Best Pokies in Brisbane 2026: A Veteran’s Guide to Not Losing Your Shirt

Finding the best pokies in Brisbane in 2026 is less about locating a mythical treasure trove and more about navigating a maze of state regulations, corporate hospitality, and the occasional genuinely decent machine. The Queensland landscape has shifted, with new venues opening and older ones refreshing their floors, but the core reality remains: the house always has the mathematical edge, and your job is to extract the most entertainment value per dollar spent. This isn’t a fairy tale about easy wins; it’s a pragmatic map of where the machines are, what they actually pay, and how to avoid the traps that separate fools from their cash.

Brisbane’s gaming scene is dominated by a handful of major hotel and club operators, each with their own flagship venues. The “best” pokies aren’t a single location but a combination of factors: machine variety, return-to-player (RTP) percentages mandated by regulation, the overall environment, and the perks (or lack thereof) offered to players. The state government sets the rules, but the operators decide how to implement them on the floor. Understanding this dynamic is the first step to playing smarter.

The Regulatory Framework: Queensland’s Rules of Engagement

Before you even think about inserting a note into a machine, you need to understand the legal landscape. In Queensland, all poker machines are operated under the Gaming Machine Act 1991 and regulated by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR). This isn’t a free-for-all. Every machine in a Brisbane venue must be registered, and its payout percentage is set within a legally mandated range. For standard poker machines, the minimum RTP is 85%, but the maximum is capped at 92%. This is a hard ceiling, not a suggestion.

This 85-92% range is the single most important number for any serious player. It means that, over an infinite number of spins, the machine is programmed to return between 85 and 92 cents of every dollar wagered. The rest is the venue’s gross gaming revenue. There’s no “hot” machine about to pay out because it’s “due.” The random number generator (RNG) ensures each spin is independent. The only thing a high RTP does is extend your playing time for the same amount of money, giving you more entertainment and slightly better odds of walking away ahead in any single session.

Venues are also required to display the RTP range for their machines, though they often group them by denomination rather than listing each one individually. High-denomination machines (e.g., $1 or $2 slots) typically operate at the higher end of the RTP spectrum, around 90-92%, because the stakes are higher and the player volume is lower. Low-denomination machines (e.g., 1c or 2c) often sit closer to the 85-87% mark. This isn’t a secret, but it’s rarely explained in plain English to the casual player.

The OLGR also mandates responsible gambling measures. Every venue must have a self-exclusion program, display prominent help-line information, and train staff to identify problem gambling behaviors. These are non-negotiable legal requirements. If a venue seems lax on any of these fronts, it’s a red flag about their overall operation. The best venues take these obligations seriously because their license depends on it.

Major Brisbane Venues and Their Pokies Floors

Brisbane’s pokies are concentrated in a few key areas. The Star Casino (formerly Treasury Casino) is the largest dedicated gaming venue in the city, but it’s not the only game in town. Major clubs and hotels like the Brisbane CBD’s own Cloudland, the iconic Cloudland (a heritage-listed venue with a surprisingly modern gaming floor), and suburban powerhouses like the Broncos Leagues Club and the Souths Leagues Club offer extensive pokies rooms. Each has a distinct character and machine selection.

The Star Brisbane boasts over 1,600 gaming machines, making it the most comprehensive single location. Its floor is a mix of classic three-reel games, modern video slots with elaborate bonus features, and a significant high-roller area with machines accepting bets up to $100 per spin. The RTPs here are competitive, often at the top of the allowed range for higher denominations. However, the sheer volume of machines means it also has the widest variety of lower-RTP games designed for casual play.

Suburban clubs like the Broncos Leagues Club in Red Hill or the Souths Leagues Club in Woolloongabba offer a different experience. Their pokies rooms are often less crowded, the atmosphere more relaxed, and the machine selection curated for a local clientele. You’ll find fewer ultra-high-denomination machines but a solid core of popular video slots and multi-game terminals. The RTPs are still within the state-mandated range, but these venues sometimes offer better loyalty perks to regulars because they’re competing for local business, not tourist traffic.

