What Are Stacked Symbols and How to Win with Them?

Article by : Divya Gandotra Mar 31, 2025

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Updated: Apr 13, 2025

Have you ever spun the reels and seen a bunch of the same symbols appear one on top of the other, turning a regular spin into a good win? That’s what stacked symbols do. They’re a game-changing feature in modern slots that helps you hit more winning combinations. In this article, I’ll explain stacked symbols, how they work, and how to use them to boost your winnings.

What Are Stacked Symbols?

What are stacked symbols exactly? These icons land on top of each other on the same reel, filling more than one position. Regular symbols only take up one spot, but stacked ones can take two, three, or even a whole reel.

Imagine spinning the reels and seeing a tower of golden coins or wilds covering an entire reel — that’s a stacked symbol in action.

Sometimes, they just look like a few of the same icons stacked vertically. But in other cases, they’re designed as a single tall image. For example, think of a dragon that takes up three positions from head to tail. If only the head or the tail appears — that’s still part of the stacked symbol. The design can vary from game to game, but the idea is the same.

This feature gives you more chances to make winning combos. In some slots, stacked symbols can turn a typical spin into a big win when they line up right with other reels.

How Do Stacked Symbols Work?

Stacked symbols increase your chances of winning by filling up more spaces on the reel. That makes it easier to land matching symbols on the paylines — those lines decide if you’ve won or not. The more stacked symbols you get, the better the chance of getting paid.

They can show up during the base game, free spins, or bonus rounds. For example, in Book of Dead, the explorer symbol often appears stacked and can cover an entire reel for huge wins. In Mega Moolah, stacked wilds (the lions) appear in free spins and can multiply your payouts. Or in Twin Spin, synced reels bring stacked symbols together for some awesome combos — like I said earlier, this is where the creative designs shine.

Each spin is random (thanks to RNG), but when stacked symbols land, they can turn your spin into a jackpot moment.

Why Stacked Symbols Are Great

Why should you care about stacked symbols? Easy — they help you win more and more prominently. When a reel is fully filled with treasure chests or wilds in stacked symbol slots, it can connect with other reels to form multiple winning lines at once.

Besides cash wins, stacked symbols can also trigger bonus features. In some games, a full stack can unlock free spins or a mini-game, giving you extra chances to win without spending more. And let’s be honest — stacked symbols make the game more fun. Watching a reel fill up, hearing the sound of coins dropping — it’s pure slot fun.

How to Win with Stacked Symbols

While slots are mostly about luck, here are a few tips to help you get the most from stacked symbol slots:

• Choose slots with high RTP — 95% or more. The higher the RTP, the better your chances in the long run.
• Look for free spins and bonus rounds — in many games, stacked symbols appear more often during these. For example, in Dead or Alive, stacked wilds can fill whole reels during free spins and stay locked in place for the rest of the round — that can lead to big wins.
• Try medium or high volatility slots — these don’t pay out on every spin, but when they do, it can be huge. An excellent match for the stacked symbol feature. Want more strategies? Check out some online slot tips to level up your game.

Play smart, and those stacks could lead to big wins!

Conclusion

Stacked symbols are like a secret weapon in your slot journey. They add excitement, appear out of nowhere, and boost your chances of landing those big wins. Thanks to them, even a regular spin can turn into something special. Go ahead — find slots with stacked symbols and play with confidence. May the luck be with you!