You’ve smashed Choys Kingdom Dancing Foo at the local. But here’s what most Aussie players don’t know: the online version pays back 4.5% more per dollar than your favourite pub pokie. That’s massive over time. This classic Aristocrat game has been a club staple since 2012, and it’s even better online — same dancing foo, same bonus hits, better odds.
See what the numbers say
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Aristocrat |
| Released | 2012 |
| Reels & Paylines | 5x3 / 25 paylines |
| RTP (Online) | 92.0% |
| RTP (Land-Based AU) | ~87.5% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Jackpot | None — base game + free spins |
| Max Win | 800x |
Why Choys Kingdom Dancing Foo Stands Out
This game doesn’t need a progressive jackpot to keep players hooked. The Dancing Foo symbol is the star — when it lands, it stacks and spreads across reels during bonus rounds, creating big multi-spin payouts. You’ll see it dance around the grid, and that’s when the real money moves. The medium volatility means you’re not waiting forever for a hit, but when the bonus lands, it actually means something. It’s not another dead round.
The free spins bonus triggers on three or more scatter symbols and gives you a solid 15 spins to start with. Here’s the kicker: retriggers are common enough to keep you in the feature longer, and when the Dancing Foo activates during free spins, stacked wilds can cover entire reels. Most Aussie players compare it to similar Aristocrat titles like 5 Dragons or Zorro, but Choys Kingdom hits harder on the bonus feature and feels less dragged out. You get in, you get paid, you get out — no mucking around.
The Chinese theme is slick too. Gold symbols, lanterns, the dancing foo itself — it’s all polished without being flashy. The soundtrack doesn’t annoy you after 50 spins, which matters. Punters at the club often say the same thing: “This one’s fair dinkum” — meaning it delivers. Online, that fairness translates to better payback percentages.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Aristocrat |
| Reels | 5x3 |
| Paylines | 25 |
| Volatility | Medium |
| RTP online | 92.0% |
| Max win | 800x stake |
| Released | 2012 |
Choys Kingdom Dancing Foo vs the Pub Version
Here’s the brutal truth: playing at your local club costs you real money compared to online. On a $100 session, the 4.5% RTP difference between online (92.0%) and the pub (~87.5%) means the pub version eats roughly $4.50 more per $100 wagered. Over a year, that adds up fast. Why the gap? Land-based venues have higher operating costs — staff, rent, electricity — and regulations allow them lower RTPs. Online operators don’t have those overheads, so they return more to players.
But here’s the good news: the game itself is identical. Same 5 reels, same 25 lines, same Dancing Foo bonus, same symbol values. You’re not getting a watered-down version online. The payouts just hit more often because the RTP is higher. If you love the game at the pub, you’ll love it online — and you’ll keep more of your money. Simple as that.
| Where it is played | RTP | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Online | 92.0% | 8.0% |
| Venue floor | 87.5% | 12.5% |
The bonus feature and its rules
Three or more scattered symbols trigger 15 free spins. During the feature, the Dancing Foo becomes your best mate. It lands on any reel and stacks vertically, often covering full reels with wilds that substitute for everything except scatters. This is where 800x wins happen. If you hit another three scatters during free spins, you retrigger and get 15 more — no cap on retrigs, so theoretically you can stay in the bonus for ages.
What to watch for: the Dancing Foo usually appears on reels 2, 3, and 4, and when it does, it locks in place for that spin before vanishing. But during free spins, it’s more generous and often stacks. Most sessions, if the bonus hits, you’ll see at least one retrigger and a decent payout (200x–400x is common). Some sessions you’ll get cold and walk out with your retrigger bonus and that’s it. That’s medium volatility — not too harsh, not too soft.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Reels | The columns of symbols that spin; a 5x3 game has five columns, three symbols deep. |
| Session bankroll | The amount set aside for one sitting, decided before it starts rather than during it. |
| Demo mode | The game running on virtual credit. The maths is the same; the balance is not real. |
Understanding the pictures that appear when spinning
Dancing Foo (Wild) — Substitutes for all symbols except scatter. Stacks during bonus rounds and covers entire reels when it lands.
Golden Dragon (Highest-Paying) — 5 of a kind pays 1,000 coins. The most valuable symbol on the board.
Phoenix — Second-highest regular pay symbol. Pays 750 coins for 5 of a kind.
Lantern — Mid-tier symbol. 5 of a kind = 500 coins. Hits reasonably often.
Gold Coin — Lower-paying but frequent symbol. 5 of a kind = 300 coins.
Scatter (Foo) — Triggers 15 free spins on 3+ scatters. Pays a standalone prize too (usually 2x–10x bet on 5 scatters).
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Bet multiplier | A figure the game applies to a line win, most often inside the feature round. |
| Scatter | A symbol that pays from anywhere on the reels rather than along a payline, and usually opens the feature round. |
| Wild | A symbol that stands in for others to complete a combination. |
Where to Play Choys Kingdom Dancing Foo Right Now
| Casino | RTP | Welcome Bonus | Demo |
|---|---|---|---|
| SkyCrown | 92.0% | $500 + 50 free spins | ✓ |
| Lucky Dreams | 92.0% | $200 + 20x wagering | ✓ |
| Just Casino | 92.0% | 50 free spins (no deposit) | ✓ |
| Vegas Now | 92.0% | $300 + 30 free spins | ✓ |
| Uptown Pokies | 92.0% | $10 no deposit code | ✗ |