The Essential Pokies Glossary for Australian Casino Players (2025 Edition)

Introduction

Stepping into the world of online pokies or slot machines in Australia and New Zealand presents a whirlwind of unique terms, abbreviations, and local slang. Whether you are a new player eager to make sense of the lingo or a seasoned punter looking to sharpen your knowledge, understanding pokies terminology will enhance your gaming experience, reduce confusion, and help you make smarter choices on the reels. This comprehensive glossary covers all key concepts, mechanics, and slang, ensuring your content is primed for easy navigation.

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What are Pokies?

The term “pokies” is quintessentially Australian: it’s a common abbreviation for “poker machines”, which, despite the name, refers to what much of the world calls slot machines. Whether you are at a pub, club, casino, or online platform, the word “pokies” reigns supreme across Australia, covering everything from classic three-reelers to state-of-the-art video slots and progressive jackpots.

Where Did the Term Come From?

Originating early in the 20th century, “pokies” stems from poker machines, originally describing mechanical slots with poker hand outcomes. The name stuck as technology evolved, giving rise to modern pokies enjoyed on screens worldwide.

Why Learn Pokies Lingo?

• Confidence: Speak knowledgeably with casino staff and other players.

• Strategy: Make informed choices about features, payouts, and bonuses.

• Problem-Solving: Troubleshoot technical issues or bonus terms.

• Bonus Clarity: Clearly understand wagering requirements and promotion details.

Pokies Terms & Definitions: A–Z

Below you’ll find an updated, expert-verified glossary of all the crucial pokies and Aussie casino terms. All definitions are written in plain language for both new and advanced players.

A

• All Ways: Slot games with no fixed paylines; every possible position of adjacent matching symbols forms a “way” to win, e.g., 243 Ways pokies.

• AutoPlay: A function that lets the machine spin automatically for a set number of rounds.

B

• Bonus Feature: Any special game mode offering extra win potential, such as free spins, pick-and-win rounds, or multipliers.

• Bet Max/Max Bet: The highest possible wager per spin on a particular pokie.

• Bet Min/Min Bet: The smallest wager allowed.

C

• Cardies: A local term for early video poker machines, often found in Aussie pubs.

• Cascading Wins: When winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones, allowing for additional wins on the same spin—common in modern video slots.

• Coins/Credits: The in-game currency or unit, representing real money or demo play funds.

• Comps: Complimentary rewards given by casinos, such as free credits or gifts.

• Classic Slot: Usually a 3-reel pokie, often homage to fruit machines.

D

• Demo Mode: Free play version of a pokie so players can practice without risking real money.

• Double Up/Gamble Feature: A side game letting players potentially double winnings by guessing the outcome of a card or coin flip.

E

• EGM: Electronic Gaming Machine; encompasses all electronic pokies and slot machines.

• Expanding Wild: A wild symbol that expands to cover one or more positions on the reel, boosting win chances.

F

• Feature: Shorthand for “bonus feature”—often used to describe any bonus game or round.

• Free Spins: Complimentary spins awarded during gameplay or via bonuses, often with added multipliers or features.

G

• Gamble Feature: Another name for the “double up”, where you risk your win for a chance to multiply it.

• Game Provider: Company that creates and supplies pokies, e.g., Aristocrat, NetEnt, IGT.

H

• Hit: Any winning combination or payout on a spin.

• Hit Frequency: The statistical likelihood a pokie will provide a win over a given number of spins.

• Hopper: The mechanical part of a traditional slot that holds and dispenses coins.

I

• Instant Play: Casino games playable directly in your browser—no software download needed.

J

• Jackpot: The largest available prize, either a fixed sum or a progressive amount that grows over time until won.

K

• Keno: Popular lottery-style game often available alongside pokies in Aussie venues.

L

• Line Bet: The amount wagered on each line (payline) in a multi-line pokie.

M

• Multi-Line: Pokies featuring multiple paylines, allowing for more ways to win each spin.

• Multiplier: A bonus or feature that multiplies winnings, commonly seen during free spins or special features.

N

• Nudge: A classic slot feature allowing the player to move reels up or down to potentially complete a win.

• Near Miss: When the symbols almost complete a win—often used to build excitement.

O

• One-Armed Bandit: Old-school nickname for slots/pokies due to the lever used to spin the reels.

P

• Payline: The specific line(s) across the reels where winning combinations must land.

• Paytable: Displays the value, combinations, and features of each symbol and bonus, guiding players in understanding win potential.

• Payout: The prize or winning returned to the player.

