature in the game.
The wild can be anything, depending on what the theme of the title is. In some cases they are simply the game’s logo.
Bonus
Bonus symbols are quite common in modern titles. They are designed to trigger special game modes or prizes. How it works is that – you have to land at least three of these special bonus symbols in one spin for you to activate the bonus. The incentive could be free spins, a side game or some side attraction, whatever it is, it is always good news for players.
A good example would be the Harley Davidson casino game where a single bonus icon earns you a free spin to a bank that accumulates from spin to spin. When you have more than one bonus icon it triggers a free spin mode, and the player gets to use all of the accumulated spins in the bank. If you are not seeing this feature in a game and can’t figure why, check the rules. In some titles, they appear more frequently when you bet more often.
Scatters
Scatter symbols are not bounded by paylines. They are also another great feature, one that can not be overpowered by wilds. When they appear on the reels, the players are rewarded, whether they are lined up in a row or not. However, some classic titles still require that they follow each other on the reels. They also deliver nice payouts and in some cases trigger a bonus mode. You will need to land at least three of them to enjoy the benefits.
The icons are designed to trigger a multiplier outcome. For example, landing three will earn you a 15x return on your wager, four will earn you 30x and five will earn you 45x. So, the more you land, the greater the reward. They are one of the most sought after features because of the opportunities they offer. The icon could be something relating to the theme or anything random, depending on the developers.
Multipliers
The last on the list is Multiplier. Just as the mane goes, this feature multiplies your wins. They can appear as a form of special icon, but they are designed to increase the size of your payouts. In some cases it could be up to 1000x. The multipliers can also be your wilds or can be triggered by a scatter and appear as part of the free spin feature.
Popular and Iconic Slot Machine Symbols
Slot machines have been reimagined in a vast number of styles, with the introduction of various symbols throughout time. However, despite a wide scope of complex images with particular themes, some symbols have been accepted by players and reflect a uniform scheme across many types of machines. The images are just the product of what the developers choose. Let’s explore the most popular slot symbols that are still featured in the present titles.
Fruits
This the first type of images that were used which were inspired by the imitation of vending machines. Common fruit pictures were lemons, cherries, oranges, grapes, plums and watermelons. Titles with these images normally refer to the fruit machines.
Bars
Apart from these symbols, these icons mainly appeared in the bar’s initial designs. It was also an imitation of vending machines. They are typically found in versions where they have only one or in doubles or triples.
Stars
These are quite common in both old-school and modern titles. Stars sometimes serve as standards and indicators of a bonus round or higher payouts.
Bells
Bells as an icon started from the original Liberty Bell slot machine. They indicate a mid-tier payout and are a nod to the roots of gaming.
Sevens
The number 7 in many cultures is seen as a lucky number, which is the slot machine symbols meaning. It is now a recurring image in many titles. It appears in different colors and in many games, landing a combination will result in high payouts.
Playing cards
These are the most common «low paying icons» you will see in recent video slots. The playing card images include A, K, Q, J, 10 and 9.
Jewels and Gems
Images of diamonds, opulence and assorted gems are pretty popular in slot. They are often in themes of riches, luxury and treasure hunts.
There are thousands of images in slot machines. It all depends on what the developer chooses and the theme of the game. We also advise that you don’t assume the functions of an image, instead always check the guide to be certain of their value.
How Slot Machine Symbols Influence Gameplay
The symbols on a slot machine are designed to enhance the gaming experience by rewarding players. They are a vital part of the gameplay. The goal is usually to land three or more on a payline. The more you get in a role, the bigger your payout will be. Some titles will reward you for landing just 2, although for most it is a minimum of three.
Wilds are regarded as the most powerful. They improve your chances of matching things up and win prizes because they can substitute for any of the other images. So a payline of «Lemon-Wild-Lemon» would reward you. However, they can’t count as scatters.
Scatters and Bonus icons do not have to be in a row, and it is not necessary for them to be in the same payline. Getting them to land anywhere on the machine reels will earn you a prize. Some games require a minimum or two while others require three. In some rare cases you might need five. Scatters could also award special rounds such as multiple free spins or a bonus round.
Winning a machine is about knowing how to deal with the slot symbols, and each game will have different rules for winning combinations. You should check the help section or paytable to see the rules. All the icons are categorized in their values and effect on gameplay:
- High-paying – They are quite rare, but they offer the highest payout. A good example of this is sevens. Wilds can also be regarded as high paying icons.
- Medium-paying – Examples of such include bells and double bars. They appear less often and offer a little lesser payout than high-paying.
- Low-paying – The perfect example would be cards. They may appear frequently but typically offer smaller payouts.
This feature brings a level of excitement and variation to slot machines. Each of them has its value, ability to create winning combinations and result in dynamic gameplay.
Casinos Where You Can Try Slot Machine Symbols
Conclusion
Symbols are in all online slot machines. Although the result of a modern game depends on a random number generator (RNG), the icons provide a visual interpretation of the computer-generated result. Game developers add a lot of creativity when it comes to the themes and storyline of a title and the icons in it will further represent it. Some features have the ability to reward you with great wins and winning opportunities as you play.
They are of various types which include wilds and scatter. All of them have their respective purpose. The first phase before playing a slot is to look at the paytable and uncover the values of the cams. Wilds are often the strongest since they can be the alternative for other symbols and through that, they give extra chances for winning combinations. Scatters are automatically included as a chance to win bonus games and free spins, which finally, means more winnings freely gotten. Online casinos have progressed and slot symbols were certainly the right choice.
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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