last updated 12 June 2026

Cats Pokie Review

7.2
Based on our expert analysis
Desert-Themed
Cat-Themed
Animals-Themed

Cats looks like a clean IGT savannah slot at first glance: 5 reels, big-cat symbols and a simple payline setup. The twist comes from Split Symbols. One reel position can count as 2 cats, so a normal line can stretch further and pay in a less predictable way.

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Split Symbol Feature
Cat symbols can appear as singles or doubles. A double cat counts as 2 on a played line, making 6 to 10-cat wins possible.
Big Cat Paytable
The animal symbols do the real work. Black Panther pays the most, while Lion, Tiger, Leopard and Cougar create the main regular win targets.
Logo Wild
The Cats logo is Wild and substitutes for all regular symbols. It does not replace Paw Prints, but it can count double for cat wins.
Paw Print Bonus
Paw Prints are the bonus trigger. Counted prints matter more than symbol positions, because single and double Paw Prints can both appear.
Classic Reel Setup
The game stays on a 5-reel, 3-row layout with 30 paylines. No ways system, no cluster pays, no reel expansion.
No Paid Shortcut
Cats does not list a Bonus Buy or Ante Bet. Free Spins need to land naturally through the Paw Print symbols.
Quick Facts
RTP 94.9%
Volatility Medium
Provider IGT
Min Bet AU$0.01
Max Bet AU$600
Max Win 1,000x
Free spins
Bonus game
Wild symbol
Scatter Symbol
Multiplier
Symbol Stacked
Jackpot Game
Slot reels 5
Slot lines 30 paylines
Release Date 2013
Graphics & Theme
6.8 /10
Bonus Features
6.9 /10
Win Potential
7.8 /10
RTP & Fairness
6.4 /10
Mobile Experience
8.2 /10
Overall Fun Factor
7.3 /10

Game Overview

Cats is an IGT pokie built around 5 reels, 3 rows and 30 fixed paylines. Wins pay from left to right, but the game does not count every cat position in the usual way. Split Symbols allow 1 reel position to count as 2 matching cats on a played line. That is how a 5-reel slot can produce 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10-count cat wins. The setup stays easy to read: card ranks sit at the bottom of the paytable, big cats carry the stronger regular prizes, the Cats logo acts as Wild, and Paw Prints trigger the Free Spins feature. The commonly listed RTP is 94.93%, volatility is medium, stakes run from $0.01 to $600, and the strongest listed paytable result comes from 5 Cats logo Wilds.

Cats Pokie Review

Game Features & Mechanics

  • Fixed Paylines

    Fixed Paylines

    Cats uses 30 fixed paylines on a standard 5x3 grid. Matching symbols need to connect from reel 1 to create regular line wins.

  • Split Cat Counting

    Split Cat Counting

    Single cat symbols count as 1. Double cat symbols count as 2, which lets a line go beyond the normal 5-symbol limit.

  • Wild Assistance

    Wild Assistance

    The Cats logo replaces regular paying symbols and helps complete stronger cat combinations. When substituting for cats, it can count as double.

  • Paw Print Free Spins

    Paw Print Free Spins

    Paw Prints can appear as single or double symbols. 5 counted prints award 5 Free Spins, while 6 counted prints award 10 Free Spins.

Technical Specifications

  • Volatility Level

    Volatility Level

    Cats is generally treated as a medium-volatility pokie. Smaller line wins can appear often enough, while Split Symbols create the larger jumps.

  • RTP Explained

    RTP Explained

    The commonly listed online RTP is 94.93%. That is lower than many newer pokies, so checking the in-game help panel is worthwhile.

  • Bet Range

    Bet Range

    Stakes run from $0.01 to $600 per spin, depending on casino limits. The game uses standard betting controls, not a paid feature toggle.

