Scatter Symbols in Slots: Definition, Types, Benefits, and Strategies to Play

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9th December 2024 Fruityking

What Are Scatter Symbols in Online Slots?

This guide answers two crucial questions: what are scatter symbols, and why are they significant in online slot gameplay? 

Experienced slot players pay close attention to scatter symbols as they’re the key to the highest wins via fun and exciting bonus rounds. 

Let’s explore scatter symbols in slots and reveal the top-rated slot machine games with scatters to play at Fruity King. 

What Are Scatter Symbols? 

This special slot symbol is your gateway to the bonus round. You trigger the bonus round in many slots if three or more scatters appear anywhere on a base game spin. 

The bonus round could be a free spins round, offering 10+ reel spins without requiring a stake, or a special re-spins round where only special symbols can land. Some slots also use scatters as the gateway to pick-a-win and jackpot rounds. 

The scatter symbol may also be the top-paying symbol in the slot, offering 100x or similar for three in view, but this isn’t always the case. 

Why is it Called a “Scatter”?  

This symbol is called a scatter because it doesn’t need to land in any specific formation to trigger the bonus round. Provided three or more appear on any base game spin, the symbol can be scattered across the grid in any pattern for access to the bonus round. 

This contrasts with the regular pay symbols, which must land in a specific pattern or on a designated line in the base game for you to receive a payout. 

What Do Scatter Symbols Look Like? 

Scatter symbols aren’t uniform and differ from one slot to another. For instance, in Gates of Olympus, the symbol is Zeus, while in Big Bass Bonanza, the scatter is a leaping fish with a hook in its mouth. 

Some scatter symbols have the word “SCATTER” written on them, which is undoubtedly helpful for identifying them. Other times, you must check the slot’s paytable to see which symbol is designated as the scatter for the upcoming game, and how many you need in view to activate the bonus. 

At Fruity King, we publish complete game descriptions for our top slots, so you can easily read about the scatter and find out what it looks like before spinning the reels. 

Triggering the Bonus Round: How Do Scatter Symbols Work 

The role of a scatter symbol in a slot is straightforward. When a specific number of scatters land in view (often three or more) in any position on the grid, you will gain access to the bonus round. 

In most slots, the more scatters appear, the more free spins you will land. You might also receive a multiplier payout for three or more scatters in view. 

Let’s take the scatters in Pragmatic Play’s 2025 release, Waves of Poseidon, as an example, to show you precisely how they work. 

The scatter in this game is the ancient Greek temple. You must land four or more scatters on the grid to trigger the bonus round, with the following number of spins awarded for each symbol: 

• Four scatters = 10 free spins 
• Five scatters = 15 free spins 
• Six scatters = 20 free spins 

In Waves of Poseidon, the scatter symbol doesn’t offer a payout. However, an additional bonus symbol may appear in the free spins round to add multipliers to your wins, while a tumble mechanic triggers each time a winning combination lands. 

Do All Slots Have Scatter Symbols? 

Scatter symbols don’t appear in every slot game. Classic slots with limited bonus features don’t typically include scatters, focusing instead on basic slot machine gameplay. But a game with a free spins or re-spins bonus round will almost certainly have a scatter symbol. 

It’s essential to check the paytable and read the game rules before spinning a slot so you know what to expect. You’ll be disappointed if you keep waiting for a scatter symbol to appear, only to find the game doesn’t have one. 

Other Special Symbols in Slots 

Scatters aren’t the only special symbols in slot machine games. You’ll also encounter the following special symbols: 

• Wild symbols: The wild plays a different role from the scatter. When it lands on the grid, it can substitute for all regular symbols to help you form winning combinations. However, in some games, the scatter symbol can also be the wild symbol with a dual role, which can initially be a little confusing. 

• Multiplier symbols: Some slots have multiplier symbols, which land on the reels with a number attached. This number multiplies all payouts respectively, so a 2x multiplier doubles your wins. In some games, the multiplier symbol gets progressively higher each time a winning combination lands. 

