If you have no experience in playing slot games, that is totally fine. You don’t need any skill or knowledge to play this kind of game. The player input when playing slots comes down to choosing the bet size, the number of paylines, and hitting the “Spin” button.

To start playing, you simply need to find a reputable online casino with a decent collection of slot games. Typically, you can choose to play straight in your browser or download the casino client for convenience. Moreover, you don’t have to take out your credit card and make a deposit before you start spinning the reels. Generally, all casinos will offer you the chance to play demo versions of their games so you can decide which title you find the most appealing. Many online casinos also provide the option of playing real money slots, but if you would rather play them just for fun, that is fine, too. It is entirely your choice.

Every online casino features slots with Scatter and Wild symbols in their games library. Most online casinos offer a generous number of free spins to new players. However, they come with a set of requirements you must meet prior to making a withdrawal. The wagering requirements differ from casino to casino, but solid online casinos usually have a 30 times playthrough you have to fulfill in order to withdraw your winnings. What’s more, not every online casino will offer no-deposit bonuses for real money slots; you’ll need to scour the web to find one.

The First Ever Scatter Symbol in a Slot Game

When the first casino slot machines were introduced to the players, the original Scatter symbol was represented in the form of red cherries. Compared to modern Scatters, the first iteration of these special symbols was bare-bones. They didn’t unlock any wild, thrilling, and potentially lucrative bonus rounds. The main difference from regular symbols is that you only needed two cherries to receive a payout. That, and the fact that Scatters didn’t have to be on the same payline to make a winning combination.

Nowadays, developers are very innovative when it comes to creating ways for these symbols to be used. Most commonly, you’ll need to get three Scatters to activate the bonus features, which are unique to almost every scatter slot there is.

What Exactly Are Scatter Symbols?

Avid slot players describe Scatter symbols as their new best friend, responsible for helping them obtain amazing prizes.

There are two major ways to differentiate Scatters from regular symbols. First, they have a unique look, directly tied to the theme of the game itself. Secondly, when two out of three appear, the game will give you both visual and audio cues. This signals that you’re one symbol away from unlocking a special feature.

As we’ve mentioned, there are plenty of different takes on these bonus features. Casino software providers are constantly coming up with new and exciting ways to utilize Scatters and provide the players with an extra layer of fun.

So what you can do is browse through a casino’s library and check out the games in demo mode. That way, you can experience these special features firsthand, without putting any money on the line. Likewise, you’ll be certain that a specific game aligns with your preferences.

Usage of Scatter Symbols

Scatter symbols are a common feature in five-reel slot machines nowadays. In fact, Scatters have become so popular that you’ll find them in a good number of contemporary three-reel slots.

The name itself comes from the fact that Scatters, most commonly, don’t have to appear on the same payline. As long as three (in some cases — two) or more are present once the reels stop, you’re in luck! In other words, you don’t need to match them; they can be “scattered” anywhere on the reels.

Depending on the game itself, Scatters can reward you with free spins, multipliers, and a variety of mini-games. You can get anywhere from one to five Scatters in a single spin, with more symbols resulting in higher rewards.

As you can see, Scatters have evolved way past the original red cherries. Here’s a brief overview of the various types of features and bonuses they unlock:

Features Scatters Unlock

Free Spins — Most often, getting three or more Scatters will reward you with a certain number of free spins. The bet during the free spins is equal to the size of the bet of the spin which triggered the special feature. How many free spins you get depends on the slot itself and the number of Scatters you got.

Mini-Games — Video slots have one major advantage compared to slot machine games you’ll find in land-based casinos; you get to use the mouse. This gave software developers a lot more room to experiment and be creative with bonus features. So nowadays, Scatters unlock a myriad of different mini-games, from archery contests to picking voodoo items, which hide generous rewards.

Sticky Wilds — As exciting as free spins may be, players have gotten used to them. To spice things up, software developers have added even more special features during free play. For instance, one such feature are Sticky Wilds. Namely, once you activate the free spins, every Wild that appears on the reels stays there throughout all the spins you’ve won. Naturally, this makes it way easier to get those lucrative winning combinations.

Bonus Symbols — Another unique feature some games include are Bonus Symbols during free spins. Before the free games begin, the game determines one of the symbols to be the bonus. Whenever the reels land on that symbol, it will expand to fill the entire reel. So, for example, if you get the Bonus Symbol on the first three reels, they’ll expand to fill three-fifths of the slot. And you know what that means — BIG money!

Some Tips for Obtaining Bigger Rewards

You can find all the details regarding Scatters in the info table of the particular slot game you decide to play. There’s usually a “?” or “i” icon in the game’s menu. Once you click on it, a pop-up will appear with all the information you need about bonus features and the slot game in general. It’s good to know how many of these Scatter symbols you’ll need in order to get a big win or to activate bonus features.

The crucial information is that the scatter payout multiples your total bet rather than bet per payline. If you think about it, this is only logical since they don’t have to be on a payline to award the win. So if you are seeking larger scatter payouts, it is advised that you play all the paylines. Also, it can be tremendously beneficial if you choose slots that offer special features.

In order to win real money on slots online, you’ll need to have Lady Luck on your side. As we mentioned before, you don’t need any prior knowledge regarding slots; not even gaming skills. It is all random. Some people are surprised by how simple and fun playing slot games can be.

Real money slots for USA players can be found all over the web. That said, some casinos may prohibit American players from playing, so you’ll have to do some digging. Take your time to find a respectable U.S.-facing casino that offers Scatter slots you like, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy every second of your online gambling experience.