Wild Symbol

A special reel symbol which can replace any other reel symbol to make up a combination.

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Wild symbols have the same effect on a slots game that a wild card or joker has in a card game. The wild symbol adds an extra level of unpredictability to a slot machine game. The symbol is generally used to fill out reel combinations that produce prizes, and they come in all kinds of different variations and game effects.

An expanding wild symbol is one which expands vertically throughout the reel it is on and substitutes for any other symbol on the reel -- though usually not scatter symbols. A dynamic wild symbol is similar to the expanding wild symbols, because it often substitutes in more than one reel placement.

It should be noted that games with wild symbols often have lower payouts per winning combination, since the pay out percentage needs to account for the more possible winning combinations. So wild symbol slot machines generally have more winning spins but smaller prize amounts per win. This may or may not affect the payout on the slot machine jackpot.