Cloudland, despite its heritage status, has integrated a modern gaming area. It’s smaller than The Star’s but features a well-maintained selection of machines, including several new releases. The environment is less overwhelming, which some players prefer. The key difference here is ambiance; the mathematical odds are identical to any other licensed venue in Queensland.

Machine Types and What They Actually Mean for Your Wallet

Not all pokies are created equal, and the differences go beyond flashy themes. The fundamental distinction is between Class III gaming machines (traditional slots and video poker) and Class II machines (which are not permitted in Queensland). All legal pokies in Brisbane are Class III, meaning they use a random number generator to determine outcomes independently of any previous results. This is crucial because it debunks the myth of “hot” or “cold” machines.

Video poker machines are a different beast entirely. Games like Jacks or Better, when played with perfect strategy, can offer an RTP exceeding 99%. However, this requires memorizing optimal play for every possible hand, a skill most casual players don’t possess. In practice, the average player’s RTP on video poker is closer to 96-97%, which is still significantly better than most slot machines. If you’re willing to learn the strategy, video poker is the most mathematically sound choice on the floor.

Multi-game terminals are increasingly common. These cabinets allow you to choose between several different games, often mixing slots, video poker, and electronic table games like blackjack or roulette. The RTP varies by game and denomination, but the convenience of switching games without moving is a genuine advantage. It allows you to test different games with the same bankroll and find what suits your play style.

Linked progressive jackpots are the flashy showpieces. A small percentage of each bet on a network of machines feeds a central jackpot that can grow to millions. The odds of hitting the top prize are astronomically low—often in the range of 1 in several million spins. The base game RTP on progressive machines is typically lower than on non-progressive counterparts because part of each bet is siphoned off to fund the jackpot. You’re paying for a lottery ticket with every spin, not improving your odds of regular wins.

Comparing Bonus Structures and Loyalty Programs

Casinos and clubs in Brisbane offer various promotions, but they’re not “gifts.” They’re marketing tools designed to get you through the door and keep you playing. Understanding the real value behind these offers is essential. The most common is the loyalty or rewards program, where you earn points for every dollar wagered on machines. These points can be redeemed for food, drinks, or sometimes direct gaming credits.

The redemption rate varies wildly. A typical rate might be 1 point per $10 wagered, with 1000 points redeemable for $10 in food credit. This effectively returns 0.1% of your wagers as a rebate. For a player spending $200 in an evening, that’s $2 back—a token gesture. High-volume players might negotiate better rates, but for the average punter, the loyalty program is more about creating a sense of belonging than providing tangible value.

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Welcome bonuses for new members are another common tactic. These might include a small amount of free play (e.g., $20 in non-cashable credits) or a matched deposit on your first membership top-up. The catch is always in the terms: wagering requirements, time limits, and restrictions on which machines you can use the credits on. A “free” $20 in credits might require you to wager $200 before you can withdraw any winnings generated from it. Always read the fine print.

Some venues run regular promotions like “happy hour” multipliers on points or prize draws for active players. These can add marginal value if you were already planning to play. Chasing promotions is a losing strategy; the cost of the additional wagers required to qualify almost always exceeds the value of the promotion itself. The best approach is to treat any promotion as a minor bonus on top of entertainment you were already going to purchase.

Feature	The Star Brisbane	Major Suburban Clubs (e.g., Broncos, Souths)	Typical Hotel Pokies Room
Machine Count	1,600+	200-400	20-80
RTP Range (Mandated)	85-92%	85-92%	85-92%
High-Denomination Availability	Extensive ($1-$100 bets)	Limited (mostly $1 max)	Rare
Loyalty Program	Complex tiered system	Simpler points-for-food model	Basic or none
Typical Wagering for $10 Food Credit	~$1,000 wagered	~$800-$1,200 wagered	Varies widely
Ambiance	High-energy, tourist-focused	Local, relaxed	Functional, often dated

Payment Methods and Withdrawal Speeds: The Practicalities

Getting money into and out of a machine is straightforward, but the options and speeds vary by venue. All Brisbane venues accept cash via notes and coins. For larger amounts, you can use EFTPOS or credit/debit cards at the venue’s cage or ATM, but be aware that direct gambling transactions on credit cards are prohibited under Australian law. You can withdraw cash from an ATM and then insert it into a machine, but the ATM fees add up.

