I play Playboy mostly now, thats probably why i notice it, it doesnt happen often but it does happen,
Sometimes the scatter on the last reel appears again just after it has gone past exactly after Gillian again
I've explained this a few times on the forum - luckily I managed to find it this time so I didn't have to type all this again!
What happens is:
The reel "spins" and you see a true reflection of the reel strip layout passing before your very eyes!
(If you've ever had an internet disconnect or other pause causing an extended spin, you will have been able to see this for yourself)
When the reel is about to stop, the software "cuts in" the finishing position (which has been selected by a randomly generated number from 1 to X) and then the reel stops. (If you don't understand why the "cut-in" is needed - ask and I will explain)
With Microgaming the "Cut in" on recent slots seems to vary and includes from 1 to 3 extra symbols. With NetEnt there are no extra symbols at all (which actually annoys me a bit!)
So, I'll try to show this graphically below...
The Black numbers are the positions on the reel strip from 01 to X (however many symbols are on the reel).
The Blue numbers are the extra symbols at the start of the "cut-in".
The Red numbers are the 3 symbols which end up being displayed on your screen.
(Bear in mind that the reel spins downward, so the numbers at the bottom of this graphic are what you see first).
15
14 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
13
12 < Symbols in View
11 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
10
09
08 _ _ _ _ < Cut-in
11
10
09
08
07
06
05
Now suppose on this reel that position 11 is the scatter symbol. In this example you would see that scatter go past and yet still "miraculously" land in your window, even though it only appears once on that reel.
If you don't believe what I'm saying, PLEASE go and play some MG slots on normal spin speed and watch very closely - you will see it!
Tell-tale signs are two of the same symbol appearing next to each other just before the spin stops, when they never appear adjacent with the reel stopped. Or stacked wilds having less than the full number of adjacent symbols, again just before the spin stops.
Cashapillar is a very good slot for viewing this - or pretty much any slot with stacked wilds or very distinctive symbols you can easily pick out.
KK