Pragmatic Play Slots Guide to Special Symbol Features Key Takeaways
Pragmatic Play is one of the most popular slot providers in the world, and their games are known for creative special symbols that keep players engaged.
- Wild symbols substitute for other symbols to complete winning combinations — the Pragmatic Play Slots Guide to Special Symbol Features explains how expanding and sticky wilds work.
- Scatters unlock free spins and bonus rounds without needing to land on a payline.
- Multiplier symbols can boost your winnings by up to 100x or more during feature rounds.
What Makes This Pragmatic Play Slots Guide to Special Symbol Features Different
Pragmatic Play is one of the most popular slot providers in the world, and their games are known for creative special symbols that keep players engaged. Unlike generic slot guides, this one focuses specifically on Pragmatic Play’s mechanics — from the classic Wolf Gold to the mega-popular Gates of Olympus. You will learn not just what each symbol does, but how to recognize patterns and use them to your advantage.
Wild Symbols in Pragmatic Play Slots: The Foundation of Big Wins
Wilds are the most common special symbol, but Pragmatic Play adds unique twists. In Sweet Bonanza, the wild appears only during free spins and substitutes for any paying symbol. In The Dog House, sticky wilds lock in place for the duration of the feature, dramatically increasing your hit frequency.
Expanding Wilds vs. Stacked Wilds
Expanding wilds stretch to cover an entire reel, which can create multiple winning lines at once. Stacked wilds appear as a block of wild symbols on one reel. Games like Great Rhino Megaways use stacked wilds to help trigger the avalanche feature. Both types can lead to substantial payouts during bonus rounds.
Sticky Wilds and Walking Wilds
Sticky wilds remain in place for a set number of spins, often during free spins features. Mustang Gold is a prime example, where sticky wilds stay on the reels for the entire free spins round. Walking wilds move one reel to the left or right with each spin, as seen in Chilli Heat. Knowing which type you are playing can help you adjust your bet strategy.
Scatter Symbols and Free Spins: Unlocking the Best Features
Scatters are the key to free spins in almost every Pragmatic Play slot. Unlike regular symbols, scatters do not need to land on a payline — they count anywhere on the reels. Landing three or more scatters typically triggers the bonus round. In Gates of Olympus, four scatters award 15 free spins, and the multiplier symbols can stack up to 500x.
Scatter Pays vs. Scatter Triggers
Some Pragmatic Play slots use scatters as both triggers and pay symbols. In John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen, landing three scatters pays a small win plus awards 10 free spins. Other games, like Fruit Party, use scatters only to activate the feature. Always check the paytable before you spin so you know exactly what each scatter does. For a related guide, see PG Slots Guide to Bonus Rounds and Special Symbols.
Multiplier Symbols: How to Maximize Every Spin
Multipliers amplify your winnings by a set factor, and Pragmatic Play integrates them in creative ways. In Big Bass Bonanza, fish symbols carry random multipliers up to 10x during the free spins round. In Release the Kraken 2, a Kraken multiplier can apply a 2x, 3x, or 5x boost to your total win. These symbols often appear during feature rounds rather than the base game, so triggering the bonus is a top priority. For a related guide, see 7 Sweet Bonanza Features Players Love.
Progressive Multipliers in Megaways Slots
Some Megaways titles from Pragmatic Play, such as Great Rhino Megaways, include progressive multipliers that increase with each cascading win. The multiplier resets after a non-winning spin, adding a layer of timing to your gameplay. Chaining multiple wins in a row can lead to huge payouts from a single spin.
Bonus Symbols and Their Unique Roles
Bonus symbols are special icons that trigger mini-games or additional features separate from free spins. In Wolf Gold, the money symbol is a bonus symbol that appears on reels 1, 2, and 3. Collecting six money symbols triggers the Money Respin feature, where you spin for fixed jackpots. Pragmatic Play often blends bonus symbols with progressive jackpots to keep the excitement high.
Money Symbols and Jackpot Features
Money symbols display a coin value or a jackpot label. In Fire Strike, landing three fire symbols on the middle three reels awards the Fire Strike Respin feature, where all fire symbols lock in place and the remaining positions spin for more fire symbols. This is one of the most popular bonus mechanics in Pragmatic Play slots because it combines multiple small wins with a chance at the Grand Jackpot.
Practical Tips for Playing Pragmatic Play Slots
Knowing the symbols is only half the battle. To get the most out of your session, follow these five proven tips based on this Pragmatic Play Slots Guide to Special Symbol Features.
Tip 1: Always Check the Paytable
The paytable shows you exactly how wilds, scatters, and multipliers behave in the specific game you are playing. Many players skip this step and miss crucial details like minimum scatter count or maximum multiplier values.
Tip 2: Focus on Volatility and RTP
High-volatility slots like Gates of Olympus tend to pay big but infrequently. Low-volatility slots like Sweet Bonanza pay smaller wins more often. Match the volatility to your bankroll and playing style.