Paytable & Symbol Values

The paytable starts with J, Q, K and A. J, Q and K all pay 5x the active line stake for 3, 15x for 4 and 100x for 5. Ace pays higher, with 8x for 3, 20x for 4 and 200x for 5. The animal symbols carry the stronger values. Black Panther pays from 10x for 3 to 2,500x for a 10-count line. Lion reaches 1,000x for 10 and keeps stronger middle payouts than the lower cats. Tiger and Leopard also reach 1,000x for 10, while Cougar has the same top value but lower 6 and 7-count pays. Split versions of these cat symbols are what push line counts above 5.

Symbol
Symbol
Symbol
Symbol
Symbol
Symbol
Symbol
Symbol
Symbol

Special Symbols

Cats Logo Wild
The Cats logo substitutes for every regular paying symbol except Paw Prints. 3 Wilds pay 300 coins, 4 pay 1,000, and 5 pay 10,000.
Symbol
Double Wild Count
When the Wild substitutes for a cat symbol, it can count as double on the played line. That makes it important for 6 to 10-count cat wins.
Symbol
Paw Print Scatter
Paw Prints are not replaced by Wilds. They can appear as single or double prints, and their counted total controls the Free Spins trigger.
Symbol
Split Cat Symbol
Split Cat symbols show 2 matching animals in 1 position. They are available on the cat symbols, not on the card-rank symbols.
Symbol
Free Spins
5 counted Paw Prints trigger 5 Free Spins. 6 counted Paw Prints trigger 10 Free Spins. The same Split Symbol idea remains important during the round.
Symbol

Graphics, Animations & Sound Design

  • Graphics

    Graphics

    Cats has an older IGT look, but the screen still reads cleanly. The brown savannah background keeps attention on the reels, while the gold-framed animal portraits make each cat easy to separate.

  • Animations

    Animations

    The animation style is direct. Wins are highlighted without much theatre, double-cat symbols are easy to notice, and the Cats logo stands out when it joins a line.

  • Sound Design

    Sound Design

    The audio feels closer to a classic casino cabinet than a modern cinematic slot. Animal roars and sharp win effects support the theme without crowding the simple gameplay.

  • Visual Feel & Interactivity

    Visual Feel & Interactivity

    Cats does not ask you to track meters or side panels. The interesting part is counting symbols, especially when double cats and Wilds land together.

Cats on Mobile Devices and Other Platforms

Cats works well on mobile because the layout is not overloaded. The 5x3 grid is compact, and 30 paylines are easier to scan than a large ways board. The only part that needs attention is Split Symbol counting. A double cat can be missed if you spin quickly on a small phone, and that detail can change the payout count. Portrait mode is fine for short sessions, but landscape makes cat portraits, Wilds and Paw Prints easier to read. Tablet and desktop are better for longer play because the paytable values and split-count wins stay clearer on a larger screen.

  • Android

    Android

    Android is comfortable for Cats on larger phones. The grid stays simple, and landscape mode helps when double animal symbols appear.

  • iOS

    iOS

    iOS suits quick sessions. Bigger iPhone screens make Paw Prints, logo Wilds and split cat symbols easier to spot during fast play.

  • Tablet

    Tablet

    Tablet gives the best mobile view. Symbols stay large, paylines are easier to follow, and the paytable is less cramped.

  • Desktop

    Desktop

    Desktop is the cleanest option for longer Cats pokie sessions. Split Symbol wins, Wild substitutions and Free Spins triggers are easier to read together.

Optimal Gameplay Tips

  • Use Stable Connection

    Use Stable Connection

    Essential

    Cats is not feature-heavy, but Free Spins still need a clean playthrough. A stable connection helps the bonus finish without interruption.

  • Landscape Mode Recommended

    Landscape Mode Recommended

    Recommended

    Landscape gives the reels more width. That matters when double cat symbols land and the line count becomes the key detail.

  • Audio Settings

    Audio Settings

    Optional

    The roars and win sounds add personality. Set volume where the classic cabinet-style audio stays comfortable during longer sessions.

