Slot machines display a vibrant array of symbols, from cherries and BARs to the number 7, that players recognise instantly. There’s often something intriguing behind these icons, both on classic reels and modern video slots.
This post will help you understand the stories behind these symbols and why they endure. We’ll first glance at the basics, then unpack the history of fruit imagery, BARs, and sevens, before moving on to modern additions like Wilds and Scatters.
You’ll also find answers to curiosities such as how many symbols appear on a reel and whether stopping a reel early changes anything. These insights can help you follow what’s happening on screen and make informed choices if you choose to play.
Read on to learn more.
Why Are Cherries, BAR and 7s So Common on Slot Reels?
You’ve probably noticed cherries, BARs, and sevens popping up everywhere on slots. These icons became familiar early on because designers used simple visuals that were easy to distinguish.
Fruit images like cherries and lemons were practical choices, especially at a time when machines sometimes rewarded players with fruit-flavoured gum instead of cash. The images matched the gum flavours.
The BAR icon came from a gum brand’s logo, offering a clear, bold shape that was ideal for spinning reels. Meanwhile, the number 7 carried cultural weight, which helped cement its position as a high-value, stand-out symbol.
These visuals became a bridge between the earliest machines and today’s more elaborate designs.
Common Slot Symbols and Their Meanings
Many slot games use a familiar hierarchy of symbols. Lower-value icons typically include card ranks like 10, J, Q, K, and A, while mid to higher tiers often feature fruit, BARs, and 7s—symbols rooted in traditional slot design.
These classic visuals remain a staple, bridging the look and feel of older machines with today’s themed games. While their specific roles vary, they help create a sense of familiarity across titles.
The next sections explore the background and purpose of some of the most recognisable slot symbols in more detail.
Fruit Symbols: Cherries, Lemons, and More
Fruit symbols remain widely used because they’re visually clear and easy to grasp during fast play. Classics like cherries, lemons, watermelons, and grapes may trace back to the era when slots dispensed fruit-flavoured gum.
Today, cherries tend to pay out smaller, more frequent wins, while larger fruits like watermelons or grapes hold slightly higher value. Their simplicity and recognisability make them ideal for both legacy and modern game themes.
BAR Symbols and Their Origin
The iconic BAR symbol aligns with the fruit-era history, originally inspired by gum-packet branding. You’ll often see single, double, and triple BAR variants, usually indicating different payline values.
In some games, mixed BAR combinations can still result in a win. Despite evolving game themes, BAR symbols remain a nod to the graphical roots of slot design and help anchor new visuals with familiar imagery.
Lucky Number 7 and Its Role in Slots
The number 7 stands out on many reels, typically shown in bold colours and layout to catch the eye. It’s commonly tied to the highest payouts and often featured in multiple variations (like double or triple 7s) with their own values.
Symbolically, 7s blend tradition with prestige, bridging the gap between older slot mechanics and contemporary layouts.
Special Symbols Found in Modern Slot Games
Modern slots often include more than just traditional symbols. Many games now feature special icons that affect how wins form or how bonus rounds are triggered.
These symbols introduce new layers to gameplay, shaping how rounds unfold and adding variety beyond standard paylines.
In the next sections, we’ll look at two of the most common examples, Wilds and Scatters, and how they typically work.
Wild Symbols and How They Work
Wild symbols are often used to help complete winning combinations. In most games, they can substitute for regular symbols, though usually not for Scatters or specific bonus icons. Their role is to step in when a line is one symbol short, turning what would be a near miss into a win.
Different types of Wilds add variety to gameplay. For example:
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Expanding Wilds grow to fill an entire reel when they land.
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Sticky Wilds stay in place for a set number of spins.
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Stacked Wilds appear in groups, increasing the chances of matching lines.
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Multiplier Wilds increase the value of any win they help create.
In games that use ways-to-win rather than fixed paylines, Wilds can be even more influential, as they often contribute across adjacent reels rather than needing to land in specific positions.
Scatter Symbols and Bonus Features
Scatter symbols work differently from most others. They don’t need to land on a specific payline to have an effect. Instead, just appearing anywhere on the reels can be enough to trigger a feature or payout.
In many games, landing a set number of Scatters starts a bonus round, such as free spins, a pick-and-win feature, or a trail-based game. During those bonus rounds, Scatters may take on additional roles, like adding more spins, increasing win multipliers, or unlocking expanding symbols.
Some slots also include scatter pays, where simply landing enough Scatters, regardless of their position, results in a prize.
How Many Symbols Are There On a Slot Machine Reel?
The count varies: early mechanical three-reel slots often had 10–20 symbols per reel due to physical limits. In contrast, modern video or online slots use virtual reels with many more possible stops.
Developers use symbol weighting, more frequent placements for common symbols and rarer ones for high-value icons, to balance outcome frequency while maintaining randomness. Game info screens typically detail these setups and help players gauge what to expect.
Stopping Slot Machine Reels Early: Does It Make a Difference?
It’s easy to wonder whether stopping the reels yourself might change what appears on screen. After all, the option is often there, and it can feel like timing might play a role. But in modern slot games, that’s not how it works.
If you tap to stop the reels early, you're simply revealing the result a little faster—the outcome was already decided the moment you pressed spin. That’s because slots use a Random Number Generator (RNG) to determine results instantly at the start of each spin.
The spinning reels are mainly a visual animation to show what’s already been locked in. Whether you let them stop naturally or choose to cut them short, the symbols will land exactly the same way.
Understanding this can help make the experience clearer—it’s not about timing your taps but enjoying how the game unfolds, knowing that fairness is built into the process. Most games are independently tested, with RNGs carefully designed to keep outcomes both unpredictable and unbiased.
If you choose to play slots, always do so with responsible gambling practices in mind, and never wager more than you are willing to lose.
Play Classic Slots Online at Slots UK
If you’re drawn to timeless symbols like cherries, BARs, and sevens, you’ll find a wide selection of classic-style slots on our site, many of which blend familiar visuals with modern features.
At Slots UK, we’re fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), and all of our games are tested to meet standards for fairness and player protection. Each game page clearly outlines how the symbols work, what features are included, and how paylines are structured.
We’ve designed the site to be easy to navigate, with built-in account tools that let you set limits and manage your play in a way that works best for you.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.