How Wild Symbols Work
When a wild lands on the reels, the game treats it as whichever symbol would complete the best winning combination. It "fills the gap" in a combination that would otherwise fall short.
Example: On a payline, you land King, King, Wild, King, Five. The wild substitutes for a King, giving you four Kings on the line instead of two.
A single wild can also complete more than one win at the same time. On a ways or payline game, a wild on the middle reel might connect Kings on one line and Queens on another, contributing to both wins.
The Rules That Usually Apply
Every game sets its own rules, which you can find in the paytable. In most games:
- Wilds substitute for all standard paying symbols.
- Wilds do not substitute for scatter or bonus symbols, so they cannot help trigger features, unless the rules say otherwise.
- The highest possible win is paid. If a wild could complete several different combinations on the same line, the game usually pays the most valuable one.
- Wilds may pay on their own. Some games include a payout for lines made up entirely of wilds. In others, wilds have no value of their own.
- Wilds may only appear on certain reels. For example, some games place wilds only on reels two, three and four.
Types of Wild Symbols
Standard Wilds
The simplest form. A standard wild lands in a single position and substitutes for other symbols on that spin only.
Stacked Wilds
Stacked wilds appear in groups that cover several positions on a reel at once, sometimes the whole reel. A full stack of wilds can connect wins across many paylines.
Expanding Wilds
When an expanding wild lands, it grows to cover the entire reel, turning every position on that reel into a wild. Starburst is a well-known example: its wilds expand across the middle reels and award a respin.
Sticky Wilds
Sticky wilds stay in place for a set number of spins, or for the rest of a feature, while the other reels spin around them. They are especially common in free spins rounds, where wilds can build up over several spins.
Walking Wilds
Walking (or moving) wilds shift one position, usually one reel to the left or right, after each spin, often triggering a free respin each time until they move off the grid.
Multiplier Wilds
Multiplier wilds substitute for other symbols and also multiply any win they help to complete, for example by two or three times. If two multiplier wilds are part of the same win, the multipliers may be added together or multiplied, depending on the game. See Slot Multipliers Explained.
Random or Added Wilds
Some games randomly add extra wilds to the reels during a spin, often as a surprise base-game feature. These can turn an ordinary spin into a larger win.
Wild Reels
Some features turn entire reels wild at once, either at random or during a bonus round.
Symbols That Act as Both Wild and Scatter
In a few games, the same symbol acts as both wild and scatter. In Book of Dead, for example, the Book symbol substitutes for other symbols and also triggers free spins.
Wilds in Different Win Systems
- Payline games: wilds complete combinations along each active line. See Slot Paylines Explained.
- Ways to win games: a wild on any position of a reel can connect matching symbols on the reels either side. See Ways to Win Slots Explained.
- Megaways games: wilds often appear on the horizontal reel above the main grid. See Megaways Slots Explained.
- Cluster pays games: a wild can join a cluster, and sometimes connect two separate groups into one larger cluster. See Cluster Pays Explained.
Wilds, RTP and Volatility
Wilds can feel like a gift, but they are built into the game's design and its RTP from the start. A game with frequent wilds may pay smaller symbol values to balance them out, while a game with rare but powerful wilds, such as large multiplier wilds, usually has higher volatility.
Like every other outcome, whether a wild lands is decided by the random number generator.
Common Misconceptions About Wilds
"Wilds make a game more generous."
Not on their own. Wilds are part of how a game returns its RTP. A game with lots of wilds is not necessarily more generous than one with few.
"A wild landing means a big win is coming."
No. Each spin is independent. A wild on one spin says nothing about the next. See Pokies Myths Explained.
"Wilds can always trigger bonus features."
Usually not. In most games, wilds do not substitute for scatter or bonus symbols. Check the paytable to be sure.
Playing Responsibly
Wild features are designed to be exciting, but they do not change the house edge. Set a budget and time limit before you play, and stop when you reach them. Our guides on setting gambling limits and recognising gambling harm explain practical steps, and Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.