Not all pokies pay the same. Some give more frequent small wins, while others offer huge potential payouts but fewer hits. If you want to maximise your playtime and choose games that return more value over long-term sessions, understanding how to identify high-payout pokies is essential.
This guide explains how to choose pokies with the highest payout using RTP, volatility, hit rate, and feature design, especially for Australian players on VGS33.
RTP is the most important metric for measuring long-term payout potential. A higher RTP means the game returns more money back to players over millions of spins.
Example: A 97% RTP game theoretically returns $97 for every $100 wagered – over the long term. It doesn’t guarantee what happens during your session, but it gives you a mathematical advantage compared to lower-RTP pokies.
Volatility determines how a pokie's payout distribution feels:
If you're playing with a small bankroll, low-to-medium volatility keeps you in the game longer. If you're chasing big wins and don’t mind variance, high volatility might suit you better.
Hit rate shows how often a pokie gives any win – even small ones.
High hit-rate games feel more active and engaging, while low hit-rate games focus on rare, explosive bonuses.
Some pokies are designed with high-payout mechanics, such as:
Games with strong bonus potential tend to have higher top-end payouts, especially high-volatility titles.
The paytable reveals the game’s core structure:
A quick look at the info screen can tell you whether the game is built for small steady wins or big explosive payouts.
For best results, match your bankroll size to the pokie’s behaviour:
Higher volatility means you need more spins to reach the game’s full potential, so adjusting bet size is crucial.
Not guaranteed in a single session, but high RTP does give better long-term value.
They offer bigger potential wins, but require more patience and a larger bankroll.
RTP is the best starting point, followed by volatility and hit rate.
Regulated online pokies use fixed, certified RTP versions and cannot be changed mid-session.