Online Slots: The Scatter Symbol
Many online slots have a specific symbol on the reels known as the “Scatter” symbol. Video slots, especially bonus video slots, are notorious for their scatter symbols, awarding special bonus features that can be extremely lucrative.
No matter where you’re from, or how you play online slots, you can take advantage of slot machines with scatter symbols. Whether you’re in the United Kingdom or the United States, playing download casino software or instant-play Mac casinos, you should have easy access to hundreds of online slots with scatters.
About Scatters
The Scatter symbol got its name from the way it awards bonuses. Unlike all other winning combinations, the scatter symbols do not have to appear on the same pay-line to be beneficial to the player. So long as at least 3 scatters appear anywhere on the reels, a bonus is triggered.
The scatter symbol is usually represented with an icon that is closely related to the theme of the online slot machine. For example, in a beach themed slot, the scatter might be a surfer riding an ocean wave, or a sand castle.
Free Bonus Spins from Scatters
The most common advantage of scatter symbols in online slots is free bonus spins. Hitting 3 scatters anywhere on the reels will usually trigger a series of these free spins. You are first notified that the free spins are about to start, stating how many free spins you get. Clicking the spin button will instantly start the series of automatic spins. The free spins will continue until all have been played through, without the player needing to press any buttons.
The number of free spins you receive will depend on the online slot machine you are playing, with 10 or 15 free spins being pretty standard. As the spins are automatically played, you will instantly receive any payouts on winning combinations achieved during the bonus spins. The payouts will be based on the bet size and pay-lines activated on the previous spin that activated the free spins. If you only activated 5 of 15 pay-lines, only those 5 will be active during the free spin phase.
Most online slots will allow you to win even more free spins during a free spin bonus. If you get 2 or more scatters on the reels during the free spin bonus, you will trigger another free spin bonus to be automatically played once the first set of free spins is over.
Another major benefit of scatters is that they will multiply your winnings throughout the free spin bonus stage. The height of multiplied winnings will be based on how many scatters appeared on the reels to trigger the bonus. For example, 3 scatters might award 3x payouts; 4 scatters, 4x payouts; 5 scatters, 5x payouts.
My Thoughts on Playing Slots with Scatter Symbols
I have personally played a great number of slot machines, both at live casinos and online casinos. I’ve experienced a lot of different types of slot machines, from classic reel slots to bonus video slots. I cannot speak for anyone else, but for me, slot machines with scatter symbols have been extremely rewarding, and certainly the most exciting slots I’ve ever played. There’s nothing quite like watching those scatter symbols fall, and the free spins rack up impressive coinage!