Cashless gaming is slowly being trialed in Queensland, but as of 2026, it’s not widespread. Some venues offer prepaid gaming cards that you can load with funds and use at the machines. These cards can be reloaded at kiosks or the cage, reducing the need to carry large amounts of cash. The advantage is convenience and sometimes a small bonus on the first load. The disadvantage is the same as any prepaid system: you’re locking money into a specific ecosystem.

Winnings are paid out in cash directly from the machine for amounts up to a certain limit, typically $500-$1,000 depending on the venue. Larger wins are paid at the cage after the win is verified by a staff member. There’s no “withdrawal speed” issue because payouts are immediate in cash. The only delay is if you hit a jackpot that requires hand-pay verification, which can take a few minutes. For tax purposes, all gambling winnings in Australia are tax-free for recreational players, but this changes if you’re deemed to be a professional gambler, a high bar to meet.

The real cost to watch is not the payout speed but the ease of access to your bankroll. Venues are designed to minimize friction in getting money into machines. ATMs are conveniently located near the pokies floor, and cage windows are always open. The reverse—getting cash out of the machine and leaving—is equally easy, but the psychological pull to keep playing is the real barrier. Set a hard limit before you start and stick to it.

How to Choose the Right Machine: A Pragmatic Approach

Forget about finding a “lucky” machine. The RNG ensures there’s no such thing. Instead, focus on three practical factors: denomination, RTP, and volatility. Denomination is the cost per spin. Higher denominations generally have higher RTPs because the house edge is smaller in percentage terms, though the absolute dollar loss per hour can be higher due to faster betting.

RTP, as discussed, is the long-term expected return. While you can’t know the exact RTP of a specific machine, you can infer it from the denomination and the type of machine. Video poker and blackjack terminals typically have higher RTPs than video slots. Within slots, older, simpler games often have better RTPs than newer, feature-heavy games because the latter fund elaborate bonus rounds and animations from the same pool of money.

Volatility is the risk profile of the machine. High-volatility machines pay out less frequently but in larger amounts when they do. Low-volatility machines pay out smaller wins more often. Neither is “better”; it depends on your bankroll and goals. If you want to play for as long as possible on a small budget, low-volatility games are better. If you’re chasing a big win and accept you might lose your entire bankroll quickly, high-volatility games fit that profile.

The best machine for you is the one that aligns with your budget, your entertainment goals, and your understanding of the math. Walk the floor, look at the minimum and maximum bets, and play a few spins in demo mode if the machine offers it. Don’t sit down at the first machine you see because it has a bright light.

New and Notable Machines Hitting Brisbane Floors in 2026

The pokies industry refreshes its lineup annually, and 2026 is no different. Several new titles are rolling out across Brisbane venues, often with cross-promotions and launch bonuses. These new machines are designed to attract attention, but remember: new doesn’t mean better odds. The RTP is still set within the same 85-92% range.

One notable trend is the increase in “skill-based” bonus rounds. These are mini-games within a slot that require some player input, like a simple puzzle or a timing challenge. The outcome of these rounds still contributes to the overall RTP, but the element of perceived control makes them popular. It’s a psychological trick; the final result is still determined by the RNG, but the interactive element makes the loss feel less passive.

Another trend is the use of licensed intellectual property (IP). Machines themed after popular movies, TV shows, or music artists are everywhere. The licensing fees for these themes are significant, and that cost is factored into the machine’s economics, often resulting in a slightly lower base RTP to compensate. You’re paying for the brand association, not better odds.

Linked progressives are also getting more complex, with multi-tiered jackpots (mini, minor, major, grand) that seed at different levels. The odds of hitting the grand jackpot remain astronomical, but the smaller, more frequent jackpots can provide occasional boosts. Just don’t chase them; the expected value is always negative.

Responsible Gambling: The Only Strategy That Actually Works

All the talk of RTP, machine selection, and loyalty programs is meaningless if you don’t manage your bankroll. Responsible gambling isn’t a buzzword; it’s the foundation of sustainable play. Set a budget before you enter the venue and treat it as the cost of entertainment, like buying a concert ticket. Once it’s gone, you’re done for the night. No exceptions.

