Written by: Jasmin Williams | The review was last updated: 03 July 2024 | Fact-check by: Kim Birch
Kiwi guide to wild symbols in online pokies and classic games
There's nothing quite like the thrill of spinning the reels on a pokie, whether it's online or at your local pub.
Pokies are the main drawcard at any gambling spot. With just a tap or click, you can win massive jackpots on these games. Their straightforward gameplay is why punters can't get enough of them. You'd be hard-pressed to find a casino or TAB without these money-makers.
When pokies first hit the scene, they were pretty basic and only paid out for a few special combos. These days, they're packed with Bonus Features that make for a more exciting and potentially lucrative experience.
One of the most popular gameplay additions is the Wild symbol. We'll break down how these Wilds work and the different types you might come across during your spins. Just remember, Wilds are different from scatter symbols, which we've covered in another article.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
The number 7 is the Wild symbol in the Joker Rush free pokie
Wilds are special symbols you'll spot on the reels of heaps of free pokies.
Most pokies use a standard payline system for wins, where you score a payout by lining up matching symbols. For instance, if a pokie needs 3 matching symbols for a win, and you only get 2, you're out of luck. But chuck a Wild in there, and it'll stand in for that third symbol to make a winning combo.
Wilds can lead to some massive wins. In some pokies, these Wilds even pay out on their own. So they're not just filling in for other symbols, but also dishing out wins when you line them up. Usually, Wild symbols offer the biggest payouts of the lot. In some games, landing enough Wilds can trigger special bonus rounds. You might even score extra rewards for hitting a certain number of Wilds.
With all these special features, Wild symbols are pretty crucial. Keep your eyes peeled for them. Your pokie session can really take off if you manage to land enough Wilds in the right spots.
Since Wilds are key players in the game, they often have a standout look. They might be themed characters, important objects, or just the word WILD in flashy text.
Kiwi Kash: A prime example of wilds and scatter symbols
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Regular Wild symbols are the most common symbols you'll spot on the reels, and they're a staple in nearly every pokie game these days. These symbols stand in for all the regular game symbols, boosting your chances of a win. Often, they're also the highest-paying symbols in the game.
Some pokies have Wild symbols that only show up on certain reels, not all of them. This means you might land winning combos using just Wild symbols. For instance, in some games, you'll find Wilds only on reels 1, 3, and 5, or just on 3, 4, and 5. This feature is pretty common in modern pokies.
Wilds can also pop up as long strips on the reels, potentially filling an entire reel of 3 or 4 rows with Wild symbols. When Wilds stack up like this, you might get 1 or more reels completely Wild, really upping your chances of a win.
Some games mix stacked Wilds with stacked regular symbols. In rare cases, you might even fill the whole screen with nothing but Wilds. That's when things get really exciting, with some massive payouts possible.
Certain Wild symbols can grow to cover all the spots on a particular reel. This might happen on specific reels or across the lot. Sometimes, expanding Wilds can even spread sideways, adding an interesting twist to the game.
You're more likely to see this expanding feature during a bonus round like free spins rather than in the main game.
Some Wild symbols stay put for a while after landing on the grid - we call these "sticky wilds". Often, when a Free Spins round kicks off, these Wilds stick around, and by the last few spins, you might have loads of Wild symbols on screen, really ramping up your chances of a big win.
This bonus comes in different flavours. Sometimes Sticky Wilds hang about for just one spin, other times they stick around for longer.
Sticky Wild example from one of BETO's free pokies
These special Wild symbols transform nearby symbols into Wilds. Some burst to convert others, while some spark fires. These changes can happen diagonally too.
As pokies evolve, we're seeing new and interesting features. Moving Wilds is a cracker where Wild symbols shift across the grid as you spin. They keep moving until they reach the last row or reel, then vanish. You might hear this called the Walking Wilds feature.
Sometimes the pokie picks a random symbol when the bonus round kicks off, and this becomes an extra Wild symbol. Some games have a set symbol that acts as Wild, while others choose a new one each round.
Like pokies themselves, Wild symbols are always changing. Game designers are coming up with new ways to add Wilds to the action. Sometimes they just pop up on the reels like normal symbols. Other times, you'll see flash animations that bring these Wilds onto the grid. Picture a massive mummy turning random symbols into Wilds, or an athlete chucking Wilds onto the grid from off-screen.
These Wild symbols are top-notch features that boost your winnings when they help form a winning combo. They can multiply your prize in the main game, bonus round, or both.
Check out the Book of Rampage pokie to see these Multiplier Wilds in action.
Keep an eye on BETO for more info on new pokie features like these Wilds.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free game
Book Of Rampage Pokie - Put Your Wild Symbol Smarts to the Test
In pokies with multiple win-lines, Wilds pack a serious punch.
1. Picture a pokie with 10 paylines. A Wild on the first reel could be part of up to 4 paylines, depending on where it lands.
2. Now, take a 5x3 pokie with 30 paylines. A Wild on reel one could feature in 12 different paylines. Bump that up to a 50-payline pokie, and you're looking at even more possibilities.
When you're dealing with stacked Wilds, Sticky Wilds, or just heaps of Wilds across the grid, crank up those active paylines.
More active paylines mean better odds of scoring winning combos, as those Wild symbols will have the biggest impact.
Playing all-ways titles? A single Wild on the grid will double your potential winning combos. Imagine hitting a win on all 5 reels, with matching symbols anywhere.
For instance, a Wild on reel four gives you 2 paths to win - one through the regular symbol, one through the Wild. Chuck another Wild in there, and you've got 4 different winning paths.
So next time you're on an all-ways pokie and spot Wilds on the grid, get ready. You might be in for some serious winnings.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
These days, heaps of pokies are churned out by top-notch gaming studios, giving punters a massive selection to choose from. Pop into any decent online casino and you'll find stacks of games with different themes, bonus features, layouts, and ways to win.
With massive progressive jackpots up for grabs, you could be in for some seriously good payouts. Plus, clever new winning systems like cluster pays offer fresh ways to score some coin.
The Wild symbol is a key feature you'll spot in pretty much every pokie, so it's worth getting your head around how it works and the different twists it can have.
We reckon this article's given you a good rundown on Wilds. If you want to gen up on other cool bonus features, check out more at BETO.com.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Wild symbols are game-changers in pokies, boosting your chances of a win. These special icons step in for regular symbols, making it a breeze to hit those winning combos.
Wild symbols pop up on the reels just like any other symbol - there's no magic trick to make them show up. That said, in some pokies, you might see more Wilds during bonus Free Spins rounds. It's all part of the game's design to keep things interesting for punters.
Pokies are always coming out with new types of Wild bonuses. You'll often see things like Stacked Wilds, Moving Wilds, Reel-specific Wilds, Expanding Wilds, Contagious Wilds, and Sticky Wilds. These features keep the games fresh and exciting for punters.
Wild symbols are a staple in most pokies these days. You'll find them in pretty much every game at any decent online casino. Just make sure you're playing at a reputable site and you're sorted.
Absolutely! At BETO, you can test out heaps of different pokies without spending a cent. It's a great way to get your head around all the unique and clever Wild features on offer.
BETO Pokies | Tower Business Centre, 2nd floor | Swatar BKR 4013 | Malta | +356 2144 2245
Copyright 1999 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.