Last updated: 13-06-2026
Ask just about any Aussie who's had a punt online and odds are they've spun Starburst at some point. It's the pokie that quietly turns up in nearly every lobby, including the one at Class 777, and it's been doing the rounds since 2012 without ever really going out of style. No sprawling storyline, no fifty-step bonus round — just bright arcade gems, a clean five-reel grid and one neat little wild that does all the heavy lifting. This is an honest look at how it actually plays, what the numbers say, and whether it deserves a spot in your session.
Here's the short of it: Starburst is a low-volatility pokie, which is a fancy way of saying it dishes out small wins often rather than making you wait ages for a big one. That makes it a ripper for newer players finding their feet, and for anyone keen to stretch a deposit or a welcome bonus across a decent run of spins. Below I'll break down the RTP, the expanding-wild mechanic, how it measures up against the bigger-hitting pokies, and exactly how to get going at Class 777.
Author's tip from Callum Fraser, Casino Editor & Player Experience Researcher: "The thing most punters miss with Starburst is that it pays both ways — left-to-right and right-to-left — so your real hit rate is higher than the 10 paylines suggest. On a low-vol game like this, I size my bet so a session runs a few hundred spins rather than a few dozen. That's how you actually see the re-spins land and give a bonus a fair shake, instead of burning through the lot in five minutes."What is the Starburst pokie and how does it actually play?
Starburst is a NetEnt classic built on a 5-reel, 3-row grid with 10 fixed paylines that pay in both directions. Land three or more matching gems from either end and you're paid — that two-way scoring is a big part of why wins feel so frequent. The whole game hinges on one feature: the Starburst Wild. When it lands on the middle reels (2, 3 or 4) it expands to fill the entire reel, locks in place, and hands you a re-spin. Stack up more wilds and you'll trigger more re-spins, up to three in a row.
Here's the spec sheet at a glance:
- Studio: NetEnt — one of the most recognised pokie makers going, with a long track record for clean, reliable maths.
- Reels & lines: 5 reels, 3 rows, 10 paylines, win both ways.
- RTP: around 96.09% on the standard build — though operators can run lower configurations, so it's worth checking the game info screen at Class 777 before you spin.
- Volatility: Low — frequent, modest wins rather than rare big ones.
- Max win: 500x your stake (50,000 coins).
- Bet range: roughly $0.10 to $100 a spin, depending on the operator.
- Standout feature: expanding Starburst Wild on reels 2–4 with up to 3 re-spins.
If you're picturing how that risk profile actually looks, here's Starburst mapped out — where it sits on the volatility scale, its return-to-player, and how often it tends to pay:
The takeaway: low volatility means your bankroll tends to last, and the reels reward you regularly — but it also means Starburst isn't the machine for chasing a life-changing hit. If that's what you're after, a progressive like Mega Moolah is a completely different beast, with a jackpot that can run into the millions (and maths to match). Starburst trades that big-win dream for a smoother, steadier ride.
How does Starburst compare to the bigger-hitting pokies?
Plenty of players bounce between a calm low-vol pokie and something with a bit more mongrel in it. So here's how Starburst stacks up against a couple of popular high-octane options — Gates of Olympus and Big Bass Bonanza — on the numbers that actually matter:
| Metric | Starburst | Gates of Olympus | Big Bass Bonanza | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | NetEnt | Pragmatic Play | Pragmatic Play | Different studios, different engines |
| RTP (standard) | 96.09% | 96.50% | 96.71% | All operator-configurable — check before you spin |
| Volatility | Low | High | High | Low = steady; high = swingy |
| Max win | 500x | 5,000x | 2,100x | Bigger ceiling = longer dry runs |
| Standout feature | Expanding wild + re-spins | Pay-anywhere + multipliers | Money symbols + fisherman collector | Three very different thrills |
| Best for | New players, stretching a bonus | Multiplier chasers | Feature hunters | Match it to your bankroll |
The pattern's clear enough: Starburst keeps things low-risk and frequent, while the high-vol pokies dangle far bigger top wins in exchange for longer dry spells. Neither's better — they're built for different moods and different bankrolls. A medium-vol option like Wolf Gold sits somewhere in between if you fancy a bit of both. New to terms like RTP and volatility? The glossary spells them out in plain English.
Author's tip from Callum Fraser, Casino Editor & Player Experience Researcher: "Don't read Starburst's frequent small wins as a sign a big one's 'due' — that's not how RNG pokies work. Every spin is independent, and the reels have no memory of the last hundred. If you're chasing a proper top-end payout you're on the wrong machine; this one's built for steady, low-stress sessions. Match the pokie to your goal before you deposit, not after you've chased it."How do you start playing Starburst at Class 777?
Getting a spin going is dead simple. Here's the quick version for a new player:
- Open the Class 777 registration page and create your account — use real details that match your ID, it saves grief at withdrawal time.
- Verify your account and make a deposit — most AUD methods (card, PayID, e-wallets) clear in seconds, with minimums often around $10.
- Grab a welcome bonus if one suits you — just read the wagering terms first so you know exactly what you're signing up for.
- Open Starburst and set your bet — start small, around $0.20 a spin gives you plenty of room to learn the rhythm.
- Spin and keep an eye on the middle reels — that's where the expanding wild and re-spins do their thing.
- Set a deposit limit and a session timer in your account settings before you get rolling. 18+ only.
That's the lot — no special strategy required, because the outcome of every spin comes down to a certified random number generator, not timing or technique. Sign up at Class 777 and you can have Starburst spinning inside a couple of minutes.
In plain terms: every fresh wild that lands while the re-spin sequence is running locks in and earns you another go, up to three. With three full reels turned wild and both-ways pays in play, that's where Starburst's better wins come from — not from a separate bonus round, but from the wild stacking up across the middle of the grid.
Who is Starburst best suited to — and how do you play it responsibly?
Starburst is a cracking fit if you're newish to pokies, like a low-stress session, or want to make a bonus go the distance. It's also a handy palate-cleanser between heavier games. If you're more of a thrill-seeker, the multiplier mayhem of Sweet Bonanza 1000, the cluster action of Sugar Rush 1000, or the genuinely savage swings of Razor Shark will scratch that itch. After a classic with a bit more bite, Book of Dead is the high-vol pick of the old-school crowd, while NetEnt's own Jack and the Beanstalk keeps the familiar feel with walking wilds. Keen on a feature-driven grind or a bit of telly nostalgia? Gold Rush and Deal or No Deal are worth a look too.
Whatever you pick, play it smart. Pokies are entertainment, not a way to make money — the house edge is always there, low-vol or not. Set a budget you're genuinely fine to lose, lean on the deposit limits and session reminders at Class 777, and never chase a loss. If it ever stops being fun, free and confidential support is available through Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858), and BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, lets you block yourself from every licensed Australian operator in one go. 18+ only.
Used the right way, Starburst is exactly what it's always been — a clean, friendly, low-fuss pokie that's easy to enjoy and easy to walk away from. Check the latest bonus at Class 777 and give it a burl on your own terms.
Author's tip from Callum Fraser, Casino Editor & Player Experience Researcher: "Set your loss limit before the first spin, not when you're already down. I punch a deposit limit into the account settings at Class 777 the day I sign up — takes 30 seconds and it makes the call for you when you're tired and tempted to top up. The pokie will still be there tomorrow."

