How to Read Pokies Payout Tables: A Practical Guide for Australian Players



Every pokies machine in Australia carries a payout table, but most players glance at the colourful symbols and move straight to spinning. That’s a missed opportunity. The payout table , sometimes called the paytable or pay schedule , is the single most useful piece of information on the screen. It tells you what each symbol combination pays, how many paylines are active, and crucially, what the maximum win looks like. Learning to read it properly takes about five minutes and can meaningfully change how you choose which machines to play. Check out additional details at Cobra Casino app.

What a Payout Table Actually Shows You

A standard paytable lists every symbol on the reels alongside the payout for landing three, four, or five of a kind on an active payline. The values are expressed as multiples of your line bet, not your total stake , a distinction that trips up plenty of newcomers. If a symbol pays 500 credits and you’re betting $0.10 per line, you collect $50, not $500.

Most tables are organised in descending order, with the highest-value symbol at the top. Wilds and scatters usually sit in their own section because they behave differently: wilds substitute for other symbols, while scatters typically pay anywhere on the reels and often trigger free spin features.

Pay attention to how many paylines the machine uses. A 25-line pokie requires you to multiply your line bet by 25 to understand your true cost per spin. Many modern games let you adjust the number of active lines, but deactivating lines reduces your chances of hitting combinations on those paths.

Here’s a quick reference for how typical payouts scale:

Reading RTP, Volatility and Line Bet Maths

Return to Player (RTP) is the percentage of all wagered money a machine pays back over millions of spins. In Australia, land-based pokies must meet minimum standards, and most clubs and pubs operate machines with RTPs between 85% and 92%. Online pokies generally sit higher, often between 94% and 97%. Always check the help screen or info button for the exact figure before committing real money.

Volatility matters just as much as RTP. A low-volatility pokie pays smaller amounts more frequently, stretching your bankroll. High-volatility games pay rarely but can produce large wins , sometimes 5,000x your line bet or more. Your choice depends on whether you want longer play time or a shot at a bigger payout.

To calculate your real exposure per spin, multiply your line bet by the number of active paylines. At $0.05 per line across 20 lines, each spin costs $1.00 regardless of what the top symbol advertises. This is where many players overestimate their budget.

• Check the RTP before your first spin , anything above 95% is strong for online play
• Note whether payouts are “left to right” only or both directions
• Confirm whether scatters pay in addition to triggering features
• Look for a “max win” cap, which some machines set at 250,000 credits

Common Mistakes and What to Look For Instead

The biggest error is assuming the largest number on the paytable is achievable with a small bet. Maximum wins usually require five wilds on a single payline at maximum bet. Read the fine print beneath the symbol grid , it often specifies conditions most players never notice.

Another trap is ignoring the difference between “coins” and “credits.” Some tables quote payouts in coins, and the coin value varies by denomination. A 1,000-coin payout at $0.01 per coin is worth $10, but at $0.50 per coin it’s $500. Always check the denomination display before interpreting any figure.

Finally, don’t confuse the paytable with the autoplay settings or the gamble feature. These are separate mechanics. The paytable is purely about what symbol combinations pay and how much. Master it, and you’ll pick machines with better odds, understand your true cost per spin, and avoid the disappointment of misreading a win that was never as large as it looked.