Two numbers describe how a pokie behaves: RTP and volatility. Neither one tells you what will happen on your next spin, but together they explain why some games feel steady and others swing wildly. Understanding them helps you choose games that suit your budget.
RTP stands for return to player. It is the percentage of all money wagered on a game that the game is designed to pay back over a very large number of spins — usually measured across millions of rounds. If a pokie has an RTP of 96%, the remaining 4% is the house edge.
RTP is a long-run average across all players. In one session of a few hundred spins, your result can be far above or far below it. It is a useful way to compare games, but it is not a forecast for your own balance.
Say you play a 96% RTP pokie at $1 a spin for 200 spins. You have wagered $200 in total. The expected loss is 4% of $200, which is $8. That is only the average outcome: one player might finish $60 down, another might hit a feature and finish $150 up. The more spins you play, the closer the overall result tends to move towards the RTP — which is why longer play at a higher bet costs more on average.
Volatility (also called variance) describes how the RTP is paid out. Two games can both have 96% RTP and feel completely different:
Studios often show volatility as a scale of lightning bolts, stars or chillies in the game's info screen. Games advertising very high maximum wins such as "x5000" or "x10000" are almost always high volatility.
If your budget is small and you want a longer session, low or medium volatility games with a small bet will last longer. If you choose a high-volatility game, lower your bet so you can survive the dry spells between features. Whatever you choose, set your limit first — see our budget guide.
Open the game, then look for the help, info or paytable screen. Many studios list the RTP near the bottom of the rules. Some games come in several RTP versions, so always check the number shown inside the game you are playing rather than a figure quoted elsewhere.
A higher RTP means a lower house edge over the long run, so it is better on average. It does not guarantee a better result in a single session.
No. The RTP is set by the game's design. A losing or winning streak does not change it.
Many modern online pokies are designed with an RTP between about 94% and 97%. Check the help screen of each game for its exact figure.
Yes, in the short term. Your balance swings more, and you can go many spins without a meaningful win. Use a smaller bet if you play high-volatility games.
18+ only. Gamble responsibly.