Sticky Wilds Explained: What It Is and How it Works
Interested in finding out more about sticky wilds in online pokies?
Our experts are here to help.
We’ve seen countless gaming fads and pokie features over the years. And while many have remained popular, others don’t take long to disappear.
But sticky wilds are here to stay. They’re popular with players worldwide and offer plenty of excitement and extra chances to win.
Let us tell you everything you need to know about sticky wilds, including how they work, some of our favourite pokies games featuring a sticky wild symbol, and why they’re so popular.
Let’s get started.
What Are Sticky Wilds?
Sticky wild symbols are a feature you can find in various online pokie machines. Also known as frozen or locked wilds, these symbols can land in any position across the reels when playing pokies online.
A sticky wild is similar to a regular wild, which can substitute for any other symbol on a reel (besides another wild).
But sticky wilds stick to the playing grid unlike wilds, which disappear every time you spin the reels. So you can reap the benefits of them staying on the reel for the duration of the feature - which could be multiple spins!
A sticky wild symbol can help you to create big winning combinations that stay on the reels during your bonus round, which can mean multiple payouts.
So it’s easy to see why many players can’t resist the lure of sticky wilds!
How Do Sticky Wilds Work?
Each pokie game brings its own unique twist to how those sticky wilds work!
Most are connected to another bonus feature, like a free spins or cascading reels feature. So they’re not often seen when you’re playing in regular play mode.
When it comes to sticky wilds, they’ll either stay on the reel for the next spin or a designated number of spins set by the software developer.
They can let you achieve some big wins because wild symbols can quickly accumulate. But be mindful that the games they feature in are usually high volatility. It can cost you more per spin when you’re playing a pokie with sticky wilds.
Because each game is different, we recommend checking out the pokie game’s paytable menu before you play. Or play in demo mode to see first-hand how they work without risking your hard-earned cash.
Top 5 Pokies With Sticky Wilds
Because it’s such a popular pokies feature, there are countless pokies to choose from when you want to play pokies online with sticky wilds - making it a little overwhelming to know where to start!
That’s why our experts have put together our list of top pokies with sticky wilds.
We’ve played all of these online pokies for real money and they all feature sticky wilds to help boost your chances of winning.
Jammin’ Jars
Push Gaming released the legendary Jammin’ Jars in 2018. Although it’s a few years old, it’s still one of the most popular pokies featuring sticky wilds you can play.
It bears a striking resemblance to the incredibly popular mobile game ‘Candy Crush Saga’. However, you’ll find oranges, apples and strawberries on the reels instead of candy.
It’s played across a large playing area with an 8×8 grid featured, allowing for countless combinations (you literally can't calculate the pay line number).
The sticky wild comes with an unlimited multiplier when the bonus feature is accessed, and with a maximum win of 20,000x your original wager, it’s not hard to see why the game is so popular.
The RTP value of the game, arguably the most important figure, sits above the industry average at 96.83%.
Dead or Alive II
NetEnt’s original Dead or Alive online pokie was so popular that there were countless calls for an encore! Leading to the 2019 release of Dead or Alive II, 10 years after the original.
The sequel's theme is much the same as the first iteration. Players are transported to the late 1800s in the Wild West. This cowboy theme features whiskey bottles, cowboy boots and six-shooter symbols on the reels.
The game is simple, played over a typical 5×3 playing area with just 9 pay lines. While that might not sound like much, a maximum win of 40,500x your original wager, thanks to the sticky wilds feature, is sure to get your blood pumping!
RTP sits at 96.8%, a little higher than the average we’d expect from a pokie of this type.
Spinions Beach Party
Quickspin’s Spinions Beach Party is the online pokie parody we never knew we needed. Complete with those fantastic sticky wilds.
If you’ve missed the play on words, simply swap out that first “S” for an “M” and you’ll quickly see the similarities between the beach-themed slot and Steve Carell’s animated movie “Despicable Me”. Tiny orange characters enjoy their beach party in this pokie with cocktails, bonus symbols and the spinions themselves acting as symbols.
The game offers a typical 5×3 play area with a total of 25 different pay lines available. A handful of great bonus features are available in the game. The maximum win is lower than other games at 1,876x your original wager.
The RTP sits around the average value of 96.04% with high volatility. The strange combination of a small maximum win and high volatility may put you off, but it’s a great game that’s lots of fun.
Vikings Go Berzerk
Despite the brand name looking like you’ve just cleaned your keyboard, Yggdrasil has released some top-quality slots over the last few years, including Vikings Go Berzerk.
The Vikings-themed game uses a 5×4 playing area inset into a traditional longboat. Symbols include Viking characters, gold and silver coins and bonus/wild symbols to look forward to.
There’s a total of 25 paylines good for a maximum payout of 4,000x your original wager. The bonus feature allows you to receive 7, 14 or 21 free spins with the fan-favourite sticky wild added to a random symbol position or random reel depending on the randomly assigned bonus.
RTP is around the industry average at 96.1%, and it's a medium volatility game.
Narcos
Released in 2019 by NetEnt, Narcos, based on the hit TV show, is an exciting online pokie packed with fun features.
If you've seen the show you'll know the theme of the game is crime. The pokie seemingly blends the life of Pablo Escobar with the hit video game Grand Theft Auto to create this unique pokie game.
Guns, grenades, attractive women and drug dealers offering free spins are found when spinning the reels.
With a typical 5×3 structure, you might be surprised by the huge 243 different ways to win across the reels. With free spins, walking wilds, sticky wilds, multipliers and the big Locked Up jackpot all up for grabs, the game is one of the more exciting options we’ve played.
The RTP sits at 96.23%, around the average for a pokie of this calibre, with medium/high volatility.
Different Types of Sticky Wilds
Sticky wilds can take a few different forms. Here are some of the various types we’ve seen while playing pokies online.
Random Sticky Wilds
Multiplier Sticky Wilds
Expanded Sticky Wilds
Why Players Love Sticky Wilds
For many players, sticky wilds can add a little extra fun to your online pokie experience because let's face it – a dash of excitement is sometimes the real jackpot!
Because sticky wilds ‘stick’ to the playing grid, it lets you reap the rewards even after your initial spin.
Most sticky wilds also come with a multiplier, giving you the chance to increase your wins. The value of those multipliers varies between games. For example, if you play Wild West Gold by Pragmatic Play, multipliers can have a value of 2x, 3x or even 5x.
Many games also promise a new sticky wild every time you spin in a bonus round. And while there’s no guarantee of a win, sticky wilds do help to increase your chances of creating more winning combinations.
Conclusion
You’ll find sticky wilds on plenty of modern video pokie machines. Particularly ones offering multiple bonus features or additional bonus rounds.
They’re a great pokie feature that helps increase the game's thrill and boost your chances of winning. Plus, they can also potentially keep you playing for longer.
Check out some of the games we love above, or do some research yourself at some of the top Australian online casinos. And consider giving a few games a spin in demo mode before choosing your favourite.
Good luck!
Ryan is our resident pokies expert. Not only does he provide readers with the latest insights, innovations and technology news related to pokies, but he also knows all there is to know about pokies game developers.
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