Wilds and scatters are the two most important special symbols in modern slots. Knowing what each does makes any game easier to follow.
Wild symbols
A wild substitutes for other symbols to help complete a winning combination — much like a joker in cards. Some wilds also carry multipliers, expand to fill a reel, or stay in place across spins.
Scatter symbols
Scatters pay or trigger features regardless of where they land, rather than needing to line up on a payline. Landing a set number of scatters commonly launches the free spins round.
Why they matter
Most of a slot's biggest wins come from these symbols working together — for example, wilds landing during a scatter-triggered bonus. The paytable explains exactly how each behaves in that specific game.
What to remember
Wild and scatter behaviour differs from slot to slot, so never assume. A quick look at the paytable tells you whether wilds expand, whether scatters pay cash, and how many you need to trigger the feature.