What symbols are the pros paying attention to
Introduction
Experienced players rate the slot not only by RTP and volatility, but also by character set. Each element - from simple icons to special wilds and scatters - affects the frequency and magnitude of winnings. Knowledge of their mechanics allows you to understand the potential of the machine in advance and build a more conscious strategy.
Basic Character Categories
1. Regular (low and high paid)
Low-pay (most often cards A, K, Q, J, 10): form small winnings, maintain the balance of the session.
High-pay (thematic symbols): give basic payments in the basic game.
What the pros are looking at: the ratio of high-pay payments to low-pay. If the difference is large, the slot will depend on rare combinations of top characters.
2. Wild (Wilds)
Replace other characters and help close lines.
Some slots carry additional multipliers.
In progressive mechanics (for example, Sticky Wilds, Expanding Wilds), the outcome of the bonus round is determined.
Why they matter: Wilds directly affect the chance to assemble a large combination and can multiply the payment.
3. Scatter (Scatters)
Usually activate bonus games or freespins.
Often paid regardless of lines.
What the pros are looking at: the frequency of scatters and what proportion of RTP they form. In slots where up to 50% of returns are concentrated in bonuses, scatters are a key symbol.
4. Bonus-symbols
In some games, they differ from scatters and open separate mechanics (Hold & Win, bonus wheels, etc.).
Often it is these symbols that determine the "cunning" nature of the machine: it is almost impossible to win big without them.
5. Multipliers
Increase the combination payout or the entire spin win.
The most important elements in slots like Gates of Olympus or Sugar Rush, where it is the multipliers that determine the size of the skid.
Pro focus: probability of occurrence and maximum value of multipliers.
6. Special characters with unique mechanics
Mystery (mysterious characters that expand into others).
Split/Colossal/Mega-symbols (occupy several cells and form supercombinations).
Collect symbols (in the Big Bass Bonanza series, they collect amounts and form a win).
Why are important: it is these elements that make the slot "non-standard" and set its volatility.
What professionals analyze
1. The weight of the characters in the total payout.
If the top characters give> 30% of the expected RTP, the slot will be "nervous" - rare hits decide everything.
If RTP is evenly distributed between scatters, wilds and base characters, the game is more stable.
2. Role of wilds and scatters.
In slots where wilds expand or stick, they become the main source of large drifts.
In slots with rare but valuable scatters, players expect a bonus as a key event.
3. Synergy of symbols.
For example, in Money Train 4, not only bonus symbols are important, but also collectors, resetters and multipliers working together.
In Book of Dead, the choice of an expanding character in freespins is decisive.
4. Maximum symbol potential.
Professionals evaluate which symbol is able to "close the screen" or bring x1000 +.
It is this factor that determines whether the slot has a chance of a really big skid.
Examples of popular symbols in AU casinos
Book of Dead (Play 'n GO): book (Scatter + Wild at the same time) is a key element, without it the slot is almost never opened.
Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play): Zeus with multipliers is a symbol that defines the entire slot economy.
Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play): fisherman (collector) + fish (sum symbols) - the bundle that forms the main RTP.
Wanted Dead or a Wild (NoLimit City): VS Wilds with multipliers - they are the ones who skid tens of thousands of x.
Symbol-based player strategy
1. Examine the paytable. Understand which characters are key and how much RTP they give.
2. Look at the mechanics of wilds. Sticky, Expanding or Multiplying Wilds can dramatically change the result.
3. Rate bonus symbols. If bonuses are rare, and RTP is focused on them, you need a big bankroll or a strategy for buying bonuses.
4. Play consciously. Understanding the role of symbols allows you to adequately assess risks and not expect a "miracle" from each spin.
Conclusions
Symbols are not just graphics, but key elements of slot economics.
Professionals look at which symbols form RTP and how payments are distributed.
Wilds, scatters and multipliers almost always determine the fate of drifts.
A player who understands the mechanics of symbols gets an objective idea of the volatility, chances and real benefits of the slot.
Do you want me to draw up a table with symbols of popular slots (Book of Dead, Gates of Olympus, Big Bass Bonanza, etc.), which will indicate which symbol is the main one for payments?
