Updated by John Bonello
Content Editor
Fact Checked by Lee James Gwilliam
Senior Vice-President
Stacked symbols in online slots are much like friends who don't believe in personal space; only here, you can actually reap some benefits of this proximity. These icons fill the reels like a game of Tetris, covering multiple positions at once. Yes, one symbol is nice, but a full stack? That’s when the magic happens.
By taking up more reel positions, stacked symbols boost your chances and the size of wins. Sometimes, stacked wilds can enter the picture and take things to an entirely different level with even more winning opportunities. Want to join in on the fun? Follow me as I break down why these tower-building icons are worth your spin.


Stacked symbols are regular or special symbols like wilds that have decided that one spot isn’t enough. So they pile vertically to cover two, three, or even an entire reel on the grid.
In some titles, they just look like a few of the same icons joined together, while in others, like Megaways, you’ll see a single tall image.
What’s the benefit of these, you may ask? It’s simple math, really: more real coverage equals more winning opportunities. They’re like deciding to go for a “buy one, get three free” deal on potential wins. If you’re lucky, stacked symbols can truly turn an average spin into something big.
Most slots feature paylines, which you need to fill up with matching symbols if you want to land a payout. Now, you’ll mostly need between three and five icons to get that win. But let’s imagine there was a way to land two or even more of that symbol instantly. This is where stacked symbols come in.
Instead of waiting for single symbols to line up perfectly, stacked symbols crash the party by simultaneously filling multiple positions on a reel. One can cover an entire reel and act like multiple symbols in a single shot. All of a sudden, that tricky payline you’ve been chasing becomes way easier to hit because the stacked symbol is already filling most of it up.
One key thing you must know about stacked symbols is that while most can pop up in the base game, some slots reserve them solely for the free spins or bonus rounds. Not all of these symbols are the same, so let's take a moment to explore the different types.
These are your regular symbols that decide to gang up vertically.
Wilds stack instead of regular symbols, substituting for other symbols and creating wins almost anywhere on the grid. Tiny Toads from Pragmatic Play features a Green Modifier that can both expand the grid and fill up reels with wilds.
These start small but get big when triggered. In Legacy of Dead, a special symbol is chosen during free spins, and when it lands, it covers the entire reel instantly.
Winning big in slots is already hard enough as it is, so players always welcome any feature that gets them closer to that finish line. Stacked symbols turn close calls into wins, taking away those frustrating moments when you’re one match short of a payout.
These special symbols also unlock massive winning potential, as they can connect with other reels to form multiple winning lines at once. Even better, some help you trigger free spins or special bonus games when they land, giving you more opportunities to win.
Stacked symbols also come with great animations. After all, nothing beats the excitement of watching a stacked wild take over an entire reel while wins start to connect!
Not all multi-symbol features wear the same hat. You probably know by now that stacked symbols pile vertically on a single reel, creating more winning opportunities as they fill up more paylines.
Clustered symbols are regular symbols that pay when they cluster together in groups. These guys ignore traditional paylines entirely and only need to come together in a 3x3 cluster or larger to fetch you that win.
Looking to start scoring big and having fun with stacked symbols? Here are some of the best casinos where you can get in on the action.
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With a passion for words, John is always thinking about what to write next. He has over 12 years of experience working with online content and as an Editor at Casinos.com, John makes sure that readers get the latest and most accurate information about the online gambling industry.
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