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Popular Slots symbols explained

Over the course of more than a century now, slot machines have gone through a lot of different designs. There are more slot game variants than ever before, with a range of themes that stretch from mythology to popular culture TV shows or films.

The symbols that appear on the reels of a slot game are one of the most important elements of the overall game design, as they are the central focal point for players. While the specific combination of symbols you see on any given game when you play online Slots at Livescore are different, there are still some common ones that are fun to learn about. These symbols represent the history of slot machines which begins during the Gold Rush in 1891. Let’s take a look.

The classic Slots symbols

Bells

The bell symbol dates back to the father of all modern slot machines, the Liberty Bell. Designed by Charles Fey in 1895, this was one of the first and most popular slot games that went on to popularise the format across the US.

Charles Fey is universally regarded as the inventor of the slot machine which he perfected in the basement of his apartment building in Berkeley. Originally called the Card Bell, Fey’s machine had playing card symbols on its three reels at first, but a year later Fey changed the symbols to include stars and bells and renamed the machine the Liberty Bell. Three bells in a row produced the biggest payoff, ten nickels (50¢).

Fruit symbols

These aren’t the oldest Slots symbols, but fruits are some of the most commonly recognised slot machine symbols. Fruits like cherries, lemons, oranges and plums have decorated the reels of slot games since the start of the 20th century, so it’s no surprise that you still see them a lot.

The earliest uses of fruit symbols were actually related to gum. A version of the Liberty Bell gave out winnings in the form of fruit-flavoured chewing gums. Pictures of the flavours were used as symbols on the three reels instead of what were then traditional stars and bells. Today’s slot machines often feature the popular cherry and melon symbols derived from those early machines. The BAR symbol now common in slot machines was originally derived from an early logo of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company.

Card suits

Three of the four playing card suits appeared on the reels of the Liberty Bell slot machine, with only clubs being left out. Playing cards remain a common choice for slot game symbols, with kings, queens, and jacks featured in many games.

This tradition goes back to the earliest slot game design. In 1891, Sittman and Pitt developed the Card Machine, which had five drums with 50 card faces based on poker. Players would insert a nickel and pull a lever to spin the drums. Since there was no mechanical payout system, prizes were determined by the local establishment.

Special Slots symbols

Wilds

A broader category of symbols, Wilds appear on a lot of modern Slot designs. These can take any form but are used to substitute for any other regular symbol on the reels, increasing the potential for winning combinations.

Scatters

Another twist on the modern slot game formula are scatter symbols, which again vary in look depending on the wider game design. Scatters have the ability to unlock additional features in a game, such as an extra spin or a mini game, which adds greater variety to the overall gameplay experience.

The Top Ten

Now that we’ve learned a bit of history, it’s no surprise to see what the top ten most common slot machine symbols are:

1. Cherries: Often used in classic slot machines, cherries are a symbol that usually represents a small payout.
2. Bars: This symbol often comes in single, double, and triple variations and is a staple of many slot machines.
3. Sevens: The number seven is commonly associated with luck and is a high-value symbol in many slot games.
4. Bells: Inspired by the Liberty Bell slot machine, bells are a classic symbol representing higher payouts.
5. Fruits: Various fruits like lemons, oranges, plums, and watermelons are frequently used, especially in traditional slots.
6. Wild: The Wild symbol substitutes for other symbols to help form winning combinations and is common in modern slot machines.
7. Scatter: This symbol can trigger bonus rounds, free spins, or other special features, regardless of its position on the reels.
8. Diamonds: Often representing higher-value payouts, diamonds are used in both classic and modern slot games.
9. Playing Card Symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10): These symbols are commonly used in many slots, often representing lower payouts.
10. Stars: Stars are sometimes used as a special symbol, either triggering bonuses or providing other benefits in a game.

 

There are plenty of other common Slots symbols you’ll find out there, it’s impossible to cover them all when there are so many different slot games. But having a handle on some of the most common symbols in use will help make it simpler to understand different designs.