Scatter Symbol in Online Slots: a Complete Guide + Best Paying Slots

• Scatter symbol pays in any order most of the time. In other words, it can appear on any reel without any pattern (called payline) at all, unlike basically any other combinations that require some sequence and particular order (the majority of online slots pay from the left to the right). However, there are still some requirements on how many of such symbols you need to collect in order to form a paying combination. Usually, it takes three of them, but there are some slots that require only two.

• The main role of the Scatter symbol is to trigger so desirable Free spins. During this round, a casino player does not have to invest his/her own money to spin the reels.

• Scatter is one of the highest paying symbols on itself in addition to its role as a trigger of Free spins.

• During Free spin rounds that were activated by Scatter symbols, all acquired winnings are getting multiplied. Usually x2-x3, but higher numbers are not uncommon.

• The Wild Symbol cannot substitute for the Scatter symbol.

• Usually, the Scatter symbol is advertised to casino players by vivid animation and other visual effects, even when it has not formed a winning combination.

Scatter symbol vs Free Spins symbol

Those two are absolutely identical except for their names, obviously. Some casino software providers prefer to call them “Scatter”, others - “Free spins”. Though, I would say, “Scatter” is more prevalent.

How the Scatter symbol usually looks like

Scatter symbol is usually implemented in a very straightforward way so that you probably won’t confuse it with other symbols you can come across in online slots. So to speak, there are basically three ways how Scatter symbol may be depicted in different online slots:

1. Simple writing that says “Scatter” or “Free Spins”.

2. A picture plus writing that says “Scatter” or “Free Spins”.

3. Only a picture that serves as a Scatter symbol.

As you can see, only in 3d scenario a casino player is supposed to make little effort to learn what Scatter symbol is. In the other two cases, the Scatter symbol speaks for itself.

The last thing to mention here, some slot producers for some bizarre reasons depict Scatter as a Bonus game confusing people a lot by doing that, so keep it in mind.

How much Scatter symbol pays

As I have mentioned before, the Scatter symbol is, at least, among the highest paying symbols of an online slot. Also, it often has the same principle that other symbols have “the more of them you collect the higher your reward becomes”.

The reward translates into cash winning or Free spins, but most of the time, both of them.

I will show where to learn about paytable at the end of the article since the Scatter symbol can be implemented in many different ways depending on a particular online slot.

Types of Scatter symbols

In terms of what prize is:

• Free spins (results in free rounds only).

• Cash winning (results in some money prize and does not activate free spins).

• Free spins plus Cash winning (the most widespread type, I would say).

Does the amount of Scatter symbols you have managed to collect influence prize size or not:

• Does not increase the winning. For example, 3 Scatter symbols are needed to trigger 10 Free spins, but, let’s say, 4 Scatter symbols won’t result in more Free spin rounds.

• Increases the value of the winning. For example, 3 Scatter symbols trigger 10 Free spins, 4 Scatter symbols - 15 Free Spins, 5 Scatter symbols - 20 Free spins.

In terms of Multiplier:

• All winnings acquired during Free spins will be multiplied by some number (usually x2-x3).

• No multiplication will take place.

In terms of re-triggering:

• Scatter symbols can be hit during Free spins so that you can expect free rounds within free rounds (some slots allow it only once, but other slots have no limits).

• Scatter symbols do not work while Free spins round is active.

In terms of the order (pattern) required:

• The order of Scatter Symbols across the reels does not matter (the majority of the slots have that approach)

• Scatter symbols must be hit in some sequence (match payline pattern) and in some order (for example, from the left to the right)

Please notice, this is not final classification in any sense since software developers are rather creative combining different types of Scatter symbols with ease. However, I assume you have gotten some idea how diverse they are.

How often you can come across Scatter symbol in online slots

90% of the slots that you can find here go with the Scatter symbol feature. Based on that, I would say that the Scatter symbol can be found very often in video slot games. This is a rather predictable thing to happen since Scatter symbol, no question about that, makes any online slot much more thrilling to play in.

Where to find out about Scatter symbol in a particular slot

This information can be found very easily in the “Info” section of basically any online slot. Just click on the icon and scroll a few pages if it is not already on the first page.

Here you can find all the necessary information, including: how it looks, how much it pays, what multiplicator it has if any, how many free spins you will be granted.

Please keep in mind that in some slots the Scatter symbol is called “Free spins”.

Here is an example of how it might look like.

