Pokies Terminology

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Written by Dmytro Sipko | last updated 14 November 2025

The various pokies terms and their meanings that populate the world of online gambling often confuse beginner punters. We understand how hard it can be to learn about the mechanics of slot machines and have decided to help such individuals. That’s why our experts took the time to explain the standard pokie notions in simple terms.

Pokies terminology

Table of content

Bonus

In the pokies glossary, bonuses are prizes that players get from online casinos. Bonuses often come in the shape of additional funds and free spins, which operators give to individuals when they meet certain criteria. In some cases, players must bet a set amount of funds or confirm their accounts.

Bonus Round

These are special features that let players win outside the ordinary game mechanics. Bonus rounds come in the form of a Wheel of Fortune, Cash Trails, or Pick-a-Box interactive games. Players can activate them when the reels land on scatters or bonus symbols.

Cashback

The term refers to the funds casinos pay back to players as part of VIP programs. Many online platforms offer generous cashback initiatives that vary from 5% to 30%, depending on a specific program and the player's status.

Credit/Coin

Gamblers use these interchangeable terms to place bets on online games. Every time they spin a winning combination, players get paid. These funds can be gambled again or converted into real money and withdrawn. Games have different requirements for how little or how many credits punters can bet.

Cumulative Jackpot

These jackpots, also known as progressives, grow every time players spin the reels on a slot machine and don’t win. The final amount of a jackpot depends on the total number of previous tries and is often more substantial than that of a static type.

Double

In pokie machines terminology, the term double means a symbol that counts as two of the other symbols required to finish a slot machine line. Doubles almost always guarantee payouts for any paying symbols on a game.

Free Spin

This popular bonus lets punters play the slots for free a certain number of times. Free spins are often part of the welcome, no-deposit, deposit, and promotional bonuses. While free, they are usually limited to 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days, depending on the terms.

Hit Rate/Hit Frequency

These notions refer to the average number of times a pokie machine lands winning combinations. It’s calculated as an average between the total number of lost and won spins over a considerable period of time.

Hold

Some online slot machines have hold buttons that let players hold one of the reels in place while the others spin as usual. Platforms sometimes offer this option as special bonuses, giving players better odds of winning a spin.

Maximum bet

This notion means the maximum number of funds players can bet on a single slot spin. Many online operators set the maximum at $500 or $10,000 per turn. VIPs and high-rollers can bet even more on these machines.

Minimum bet

One of the most crucial casino slot terms is the minimum, which refers to the minimum amount of funds bet per spin on a machine. Many slots set the lower limit at AU $0.01, but the minimum can be as high as AU $5.

Multiplier

Multipliers are online symbols that increase the size of winnings for punters. These bonuses multiply the winnings from 2 to 5 times in regular games. Punters can come across multipliers ranging from 10x to 100x in bonus rounds.

Payline

In pokies terminology, these are the lines that determine the winning combinations of a particular machine. Paylines can be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. Punters often get to bet on multiple combinations, which increases their chances of winning.

Pay Table/Pay Schedule

Both of these terms mean a list of possible payline combinations. They also inform punters about the jackpots for each available payline.

Payout Percentage/RTP

The notion in the glossary of online pokies terms explains how much of the funds players can win back in the long run. On average, casino slot games have an RTP of 96%. For every $100 they gamble, players can retrieve $96 if they’re lucky.

Random Number Generator

Also known as RNG, this program guarantees the random outcomes of slot spins. Industry regulators check these generators to ensure they’re fair to players and don’t give the online house an advantage.

Reel

Reels are vertical strips of symbols that spin whenever players make a bet in online slots. Each game can have from 3 to 5 reels, some of which don’t use standard layouts.

Scatter

These are special symbols that produce a jackpot without the need for a payline. Players win a little every time scatters appear on the screen, even if other symbols don’t match.

Static Jackpot

In the world of pokies terminology, static jackpots offer fixed prizes for winning combinations. The jackpot doesn’t change no matter how long ago the last one happened.

Symbol

Symbols are pictures that appear on slot machine reels. Matching lines of symbols award players a certain amount of winnings.

Wild Symbol

Also known as randomizers, these symbols can complete a sequence by replacing any desired figures on the reels. Wild symbols increase the punter’s chances of winning. In addition to standard wilds, players can come across expanding (cover the entire reel) or sticky (stay on the reels for many turns) types.

Volatility

In online pokies, volatility refers to how much and how often players can win. High volatility games have bigger but rare payouts, while slots with a low level of this metric are safer to play but don’t offer substantial winnings.

The Importance of Knowing Pokies Terminology

Punters should take the time to learn about the differences between these terms for a better gaming experience. This knowledge leads to better decisions, makes it more likely for players to win, and helps them find the best online casino providers and games. In the long run, it will save beginner punters funds and allow them to form healthy gambling habits.

Dmytro Sipko photo
Dmytro Sipko Head iGaming Expert
I have over 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. At Pokiesworld, I handle in-depth analysis of brands and bonus promotions.