Pokies guide
How to play pokies, explained.
Pokies, slots, fruit machines, one-armed bandits: the same game goes by different names around the world. This guide covers how they work, what RTP and volatility really mean, how bonus features pay, and the myths worth ignoring.
The basics
How a spin works
Every pokie, online or in a venue, follows the same four steps.
Set your bet
Choose your stake per spin. On most modern games that's one total bet; older games let you pick the coin size and the number of lines separately.
Spin
Press spin. The result is decided the moment you press, by a random number generator (RNG). The reel animation is just there to show it.
Match symbols
You win when matching symbols land in a winning pattern, usually left to right from the first reel. The paytable shows what each combination pays.
Trigger features
Special symbols such as scatters can trigger free spins or a bonus round, which is where most games pay their biggest wins.
What's on screen
Reels, paylines and symbols
Reels and rows
The columns are reels and the horizontal lines are rows. The classic layout is 5 reels by 3 rows. Older three-reel games are simpler, with fewer ways to win.
Paylines
Fixed patterns across the reels that pay when matching symbols land on them. A game might have 10, 20 or 50 lines, and the paytable shows each one.
Ways to win
Many games drop fixed lines. With "243 ways", any matching symbols on neighbouring reels pay, wherever they sit. Megaways games change the number of symbols per reel on every spin, giving up to hundreds of thousands of ways.
Cluster pays
Grid games with no reels in the usual sense. Groups of five or more touching symbols pay, then usually disappear so new ones can drop in.
Wilds
Stand in for other symbols to complete a win. Some expand to fill a reel, stick in place for a few spins or carry a multiplier.
Scatters
Pay or trigger features wherever they land, not just on a payline. Three or more scatters is the most common way into free spins.
The numbers that matter
RTP and volatility
Two figures tell you most of what you need to know about a game. Both are usually listed in the game's info or help screen.
RTP (return to player)
The share of all money staked that a game is designed to pay back over millions of spins. An RTP of 96% means the game keeps about 4% on average. It says nothing about any one session: you can lose your whole budget on a 97% game, or win big on a 92% one.
Volatility
How the RTP is paid out. Low-volatility games pay small wins often. High-volatility games go long stretches with little, then pay out in bigger, rarer hits, usually in the bonus round.
Same game, different RTP
Many games come in several RTP versions, and the operator chooses which one to run. The same title can be 96% at one site and 94% at another, so check the help screen rather than assuming.
Volatility at a glance
| Volatility | Win frequency | Typical win size | Balance swings | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Often | Small | Gentle | Longer sessions on a small budget |
| Medium | Regular | Mixed | Moderate | A balance of both |
| High | Rare | Large, mostly in features | Big | Players chasing bigger wins who accept long dry spells |
Developers sometimes show volatility as a scale, such as 1 to 5 lightning bolts, instead of a word.
Bonus features
Common features and how they pay
Free spins
A set number of spins at your last stake, at no extra cost. They often add extras such as multipliers, extra wilds or the chance to win more spins.
Multipliers
Multiply a win by 2x, 5x or more. In many games the multiplier climbs with each win or cascade during free spins.
Cascades
Also called tumbles or avalanches. Winning symbols vanish, new ones fall into place and can form another win from the same spin.
Hold and spin
Landing enough special symbols locks them in place and gives you a few respins to fill the grid. Each symbol carries a cash value or a fixed jackpot.
Jackpots
Fixed jackpots pay a set amount. Progressive jackpots grow with every bet placed, sometimes across many sites, until someone wins. Games with big progressives often have a lower base RTP to pay for them.
Bonus buy
Pay a fixed price, often 50 to 100 times your stake, to go straight to the bonus round. It's a quick way to spend a lot, and the feature can still pay back less than it cost.
Myths
What doesn't change your odds
Every spin is independent. Nothing that happened before, and nothing you do between spins, changes the next result.
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| "It hasn't paid for ages, so it's due." | The RNG has no memory. A long losing run doesn't make a win more likely. |
| "This game is hot right now." | Recent wins don't predict future ones. Streaks are normal in random results. |
| "Stopping the reels early helps." | The result is set when you press spin. Stopping just skips the animation. |
| "Games pay more at certain times of day." | The RTP and the maths are the same whenever you play. |
| "Raising your bet after a loss wins it back." | Bigger bets mean bigger losses just as often. Chasing losses is how budgets disappear. |
| "Free-play mode pays the same as real money." | Demo modes show how a game plays, but don't read anything into how much you win in them. |
Before you play
Playing sensibly
Pokies are fast. A spin takes a few seconds, so the amount you stake in an hour adds up quickly.
- Set a budget before you start and treat it as the cost of entertainment. Only use money you can afford to lose.
- Count spins, not just your balance. At 1.00 a spin and roughly 600 spins an hour, you're staking 600 an hour, even if wins keep your balance moving.
- Try the demo first where it's offered, to see how the game and its features play before you stake anything.
- Read the paytable and help screen for the RTP, volatility, maximum win and how the features work.
- Use deposit limits, session reminders and time-outs. Most sites offer them in your account settings.
- Check bonus terms. Casino bonuses usually come with wagering requirements, game restrictions and maximum bet rules.
- Stop when you planned to, win or lose, and never chase losses.
Good to know
Pokies FAQ
Are pokies and slots the same thing?
Yes. Pokies, slots, slot machines and fruit machines are different names for the same type of game. The way they work, from reels and paylines to RTP, is the same whatever they're called.
Is there a strategy to win at pokies?
No strategy can beat the maths of a pokie, because every spin is random. What you can control is which game you play, how much you stake per spin and when you stop. A higher RTP and a volatility that suits your budget make your money last longer, but they don't guarantee a win.
What is a good RTP for a pokie?
Most online pokies sit between 94% and 97%. Anything around 96% or higher is generally seen as good. Land-based machines are often lower.
Are online pokies rigged?
Games from established developers use RNGs that are tested by independent labs. The house edge is built into the RTP, which is published in the game. Stick to well-known game developers and read the help screen for the RTP.
Does betting more improve my chances?
On most modern pokies, no. The RTP is the same at every stake and wins scale with your bet. A few progressive jackpot games only pay the top prize at certain stakes, which the help screen will explain.
Check the rules where you live. Whether online pokies and casino games are legal, and which sites you can use, depends on local laws and each operator's own terms. This guide is general information only and isn't a recommendation. 18+ only. If gambling stops being fun, see our responsible gambling page.