List of slots with Scatters

The Scatter symbol is one of the most popular symbols in video slots. Why? Simple, unlike the Wild symbol, the Scatter symbol doesn't even need to be on a line to form a winning combination. He can fall anywhere on the reel, thereby activating the payment. In addition, in some models, 3-5 collected Scatter symbols open up a bonus round and even a path to the jackpot. Let's take a look at the famous titles that include this symbol in their mechanics:

• Sweet Bonanza is one of the world's most popular video slots with a scatter symbol offering an x21,175 multiplier and an RTP of up to 96.49%

• Buffalo from Aristocrat is a video slot in which the symbol in question increases winnings and activates a bonus. The RTP reaches 94.85% and the multiplier is x300

• Rainbow Riches Race Day is a video slot with an Avalanche feature and 4-6 Scatters act as an activator for a unique bonus round. The Scatter has a special role to play in this game

-Mega Moolah. Yes, this legendary video slot also features this symbol. It paves the way for a Free Spins round of 15 spins

• Extra Juicy Megaways. As you head towards the top of the x5,000, you'll also encounter a Scatter symbol on your way. To get 12 Free Spins, you must collect 4 Scatter symbols. 5, 6 Scatters will award 16 and 20 Free Spins respectively. Each additional Scatter will result in a further 4 Free Spins

• Wolf Gold - Pragmatic Play has prepared players a maximum payout of x5,000, Scatter, which is the most valuable symbol, as well as activating a free spins round with a super multiplier

• Gonzo's Quest - and this popular video slot features a Scatter symbol. It helps lead the user to winnings of x3,750

• Book of Dead is a video slot with a free spins bonus round for 3 or more Scatter symbols, and a maximum payout of x5,000

• Dead or Alive 2 - model with 9 lines, multiplier x111,111, RTP 96.82% and Scatter symbol, capable of giving a round of free spins or increasing the balance of 2,500 times the value of the bet

• Sizzling Eggs from Wazdan is a slot machine that activates 10, 20 or 30 Free Spins for 3,4 or 5 Scatters.

As you can see, this symbol is loved by players because of its versatility. Not only does it help to create winning combinations without being bound to the lines, but it also activates bonus rounds. The second is known to be a very common payout.

How to play Scatter symbol slots

Once you have a video slot with a Scatter symbol in front of you, be sure to familiarise yourself with the paytable and the rules of the game. The second one explains which button is used for what. All slot machines that use this symbol, in one way or another, have common settings and functionality. Adjust your line bet or spin, set autoplay if you wish and spin the reels. Your goal is to win the maximum prize. Your task is to collect combinations of the highest paying symbols, as well as those that open access to the bonus game. Do not risk large sums at once. Try the first 10-20 spins and play for small amounts. This will be enough for you to appreciate the mechanics of the game and its payout abilities. If at least something in the process confuses you, it's better to choose a different title.

How to win playing slots with Scatter symbols

Often for newcomers, playing video slots seems like something complicated. In fact, it makes no sense. Knowing the value of each symbol makes the playing session a lot easier. To do this, each model has a payout table. Opening it, you can not only know the value of the characters, and the technical characteristics of the name, but also find out what the prize options are built into the mechanics. Simply put, you'll understand what you can expect from the video slot. More often than not, the paytable is hidden either under the "i" button, under the "Paytable" or in the menu.

One of the most valuable symbols in video slots remains the Scatter symbol. It has several functions. Firstly, it is a valuable symbol, forming a payout instead of a losing symbol. It can be placed anywhere on the reel. Second, by collecting 3 or more Scatter symbols you can open access to bonuses. Most often it is a round of free spins, but you can also find a model in which a combination of these takes the user into the bonus round with a large multiplier. The latter two features are mostly present in titles with 5, 6 and 7 reels.

Unfortunately, no one, even for huge sums of money, can describe the player's actions that contribute to the maximum payout. That's because modern slot machines are based on RNG. This is a special and unique program. It gives out random symbols on the screen. And, the higher their value when forming a combination, the greater the amount awaits the player. Each time you spin the reels, evaluate your finances, avoid risking large sums and choose slots with a higher RTP. I should also note that the latter should not always be an obstacle. Think of the legendary Mega Moolah video slot, which has a lower than normal payout rate at most online casinos. This does not prevent players from winning large sums of money all the time.

Conclusion

Summing up, Scatter symbol has become an inherent part of so many online slots, and there is a good reason for that. It brings to the table so much fun, making the gaming experience much more exciting since literally every online casino player loves Free spins mode, especially when it has a multiplier.

One thing to keep in mind, Scatter symbol may be implemented in some different ways, and it would be very reasonable of you to learn about it in a particular online slot you are planning to play in.

Online Slots with Scatter Symbol