How to Play Checkered Flag Pokies
# How to Play Checkered Flag Pokies — Step-by-Step Guide for Aussie Punters
If you've spotted Checkered Flag at your local RSL or club and want to get the hang of it before trying online, you're in the right place. This Aristocrat beauty is part of the Lightning Dollar Link family, and it blends a thrilling Hold & Spin mechanic with progressive jackpots that can climb fast. Let me walk you through exactly how to play it.
| Metric | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| RTP | Not publicly specified | |
| Volatility | High | |
| Paylines | Ways-style (exact number varies by version) | |
| Bet Range | Variable by venue/platform |
What these mean for your session: High volatility means Checkered Flag can feel quiet for a stretch, then hit you with a solid win or a progressive trigger. That's the appeal — and the risk. The ways-style paylines (instead of fixed lines) mean more winning combinations are possible, but your bet size will determine how much you can win per spin. Unknown RTP figures aren't ideal, but Aristocrat titles typically sit in the mid-to-high 80s to low 90s range.
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How to Play Checkered Flag — 6 Steps
- 01
Select Your Bet
Start by choosing your stake. This will depend on where you're playing — online or at a pub/club — but you'll have options ranging from smaller cautious spins to bigger bets that unlock higher progressive exposure. I always recommend knowing your session budget first.
- 02
Set Your Paylines (If Applicable)
Checkered Flag uses ways-style mechanics, which means the payline structure may be fixed or adjustable depending on your venue. Check the paytable to confirm whether you're activating all ways or choosing specific lines.
- 03
Check for Any Quick-Spin or Turbo Options
Many online versions of Aristocrat pokies offer faster spin speeds. If you're playing online, these are usually accessible in the menu — useful for longer sessions, but remember faster play can burn through your bankroll quicker.
- 04
Hit Spin
Press the spin button and let the reels roll. On Checkered Flag, you're looking for three things: regular paying symbols (which create standard line wins), scattered race car/bonus symbols (which trigger Free Games), or credit prize symbols (which unlock the Hold & Spin bonus).
- 05
Watch for Triggering Symbols
If you land 3 or more scattered race car symbols anywhere on the reels, you're into Free Games. If you hit 6 or more credit prize symbols during a spin, the Hold & Spin feature activates. These are your gateway to the big money.
- 06
Let the Bonus Rounds Play Out
Once triggered, Checkered Flag's bonuses take over. I'll explain exactly what happens in each one below.
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Understanding the Symbols
Wilds Wilds substitute for most paying symbols to complete winning combinations — they're your safety net when you're one symbol short of a win.
Scattered Race Car / Bonus Symbol Land 3 or more of these anywhere on the screen (they don't need to be on a payline), and you'll trigger 8 Free Games. This is your primary ticket to extended play and bigger wins.
Credit Prize Symbols These appear as cash or credit values on the reels. Land 6 or more during a single spin, and you'll activate the Hold & Spin feature. These symbols can also appear as double or triple versions — meaning Mini-Mini, Minor-Minor, or Major-Major progressives — which stack the prize value.
Checkered Flag Reveal Symbols These only show up during Free Games. They're stacked on the reels, and when they land, all reveal symbols on the screen transform into the same symbol simultaneously. That symbol can be any regular paying symbol or even a wild, potentially creating a full-screen match. This is where Free Games can turn explosive.
How to Trigger the Bonus Round
Free Games (8 Spins) Landing 3 or more scattered race car symbols triggers 8 Free Games. During these spins, the checkered flag reveal symbols become active. When they land, every reveal symbol on every reel transforms into the same symbol — wild, low-value, high-value, whatever it becomes. This mechanic can turn a modest spin into a massive win fast.
Hold & Spin Feature This kicks in when you land 6 or more credit prize symbols in a single spin. The reels lock those symbols in place and spin the remaining reels again, aiming to land more credit prizes. Here's where the progressive jackpots matter: those symbols can be Mini, Minor, or Major progressives (single, double, or triple versions). Fill the entire screen with credit symbols, and you'll claim the Grand progressive — the biggest prize Checkered Flag has to offer. This is Aristocrat's Lightning Dollar Link technology at work, and it's where life-changing wins happen.
My Top Tip
I've played Checkered Flag online, and here's what I'd recommend: treat every session with high volatility in mind. This isn't a game where you'll get frequent small wins to keep your session rolling. Instead, set a session budget you're comfortable losing entirely, then stick to it. The bonus rounds are generous when they hit, but they won't land every few spins. If you chase them, you'll burn through your bankroll quickly. Play it for fun, not for the progressives — when they come, they're a bonus, not an expectation.
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