Slot Machine Symbols: History, Meaning, and Winning Tips

On this page, we’ll look at the symbols on a slot machine, working out what they are, why they’re used, and much more.

Why Slot Machine Symbols Matter

Quite simply, the symbols on a slot machine matter because without them, it is impossible to tell if a spin is a winning one! If you were unable to line up identical symbols on a line, what exactly would the goal of the game be? Slot machine symbols are integral to gameplay – without them, there would be no slot machines, either online or offline.

Slot machine symbols are also essential for a game’s aesthetics. Simple symbols contribute towards a game that looks and feels easier to play, while theme-specific symbols only enhance the theme in question.

Finally, some slot symbols link today’s modern games to the original titles. For example, the fruits you regularly see on reels nowadays were present when slots first came to prominence. They’ve been a constant throughout the evolution of slots, making the transition from simple slots to today’s more modern games much easier for players.

The History of Slot Machine Symbols

So, where did slot machines start? The first slot, the Liberty Bell, was invented by Charles Fey in 1894. It featured three reels and a single payline, plus payouts were automatic.

In terms of symbols, it featured the famous Liberty Bell, which is still commonly seen at slot machines today. It also used other classic slot machine symbols, such as playing card values and horseshoes – also symbols still widely seen. As you can see, classic slot machine symbols owe much to Charles Fey and his Victorian invention.

The next evolution in slot machine symbols came with fruit being added. Instead of offering cash prizes, companies started offering prizes of chewing gum. The fruits on the reels were used to denote which gum flavor the player won. The BAR symbol also became common in the early 1900s, as it was the logo of the Bell-Fruit Company, a popular game manufacturer of the time.

Another of the most common slot machine symbols is the 7, which has been used for decades. The reasoning behind the use of this symbol is simple: 7 is seen as lucky in many cultures, and who wouldn’t want lucky slot machine symbols spinning around when they play?

Nowadays, all kinds of slot machine symbols are used – the only limit is the developer’s imagination! So, you’ll find everything from animals to historical figures and aliens to pets spinning on the reels. And they undoubtedly help increase the attractiveness and enjoyment of the slots they’re attached to.

Types of Slot Machine Symbols

Slot machine symbols typically match the game’s theme, although lower-paying symbols might be more generic – for example, it’s not uncommon for fruit or playing card values to be used as low-paying symbols at online slots.

But looking further than the graphics, each slot machine symbol means something for the game. Most are regular symbols, but some have special features attached to them. Let’s check out the various symbol types below:

Symbol Type	What Does It Do?
Regular	Most slot machine symbols don’t have a special feature attached. These regular symbols simply need to be lined up on a payline to award a win.
Wild	The wild symbol can substitute for regular symbols to help create winning combinations. It can also sometimes come stacked or be sticky, meaning it stays stuck to the reels for a number of spins.
Multiplier	Some symbols – often wild symbols – have multipliers attached. When part of a winning combination, they add their multiplier to the prize, usually significantly increasing it.
Scatter	Scatter symbols don’t need to line up on a payline to award a prize. Instead, you just need to get a set number anywhere on the reels to win. Getting enough scatters also often starts a bonus feature, like free spins.
Bonus	Many slots also have bonus symbols. These are used to activate the game’s bonus, often by landing a set number on the reels.

Exploring Themes in Slot Machine Symbols

You’ll find a giant range of themes at online slots, supported by slot machine symbols matching the theme perfectly. For example, some of the themes you might find include:

• Classic
• Superheroes
• Ancient Egypt
• Space
• Ancient Greece
• Animals
• Exploration

But in truth, almost everything can be a slot theme – and it probably already has, as you’ll find tens of thousands of slots online!

Technology and Slot Machine Symbols

We’ve looked at the aesthetics and meanings behind slot machines, but what decides when they’ll appear? The more cynical among you might think that the casino controls which symbols land, to prevent most players from winning. However, this isn’t the case. Instead, the symbols that appear are controlled by random number generators.

Random number generators are complex algorithms built into each online slot. To put it in the most simplistic way, every time you hit the spin button, the algorithm produces a random number. This then dictates which symbols land. The casino has no control over the number produced. Also, these RNGs are regularly checked by independent third parties to ensure they’re genuinely fair.

So, next time the symbols don’t land kindly for you, don’t think there’s some kind of conspiracy. Instead, just accept that the symbols that landed were randomly decided on.

Winning with Slot Machine Symbols

So, how do you win with symbols on a slot machine? Well, when it comes to regular symbols, there are two ways:

• Paylines: Most slots have set paylines. These are paths across the reels. Line up enough symbols on one of these paths, usually starting from the first reel, and you’ll win a prize. The more symbols you line up, the more you win.
• Ways to Win: Other slots have ways to win. With these slot types, there are no paylines. Instead, to win, you need to land identical symbols on consecutive reels – it doesn’t matter where they land on each reel. Slots of this type generally have more winning combinations than slots with paylines.

The scatter is the only symbol that doesn’t need to land on a payline or way to win. Land enough of these anywhere, and you’ll win a prize and/or start a feature.

But how do you know which symbols do what before you start playing? The answer lies in the pay table. This tells you all about the different symbols, including any special features attached to them, plus provides detailed instructions on how to play any bonus games. We recommend always looking at the pay table before spinning the reels of any slot.

Fun Facts About Slot Machine Symbols

• The biggest slot ever made is called Super Big Bertha. Despite being extravagantly large, it still uses classic slot machine symbols like BARs and sevens.
• The first video slot, which featured symbols on a screen and not on physical reels, was produced in 1976.
• In some parts of the world, slots are known as fruit machines, thanks to the fruit symbols often found spinning around on them.

Slot Symbols: The Hidden Heroes of Slot Machines

As you can see, the symbols on a slot machine are integral – without them, there wouldn’t be slots. They dictate almost everything that happens on a spin, from whether you win a prize to whether you start free spins or another bonus feature.

It used to be the case that most slots had similar symbols – fruit, playing card suits, and the like – but that’s now all changed. While you will see classic slot machine symbols on many slots, they’re joined by a vast range of other symbols, often specially designed to match the game’s theme. You’ll find a huge range of slot machine symbols used in the games here at Slotomania – why not start playing them today to find out more?

FAQs

What are the symbols on a slot machine?

The symbols on a slot machine all have specific roles. Most need to be lined up on paylines alongside other identical symbols to win prizes, but there are also special symbols. These include wilds, which substitute for other symbols, and scatters, which don’t have to land on a payline to award a prize. Always check the paytable before spinning the reels of a slot to ensure you understand what each symbol does.

How many symbols are on a slot machine?

This depends on the game. Before video slots, there were only a few symbols on the reels, as there wasn’t enough physical space for more. But with video and online slots, the number of symbols on the reels is unlimited.