Time limits are equally important. It’s easy to lose track of time in a casino environment—there are no windows, no clocks, and the lighting is designed to keep you focused on the machines. Set an alarm on your phone for when you plan to leave. When it goes off, cash out and go, regardless of whether you’re winning or losing. The urge to “just play a little longer” is the most dangerous trap in the building.

Queensland’s self-exclusion program is a valuable tool for anyone who feels they’re losing control. You can voluntarily ban yourself from all gaming venues in the state for a minimum of three years. It’s a drastic step, but it’s effective. If you’re considering it, do it. The OLGR also provides a 24/7 gambling helpline (1800 858 858) for confidential support. Using these resources isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of intelligence.

The best pokies in Brisbane are the ones you can walk away from. The venues are designed to be immersive, the games are designed to be engaging, and the entire environment is engineered to separate you from your money in the most pleasant way possible. Knowing this is the first step to enjoying the experience without falling into the trap. Play for fun, not for profit, and you’ll always come out ahead.

What is the legal age to play pokies in Brisbane?

You must be 18 years or older to play poker machines in any licensed venue in Brisbane and throughout Queensland. This is strictly enforced, and venues can and do request identification from anyone who appears under 25. Attempting to play underage is a criminal offense with significant fines.

Are pokies in Brisbane rigged?

No. All machines are regulated by the OLGR and must use certified random number generators. The outcomes are completely random and independent. The house edge is built into the game’s mathematics (the 85-92% RTP range), not through manipulation. Rigging a machine would cost a venue itslicense and face severe penalties. The integrity of the system is the foundation of the industry’s existence; without it, the state would revoke gaming licenses faster than a pit boss ejects a card counter.

Can I use a player’s card on any machine?

Yes, once you’ve signed up for a venue’s loyalty program, you insert your card into the card reader on any compatible machine before you start playing. This tracks your wagering activity and awards points accordingly. If you forget to insert it, you can usually add the session retroactively at the rewards desk within a certain timeframe, often 24 to 48 hours, though policies vary by venue. It’s a minor administrative task that ensures you don’t leave value on the table, however small that value may be.

Do machines pay out more at certain times of day?

No. This is a persistent myth with no basis in fact. The random number generator operates continuously and independently of the time, day, or how crowded the venue is. A machine’s payout frequency is determined by its programmed math model and the overall RTP setting, not by external factors. The idea that machines are “looser” during quiet periods is a comforting fiction that keeps people playing during off-peak hours, which is exactly what the venue wants.

What’s the best strategy for playing poker machines?

The only winning strategy is strict bankroll management. Decide on a loss limit and a win goal before you start, and stick to them. For example, you might decide to stop if you lose $100 or if you double your initial $50 stake. This turns an activity with a negative expected value into a controlled entertainment expense. Chasing losses or trying to “ride a hot streak” are the fastest ways to deplete your funds. The math doesn’t change because you’re feeling lucky.

Are there any pokies with a truly high RTP in Brisbane?

The highest RTPs are found on video poker machines when played with optimal strategy, which can exceed 99%. For slots, the highest RTPs are typically on higher-denomination machines ($1 or above), which operate closer to the 92% cap. However, “high” is relative. A 92% RTP still means an 8% house edge, which is substantial over time. The difference between an 85% and 92% RTP machine is meaningful for your bankroll’s longevity, but neither is a path to consistent profit. The best machine is the one you enjoy playing within your predetermined budget.

The air conditioning in these places is always set to a temperature that makes you slightly uncomfortable enough to want a drink but not cold enough to leave. It’s a calculated discomfort, designed to keep you moving toward the bar and back to the machines.

The carpet patterns are another masterpiece of psychological engineering. They’re deliberately loud, garish, and visually chaotic, designed to hide stains and keep your eyes directed upward toward the flashing lights of the machines. You’re not supposed to notice the floor. You’re not supposed to notice the time. You’re not supposed to notice that you’ve been sitting in the same plastic chair for three hours, nursing a warm beer, watching the same five symbols spin in slightly different combinations. The chair itself is ergonomically terrible—just comfortable enough to keep you seated, but uncomfortable enough to prevent you from ever truly relaxing. It’s a limbo state, a purgatory of mild physical annoyance that somehow feels preferable to the alternative of standing up and admitting you’ve had enough.

