The Dog House is a 2019 release from Pragmatic Play, set in a cartoon backyard full of dogs, kennels and bones. It plays on a 5x3 grid with 20 fixed paylines. The most distinctive thing about it is the free spins feature, where multiplier wilds stick to the reels and combine. The default RTP is 96.51%, and the top prize is 6,750x your stake.
The Dog House Pokie Review
Pragmatic Play's 2019 high-volatility pokie with sticky multiplier wilds and a 6,750x max win.
Quick facts
- Provider
- Pragmatic Play
- RTP (default)
- 96.51%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 6,750x
- Layout
- 5x3
- Lines / ways
- 20 fixed paylines
- Bet range
- 0.20 – 100
- Released
- 2019
The basics: layout, studio and how wins form
The Dog House is a 5x3 pokie from Pragmatic Play, released in 2019. The theme is a bright, playful cartoon backyard with dogs, kennels and bones. Wins form on 20 fixed paylines, which means you can't adjust the number of active lines. Bets range from $0.20 to $100 per spin.
Structurally, it's a standard 5x3 grid, but the key difference is in the free spins: multiplier wilds can appear on reels 2, 3 and 4, and in the bonus round they stick to those positions. That changes how wins build compared to a typical pokie where wilds vanish after each spin.
Setting up a spin: stakes and controls
To play The Dog House, set your bet using the selector at the bottom of the screen. The minimum is $0.20 and the maximum is $100 per spin. The game uses a 5x3 grid with 20 fixed paylines, meaning you cannot adjust the number of active lines. Wins are read from left to right on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. The paytable and game info are accessed via the 'i' button, where you can also check the RTP version. Press the spin button to start a round. There is no ante bet or bonus buy feature in this game.
Inside The Dog House's bonus features
The main feature is triggered by three paw scatters landing on reels 1, 3 and 5. That awards 9 to 27 free spins, with the number picked by a spinning machine. So you get a random count each time.
During free spins, multiplier wilds (2x or 3x) can land on reels 2, 3 and 4. They stay locked in place until the feature ends, and their multipliers combine if more than one lands on the same payline. For example, if a 2x and a 3x wild both contribute to a win, the total multiplier is 6x. Premium symbols also appear fully stacked on the free spins reel strips, which can lead to larger line hits.
Session limits, bet sizing and the myths
The Dog House is high volatility, meaning wins come less often but can be larger. For a $50 session, a sensible bet is around $0.50 per spin, giving you 100 spins to ride out dry spells. For a $200 session, you could go up to $2 per spin, which still leaves 100 spins. These are rough guides, not guarantees.
There is no bonus buy or ante bet in this game, so you can't pay to trigger free spins directly. No betting system changes the RTP; the maths is fixed. The only practical lever is bet size relative to your bankroll.
RTP versions, variance and the top prize
The default RTP is 96.51%, but there are two versions: 95.51% and 96.51%. The official Pragmatic Play page lists 96.51%. If you play the lower version, you'd lose an extra $1 per $100 wagered on average. That adds up over time.
The maximum win is 6,750x your stake. At a $1 bet, that's $6,750; at $0.20, it's $1,350. High volatility means you may go long stretches without a win, but the top prize is substantial. Always check the RTP version in the game's info panel before you play.
Free play first: what the demo shows you
The demo mode uses play credits but replicates the same maths and RTP version as the real-money build at the casino you open it in. It's useful for seeing how often the free spins trigger and how the sticky multiplier wilds behave, given the high volatility. You can also test how different bet sizes feel across the range, from $0.20 to $100. With real AUD, bets are actual money, so your bankroll limits matter more. The demo doesn't require a deposit, but it also doesn't offer real payouts.
Playing at Joe Fortune
You can play The Dog House at Fair Go Chainpokies AU, which offers real-money play in AUD. There's also a demo mode so you can try the game for free first. When you play for real, check the RTP version shown in the game's info panel to confirm which version you're getting. Remember to play responsibly. If gambling is a problem, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.
Load The Dog House for real money
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Verdict
The Dog House suits players who enjoy high-volatility pokies and don't mind waiting for a big hit. The sticky multiplier wilds can produce large wins, but the variance is high. Skip it if you prefer frequent small payouts. One downside is the lack of a bonus buy, so you can't skip straight to the feature.
Pros and cons
What works
- Sticky multiplier wilds combine for large payouts.
- Free spins count varies from 9 to 27.
- Premium symbols appear fully stacked in free spins.
- High volatility suits players chasing the 6,750x max win.
What to weigh
- High volatility means long dry spells.
- No bonus buy option to trigger free spins directly.
- RTP varies between 95.51% and 96.51%.
Questions players ask
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What is the maximum win in The Dog House?
The maximum win is 6,750x your stake. For a $1 bet, that's $6,750. This is a high-volatility game, so hitting the top prize is rare but possible.
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How do free spins work in The Dog House?
Land three paw scatters on reels 1, 3 and 5 to trigger free spins. You get 9 to 27 spins, chosen randomly by a spinning machine. During free spins, multiplier wilds stick to the reels.
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Can I buy the bonus feature in The Dog House?
No, there is no bonus buy option in The Dog House. You trigger free spins only by landing the required scatters naturally.
If you like this one, try these
Thunderstruck II — Both are 5x3 pokies with high max wins (8,000x) and free spins features. Thunderstruck II has medium volatility and an RTP of 96.65%, offering a different risk profile. Its Great Hall of Spins has four tiers, unlike The Dog House's single free spins feature.
Sugar Rush — Both are from Pragmatic Play with high volatility. Sugar Rush uses a 7x7 cluster grid with tumble mechanics and multiplier spots, while The Dog House is a 5x3 payline pokie. They share a similar RTP (96.5%) but differ in format and feature style.