Scatter Symbols » What Are They | How do They Work ?

Discover what Scatter Symbols are and what role they play in an online slot game.

Scatter Symbols

Scatter symbols appear in almost all modern slots, apart perhaps from a few retro or fruit-themed slots or in some 3 reel, 1 payline games. In most cases, slot games pay according to lines or ways, from the left reel all the way across. Scatter symbols, however, break out of this paradigm. They are all about having the correct number of them appearing on any reel instead of landing on a pay line or connecting reels.

Depending on the game you’re playing, they can pay from landing on 3, 4, or 5 reels at the same time. Sometimes their appearance can lead to a bonus round, such as free spins, or if you land a certain number, they can trigger a mini-game.

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Scatter symbols in some slots could have their own independent payout in addition to triggering a feature. These payouts are, in most cases, the highest available amount that the slot will pay. These are known as Scatter pays. Check the paytable of the game to see if your chosen slot has scatter pays.

Another function of scatter symbols are that they can award jackpots. These jackpots could be fixed such as Mini, Minor, Major and Grand Jackpots that many slots have, or they could be progressive jackpots.

How do scatter symbols work?

Again, the rules will differ from one game to another. Often you will find that you need to land a minimum amount of scatters on the same spin round to activate a bonus round. They can have several functions depending on the game. In most instances, scatters are the highest-paying symbols in slots.

Scatters are presumably the most important symbols in gambling. Players need to know what their advantages and disadvantages are.

Pros

  • The payouts from landing scatters such as money symbols are usually tallied together when they land in conjunction with a scatter symbol.
  • Scatter symbols usually trigger bonus features that increase the chances of a big payout, such as free spins or other bonus games.
  • Scatter symbols can have additional features such as being wild, this will let them substitute for other symbols in addition to their primary function.

Cons

  • Players should avoid machines, where scatters, have to line up in a certain way to trigger a bonus round, as these are usually very hard to obtain.
  • Sometimes the prize chain is broken up by scatter symbols robbing you of increased multipliers or prizes.
  • Some scatter symbols that trigger features might be very hard to hit, having you chase losses.

FAQs

A scatter win or pay is a reward for landing a certain number of scatter symbols on the reels. The scatter symbols usually have the highest payout in a game when you land enough of them.

Scatter symbols are special symbols that provide some kind of bonus when you land a number of them anywhere on the reels, which differs from other symbols which have to land in a particular sequence.

The rules on how scatter symbols are applied vary from game to game. Study the paytable to find out what the scatter symbols trigger in the slot you play.

Scatter symbols do exactly as the name suggests, scatter about as freely as they can. When they are triggered, they can land on any of the reels.

No, they do not. Although most modern slots have scatters, not all of them do. The exception is mostly with retro or vintage-themed slots.

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Chris GrandCasino & Games Reviewer

As a content writer specializing in iGaming, my goal is to keep players informed about the latest industry trends and game releases. I also strive to deliver honest and insightful content that adds value to players' experience.