winstar96's 2026 pokies, ranked by RTP

How the 2026 ranking works

This is winstar96's shortlist for 2026, ordered by one figure: the studio's published return to player (RTP). winstar96 runs every game on its default, highest RTP setting, so the number in the table is the one you play at. Eight games made the list, one from each of eight studios, with volatility ranging from medium to high so the ranking also works as a menu of session styles. They are all games the other winstar96 guides do not feature.

A higher RTP means a smaller house edge over a very long run. It does not make a game more likely to pay tonight, so read the volatility column alongside it before you choose.

The ranking

From first to eighth, the RTP drops by 2.29 points. In dollars, that is the difference between about AU$980 and about AU$957 paid back per AU$1,000 staked over a very long run.

The top three

1. African Wild Life (VPower), 98.00%

Fifty pay lines, a quick-spin mode and a special Photography game. It takes first place because 98.00% is the highest RTP VPower publishes, a figure it shares with five other VPower titles. Medium volatility keeps it from being either a slow drip or an all-or-nothing ride.

2. Dragon Chi's Quest (AdvantPlay), 97.08%

Twenty-five lines on 3x5 reels, where a dragon head collects lotus prizes and Tai Chi symbols to fill bonus bags. It is here for an unusual pairing: a top-three RTP and the biggest max win on the list at 80,000x, with only medium volatility.

3. Storm of Seth 2 (JILI), 97%

A 5×6 grid that pays for eight or more matching symbols anywhere. Golden multiplier orbs drop in, and four or more scatters start free games in which the multipliers accumulate. It is the only pays-anywhere grid on the list, and its medium volatility makes it a calmer alternative to high-volatility grid games such as Gates of Olympus.

Fourth to sixth: more movement

4. Five Awakens (FastSpin), 96.92%

The ways count expands from 3,125 up to 59,049, and mystery symbols upgrade as you play. It made the list as the highest-RTP ways game in FastSpin's line-up, at medium volatility.

5. Floating Dragon Hold and Spin (Pragmatic Play), 96.71%

Ten lines on 5×3 reels. Hold & Spin respins collect diamond symbols worth up to 4,993x, and in free spins the wilds collect fish money symbols. It is the only high-volatility game in the top five, with a 5,000x max win, so it suits players who are happy to wait for the feature.

6. Ultimate Golden Dragon Inferno - Hold & Win (Betsoft), 96.58%

243 ways on 5×3 reels, with a Hold & Win bonus that can open the grid up to 10×6 and add multipliers. There is also a feature buy. Betsoft rates it medium-high with a 2,497x max win, which puts it between Floating Dragon and the medium games above.

Seventh and eighth: features over figures

7. Primal Buffalo PowerGrid (Booming Games), 96.1%

10,000 ways on a 4-5-5-5-5-4 reel grid. Two PowerGrids lock coins for prizes on any spin, alongside an Ultra Prize Reel and free spins with a Bonus Buy. It ranks lower on RTP but earns its place for the PowerGrid mechanic, which can award coin prizes on any spin. Check the info panel for its volatility.

8. 3 Egypt Chests (3 Oaks Gaming), 95.71%

Ten lines on 5×3 reels with a Hold & Win where chest meters open Multi, Extra or Double boosters. It is the simplest Hold & Win here and the lowest RTP, included so the list shows what you trade for a straightforward feature. Check the info panel for volatility and max win.

Turning the ranking into a choice

If you want the smallest long-run edge, start at the top. If you want a particular kind of session, read down the volatility column instead: medium for a balanced ride, high or medium-high for bigger but rarer results. winstar96 offers demo play, so try a game on practice credits before playing real money pokies. For how RTP and volatility play out in an actual budget, see winning at pokies: what the numbers allow, and for the whole lobby by game type, visit the pokies hub.

Ranking questions