Sticky wilds are special symbols found on online slot games that stay locked in place for a set number of spins. Some will remain on the reel for just spins, while some video slot games remain for longer, sometimes for an entire free spins round. Once the feature is finished, the sticky wire will drop off the wheels.
You will find sticky wilds are available in the base game on video slot machines, while software providers include them more commonly within free spins bonuses or as part of a re-spins feature.
For example, if you trigger a free spin bonus and land a sticky wild early, it will stick to the reels for the remainder of the bonus round, giving you one position on the reel any regular symbol can use to form a paying combination win. Most video slots also allow multiple sticky wilds to accumulate during the free spins bonus game, which can create clusters of guaranteed payouts on every spin.
The strategic value of sticky wilds is that the longer they stay on the reels, the higher your chances of spinning in combination wins, as the wild symbol typically substitutes for any other regular symbol.
You’ll find sticky wilds in popular titles like NetEnt’s Dead or Alive 2, Play’n GO’s Sticky Joker, and Thunderkick’s Pink Elephants, all of which highlight how powerful this mechanic can be. If you want to compare it with other wild features, check out our guide on sticky vs. shifting wilds for a breakdown of the differences.
Want to test it for yourself? Browse sticky wilds slots and try one today.
Key takeaway: Sticky wilds stay on the reels for multiple spins, making bonus rounds more rewarding the longer they last.
