Pokies Glossary
Understanding pokies becomes much easier when you know the key terms used in online slots. This glossary explains the most common words, features, and mechanics you’ll see while playing at NZ online casinos. Use it as a quick reference guide to make your gaming experience smoother and more enjoyable on Pokie.nz.
Autoplay
A feature that allows the game to spin the reels automatically for a set number of rounds without manual input.
Bonus Game
A special feature round triggered by certain symbols or combinations. Bonus games often offer extra prizes, mini-games, or unique mechanics.
Cascading Reels
Also called avalanche or tumble reels. Winning symbols disappear and new ones fall into place, giving you more chances to win from a single spin.
Coins
Units used to place bets in some pokies. Coins can have adjustable values depending on the game.
Expanding Wild
A wild symbol that extends to cover an entire reel, increasing the chance of forming winning combinations.
Free Spins
A popular bonus feature where you can spin the reels without using your own balance. Free spins often include multipliers or enhanced features—discover more on our free spins guide.
Gamble Feature
A post-win option that lets you gamble your current winnings for a chance to double them—commonly found in classic pokies.
Hit Frequency
The rate at which a pokie awards winning combinations. High hit frequency means frequent small wins.
Jackpot
A large prize that can be won in certain pokies. Jackpots may be fixed or progressive—learn more in our free pokies guide.
Lines (Paylines)
The paths where matching symbols must land to generate a win. Some games have 1 payline, others have hundreds.
Max Bet
The highest allowed wager per spin. Some features or jackpots activate only when playing at max bet.
Megaways
A dynamic reel system offering varying numbers of symbols per reel, creating up to 117,649 ways to win.
Multiplier
A feature that boosts your winnings by a set factor—such as 2x, 5x, or even 100x.
Paytable
A chart showing symbol values, special features, and payout information for a specific pokie.
Progressive Jackpot
A jackpot that increases each time a player makes a bet. When someone wins, the total resets to a starting seed value.
Random Number Generator (RNG)
The technology that ensures every spin is random, fair, and independent from previous spins.
Reels
The vertical columns that spin and display symbols. Most pokies have 3 or 5 reels.
Respins
A feature that allows you to re-spin a specific reel or the entire set of reels—sometimes at an extra cost.
RTP (Return to Player)
The theoretical percentage a pokie pays back to players over time. For example, an RTP of 96% is considered good. Try calculating odds with our RTP calculator.
Scatter Symbol
A special symbol that typically triggers bonus rounds or free spins when enough appear anywhere on the reels.
Stacked Symbols
Symbols that appear in vertical blocks, increasing the likelihood of forming winning combinations.
Upsell Feature / Buy Bonus
Some games allow players to buy immediate access to a bonus round instead of waiting to trigger it naturally.
Volatility
A measure of risk in a pokie:
- Low: Frequent small wins
- Medium: Balanced play
- High: Rare but big wins
Wild Symbol
A symbol that substitutes for other regular symbols to help create winning combinations.
Ways to Win
Instead of paylines, some pokies offer “ways to win,” rewarding combinations from left to right on adjacent reels.
Final Thoughts
Understanding these terms can help you choose better games, recognise valuable features, and enjoy pokies more confidently. Use this glossary whenever you need quick explanations while exploring New Zealand’s top online slots on Pokie.nz. To dive deeper into gaming basics, visit our free pokies guide or explore more in the casino guide.
