To play pokies you choose a stake, press spin, and the game’s random number generator decides which symbols land on the reels; matching symbols on an active payline (or across “ways”) pay according to the paytable. That is the whole core loop. Everything else (free spins, multipliers, cascades and jackpots) is a variation on it. This guide explains each part in plain English, then covers RTP, volatility and how to set limits before you start.
Step by step: a typical spin
- Check your age and venue. In New Zealand you need to be 18+ for pokies in pubs and clubs and 20+ to enter a casino such as SkyCity Auckland. Bring valid ID.
- Decide your budget first. Pick an amount you are comfortable losing in full, and a time limit. Treat it as the cost of entertainment.
- Load credit. In a venue this is usually cash into the machine. Online, it is a deposit to your account.
- Open the paytable or info screen. It shows what each symbol pays, how features trigger and the stake options.
- Set your stake. Most games combine a coin or bet level with the number of lines or ways in play. The total bet per spin is shown on screen.
- Spin. The result is fixed the moment you press the button. Stopping the reels early or “slamming” the button does not change the outcome.
- Collect or cash out. When you finish, cash out your remaining credit rather than playing it down to zero by habit.
The parts of a pokie
Reels, rows and symbols
Most modern pokies use five reels and three or four rows, though layouts vary widely. Symbols are usually split into low-paying (card ranks like A, K, Q) and high-paying themed symbols. Special symbols include:
- Wilds, which substitute for other symbols to complete wins.
- Scatters, which pay or trigger features wherever they land.
- Bonus or cash symbols, often used in hold-and-spin style features.
Paylines and ways
Paylines are fixed patterns across the reels; a win needs matching symbols along one, usually starting from the leftmost reel. “Ways” games pay for matching symbols on adjacent reels in any position, giving hundreds or thousands of combinations. Megaways-style games change the number of symbols per reel every spin; see our Megaways pokies guide for detail.
Common features
| Feature | What it does | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Free spins | A set of spins at no extra cost, usually triggered by scatters | Often where a game’s bigger wins are concentrated, so they can be rare |
| Multipliers | Multiply a win by a set amount | Can be random, fixed or growing during a feature |
| Tumbles / cascades | Winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in | One paid spin can produce several wins in a row |
| Hold-and-spin | Special symbols lock in place while you get respins | Common in games like the Lightning Link style |
| Linked jackpots | A jackpot shared across several machines | In pubs and clubs, capped at $1,000 under current Class 4 rules |
| Buy feature | Pay a set amount to jump straight to the bonus | Not available on all games; increases cost per round sharply |
RTP and volatility: what they really mean
RTP (return to player) is the share of all money staked that a game is designed to return over a very long run, often millions of spins. A game listed at 96% does not return $96 for every $100 you put in on a given night. Over a short session, results swing widely in both directions, and the house edge only shows itself reliably over enormous numbers of spins.
Volatility (or variance) describes how wins are distributed:
- Low volatility: frequent small wins, fewer big swings.
- High volatility: long stretches with little return, punctuated by occasional larger wins.
Neither is “better”. High-volatility games can use up a budget quickly with nothing to show; low-volatility games can stretch a session for longer, which also means more time spent gambling.
Myths worth dropping
- “It’s due to pay.” Each spin is independent. Past results do not affect the next one.
- “Bet max to win more often.” Higher stakes scale wins and losses; they do not change the odds of a symbol landing.
- “Hot and cold machines.” Streaks happen by chance and are only visible in hindsight.
- “Near misses mean I’m close.” Near misses are a normal part of how results look; they are not a sign a win is coming.
Rules that differ by venue
Pub and club pokies (Class 4) have firm limits under current Class 4 rules: a maximum stake of $2.50 per play, a maximum prize of $500 per single play and a $1,000 cap on linked jackpots. Casino machines are not subject to these limits, so you will see higher bet levels and bigger jackpots at a casino. More detail is in our pokies rules in New Zealand guide.
Online pokies are moving to a licensing regime under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. Licensed operators must let you set spending limits and are not allowed to offer autoplay. Our land-based vs online pokies comparison sets out the differences.
Safer play checklist
- Set a money limit and a time limit before you start, and stop when you reach either.
- Take regular breaks; step away from the machine and check the time.
- Never chase losses or play with money meant for bills, rent or food.
- Avoid playing when stressed, low or after drinking.
- If gambling stops feeling like entertainment, talk to Gambling Helpline Aotearoa (free, 24/7) on 0800 654 655 or text 8006.
New to all of this? Start with pokies for beginners, and keep our responsible gambling guide handy.