How to Play Autumn Moon Pokies
# How to Play Autumn Moon Pokies — Step-by-Step Guide for Aussie Punters
If you've spotted Autumn Moon on the cabinet at your local RSL or club and want to know what you're getting into before you play online, I've got you covered. Autumn Moon is one of Aristocrat's Dragon Link pokies — a premium game built on their proven 5x3 reel layout with some seriously engaging bonus mechanics. It's not your basic pokie, so let me walk you through exactly how it works.
| Feature | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| RTP | Not publicly disclosed by Aristocrat | |
| Volatility | High | |
| Paylines | 5–50 (you can select how many) | |
| Bet Range | A$0.25–A$25.00+ (varies by venue) |
What this means: High volatility means you'll see longer dry spells between wins, but when they hit, they can be substantial. The 5–50 paylines give you flexibility — more paylines cost more per spin but give you more chances to win. The RTP isn't published, which is standard for Aristocrat's premium Dragon Link games, so you'll need to check your venue's specs or ask staff.
Ready to try Autumnmoonau?
UPI, cards, crypto — pick your method.
How to Play Autumn Moon — 6 Steps
- 01
Set Your Bet
Choose your stake using the bet buttons on the screen. Start lower if you're testing the game — A$0.25 or A$0.50 per spin is a good entry point. Your bet multiplies by the number of paylines you've selected, so a A$0.25 bet on 50 paylines costs A$12.50 per spin.
- 02
Select Your Paylines
Decide how many of the 5–50 paylines you want active. More paylines = more winning combinations, but higher cost per spin. I'd recommend playing all 50 for the best hit frequency, but it's your bankroll — adjust based on your session budget.
- 03
Check Any Pre-Spin Settings
Some venues allow you to set turbo mode or auto-spin limits. Use these if available to speed up your session or set a loss limit to stay disciplined.
- 04
Hit Spin
Press the spin button and watch the reels. The 5x3 grid will spin, and symbols will land across your active paylines. Payline wins are evaluated left to right.
- 05
Land Winning Combinations or Scatter Symbols
Regular symbols pay left to right on active paylines. The real action starts when you land the **Autumn Moon scatter symbol** (the moon/portrait image) — land three or more of these and you'll trigger the Free Games feature. You might also land **fireball or orb symbols** during regular spins, which can trigger the Hold & Spin feature.
- 06
Enter the Bonus Round
Once you've triggered either Free Games or Hold & Spin, the bonus round takes over. This is where Autumn Moon gets exciting — see the sections below for full details.
Open an account in minutes
No KYC delays — start trading the same day.
Understanding the Symbols
Autumn Moon Scatter (Moon/Portrait Symbol) This is your key to the Free Games feature. Land three or more anywhere on the reels and you'll enter the free spins round. Scatters pay independently of paylines, so they work on any position.
Fireball & Orb Symbols These trigger the Hold & Spin mechanic — one of Autumn Moon's signature features. When you land fireballs or special orbs, the Hold & Spin round begins, and only orbs spin on locked positions. These orbs can hold cash values (Mini, Minor, Major) or jackpot balls that contribute to the progressive Grand jackpot.
Door Symbols (Free Games Feature) During the Free Games round, special door symbols appear on the reels. Each door opens to reveal a matching symbol across all door positions on that spin, boosting your chances of big wins and even the Grand jackpot.
Wild Symbols Standard wilds substitute for other symbols (except scatters and special orbs) to complete payline wins.
Regular Paying Symbols Thematic autumn-inspired icons (typically cards and themed character images) form the base of your payline wins.
How to Trigger the Bonus Round
Autumn Moon has two main bonus pathways:
Free Games Feature (Most Common) Land three or more Autumn Moon scatter symbols anywhere on the reels to trigger Free Games. The exact number of free spins depends on your venue's Dragon Link configuration, but you're typically looking at 8–15 free spins to start. During free spins, those door symbols I mentioned appear regularly, and each one reveals a matching symbol across all doors on that spin. This dramatically increases hit frequency and your chances of landing the Grand jackpot. Free Games can retrigger — land more scatters during your free spins and you'll add more spins to your total.
Hold & Spin Feature During regular play, landing fireball or orb symbols triggers Hold & Spin. The reels lock in place, and only the orbs spin. Each orb holds a cash value or a jackpot ball. If you land enough jackpot balls during Hold & Spin, you can win the Mini, Minor, or Major progressive jackpot. Fill all 15 orb positions, and you'll claim the Grand jackpot — this is the big prize Autumn Moon players chase.
Cash-on-Reels Prizes Keep an eye out for cash values that appear on the reels — these are instant wins that add directly to your balance and scale with your bet level.
Compare bonus structures
Cash bonus, free trades, deposit boost — pick yours.
My Top Tip
Here's what I've learned from high-volatility pokies like this: budget for a longer session before you expect a bonus trigger. With Autumn Moon's high volatility, you could spin 30–50 times without hitting Free Games or Hold & Spin. Set aside enough to play through dry spells, or drop your bet size to extend your play. When a bonus does hit, the payouts are genuinely solid — just don't chase losses expecting the next spin will be different. Discipline beats luck every time.
Gambling can be addictive. Call Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858. 18+ only.