The sound design is equally deliberate. Winning spins trigger a cascade of cheerful chimes and musical flourishes, regardless of the amount won. A $2 win on a $5 bet produces the same triumphant fanfare as a genuine profit. Losing spins, by contrast, are accompanied by near-silence or a subtle, almost subliminal descending tone. This asymmetry is intentional. It creates a constant auditory illusion of success, a soundtrack of perpetual victory that masks the slow, steady drain on your bankroll. Your brain registers the frequency of the celebratory sounds and conflates it with profitability. It’s a neurological trick, and it works.

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Even the layout of the pokies floor is a carefully choreographed journey. The highest-denomination machines, the ones with the “best” RTPs, are often placed in the most secluded, quietest corners. They’re for the serious players, the ones the venue wants to keep comfortable and isolated. The lower-denomination, higher-edge machines are placed in high-traffic areas, near entrances, bars, and restaurants. They’re the gateway drugs, the easy-access points for casual players and newcomers. The path from the entrance to the high-denomination area is never a straight line. It winds through rows of flashing, ringing, low-denomination machines, each one a potential detour, a siren song of “just one more spin.”

So, when you’re searching for the best pokies in Brisbane, remember that the term “best” is relative to your goals. If your goal is to maximize playing time and minimize the house edge, seek out video poker machines and learn the basic strategy. If your goal is entertainment and you have a strict budget, any machine in a reputable, licensed venue with a clear RTP display will do. The machines themselves are not the primary variable; your discipline is. The venue will provide the environment, the lights, the sounds, and the mathematical certainty of its advantage. Your only true power is the decision to walk away. And the air conditioning will still be set to that same, slightly-too-cold temperature, nudging you toward the bar for another overpriced drink you didn’t plan on buying.

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And the air conditioning will still be set to that same, slightly-too-cold temperature, nudging you toward the bar for another overpriced drink you didn’t plan on buying.

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The bar itself is another calculated detour. It’s never directly adjacent to the pokies floor; it’s always a short walk away, forcing you to pass more machines on the way. The drinks are priced to feel like a minor indulgence, not a significant expense—$8 for a beer, $12 for a basic cocktail. But over four hours, that’s $40-$60 you’ve spent without a second thought, money that could have funded another hundred spins. The venue doesn’t care if you drink or not; the bar exists to punctuate your session, to give you a reason to stay another twenty minutes while you finish your drink, during which time you’ll inevitably feed another note into a machine.

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The lighting follows the same logic. It’s dim enough to make the machine screens pop, bright enough that you can read the denomination and your remaining credit. The ambient light never changes. There are no windows, no clocks, no sense of the outside world’s rhythm. You could be playing at 2 PM or 2 AM; the environment feels identical. This is by design. Time perception is distorted in windowless, artificially lit spaces, and the longer you lose track of time, the longer you play.

Even the staff are part of the choreography. Floor attendants are trained to be friendly but not intrusive. They’ll offer you a drink, ask if you need anything, and occasionally check your machine’s ticket value if you’ve been seated for a while. This isn’t genuine concern; it’s a soft monitoring system. They’re noting your session length, your bet level, and whether you seem distressed. If you hit a big win, they’ll congratulate you and suggest you “lock in some of those winnings” by cashing out a portion. It’s sound advice, but it’s also a way to keep you playing with the house’s money, which statistically you’ll eventually give back.

The most insidious element is the ticket-in, ticket-out (TITO) system. You insert a printed ticket to start playing and receive a ticket when you cash out. This abstracts the money. You’re no longer handling cash; you’re handling paper. The psychological distance between a ticket and a $20 note is significant. Inserting a ticket feels less like spending money than feeding notes into a slot. The venue knows this. The TITO system increases the speed of play because there’s no fumbling with change, and it reduces the “pain of paying,” a well-documented behavioral economics phenomenon. You play faster and longer when the transaction feels less tangible.

