Stacked Symbols in Online Slots

John Bonello

Updated by John Bonello

Content Editor

Lee James Gwilliam

Fact Checked by Lee James Gwilliam

Senior Vice-President

Last Updated 23rd Jun 2025, 12:26 PM

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.

Best Slots With Stacked Symbol Action

Legacy of Dead Game Logo
Software Provider Play'n GO Logo
Volatility High
RTP 96.58%
Maximum Win 500000
Stacked Symbols Icon Yes
John Hunter and the Book of Tut Respin Game Logo
Software Provider Pragmatic Play Logo
Volatility High
RTP 96.50%
Maximum Win 400000
Stacked Symbols Icon Yes
Links of Ra II Game Logo
Software Provider Games Global Logo
Volatility High
RTP 96.05%
Maximum Win 250000
Stacked Symbols Icon Yes
Aloha! Cluster Pays Game Logo
Software Provider NetEnt Logo
Volatility Low
RTP 96.42%
Maximum Win 200000
Stacked Symbols Icon Yes
Burning Classics Game Logo
Software Provider Booming Games Logo
Volatility Medium
RTP 96.10%
Maximum Win 400000
Stacked Symbols Icon Yes

What Are Stacked Symbols, Anyway?

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.

Albert Slotstein Quantum Reels Retreat, Mirage Mountains Chief Slot Scientist & Volatility Field Tester

Stacked symbols are the slot world’s version of overachievers. They are ambitious, flamboyant, and prone to drama. They don’t just land; they assert dominance across reels like synchronized dancers in a volatility revue. When aligned, they elevate wins to operatic levels. When they are misaligned, they are pure, delicious agony.

How Do Stacked Symbols Work?

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.

Types of Stacked Symbols

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.

Standard Stacked Symbols

These are your regular symbols that decide to gang up vertically.

Stacked Wilds

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.

Expanding Symbols

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.

Why Slot Fans Love Stacked Symbols

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!

Stacked vs. Clustered Symbols

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.

Where to Find the Best Stacked Symbol Slots

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.

These offers are not available in your state.

Licensing Authorities & Testing Agencies

Meet The Author

16 Years
Experience
John Bonello
John Bonello
Content Editor Content Editor

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.

Read Full Bio

FAQs

What is a stacked symbol in a slot game?
How do stacked symbols improve your chances of winning?
Do stacked symbols appear in every slot?
Can stacked symbols land during free spins?
What’s the difference between stacked and expanding symbols?

Ask the experts

Need expert help? Ask a question and one of our in-house experts will get back to you...

Get in touch
Get in touch
faqs

Test Your Luck
Not Your Spam Filter

Sign up to receive emails and promotions from Casinos.com

Casinos.com Email Signup Coins