Pokies Terms Glossary
Pokies come with a vocabulary of their own, and most of it is never explained anywhere in the game. Here are the terms you'll actually run into, in plain English.
The core numbers
RTP (Return to Player)The percentage of all money wagered that a game is designed to return to players over the very long run. A 96% RTP game is built to return $96 per $100 wagered across millions of spins. Full explanation here.
House edgeThe opposite of RTP. 100% minus the RTP. A 96% RTP game has a 4% house edge.
Volatility / varianceHow a game distributes its payouts — small and frequent, or rare and large. Separate from RTP. Full explanation here.
Hit frequencyHow often a spin produces any win at all, expressed as a percentage of spins.
Max winThe largest payout the game can produce, usually stated as a multiple of your stake, such as 5,000x.
How spins work
RNG (Random Number Generator)The algorithm that decides every result. It has no memory, so no spin is ever "due". Full explanation here.
ReelA vertical column of symbols. Most modern pokies use five.
RowA horizontal line of symbols across the reels. Three is the common layout.
SpinOne complete game round at your chosen stake.
AutoplayA setting that plays a set number of spins automatically. Results are generated exactly the same way as manual spins.
Turbo / quick spinShortens the reel animation. It does not change results, only how fast they're shown.
Symbols
WildA symbol that substitutes for others to help complete a win. Usually can't replace scatters or bonus symbols.
Expanding wildA wild that grows to cover an entire reel.
Sticky wildA wild that stays in place for one or more following spins.
ScatterA symbol that typically pays or triggers a feature regardless of where it lands, rather than needing to sit on a payline.
MultiplierIncreases a win by a set factor. A 3x multiplier triples that win.
Low / high symbolsLow-paying symbols (often card ranks) appear often and pay little. High-paying symbols are rarer and pay more.
Payline systems
PaylineThe pattern across the reels a winning combination must land on. Full explanation here.
Ways to winPays for matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left in any row. A five-reel, three-row game gives 243 ways.
MegawaysA system where the number of symbols per reel changes each spin, so the ways count varies. Quoted figures are the maximum.
Cluster paysPays for groups of touching matching symbols anywhere on the grid, rather than along lines.
PaytableThe in-game screen listing symbol values, feature rules and usually the stated RTP.
Features
Free spinsSpins awarded by a feature that don't deduct from your balance. Often carry extra multipliers or wilds.
Bonus roundA separate game mode triggered by specific symbols, often where much of a high-volatility game's return sits.
Cascading / tumbling reelsWinning symbols disappear and new ones drop in, allowing chains of wins from one spin.
Hold and spinA feature where certain symbols lock in place while the remaining positions respin.
Buy featureAn option in some games to pay a fixed multiple of your stake to enter the bonus round immediately. Significantly increases spend per round.
Gamble featureAn option to risk a win on a double-or-nothing style choice. Increases variance without improving expected return.
Jackpots and play terms
Progressive jackpotA prize pool that grows from a portion of every wager across linked games until someone wins it.
Fixed jackpotA top prize set at a fixed amount or stake multiple that doesn't grow.
BankrollThe total amount set aside for play. Setting one properly here.
Chasing lossesContinuing to play specifically to recover money already lost. The most common route from ordinary play into gambling harm.
Session limitA time or spend cap set before play begins. Only functions as a limit if it isn't renegotiated mid-session.
Self-exclusionVoluntarily barring yourself from gambling services for a set period. In Australia, BetStop is the national register for licensed operators.
Frequently asked questions
What does RTP mean on a pokie?
RTP stands for Return to Player — the percentage of all money wagered a game is designed to pay back over the very long run. It describes the game overall, not any single session.
What is the difference between a wild and a scatter?
A wild substitutes for other symbols to help complete a winning combination. A scatter usually pays or triggers a feature regardless of its position on the reels.
What does volatility mean in pokies?
Volatility describes how a game distributes its payouts — frequent small wins versus rare larger ones. It is separate from RTP.
What is a buy feature?
An option in some games to pay a fixed multiple of your stake to enter the bonus round immediately. It substantially increases the amount spent per round.
What is BetStop?
BetStop is Australia's national self-exclusion register. Registering blocks licensed Australian operators from accepting you as a customer for a chosen period.