Scatter symbols, also referred to as simply scatters, on video slots can land anywhere on the reels and trigger either a multiplier win, a feature such as free spins or re-spins or both. You may also see scatter symbols referred to as a bonus symbol.
Unlike regular symbols, scatters don’t need to line up on pay lines or on adjacent reels to trigger a win or feature.
- How scatter symbols work with free spins: You may see an online slot that says if you land 3, 4, or 5 scatters, you will win 10, 15 or 20 free spins, respectively.
- Scatter Free Spins Retriggers: On some video slot games, during free spins features, if you land another 3, 4, or 5 scatters anywhere in view on the reels, the free spins can re-trigger.
- Scatter Multipliers: The slot’s paytable may display multipliers, for example, win 1x, 20x, 50x or 200x your spin bet when 2, 3, 4, or 5 scatters land in any position on the reels
- Additional Spins: For each scatter that lands on the reels during the free spins bonus game, you’ll be awarded +1 free spin.
One point tonight is that scatters are not always available during a free spins bonus game; occasionally, some video slot developers will exclude the scatter from the feature.
As for spotting a scatter symbol, usually you will see them as the main character of a slot, or they will literally be as obvious as having the words ‘SCATTER’, ‘BONUS’, or ‘FREE SPINS’ written across them.
The symbol has become so popular that it is now a real mechanic for some video slot titles. These slot games are known as ‘Pay Anywhere’, which are also referred to as ‘Scatter Pays’ video slots.
Key Takeaway: Scatter can trigger bonus games where you can land big wins and also earn a multiplier of your spin bet. They also help to earn you extra free spins.
