The tumbling reels and bright lights are enough to draw any casino-goer in. But slot enthusiasts know that beneath the flashy exterior lies a complex game with rules and logic all its own. Mastering slot symbols and the payout structure is essential to stretching your bankroll and hopefully hitting it big on such sites as GameTwist.
Common Slot Machine Symbols and What They Mean
Here are some common slot symbols and how they work.
- Fruit Symbols – Cherries, lemons, oranges, plums, and other fruit symbols have been slot mainstays since the early 20th century. They represent the flavored chewing gums that were given out as some original slot prizes.
- Classic Symbols – Bells, horseshoes, four-leaf clovers, and other icons tied to good fortune have endured over the decades as well. Their lucky imagery reflects the anticipation of hitting a jackpot.
- Playing Card Symbols – Slot machine playing cards, like their table game counterparts, range from numbered 9-10-J-Q-K-A symbols to stylized logo designs. They bring to mind poker hands and blackjack wins.
- Themed Symbols – With video slots focusing on popular movies, TV shows, musicians, or products, the symbols naturally take on branded graphics and elements tying into the game’s motif. The symbols help advance bonus features.
- Wild Symbols – Wilds serve as jokers, substituting for other symbols to complete winning payline combinations. Expanding wilds cover entire reels, while stacked wilds pile up symbols on a single reel to drive up payouts.
- Scatter Symbols – Scatters pay out when landing anywhere on the reels. When hitting enough scatters, they unlock bonus rounds like free spins, wheel spins, or mini-games for massive wins.
Also see: Getting Started: The Top Casino Bonuses for Newcomers
How Slot Machine Symbol Combinations Translate to Payouts
Matching three or more consecutive symbols left to right on enabled paylines brings slot payouts. However, not all symbol combinations are created equal. Higher-value symbols like 7s, bars, and pictures tend to award larger payouts than lower-value card symbols when landing in winning combinations.
The biggest prizes come from aligning five wilds or the top-paying standard symbol, sometimes paying out the game’s full jackpot amount if the bet is maxed out. Yet, even two cherry or lemon symbols could yield a small win.
Ultimately, every game’s paytable outlines the payouts for each symbol combo, though landing sevens and BARs tend to pay better than most fruit or card symbols across slots.
Top-paying Slot Symbols
Here’s a table showcasing common types of top-paying symbols in online slot games, which are often the main attraction for players looking to score big wins.
| Symbol Type | Common Examples | Typical Role in Slots | Expected Payout Range |
| Main Character/Icon | Heroes, main characters from the theme | Highest payout, often triggers jackpots or high-value rewards | 500x to 1000x the line bet or higher |
| Wild Symbols | Wild text, gold coins, magic orbs | Substitutes for other symbols to form winning combinations, multiply wins | 100x to 300x the line bet |
| Scatter Symbols | Scattered stars, moons, special icons | Triggers bonus rounds, free spins or features regardless of paylines | 50x to 200x total bet |
| Themed High-value | Treasure chests, ancient artifacts | High-value based on the slot’s theme, less than main icons but higher than basics | 30x to 100x the line bet |
| Bonus Symbols | Keys, maps, special tickets | Unlocks game features like bonus games or special rounds | Bonus game or multipliers |
Also see: Are Online Casinos Truly Random? Investigating Fairness and RNGs
Tips to Improve Your Odds of Winning
While slot payouts come down to the randomness of a machine’s inner workings, players can employ strategies to boost their chances and gaming longevity. Here are tips to put the odds in your favor:
- Play max bet – Wagering on all paylines at the highest denomination accepts ensures unlocking the game’s full payout potential.
- Take advantage of bonuses – Keep an eye out for slots offering extra wilds, guaranteed wins, or additional bonus rounds as they provide more ways to win.
- Manage your money – Establish win/loss limits and avoid continually pumping coins into a cold machine hoping it will hit soon or chasing losses.
- Join a loyalty club – Signing up for member cards allows casinos to track play and offer rewards based on activity, including free play credits and comps.
While ultimately based on luck, there are some skill-based tips to stretch your slot bankroll. Remember to gamble responsibly and have fun!
Also see: How to Start Your Betty Boop Figurine Collection
Mastering the meanings behind slot symbols and how certain combinations pay out helps demystify these casino favorites. With strategic play, big payouts could be in the cards.
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