Wild symbols are among the most recognisable special symbols in online slots. In their simplest form, they substitute for other symbols to help create qualifying combinations, but modern slot developers have introduced many variations on the traditional Wild mechanic.
When exploring slots at NetBet Casino, you may come across standard Wilds, sticky Wilds, expanding Wilds, walking Wilds, stacked Wilds and multiplier Wilds. Some games even combine several types within the same feature.
Although these Wilds share some similarities, their exact behaviour depends on the individual slot. Checking the game’s paytable and information section is therefore important when learning how a particular Wild works.
What Is a Wild Symbol in an Online Slot?
A Wild is a special slot symbol that commonly substitutes for other regular paying symbols.
Imagine a game where three matching symbols are needed to create a qualifying combination. If two matching symbols and a Wild appear in the appropriate positions, the Wild may act as the missing third symbol.
However, Wilds do not necessarily substitute for every symbol. Scatter, bonus and other special symbols may be excluded, depending on the game’s rules.
Wilds can also have additional properties. Instead of simply replacing another symbol, they might expand across a reel, remain in place for several spins, move around the reel grid or apply a multiplier to a qualifying win.
How Do Wild Symbols Work?
Exactly how a Wild works depends on the slot and its winning system.
On a traditional payline slot, a Wild might substitute for another symbol to complete a combination along an active payline. In a ways-to-win game, Wilds may substitute for symbols appearing across consecutive reels.
Wilds can also appear in different parts of a game. Some are available during every base-game spin, while others are exclusive to free spins or another bonus feature.
A Wild appearing on the reels does not automatically result in a win. Its position and the other symbols must still satisfy the requirements for a qualifying combination.
What Are Standard Wilds?
Standard Wilds are the simplest version of the mechanic. They usually occupy a single position on the reel grid and substitute for eligible regular symbols.
For example, if a slot requires three matching symbols along a payline, a standard Wild could potentially complete the combination by replacing one of the missing matching symbols.
Standard Wilds may appear during regular spins, bonus rounds or both. Some games also give their Wild symbols their own payout values, although this varies between slots.
Because there is no universal rule for which symbols a Wild can replace, always check the game’s paytable for the exact conditions.
What Are Sticky Wilds?
Sticky Wilds are Wild symbols that remain fixed in their positions for longer than a single spin.
For example, a sticky Wild might land during a free spins feature and remain in the same position throughout several subsequent spins. This allows the same Wild to potentially contribute to multiple combinations during the feature.
However, “sticky” does not necessarily mean that the Wild remains in place for the entire bonus round. A sticky Wild might stay for one additional spin, several spins or until a particular feature ends.
Sticky Wilds are commonly associated with features that provide additional spins. If you’re unsure how those features differ, our guide to Free Spins vs Respins explains the distinction between receiving a sequence of free spins and having the reels or selected positions spin again.
What Are Expanding Wilds?
An expanding Wild starts in one position before growing to cover additional positions on the reels.
One common version expands vertically until the Wild covers an entire reel. This means a Wild that originally occupied one position can potentially become several Wild positions at once.
However, not every expanding Wild fills a complete reel. Some games use different expansion rules, while others only allow Wilds to expand during a particular feature.
Expanding Wilds should therefore be treated as a general category rather than a mechanic that works identically across every slot.
What Are Walking Wilds?
Walking Wilds move across the reel grid during a sequence of spins or respins.
A walking Wild might initially appear on one reel and then move one position to the left or right after each subsequent spin. The process can continue until the Wild reaches the edge of the grid or another game-specific condition is met.
In some games, the movement of a walking Wild can also trigger additional respins, allowing the Wild to remain involved in the action while it travels across the reels.
The direction, duration and movement rules depend on the slot, so the information section should explain exactly what happens once a walking Wild appears.
What Are Stacked Wilds?
Stacked Wilds involve several Wild symbols appearing directly above or below one another on the same reel.
Instead of occupying a single reel position, a stack can cover multiple positions simultaneously. In some games, stacked Wilds may fill most or all of a reel.
