What Are Sticky Wilds?

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Article by Andy Potts
Stiky wilds
Last Updated: Apr 2nd, 2024 Share On Your Network:

Wild symbols have become an essential element in today's favorite slots, having transformed dramatically throughout the years. These wilds now come in a wide range of configurations, each designed to spice up both standard and bonus spins.

Sticky wilds, also known as frozen or locked wilds, stand out as some of the most potent symbols for boosting your winning chances wherever they land. Just like the name implies, they cling to the reels, maximizing your opportunities for rapid, high-value winnings by sticking around.

Slots that feature sticky wilds often provide a higher chance for players to trigger key bonus rounds, such as free spins or jackpot cash-outs. free spins In our quick tour of sticky wilds, we’ll break down how they function and guide you to amazing games featuring these wilds at the best venues. recommended online casinos today.

What Are Wilds in Pokies?

Wild symbols in slots can be likened to jokers in a deck of cards; they replace almost any other symbol to form paying combinations with ease. Typically, the only symbol exempt from this substitution is the game’s scatter.

When top-tier developers like Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech incorporated wilds into their games, it completely changed how players could achieve wins more efficiently. Suddenly, securing desired combinations became nearly effortless as wilds appeared on the reels, multiplying wins with each spin.

Observing the popularity boost, software developers began innovating with wild symbols. Among these innovations, sticky wilds emerged as a revolutionary variation, quickly becoming featured in high-demand slots.

Sticky wilds enhance the core function of a wild by adding depth to it. Their adhesive nature provides steadier wins each spin since, unlike regular wilds, they remain throughout subsequent spins. This consistency makes it easier for other symbols to line up for even more frequent wins.

Some all-time favorite slots with sticky wilds include fan-favorites such as Starburst, Narcos, Sticky Bandits, among many others.

How Do Sticky Wilds Work?

Sticky wilds operate by maintaining their position on the reels during the next spin. When playing such slots, you’ll observe either the falling or spinning away of other symbols, while the sticky wilds remain anchored, allowing new symbols to occupy available spaces.

The appearance of sticky wilds within a game largely depends on the design. Some slots reserve these stickies for bonus or free spins rounds, where their ability to elongate free spins can greatly amplify winning potential.

Certain sticky wild games give players the perk of encountering these symbols during the base game. This feature immensely aids in reaching bonus rounds sooner and can cause stickies from the base game to carry over into bonuses.

Sticky wilds aren’t just a one-hit wonder, as they come in various thrilling types found across popular online slots:

  • Expanding sticky wilds: These innovative wilds stay in place and extend to turn entire reels wild.
  • Multiplier sticky wilds: These wilds expand and multiply wins with a preset factor.
  • Random sticky wilds: Unpredictably appearing on the reels.
  • Walking sticky wilds: These remain visible, moving one spin at a time horizontally across reels.

Best Pokies with Sticky Wilds

Dive into our detailed reviews of top sticky wild slot machines available at our recommended new online casinos, Bitcoin casinos, and beyond. mobile casinos

Each slot with sticky wilds reviewed here brings a unique variety of sticky wild mechanics, coupled with stunning graphics, compelling bonus rounds, and much more.

Showcase some of the highly-rated, in-demand online pokies with Sticky Wilds, including hits like Narcos and Starburst. Examine their distinct features, gameplay mechanics, and bonuses.

1

Narcos

Following the global success of Netflix's crime thriller about drug lord Pablo Escobar, NetEnt rolled out Narcos. This game borrowed heavily from the series, featuring its artistic style, visuals, and plot.

Narcos presents 243 winning ways over its five reels with an RTP of approximately 96.23%, delivering a rich blend of striking visuals and sound, recreating the intense atmosphere of the renowned storyline. Walking sticky wilds, symbolized by the police badge, form numerous winning combinations during the free spins bonus.

2

Sticky Bandits: Wild Return

Sticky Bandits: Wild Return, crafted by Quickspin, immerses you in a vintage Wild West theme with 40 paylines across five reels and a standard RTP of 96.28%. With low-to-medium volatility, the game frequently yields wins in the base mode and features two bonus rounds - Quick Slots and Lucky Shot.

The game’s distinct style includes a 5x4 reel layout, diverging from the traditional 5x3, further elevated by massive Bandit Symbols which can act as sticky wilds, significantly boosting winnings in bonus stages.

3

Starburst

One of NetEnt's standout pokies since its 2012 debut, Starburst has attained iconic status over the years. It's a visual spectacle, perfect for those seeking glamour with seamless gameplay.

Starburst features an RTP of 96.09% and pays in both directions, meaning wins come from either left or right. Despite the absence of bonus rounds or free spins, the Starburst Wild takes center stage when it lands on reels 2, 3, or 4. This expanding sticky wild transforms entire reels, potentially triggering respins and boosting win totals substantially.

4

Book of the Dead

Released by Play'n GO in 2016, Book of the Dead transports players to an archaeological expedition inspired by blockbuster tales like Indiana Jones. It boasts a RTP of around 96.21%, with an intriguing Gamble feature and a free spins bonus.

The Gamble feature emerges after every win, enabling players to amplify their earnings by predicting the color or suit of a subsequent card.

Though a high-stakes gamble, this option offers the chance to quadruple rewards or lose everything, including base wins. The free spins are activated with three or more book symbols, awarding ten spins, during which a random symbol turns into a sticky expanding wild.

In Conclusion - Why Opt for Sticky Wilds Slots?

Slots offering sticky wilds provide excellent chances to quickly build up wins, often effortlessly. This rings especially true when numerous sticky wilds manifest on reels during a bonus game, holding their positions throughout the bonus.

Think of sticky wilds as turbochargers for win potential in bonus rounds. The excitement compounds even more with expanding sticky wilds overtaking an entire reel.

Watching an entire reel become a sticky wild is exhilarating, matched only by the surge in your winnings. Check out our comprehensive reviews to find the best casinos offering sticky wilds, ensuring thrilling play on both desktop and mobile.

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