Experienced players rate the slot not only by RTP and volatility, but also by character set. Each element - from simple icons to special wilds and scatters - affects the frequency and magnitude of winnings. Knowledge of their mechanics allows you to understand the potential of the machine in advance and build a more conscious strategy.
Basic Character Categories
1. Regular (low and high paid)
Low-pay (most often cards A, K, Q, J, 10): form small winnings, maintain the balance of the session.
High-pay (thematic symbols): give basic payments in the basic game.
What the pros are looking at: the ratio of high-pay payments to low-pay. If the difference is large, the slot will depend on rare combinations of top characters.
2. Wild (Wilds)
Replace other characters and help close lines.
Some slots carry additional multipliers.
In progressive mechanics (for example, Sticky Wilds, Expanding Wilds), the outcome of the bonus round is determined.
Why they matter: Wilds directly affect the chance to assemble a large combination and can multiply the payment.
3. Scatter (Scatters)
Usually activate bonus games or freespins.
Often paid regardless of lines.
What the pros are looking at: the frequency of scatters and what proportion of RTP they form. In slots where up to 50% of returns are concentrated in bonuses, scatters are a key symbol.
4. Bonus-symbols
In some games, they differ from scatters and open separate mechanics (Hold & Win, bonus wheels, etc.).
Often it is these symbols that determine the "cunning" nature of the machine: it is almost impossible to win big without them.
5. Multipliers
Increase the combination payout or the entire spin win.
The most important elements in slots like Gates of Olympus or Sugar Rush, where it is the multipliers that determine the size of the skid.
Pro focus: probability of occurrence and maximum value of multipliers.
6. Special characters with unique mechanics
Mystery (mysterious characters that expand into others).
Split/Colossal/Mega-symbols (occupy several cells and form supercombinations).
Collect symbols (in the Big Bass Bonanza series, they collect amounts and form a win).
Why are important: it is these elements that make the slot "non-standard" and set its volatility.
What professionals analyze
1. The weight of the characters in the total payout.
If the top characters give> 30% of the expected RTP, the slot will be "nervous" - rare hits decide everything.
If RTP is evenly distributed between scatters, wilds and base characters, the game is more stable.
2. Role of wilds and scatters.
In slots where wilds expand or stick, they become the main source of large drifts.
In slots with rare but valuable scatters, players expect a bonus as a key event.
3. Synergy of symbols.
For example, in Money Train 4, not only bonus symbols are important, but also collectors, resetters and multipliers working together.
In Book of Dead, the choice of an expanding character in freespins is decisive.
4. Maximum symbol potential.
Professionals evaluate which symbol is able to "close the screen" or bring x1000 +.
It is this factor that determines whether the slot has a chance of a really big skid.
Examples of popular symbols in AU casinos
Book of Dead (Play 'n GO): book (Scatter + Wild at the same time) is a key element, without it the slot is almost never opened.
Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play): Zeus with multipliers is a symbol that defines the entire slot economy.
Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play): fisherman (collector) + fish (sum symbols) - the bundle that forms the main RTP.
Wanted Dead or a Wild (NoLimit City): VS Wilds with multipliers - they are the ones who skid tens of thousands of x.
Symbol-based player strategy
1. Examine the paytable. Understand which characters are key and how much RTP they give.
2. Look at the mechanics of wilds. Sticky, Expanding or Multiplying Wilds can dramatically change the result.
3. Rate bonus symbols. If bonuses are rare, and RTP is focused on them, you need a big bankroll or a strategy for buying bonuses.
4. Play consciously. Understanding the role of symbols allows you to adequately assess risks and not expect a "miracle" from each spin.
Conclusions
Symbols are not just graphics, but key elements of slot economics.
Professionals look at which symbols form RTP and how payments are distributed.
Wilds, scatters and multipliers almost always determine the fate of drifts.
A player who understands the mechanics of symbols gets an objective idea of the volatility, chances and real benefits of the slot.
Do you want me to draw up a table with symbols of popular slots (Book of Dead, Gates of Olympus, Big Bass Bonanza, etc.), which will indicate which symbol is the main one for payments?