Tip 3: Use Free Demo Play to Practice
Pragmatic Play offers free demo versions of almost all their slots. Use these to test different bet sizes and learn how the special symbols interact without risking real money.
Tip 4: Look for Buy Feature Availability
Some Pragmatic Play slots allow you to buy the bonus round directly. In Gates of Olympus, you can purchase free spins for 100x your bet. This is useful if you want to skip the base game and get straight to the feature with multipliers and scatter pays.
Tip 5: Manage Your Bet Based on Feature Potential
If the slot has sticky wilds or progressive multipliers, consider increasing your bet slightly once you trigger the feature. A higher bet during free spins can multiply your winnings more significantly.
Summary of Key Takeaways
Special symbols are what separate average slot sessions from memorable wins. Wilds create more combinations, scatters unlock the best features, multipliers supercharge your payouts, and bonus symbols offer jackpot opportunities. Use this Pragmatic Play Slots Guide to Special Symbol Features as your reference the next time you spin a Pragmatic Play slot. Understand each symbol’s role, practice in demo mode, and always check the paytable.
Useful Resources
For more details on game rules and RTP, visit the official Pragmatic Play website to explore their full game library: Pragmatic Play official site.
For community discussions and player reviews of Pragmatic Play slots, check out the AskGamblers forum: AskGamblers player reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pragmatic Play Slots Guide to Special Symbol Features
What is a wild symbol in Pragmatic Play slots?
A wild symbol substitutes for all regular symbols to help create winning combinations. Some wilds also expand, stick, or walk during feature rounds.
What does a scatter symbol do?
Scatter symbols trigger free spins or bonus rounds when they land in any position on the reels. They often do not need to hit a specific payline.
Can multipliers appear in the base game?
In most Pragmatic Play slots, multipliers appear during free spins or bonus rounds. A few games include multipliers in the base game, but it is less common. For a related guide, see Free Slots No Download With Bonus Features.
What are bonus symbols in Pragmatic Play slots?
Bonus symbols trigger special mini-games or jackpot features, such as the Money Respin feature in Wolf Gold. They are separate from scatter symbols.
How do I trigger free spins in Gates of Olympus?
Landing four or more scatter symbols (the golden orb) triggers 15 free spins. Three scatters may also trigger the feature, depending on the game version.
What is a sticky wild?
A sticky wild remains in place on the reels for multiple spins during a feature round, increasing your chances of consecutive wins.
Do Pragmatic Play slots have jackpot symbols?
Yes, some slots like Wolf Gold and Fire Strike include money symbols that can trigger fixed jackpots (Mini, Major, or Grand) during the Money Respin feature.
What is a walking wild?
A walking wild moves one position to the left or right with each spin, often extending its presence across multiple spins.
Can I buy the bonus in Pragmatic Play slots?
Many Pragmatic Play slots offer a Buy Feature option that lets you purchase the bonus round for a set multiple of your bet (usually 100x).
Are Pragmatic Play slots fair?
Yes, Pragmatic Play uses certified Random Number Generators (RNG) and is regularly audited by independent testing agencies like Gaming Laboratories International (GLI).
What is the RTP of Pragmatic Play slots?
RTP varies by game, typically ranging from 94% to 96.5%. Always check the individual game’s paytable for the exact RTP version you are playing.
How do I know which symbol is the wild?
The paytable clearly labels the wild symbol. It often has a distinctive design, like a golden W in Gates of Olympus or a dog in The Dog House.
What is the difference between a wild and a scatter?
Wilds substitute for other symbols to form wins. Scatters trigger bonus features and usually do not substitute for other symbols.
Do multipliers stack in Pragmatic Play slots?
Yes, in many games like Gates of Olympus, multiple multiplier symbols can land and multiply each other, leading to huge combined multipliers.
What is a Megaways slot?
Megaways is a dynamic reel mechanic that changes the number of symbols per reel, creating hundreds of thousands of ways to win. Pragmatic Play licenses this mechanic for titles like Great Rhino Megaways.
Can I play Pragmatic Play slots for free?
Yes, most online casinos that offer Pragmatic Play games also have a free demo mode so you can practice without depositing real money.
What is the Money Respin feature?
A feature in games like Wolf Gold where money symbols lock in place, and you spin the remaining reels for a chance to fill the screen and win jackpots.
How do I find the RTP of a Pragmatic Play slot?
Open the game’s paytable or information screen. RTP is usually listed at the bottom. You can also check the Pragmatic Play website for official numbers.
Are special symbols like wilds and scatters in every Pragmatic Play slot?
Most Pragmatic Play slots include at least wilds and scatters. Multipliers and bonus symbols are common but not universal.
What does it mean if a wild is expanding?
An expanding wild covers the entire reel it lands on, increasing the number of winning combinations significantly.