Pokies, also commonly known as slot machines among players, are very popular in Australia and help make a lot of money from gambling — about 60% of it! These games are bright and exciting and they let you play a quick game where you may win a lot of money if luck is on your side.
If you want to have a better chance of winning, it’s good to learn how to play pokies and use some smart tips. Here’s what you need to know to have more fun and improve your chances!
Best Tips to Play the Pokies: Step-by-Step Instructions
Playing pokies is simple and does not require previous expertise. The goal is to spin the reels and match symbols across paylines to win, which varies according to the combination. Here is a breakdown of the basics:
Choose a Game: Begin by selecting a slot. Pokies in Australia are available in a variety of themes and styles, including popular options, such as conventional fruit slots, adventure themes, and branded games.
Set Your Bet: After picking a game, determine how much you wish to bet. Most pokies let gamblers change both the coin value and the number of paylines.
Spin the reels: To spin the reels, either press the button or pull the lever. Modern pokies are all digital, however some machines still use the old lever for aesthetic reasons.
Check for winning combinations: When the reels stop, the machine will show any prizes depending on the symbol combinations across the paylines.
3 Important Things to Remember about Playing Pokies Specifically in Australia
The majority of people can access pokies at any online casinos, bars, and clubs across Australia. They need to follow some tight laws that are very different according to the state in which they are located to provide fair play and ethics in gambling. Pay attention to the following factors:
Licenced Venues Only
Licensed casinos use random number generators (RNGs) to make sure that every time you play, the results are completely random. This means everyone has a fair chance to win. There are also important rules set by groups like the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to make sure these rules are followed.
Know Your Limits
Australian gambling rules require pokies to include features like loss limits and time tracking. According to statistics, approximately 20% of regular slot players suffer from some type of gambling addiction. Using these tools allows you to better manage your playtime and spending.
Be Aware of Pokie Myths
Misconceptions, such as "slot machines that haven't paid out recently are due for a win," are frequent. Every spin is unique, hence there is no pattern or approach for predicting results. Remembering this can help you avoid unwarranted expectations.
Best Tips for Winning the Pokies: Experts’ Insights
While pokies are mostly a game of chance, there are tactics that can help you optimise your experience and possibly boost your chances of winning. Here are some expert tips that may help you improve your chances:
Choose the Right Slot
Each pokie is designed to have a different return-to-player percentage, meaning the average amount it pays back to players over time. The higher the percentage, usually the better the long-term payout on such machines. In Australia, pokies must have an RTP of at least 85%, but most titles go higher.
Look for an RTP of 95% or Higher: Ideally, find machines with an RTP of 95% or above. Usually, online casinos have RTPs listed, so it’s easy to check what percentage any game comes with.
Check Volatility: Low-volatility pokies pay out smaller, more frequent wins, while high-volatility machines offer bigger payouts but less often. Choose a machine based on your risk tolerance and gaming goals.
Play Maximum Paylines
Speaking of tips for winning the pokies in Australia, in many slots, you have the option to select the number of paylines that you want to have activated when you play. It goes without saying that playing all available paylines can increase your chances of hitting a winning combination with every spin. This approach will require a larger upfront bet in most cases but increases your odds of a win and may trigger extra bonus features.
While turning all paylines on, regulate the coin size according to your budget. In this way, you will enhance your winning possibilities without being over-expensive.
Set a Budget and Stick to It
One of the most outstanding strategies to play pokies is to be as careful as possible with the clearly set budget for every session, arrange a limit of losses, and not chase losses.
Budget Division: Decide on the amount of spins you want to play and then divide the budget by the number. If you are going to play longer, then you need to choose a low-value bet.
Go Away after Large Wins: In case of a big win, it is advisable to cash out rather than invest the money in further spins. Walking away with a win is considered one of the best means of ensuring a profit.
Play Short Sessions
Pokies are designed for rapid and fast-paced gaming. With this in mind, the longer a playing session goes, the more players are likely to lose over time. Statistically, gamblers who play less than an hour consistently are 30% less likely to incur significant losses compared to extended players. Set a timer or take breaks to avoid extended plays, as this will only lead to more frequency of losses.
Take Advantage of Bonuses
Most online casinos have welcome bonus offers, free spins, and even no-deposit rewards (for example, The Pokies!) that attract new players. These are bonuses that will give you extra spins or playing credit, meaning you get more chances to win without using your real money.
Note: Not every bonus is worth taking advantage of. Look for wagering requirements and/or withdrawal restrictions for any bonus before selecting or using one, so that you can get the most out of it.
Use Free Play to Practise
Most casinos have demo versions of their pokies where you can practise and get yourself introduced to the slots without the loss of money. This mode lets you know how different slot machines work, and how payouts and bonus features are structured. Moreover, testing different pokies in free mode allows you to identify the well-performing games with features that suit your style of play.
Focus on Games with Progressive Jackpots
When it comes to the best tips to play the pokies in Australia, you should know that progressive jackpot pokies combine a portion of each player's stake into a jackpot fund, resulting in large prizes.
Play for the Maximum Bet: To qualify for the jackpot on most progressive machines, players are required to bet the maximum amount. Keep this in mind if you want to aim for the jackpot.
Look for Local Jackpots: Some progressive pokies offer “local” jackpots specific to a venue or online casino, which are often easier to win than network-wide progressives shared among multiple casinos.
To Sum Up
To have fun playing pokies, you need to be smart about it. Pick the slots with high RTP rates, keep track of how much money you have, and use special rewards offered by your casino to play more. Even though winning is mostly about luck, these tips on how to play the pokies Australia can help you have a better time and maybe win more often. Always remember to be careful with your money, set some rules for yourself, and enjoy the fun of playing!