• Cash/Collect symbols: Some slots have a cash collect bonus game distinct from the free spins round. The Big Bass series is a classic example, with the fish and fisherman serving as the cash and collect symbols, respectively. Pay attention to these symbols, as they offer instant payouts when they land. 

• Jackpot symbols: In jackpot slots, a special symbol may appear to give you a chance of winning the game’s biggest prize. The jackpot symbol might only land during the bonus round or via a special feature, so read the game rules to know what to look for. 

The Best Slots with Scatters at Fruity King 

Now that you know what scatter symbols are, it’s time to introduce you to the best slots with scatters and bonus features at Fruity King: 

Club Tropicana Happy Hour 

• Developer: Pragmatic Play 
• Scatter symbol: Cocktails 
• Bonus trigger: 3x scatters = 10 free spins 

Pragmatic’s Club Tropicana Happy Hour is a feel-good slot with a mixologist by the side of the grid. At least three scatters trigger the bonus round, offering 10+ free spins. During the bonus, random modifiers can activate, adding more spins, offering higher-value symbols, and adding a progressive multiplier for higher payouts. 

Rise of Cleopatra 

• Developer: Red Tiger
• Scatter symbol: Pyramid 
• Bonus trigger: 3x scatters = 8 free spins 

In Red Tiger’s feature-rich Rise of Cleopatra, the pyramid scatter is just one of several special features, alongside the mega wild and multiplier symbol. When three or more pyramid scatters land anywhere on the reels, you’ll receive at least eight free spins with a higher chance of triggering the game’s other special features. 

Pray for Three 

• Developer: Hacksaw Gaming 
• Scatter symbol: FS 
• Bonus trigger: 3x scatters = 10 Wicked Ways free spins; 4x scatters = 10x Living on a Prayer free spins; 5x scatters = 10x Flames of Fortune free spins

The FS scatter in Hacksaw’s Pray for Three slot triggers three unique bonus rounds with modifiers and huge win potential, up to 13,333x your bet. As in all Hacksaw Gaming slots, several other features can be triggered, including the Wheel of Sin for huge multiplier payouts. 

Very Fruitful!!! 

• Developer: Skywind Group 
• Scatter symbol: Fruit tree 
• Bonus trigger: 3x scatters = 15 free spins 

Skywind’s Very Fruitful!!! slot is a fruit-themed masterpiece at Fruity King, with a superb stacked wild re-spin game and a bonus round triggered by free scatters. You will get 15 free spins if three fruit tree scatters land in view, with a stacked wild symbol in play on each spin. 

Rex Stampede 

• Developer: ELK Studios 
• Scatter symbol: Dinosaur skull 
• Bonus trigger: 3x scatters = 6 free spins 

The dinosaur skull is the scatter symbol in Rex Stampede by ELK Studios. Three in view awards six free spins, while five scatters bring 18 free spins. You can retrigger the bonus round with subsequent scatters during free spins. The game’s max prize of 25,000x the bet is winnable via the free spins bonus round. 

Recap: What Are Scatter Symbols? 

So, what are scatter symbols, and why are they a crucial element of slot gameplay? A scatter is a special symbol that triggers the slot’s bonus round, giving you a chance of winning the game’s highest payouts. 

We encourage you to read the game’s rules before playing a slot machine, as this reveals how many scatters need to land for you to gain access to the bonus round. Finally, when playing slots, please gamble responsibly. Visit our Play Safe Hub for more details. 

Why Play Slots at Fruity King? 

Fruity King is the UK’s juiciest online casino with over 1,000 top slots from Red Tiger, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, NetEnt, Hacksaw, and other award-winning studios. 

You’ll find scatter-rich slots with free spins rounds, re-spins, and huge jackpot prizes, offering lots of winning potential as you spin the reels. 

Sign up today for a Fruity King account and unlock a welcome bonus for extra cash and free spins. Terms and conditions apply.