  • Full Screen Mode

    Full Screen Mode

    Recommended

    Full screen helps with the compact interface. Extra space makes Paw Prints, Wilds and split animal symbols easier to catch.

How Cats Compare to Similar Pokies?

7.2
Cats
Cats
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94.9%
Medium
0.01
8.8
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0.10
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Hypernova Infinity Reels Dream Drop
Hypernova Infinity Reels Dream Drop
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El Fuego
El Fuego
Spinmatic
95.0%
High
0.15

About IGT — The Developer Behind the Game

IGT

IGT is one of the major names in casino gaming, with a long history across land-based machines, digital casino games, lottery systems and gaming technology. Cats feels tied to that cabinet background. The reels are clear, the paytable matters, and the special feature is built into the symbol behaviour rather than pushed into a complicated bonus menu. We like that approach here because the game explains itself quickly. You see the animal portraits, learn that double cats count as 2, then start watching how Wilds and Paw Prints change the spin. IGT has released plenty of more advanced games since, but Cats still shows an older design strength: readable paylines, simple controls and 1 mechanic that genuinely changes how wins are counted.

  • Cabinet Heritage

    Cats has a cabinet-style feel, with clear paylines, simple controls and a paytable that does more than sit in the background.

  • Split Symbol Focus

    The Split Symbol system is the game’s main reason to stand apart. It changes the line count without changing the reel layout.

  • Broad Game Library

    IGT’s catalogue covers classic slots, branded games, digital casino titles and gaming systems, giving Cats a place in a much wider portfolio.

Final Verdict

Cats
Why It’s Worth Playing
  • Split Symbols make the base game more interesting because 1 symbol space can count as 2 cats on a played line
  • The Black Panther gives the paytable a clear top regular target, reaching 2,500x the active line stake for a 10-count win
  • The Cats logo Wild has strong value, paying up to 10,000x the active line stake and counting double when substituting for cat symbols
  • Paw Print Scatters give the slot a simple bonus chase, with 5 or 6 counted prints starting the Free Spins round
  • The 5-reel layout stays easy to read, so the game remains approachable even when split counting changes the payout shape
Things to Consider
  • The 94.93% RTP is lower than many newer online pokies, so the return profile is not the friendliest part
  • Cats has no Bonus Buy or Ante Bet, which means every Free Spins round must arrive naturally from Paw Prints
  • The visuals feel older than modern IGT releases, especially if you prefer larger animations and layered bonus screens
Overall Rating
Img-483 7.2
Rating Graphics
6.8/10
Rating Features
6.9/10
Win Potential
7.8/10
Fun Factor
7.3/10
Bottom Line

Cats still earns a proper look because the Split Symbol idea gives a simple 5-reel pokie a different read. The theme is straightforward, the paytable is clear, and the Wild rules matter more than they first appear. We like that double cats can push line counts beyond the reel count without making the game hard to follow. The weaker side is just as clear: 94.93% RTP, older visuals and no paid route into Free Spins. Cats is best for players who want a classic IGT animal slot with one useful symbol-counting twist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many paylines does Cats have?

Cats uses 30 fixed paylines on a 5-reel, 3-row layout. Regular wins pay from left to right when matching symbols connect.

What are Split Symbols in Cats?

Split Symbols show 2 matching cats in 1 symbol position. They count as 2 animals on a played line, allowing wins up to 10 cats.

How do Free Spins trigger?

Free Spins trigger through Paw Print symbols. 5 counted Paw Prints award 5 Free Spins, while 6 counted Paw Prints award 10 Free Spins.

Is Cats good for mobile play?

Yes. Cats works well on mobile because the 5x3 layout is clean, though landscape mode makes Split Symbols and Paw Prints easier to spot.

Which symbol pays the most in Cats?

The Cats logo Wild has the strongest listed pay value. Among regular animal symbols, the Black Panther is the top-paying cat.

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