• Payout Percentage (RTP): Often written as RTP (Return to Player), it’s the expected percentage of wagers returned over time.

• Progressive Jackpot: Jackpots that increase each time the pokie is played, often merging across multiple linked machines or casinos, until it pays out to a lucky player.

• Practice Play: Ability to try games for free before real money play.

Q

• Qualification Bet: The minimum bet required to make you eligible for certain features or jackpots.

R

• Random Number Generator (RNG): The algorithm ensuring every spin outcome is completely random and fair—a staple for both land-based and online pokies.

• Reels: The vertical columns that spin and stop to reveal symbols; typically three to six in modern online pokies.

• Re-Spin: Bonus that awards a free respin on one or more reels after a partial win or near-miss.

• Reward Card: Points-based player program for loyal punters; can yield comps, cashback, or special promotions.

• Return to Player (RTP): Expressed as a percentage, like “RTP 96%”, indicating average expected return over millions of spins.

S

• Scatter: A symbol that pays or unlocks bonuses regardless of its position on the reels, often triggers free spins or extra features.

• Session: The time period you’re actively playing a pokie or several pokies.

• Slot: Globally, another word for pokie, especially outside Australia.

• Stacked Wild: A wild symbol that appears stacked, potentially filling a reel for more winning combos.

• Sticky Wild: Wild symbols that remain in place for subsequent spins, often during bonus features.

• Slap: Aussie slang for playing the pokies—“having a slap”.

T

• Theoretical Payout: Another name for RTP.

• Tumblers/Cascading: Describes the function where winning symbols disappear and are replaced, creating chain reactions for more wins.

U

• Up-sell: When a pokie offers you the option to bet more for additional features or bigger rewards.

V

• Variance (or Volatility): A measure of risk for a pokie. Low variance = frequent, smaller wins; high variance = bigger, rarer wins.

• Video Slot: Modern pokies with digital reels, animations, and interactive features.

W

• Wild: A symbol that can substitute for others to help create a winning line—may come in various forms: expanding, sticky, stacked, shifting.

X, Y, Z

• xWays: Modern game mechanic that increases the number of symbols per reel, creating thousands of ways to win.

• Zero Game: Unofficially, a session or spin producing no return.

Online Pokies: Internet-Specific Terms

With the expansion into digital play, several key online-only terms have emerged:

Common Aussie Pokies Slang

• Pokie Palace: Any club, pub, or casino rich in slots/pokies.

• Bank: A row or group of machines.

• Slapper: Someone who enjoys long pokie sessions.

• Sock It: Someone rooting for a big win on a popular machine.

Advanced Pokies Features: Mechanic Definitions

• Megaways: Trademarked format offering up to 117,649 paylines or ways—the number of symbols per reel shifts every spin, multiplying win possibilities.

• Buy Feature/Bonus Buy: Lets players pay extra to access bonus rounds instantly, skipping the wait for scatters.

• Multiplier Wild: Combines a wild with a win multiplier for even bigger payouts.

Pokies Regulation and Legality in Australia

Pokies are subject to strict regulation under federal and state law. Each state sets its own rules for machine licensing, payout minimums (e.g., minimum RTP of 85% in Victoria), venue limits, and player protections such as self-exclusion, pre-commitment cards, and player tracking. Always play at licensed venues or trusted online casinos to guarantee fair play and timely payouts.

Responsible Gambling: Essential Terms

• Pre-Commitment: Setting deposit or time limits to help control gambling habits.

• Self-Exclusion: You can block yourself from playing at venues or online platforms for a set period.

• Reality Check: Reminders that track session length and prompt breaks.

Choosing the Right Pokies

When selecting where and what to play, it helps to grasp a few additional concepts:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What’s the difference between pokies and slots?
There’s no functional difference except terminology—“pokies” is used in Australia for all slot machines, online and land-based.

What are “ways” vs “paylines”?
Paylines are fixed patterns for wins. “Ways” games pay for adjacent symbols anywhere on successive reels—e.g., 243, 1024, or even over 100,000 possible winning ways.

Are wilds and scatters the same?
No—wilds substitute for other symbols; scatters typically trigger bonus features or pay anywhere.

What does high volatility mean?
A high volatility game pays out less often but offers bigger prizes—perfect for thrill seekers.

What are bonus buys?
Some online pokies let you “buy” access to the bonus game instantly for a set price.

Final Tips for Mastering Pokies Lingo

• Bookmark this glossary as your go-to pokies language reference.

• Read the paytable and info screens before spinning—each game may introduce unique terms or features.

• Stay updated as technology and trends evolve, with new mechanics arriving yearly.