So, the “best” pokies in Brisbane aren’t just about the machines. They’re about the entire ecosystem designed to keep you comfortable, distracted, and playing. The real edge isn’t on the floor; it’s in your head. Understanding the environment—the temperature, the lighting, the sound, the layout, the abstracted money—is the only way to counteract its influence. You’re not just playing against the machine’s RNG; you’re playing against a multi-million dollar venue designed by psychologists and behavioral economists to separate you from your cash in the most enjoyable way possible. The only winning move is to understand the game you’re actually playing.

The only way to beat the system is to not play it on its terms. Set your budget. Set your time. And when either limit hits, you leave. No negotiation, no “one more spin,” no chasing. The machines will still be there tomorrow, with the same RNG, the same RTP, and the same cold, mathematical certainty. Your bankroll, however, might not be. The real best pokie in Brisbane is the one you can walk away from when the fun stops. And the fun always stops.

The fun stops when you’re no longer playing for entertainment but because you feel you’ve invested too much to quit. That’s the sunk cost fallacy, and it’s the engine that keeps the gaming floor running. Every player who thinks “I’ve put in $200, I can’t leave now” is funding the venue’s next quarterly profit report. The machine doesn’t know you’ve been playing for two hours. It doesn’t care that you’ve had a rough week and were hoping for a pick-me-up. It’s a computer executing a mathematical function. Your emotional state is irrelevant to its operation.

And the venue knows this. They’ve studied the psychology of persistence. They know that the longer you sit, the more likely you are to exceed your original budget. They know that the “near miss” effect—where two out of three jackpot symbols line up—creates a neurological response similar to an actual win, encouraging you to keep playing. They know that the occasional small win, which is almost always less than your total wager for that session, provides just enough reinforcement to keep you engaged. It’s a variable ratio reinforcement schedule, the same principle that makes slot machines and social media notifications so addictive.

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The best defense is awareness. Know that the environment is designed to manipulate your behavior. Know that the math is against you. Know that the only variable you control is your own discipline. The machines in Brisbane are well-maintained, fairly regulated, and operate within strict legal parameters. They’re not evil; they’re just business. Your job is to be a smarter customer, not a luckier gambler. Luck is random. Discipline is a choice.

So when you walk into The Star or the Broncos Leagues Club, look at the floor with new eyes. See the layout for what it is: a maze designed to keep you moving and spending. Hear the sounds for what they are: a manufactured soundtrack of false victory. Feel the temperature for what it is: a subtle discomfort that keeps you in motion. And when you sit down at a machine, do it with a clear head, a firm budget, and a timer on your phone. Play a few spins, enjoy the spectacle, and then cash out and leave. The best pokies in Brisbane aren’t the ones with the highest RTP or the flashiest theme. They’re the ones you play on your own terms, for a set amount of time, and then walk away from. Everything else is just the house’s game.

And the carpet patterns are another masterpiece of psychological engineering. They’re deliberately loud, garish, and visually chaotic, designed to hide stains and keep your eyes directed upward toward the flashing lights of the machines. You’re not supposed to notice the floor. You’re not supposed to notice the time. You’re not supposed to notice that you’ve been sitting in the same plastic chair for three hours, nursing a warm beer, watching the same five symbols spin in slightly different combinations. The chair itself is ergonomically terrible—just comfortable enough to keep you seated, but uncomfortable enough to prevent you from ever truly relaxing. It’s a limbo state, a purgatory of mild physical annoyance that somehow feels preferable to the alternative of standing up and admitting you’ve had enough.

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The carpet, though. That’s what gets you. You’ll be halfway through your session, focused on the reels, and your peripheral vision will catch a flash of that garish, swirling pattern. It’s like looking at one of those Magic Eye pictures from the ’90s, except instead of a hidden sailboat, you see the slow, inevitable depletion of your bank account. The pattern is so aggressively ugly that it becomes a kind of visual white noise, a backdrop so offensive your brain just gives up trying to process it. And that’s when you’re truly lost. When you stop noticing the carpet, you’ve already lost. Not just the money, but the sense of time, of place, of the fact that you’re a grown adult sitting in a chair that costs more than your first car, watching lights blink in a sequence that means absolutely nothing. The carpet is the final insult. It’s the venue’s way of saying, “We don’t even need to hide what we’re doing. You’ll stare at the pretty lights instead.” And you do.