Big Bass Bonanza
Big Bass Bonanza: a published return of 96.71% with high volatility and a 2,100x cap makes it the steadiest qualifying entry.
- RTP
- 96.71%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 2,100x
- Lines
- 10
- Fishing
- Pragmatic Play
Pokie guide · Australia
Best pokies to play — what earns a place and what does not
A best pokies to play list is only useful if it tells you what each game asks of your bankroll. This page explains the criteria behind our shortlist and why a low-demand game can still deserve a spot.
- 5pokies compared
- 96.71%best published return
- A$5max bet on a bonus
The shortlist
The list, in order of return
The shortlist below ranks five titles on published return, volatility and maximum win multiple, not on how often they appear in a lobby.
Checked on 19 October 2026
Madame Destiny Megaways
Madame Destiny Megaways: 96.51% return, high volatility and a 5,000x cap suit players who want a larger ceiling on the same kind of swings.
- RTP
- 96.51%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 5,000x
- Lines
- megaways
- Mystical
- Pragmatic Play
Gates of Olympus
Gates of Olympus: a 96.5% return and 5,000x cap place it alongside the other high-volatility picks rather than above them.
- RTP
- 96.5%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 5,000x
- Greek Mythology
- Pragmatic Play
Sweet Bonanza
Sweet Bonanza: medium-high volatility, a 96.48% return and a 21,100x cap give it the widest range of outcomes on the list.
- RTP
- 96.48%
- Volatility
- Medium-High
- Max win
- 21,100x
- Candy
- Pragmatic Play
Floating Dragon
Floating Dragon: a 96.35% return with high volatility and a 5,000x cap qualifies on maths despite low demand.
- RTP
- 96.35%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 5,000x
- Lines
- 10
- Asian
- Pragmatic Play
All of it, in a table
Sort by whichever figure decides it for you.
| 1Big Bass Bonanza | 96.71% | High | 2,100x | Pragmatic Play |
| 2Madame Destiny Megaways | 96.51% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
| 3Gates of Olympus | 96.5% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
| 4Sweet Bonanza | 96.48% | Medium-High | 21,100x | Pragmatic Play |
| 5Floating Dragon | 96.35% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
Select a column heading to sort.
What earns a place on the list
A pokie earns consideration here when its published return figure is competitive, its volatility is stated honestly, and its win cap is not so low that it undercuts the point of playing. The return is a long-run average across millions of spins, not a target for one session, so a game with a strong figure can still take your balance quickly on a bad run.
We do not rank on theme, animation quality or how busy the lobby is. A game with modest demand can still qualify if the numbers hold up. What disqualifies a title is a poor published return, an unclear volatility label, or a win cap that makes the high-volatility experience pointless.
Why low-demand games still qualify
Demand is not a quality signal. A pokie that few Australian players search for may still have a return figure in the same range as the titles everyone talks about. If the maths is sound, the game belongs in the conversation regardless of how often it appears in streams or forum threads.
Low-demand games also tend to have less crowded bonus features, which matters if you are betting within the partner's A$5 bonus cap. The cap limits what you can stake while a bonus is active, so a game that plays well at smaller stakes is more useful than one that only feels worthwhile at higher bets.
Reading the shortlist figures
Each entry lists a published return figure, a volatility label and a maximum win expressed as a multiple of your stake. Those three figures describe different things: the return is the long-run average, volatility describes how wildly results swing around that average, and the win cap is the ceiling on a single result.
A high-volatility game with a large win cap will spend long stretches paying little. That is the trade-off, not a flaw. If you cannot absorb those dry runs, a medium-high volatility title on the list may suit your bankroll better, even if its headline win cap is smaller.
FAQ
What readers ask about this
What are the best pokies to play in Australia?
There is no single answer, because the best game depends on whether you want steady smaller returns or a shot at a large win cap. Our shortlist ranks titles on published return, volatility and win cap rather than popularity.
Does a high RTP mean I will win?
No. The published return is a long-run average measured across an enormous number of spins, and any single session can fall well below it. A high figure improves the theoretical value of a spin but does not change the outcome of yours.
Is a popular pokie better than a low-demand one?
Not necessarily. Popularity reflects marketing and streamer coverage more than published maths, and a quiet title can carry a return figure just as competitive. We include low-demand games when their stated figures hold up.
What bonus cap applies when I play with a bonus?
The partner's published terms set a maximum bet of A$5 while a bonus is active. Bets above that can void the bonus, so check the cap before you spin.