Back in the day slots used to be as simple as it gets. You spin the 3 reels, and if the same symbol hits on each reel you’ll get a payout. But as time progressed, so did slots. More reels, more symbols, special symbols, and the chance to further boost your payouts through multipliers. What are these multipliers, and how can you get them? The answer is actually more complicated than you might think, so let us take a look at the world of slot multiplier symbols, and how you can take advantage of them.
What are Multiplier Symbols?
Multiplier symbols are more or less what they sound like - namely symbols on the reels that can multiply your win by a set amount. With this in mind, let’s say that a multiplier of 2x is being applied to a payout worth $5. In this case you’ll receive $10, since 5 x 2 = 10. Simple right?
What happens if the same winning combination has more than one multiplier, or multiple multipliers if you will? That depends on the game in question. In some slots the values of the multipliers are added up, while in others these are multiplied with each other. Always confirm what happens in this case by either checking your slot’s About section or by reading detailed reviews of the game in question.
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The Different Types of Slot Multipliers
Slot multipliers come in a great variety of different forms. There are multiplier symbols of different types, as well as multipliers that can be activated through game features. Let’s take a look at these, but do note that some are more common than others!
Regular Multipliers
Perhaps the most common type of multiplier symbols, these are symbols that land on the reels together with the other paying symbols. If the spin results in a winning combination then the values of any multipliers on the reels are added up and the total applied to the resulting payout. The multipliers don’t need to make part of the winning multipliers and tend to be pretty rare on the reels.
Multiplier Wilds
Most of you will know what wilds are, but in case you’re not, here's a quick explanation - a wild can substitute for all paying symbols to complete winning combinations. Some games can add multipliers to their wilds, leading to multiplier wilds. Here the multiplier will only be applied to the payout of any paylines the wild that holds it is actually part.
In some games multiplier wilds make part of the base games, while in others these will only appear during a free spins round. In others the wilds might have a set limit to their multiplier (usually up to 5x) during regular spins, but it can be larger during the bonus round.
Multiplier Scatters
In the early days of slots, scatters were special symbols that would award you with a payout if landed anywhere on the reels. Later on the role of these symbols evolved, and nowadays scatters are generally associated with the bonus round. Land enough scatters (generally 3 or more) anywhere on the reels and you’ll receive a round of free spins! In some games the scatters will also have a multiplier which will be applied to a spin’s wins, making them dual-purpose symbols.
Bonus Round Multipliers
Some slots have an overall multiplier added to their bonus round. This will be applied to the total payout you manage to get during the feature. This multiplier can either be fixed or it can grow by landing special symbols or by retriggering the feature. Whichever the case, as mentioned the multiplier is generally only applied to the final win achieved at the end of the round.
Random Multipliers
Random multipliers are exactly what they sound like - a multiplier you can receive on any random spin. In this case no symbols are involved, as instead the multiplier is tied to a game mechanic or randomly triggered event.
Progressive Multipliers
Progressive multipliers grow by triggering a game feature, typically with no symbols involved. These are commonly found in Megaways or cluster slots with a cascade feature that removes winning symbols from the reels. Here the first cascade triggers the multiplier, which then grows by +1 or more with each consecutive cascade.
During regular spins the multiplier resets back to 1x with each spin, but in many slots the multiplier will persist during the bonus round. Regular spins might also have a limit on the value this multiplier can reach during paid spins, but this can be removed during the free spins.
Popular Slots with Multipliers
Curious about which games have a multiplier feature? We’ve found some of the most popular slots that include such a fun addition:
- Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt has a progressive multiplier tied to its cascade mechanic. Each consecutive cascade boosts the multiplier by +1. This can reach up to 5x during regular spins and up to 15x during the free spins feature.
- Bonanza is the game that popularised Big Time Gaming’s Megaways mechanic. This slot has a cascade mechanic and, during the free spins, this is tied to a multiplier mechanic. Better still there is no upper limit to how much this multiplier can reach!
- Aztec Gems is a 3-reel slot with an additional 4th reel that holds multipliers. Land a multiplier on this reel and it will boost that spin’s wins by up to 15x.
- Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Bonanza adds multiplier bombs to the free spins feature. These blow up to reveal multipliers that can be worth anything from 2x to up to 1,000x.
Multiply Your Fun with Multiplier Symbols!
Multipliers are a great way for developers to both enhance the fun and payout potential of their slots! Better still these multipliers can involve many different forms, from symbols that boost a win’s spins to wilds and even progressive features tied to cascades or wins. This is the kind of variety that will make you try different slots just to find out what features they include!
Of course, always remember that slots are ultimately games of chance, and the same goes for their multipliers. Just because a game has potentially unlimited multiplier potential it doesn't mean that you’ll ever get to experience massive wins - on the contrary. So always play slots for their entertainment value, not profit, and use a bankroll to manage your spending on these games. Have fun, but do so responsibly and with peace of mind.
