Walk into any Australian pub or tap into an online casino and you’ll notice one thing immediately: pokies are covered in pictures. Fruit, bells, numbers, wild animals, ancient gods , the imagery varies wildly, but the underlying logic is surprisingly consistent. Learning to read these symbols is the single fastest way to understand how a machine actually pays. Check out additional details at best skrill casinos.
This guide breaks down the main symbol categories you’ll encounter, what they do, and why some matter far more than others.
The Core Symbol Categories
Every pokie is built from a handful of symbol types, each with a defined role in the paytable. The paytable is the in-game menu showing exactly what each symbol pays when matched in combinations. Always check it before spinning , it tells you more about a machine than the theme ever will.
Low-paying symbols are the filler. Think playing cards (9, 10, J, Q, K, A) or basic fruit like cherries and lemons. These land frequently but pay modest amounts , often just 2x to 5x your line bet for five of a kind.
High-paying symbols are the themed images. On a mythology-themed game it might be a god or a temple; on an Aussie pub classic it’s usually the red 7 or a bell. Five of a kind can pay 50x, 100x, or considerably more.
Special symbols , wilds, scatters, and sometimes multipliers , are the ones that drive the big wins. We’ll cover those next.
- Low pays: frequent, small rewards
- High pays: rarer, larger rewards
- Specials: trigger features and boost combinations
Wilds, Scatters and Bonus Triggers
A wild substitutes for almost any other symbol to complete a winning line. Some wilds also carry a multiplier , a 2x or 3x wild can turn a modest match into a substantial payout. Others “expand” to fill an entire reel during free spins.
A scatter is different. It doesn’t need to sit on a payline; it pays wherever it lands. Scatters are usually the key to unlocking free spins or bonus rounds. Landing three scatters typically triggers 10 free games, while five might deliver 20 or more with a boosted multiplier.
Modern pokies also use bonus symbols tied to pick-and-win features, and mystery symbols that transform into matching icons after the reels stop. Volatility matters here too , high-volatility games pay less often but in bigger chunks, while low-volatility games pay small amounts frequently.
Reading the Paytable Like a Pro
Top-tier platforms make this easy by displaying live paytables, RTP percentages (typically 94-97%) and full symbol explanations on every game. That transparency is a genuine advantage over guessing, and it’s a hallmark of quality sites like E-Wallet Pokies, where players can compare hundreds of titles side by side before committing real money.
Three quick habits will sharpen your symbol literacy fast:
- Identify the highest-paying symbol before your first spin.
- Count how many scatters are needed for the bonus , usually three.
- Note whether wilds appear on all reels or just some.
Symbols on reel one only, for instance, can never complete a left-to-right line on their own. Small details like this separate informed play from pure luck. Spend two minutes with the paytable and you’ll read any machine with confidence.
