How to Play Buffalo Pokies
# How to Play Buffalo Pokies — Step-by-Step Guide for Aussie Punters
If you've had a spin on Buffalo at your local RSL or pub, you already know it's got serious appeal — those buffalo symbols, the thunder-and-lightning vibe, the sense that a big win's always just one spin away. But online pokies work a bit differently from the clubs, and Buffalo's got some mechanics worth understanding before you play for real money. I'll walk you through exactly how to play it, so you can make smart choices and enjoy the game properly.
| Stat | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| RTP | 94.85% | |
| Volatility | High | |
| Paylines | 243 Ways to Win | |
| Bet Range | A$0.01–A$40.00 per spin |
What these mean for you:
- At 94.85% RTP, Buffalo returns roughly A$94.85 for every A$100 wagered over time — that's a solid, fair return for an Aristocrat game.
- High volatility means wins are less frequent, but bigger when they hit; you'll need decent bankroll padding to ride the dry spells.
- 243 ways to win (not fixed paylines) means you're paid when matching symbols land on adjacent reels from left to right — no fixed lines to worry about.
- Bet A$0.01 to A$40.00 per spin, so you can play tight or go big depending on your comfort level.
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How to Play Buffalo — 6 Steps
- 01
Choose Your Bet
Before any spin, set your stake. Use the bet slider or buttons on the screen to pick your wager (A$0.01–A$40.00). I'd suggest starting low if you're new to the game — maybe A$0.10 or A$0.20 — so you can get familiar with how the wins land and how volatile it actually feels to *you*.
- 02
Understand the Paylines Are Active
Buffalo uses 243 ways to win automatically on every spin — you don't select or deselect paylines like on older pokies. All 243 combinations are active at your chosen bet level, so you're covered across the board. No fiddling needed; that's one less thing to worry about.
- 03
Check Autoplay (Optional)
Many online venues let you set autoplay — spin the reels automatically for a set number of spins without stopping. It's handy if you want a longer session hands-off, but I always recommend staying engaged, especially on high-volatility games like Buffalo. You want to see what's happening with your money.
- 04
Hit Spin
Press the spin button and watch the 5 reels roll. Buffalo's reels are packed with regular symbols (mostly card ranks and animals) plus Wild and Scatter symbols. Winning combinations form when matching symbols line up from left to right on adjacent reels.
- 05
Land Scatter Symbols to Trigger Free Spins
The Scatter symbol is your ticket to the bonus round. Land **three or more Scatters anywhere on the reels** — they don't have to be on a payline — and you'll trigger free spins. The exact number of free spins is determined by the RNG, so you might get 8, 10, 15, or more depending on luck.
- 06
Play Through the Free Spins
Once you're in free spins, the reels spin automatically at no extra cost to you. Free spins come with **enhanced multipliers**, so your wins pay more than they would on regular spins. If you land more Scatters during free spins, the bonus **retriggers** — you'll get more free spins added on top. This is where Buffalo's magic happens; I've seen modest bets turn into solid payouts thanks to retriggers and multipliers stacking up.
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Understanding the Symbols
Wild Symbol (Buffalo) The Buffalo is the Wild. It substitutes for any regular symbol to complete winning combinations — think of it as a joker in a card deck. Wilds don't pay directly, but they're your best friend when you need one more symbol to land a big win.
Scatter Symbol Scatters trigger the free spins bonus and pay regardless of where they land on the reels. Land three or more, and you're in. Scatters also pay their own prize if you hit enough of them in base game.
Regular Symbols Card ranks (10, J, Q, K, A) and animal symbols (like antelope, eagle, buffalo) form your standard wins. Pay attention to the paytable — the buffalo itself is usually the highest-paying regular symbol.
How to Trigger the Bonus Round
The free spins bonus is everything in Buffalo. Here's how it works:
Landing the Scatter You need three or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels to trigger free spins. The RNG determines exactly how many free spins you receive — typically ranging from 8 to 20+. More Scatters = more free spins, so a five-Scatter trigger will award more spins than a three-Scatter one.
Enhanced Multipliers During free spins, wins carry higher multipliers than base game spins. A win that'd be worth 2× your bet in base game might pay 3× or 4× during free spins. This is why free spins are so valuable.
Retrigger Potential If you land three or more Scatters again while already in free spins, the bonus retriggers. You'll get additional free spins added to your remaining count. In my experience, this is where Buffalo can really explode — a retrigger or two combined with multipliers can turn a modest free-spins round into a serious payout.
My Top Tip
Buffalo's high volatility is a double-edged sword. Wins come in waves, not steady drips. I'd recommend setting aside a session bankroll you're genuinely comfortable losing — maybe A$50 or A$100 depending on your finances — and sticking to lower bets (A$0.10–A$0.50) until you trigger free spins. Once you're in bonus, the multipliers and retrigger potential can really work in your favour. But if the base game is cold, don't chase it; move on, come back fresh another time. Patience pays in high-volatility pokies.
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