How Sticky Wilds Work
In the world of online slots, a Wild symbol acts like a joker in a deck of cards, substituting for other symbols (except Scatters) to help create winning combinations. Sticky Wilds take this a step further. When a Sticky Wild appears on the reels, it “sticks” in place for a set number of spins, which varies depending on the game. This gives you more chances to hit winning combinations as the Sticky Wild stays put.
Sticky Wilds can be triggered in a few different ways. They might appear randomly, you might need to land a special symbol to activate them, or they might be a key part of the free spin rounds. They can also disappear in different ways, sticking around for a set number of spins or until a particular feature ends.
Types of Sticky Wilds
Expanding Sticky Wilds: These wilds can expand to cover more positions on the reels, or even an entire reel, maximizing your winning potential. Imagine hitting an Expanding Sticky Wild and watching it stretch across the reels, increasing your chances of hitting a big win!
Sticky Wilds with Multipliers: Some Sticky Wilds come with multipliers that boost the payout of any winning combination they’re part of. This means your winnings could be doubled, tripled, or even more, depending on the multiplier.
Random/Extra Sticky Wilds: Certain slots throw in additional random Sticky Wilds during gameplay, adding an element of surprise and potentially leading to bigger wins. It’s always a thrill when an unexpected Sticky Wild pops up and helps you land a winning combination.
Walking Sticky Wilds: These wilds “walk” across the reels with each spin, giving you continuous chances to win until they move off the screen. For example, in NetEnt’s Narcos slot, Walking Wilds shift to the next reel with every win during the free spins rounds, creating a dynamic and exciting experience.
Special Features with Sticky Wilds
Sticky Collection Respin Feature: In some games, like Spinberry Wilds, when wilds land on the grid during free spins, they lock in place and award a respin on top of the free spins. This gives you even more chances to win with those Sticky Wilds in place.
Tumbles Feature: Some slots, like Pragmatic Play’s Sticky Bees, have a “Tumbles” feature where winning symbols disappear and new symbols drop down, potentially creating more winning combinations. When combined with Sticky Wilds, this can lead to a chain reaction of wins.
Cluster Pays: Sticky Wilds can also be used in conjunction with “cluster pays,” where you win by landing clusters of matching symbols, as seen in Sticky Bees. This adds another dimension to the gameplay and creates more ways to win.
Why Sticky Wilds Are Popular
Increased Winning Chances: The most obvious reason is that they boost your chances of hitting winning combinations. By staying in place for multiple spins, Sticky Wilds provide more opportunities to complete those winning lines.
Added Excitement: The anticipation of seeing those Sticky Wilds hold their position and potentially contribute to consecutive wins adds a thrill to the gameplay. This creates a more immersive and exciting gaming experience, giving players a sense of anticipation and control as they watch the reels spin.
Bonus Features: Sticky Wilds are often integrated with other bonus features, such as free spins and multipliers, creating a more rewarding and engaging gaming experience.
Variety and Innovation: The different types of Sticky Wilds and their unique features keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.
Strategic Gameplay: Understanding how Sticky Wilds work in a particular game can enhance your gaming experience. By reviewing the game’s paytable and rules, you can learn how the Sticky Wilds operate and plan your bets accordingly. For example, knowing whether Sticky Wilds remain in place for a set number of spins or until a feature ends can help you adjust your bet sizes to maximize your potential winnings.
Expanding Wilds in Starburst: A prime example of the strategic use of Sticky Wilds is NetEnt’s Starburst slot. In this game, the vibrant Starburst Wilds expand to cover entire reels and trigger a re-spin, offering more chances to win.
Popular Slots with Sticky Wilds
NetEnt:
Dead or Alive 2: This Wild West-themed slot is a sequel to the popular Dead or Alive and features Sticky Wilds during its free spins feature. It offers a high RTP of 96.82% and a massive potential payout of 111,111x your stake. What makes Dead or Alive 2 even more exciting is that it offers three different free spins bonus rounds, each with its own unique set of Sticky Wilds features, enhancing the game’s replayability and excitement.
Narcos: Based on the popular Netflix series, this slot features Walking Wilds that act as Sticky Wilds during the free spins rounds. It has a 96.23% RTP and high volatility. This showcases NetEnt’s creativity in implementing Sticky Wilds, integrating them with other innovative features to create a more dynamic gaming experience.
Pragmatic Play:
Wild West Gold 2: Another Wild West-themed sequel, this slot features Sticky Wilds that also act as multipliers during free spins rounds. It has a 96.51% RTP and high volatility, making for an exciting gaming experience.
Sticky Bees: This slot features a 7×7 grid and a high volatility. Golden bee Super Wilds stick in place for any more Tumbles in the same sequence.
Yggdrasil Gaming:
Vikings Go Berzerk: This popular slot follows the adventures of Vikings and features Sticky Wilds during its Ragnarök Free Spin feature. It offers a win potential of up to 4000x your stake.
Golden Fishtank: This slot offers a variety of features, including Sticky Wilds during its Free Spins feature. Players can engage the Golden Bet option for an extra feature pick when free spins are triggered.
Play’n GO:
Honey Rush 100: This slot features an innovative grid format with seven reels and a unique row layout. It has a 96.2% RTP and high volatility. The Sticky Wilds in this game also double as multipliers.
Other Providers:
Diamond Cash Mighty Buffalo (Greentube): This Native American wildlife-themed slot features Sticky Wilds and multipliers. It also offers a progressive jackpot, adding an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay.
Spinberry Wilds (Spinberry): This classic fruit-themed slot features a Sticky Collection respin feature with Sticky Wilds during the free spins rounds. It has a 95.14% RTP and high volatility.
Crazy Train (Slotomania): This slot features Sticky Wild Free Spins and multipliers.
Slot Providers with Sticky Wilds
| Provider | Notable Sticky Wilds Slots | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| NetEnt | Dead or Alive 2, Narcos | Walking Wilds, multiple free spins rounds |
| Pragmatic Play | Wild West Gold 2, Sticky Bees | Multipliers, Tumbles feature, cluster pays |
| Yggdrasil Gaming | Vikings Go Berzerk, Golden Fishtank | Ragnarök Free Spin feature, Golden Bet option |
| Play’n GO | Honey Rush 100 | Innovative grid format, multipliers |
| Greentube | Diamond Cash Mighty Buffalo | Progressive jackpot, multipliers |
| Spinberry | Spinberry Wilds | Sticky Collection respin feature |
| Slotomania | Crazy Train | Sticky Wild Free Spins, multipliers |
Sticky Wilds have transformed the online slot gaming landscape, offering players more ways to win and a more immersive and exciting experience. Their popularity is undeniable, with a wide variety of slots featuring this mechanic, from classic fruit-themed games to action-packed adventures. Sticky Wilds increase winning chances, add excitement with the anticipation of consecutive wins, and often come with bonus features like free spins and multipliers.
Leading slot providers like NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and Yggdrasil Gaming continue to innovate and introduce new variations of Sticky Wilds, ensuring that this feature remains a player favorite. Whether you’re a seasoned slot enthusiast or a new player exploring the world of online casinos, Sticky Wilds offer a thrilling and rewarding gaming experience. With the ongoing innovation in this area, we can expect to see even more creative and exciting Sticky Wilds slots in the future.