Although stacked and expanding Wilds can sometimes produce similar-looking results, the mechanics are different. A stacked Wild generally appears as a group of Wild symbols together, while an expanding Wild starts in one position and then grows according to the game’s rules.
Some slots also use stacked Wilds only during specific bonus features.
What Are Multiplier Wilds?
Multiplier Wilds combine the substitution properties of a Wild with a multiplier.
For example, a Wild might substitute for a regular symbol while also applying a 2x multiplier to a qualifying combination involving that Wild. Other games may offer different multiplier values or allow Wild multipliers to increase during a feature.
Multiple multiplier Wilds can sometimes appear together, but how their values interact varies between games. One slot might add multiplier values together, while another could use a different calculation.
Multiplier Wilds are just one example of how multipliers can be incorporated into modern games. Our guide to What are multipliers in online slots? looks more closely at the different types of slot multipliers, when they can appear and how they can affect qualifying payouts.
Can a Slot Have More Than One Type of Wild?
Yes. Slot developers can combine several Wild mechanics within the same game.
A slot might use standard Wilds during its base game before introducing sticky Wilds during free spins. Another could combine an expanding Wild with a multiplier, meaning the symbol covers additional positions while also carrying an extra modifier.
Wild behaviour can also change as a bonus progresses. A standard Wild might become sticky, gain a multiplier or expand under particular conditions.
This variety is why recognising a Wild symbol is only the first step. The game’s rules tell you what that particular Wild actually does.
How Do Wilds Work During Free Spins and Bonus Features?
Wilds frequently interact with other slot bonus mechanics.
During a free spins feature, for example, a game might introduce additional Wilds, make existing Wilds sticky or give Wild symbols increasing multipliers. Other slots reserve expanding or walking Wilds exclusively for their bonus rounds.
Wilds can also interact with scatters and other special symbols as part of a wider feature. If you want to understand how these different mechanics fit together, Slot Bonus Features: Free Spins, Scatters, Super Scatters & Bonus Games explains some of the most common features found in modern online slots and how they can be triggered.
Not every free spins or bonus feature includes enhanced Wilds, however. The mechanics available during a bonus depend entirely on the individual game.
How Do Wild Symbols Affect a Slot?
Wilds can change how winning combinations are formed by substituting for other symbols or adding mechanics such as multipliers, movement and expansion.
A sticky Wild can remain available across multiple spins, for example, while an expanding Wild can occupy several reel positions. Multiplier Wilds can modify qualifying payouts according to the rules of the game.
However, the presence of Wilds does not guarantee winning combinations, and a game with more Wild features should not automatically be considered more favourable.
Wild symbols are simply one part of a slot’s overall mathematical structure, alongside its RTP, volatility, paytable, reel layout and other features.
How to Check Wild Symbol Rules at NetBet Casino
When trying a new slot at NetBet Casino, open the paytable or game information section to see how its Wild symbols work.
Check which regular symbols the Wild can replace and whether scatters or bonus symbols are excluded. You can also see whether the Wild is available during the base game, bonus features or both.
For special Wilds, look for additional rules. Sticky Wilds may remain active for a specified period, walking Wilds may follow a particular route across the reels and multiplier Wilds may apply their values in different ways.
Understanding these rules before playing makes it much easier to recognise what happens when a Wild appears on the reels.
Wild Symbols FAQs
Do Wild symbols guarantee a win?
No. Wild symbols can substitute for eligible symbols and potentially help complete combinations, but the Wild and surrounding symbols must still meet the game’s requirements for a qualifying win.
Can Wilds replace scatter and bonus symbols?
Not always. Wilds commonly substitute for regular paying symbols, while scatters, bonus symbols and other special symbols may be excluded. Check the game’s paytable to see which symbols a particular Wild can replace.
What is the difference between sticky and expanding Wilds?
A sticky Wild remains in its position for a specified period, such as several spins or part of a bonus feature. An expanding Wild grows to cover additional reel positions. Some slots can combine several Wild properties within the same feature.
When you choose NetBet Casino, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality slots. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet Casino, player well-being is our number one priority – check out our Safer Gambling tips and tools page for more information.