How to play Big Red pokie
Big Red is a simple 5-reel, 5-line Aristocrat classic. Here is everything you need — the rules, the kangaroo wild, free spins and the gamble feature.
Step by step
1. Set your bet
Choose your stake from 1 to 100 credits per spin using the bet controls.
2. Spin the reels
Spin the 5 reels across 5 fixed paylines. Wins pay left to right on a line.
3. Trigger free spins
Land one or more kangaroo wilds on a win to start 5 free spins with a 2× multiplier.
4. Use the gamble feature
After a win, optionally gamble it: guess the card colour to double or the suit to quadruple.
Symbols & paytable order
Animal premiums (crocodile, dingo, wild boar, eagle) pay the most, followed by the royals 9, 10, J, Q and K. The kangaroo is the wild and the gum tree is the scatter. See the full RTP & payouts breakdown.
Free spins
One or more kangaroo wilds on a winning line awards 5 free spins, with every win doubled by a 2× multiplier. New wilds during the feature retrigger it — up to 255 free spins in total. More on the bonus features page.
Gamble feature & tips
After any win you can gamble: guess red/black to double (2×) or the suit to quadruple (4×) — get it wrong and you lose that win. Tips: Big Red is medium volatility, so size your bet to last; play the free demo first; and remember there is no bonus buy.
Reading the 5 paylines
Big Red's five paylines are fixed, so you cannot turn lines on or off — every spin plays all five. Wins must start on the leftmost reel (reel 1) and run along a line across consecutive reels. Because the kangaroo wild only lands on reels 3, 4 and 5, your best line wins usually form when a wild lines up with a premium symbol. Knowing this helps you read a spin at a glance: watch the right-hand reels for kangaroos, because that is where both the line completions and the free-spin trigger come from.
Choosing your bet size
Your total stake runs from 1 to 100 per spin. There is no "right" number, but a useful rule of thumb at medium volatility is to pick a bet you can comfortably spin at least 100–150 times on your budget. That gives the free-spin feature enough chances to land before your session ends. Start lower in the demo, get a feel for how often features appear, then settle on a stake for real play.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Chasing losses by raising your bet after a quiet patch — variance does not "owe" you a win.
- Over-using the gamble feature — quadrupling is tempting, but it wipes wins fast.
- Ignoring the RTP at your casino — some run a reduced version below 97.04%.
- Playing without a limit — decide your budget before you spin and treat it as the cost of entertainment.
Frequently asked questions
How many paylines does Big Red have?
Big Red has 5 fixed paylines across a 5×3 grid. All lines are always active.
What is the kangaroo in Big Red?
The kangaroo is the wild. It lands on the last three reels (3, 4 and 5), substitutes for all symbols except the gum tree scatter, and triggers the free spins.