How to Play Pokies
How to Play Pokies in Australia
Why are pokies so popular? Not only because they give a fun and potentially profitable way to spend time. Slot machines are also very easy to master. Providers design their products with a focus on maximising audience reach. This audience, of course, includes people who may not be very tech-savvy. This means that pokies are intentionally kept simple, with straightforward gameplay that anyone can pick up quickly. The answer to the question of How to Play Pokies in Australia? can be summarised in two words: very simple!
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Choose Your Gameplay Option
To start, let’s look at what you need to play. There are two gameplay options.
The first is playing on a computer. In this case, you need a PC and an internet connection. Slots can be launched through a browser. Modern pokies work on all available browsers.
The second method is playing on mobile devices. Here, the choice is broader. You can play using a browser too. Pokies automatically adapt to your screen size. Importantly, even the latest slot games work smoothly on older models. You can also play slots through casino mobile applications. However, it’s worth noting that not all companies have created mobile apps. But, finding such a casino is not a problem.
Just consult the Aussie Casino Experts website.
In this article, we will look at other nuances of playing online pokies, several strategies for beginners, and the principles of operation of modern slot machines.
Basic Rules of Playing Pokies
Don’t wukkas. The rules are basic and intuitive. Spend five minutes learning them, and you won’t encounter any issues.
Each pokie features winning lines, which can be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, depending on the game variant. The number of matching symbols on these lines determines your winnings. For example, if a slot supports diagonal lines and matching symbols appear diagonally during a spin, you win. If the pokies do not support diagonals, nothing will happen.
About Symbols
We’ve mentioned symbols. Let’s discuss them in more detail. The symbols on a slot machine are the elements that determine your win or loss. For example, symbols can be made in the form of fruits, diamonds, superheroes, and so on.
Symbols are divided into two categories. The first category is simple symbols. They have no additional functions. Such symbols simply define the win. The second category is special symbols. For example, there is the wild symbol. Its feature lies in its versatility. It means the wild can substitute any other symbol in a winning combination.
Another example of a special symbol is the scatter. If three scatters appear on the screen, the player receives free spins. These are spins of the reels for which the player does not have to pay. Moreover, free spins often allow players to win more money than regular spins. Some pokies multiply winnings in such rounds by 5.
Each pokie has betting limits. You cannot bet more than a certain amount or less than a certain amount. Usually, these limits are not problematic. The minimum limits in most slots are just a few cents or several tens of cents. The maximum limits are very large sums.
Some pokies have additional features, such as multipliers, which increase your winnings during specific game rounds. This bonus multiplies the player’s next win several times.
If you’re unsure, don’t worry—many pokies offer demo versions to try before you play for real. You don’t need to deposit money at the casino and risk it. Often, you don’t even need to register on the online casino’s site or app. Such games are called “demo pokies”.
Starting to Play Pokies: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, you want to start playing pokies?
#1. Make Your Game Choice
First, choose a suitable slot or several games. Remember the key parameter—an RTP (Return to Player) rate percentage. It indicates the percentage of punters’ bets that is returned to them as winnings.
The best option is pokies with an RTP of over 95%. This means that for every AU$100 as a punt, the pokies return at least AU$95 in winnings.
#2. Pick a Pokie Theme
Also, choose the theme of the slot. It depends solely on individual preferences. For example, there are slots dedicated to different eras (Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages), movies, cartoons, and more.
Learn the rules and features of the pokies you’re interested in, and select a theme that suits your taste.
#3. Get Into a Credible Gambling Platform
Next, select a good online casino from the ones listed on our website. Play only in licensed gaming establishments. It’s also advisable to read reviews from real players.
#4. Determine Your Punt Size
After that, decide on your punt size. Base it on the amount of cabbage you can afford to lose. Never bet money that you might need for more important purposes. This is a popular mistake made by beginners. Newcomers often fear losing their first quid. They have head noise while playing. If you punt the money that you can’t afford, this stress will be doubled.
To increase your chances of winning, you can choose one of the popular strategies. We will discuss them in the next section.
Popular Strategies for Playing Pokies
Let’s take a look at the strategies. We have selected options suitable for beginners.
Martingale strategy
It is unique in that it is one of the most popular, easiest to use, and profitable. The essence of the strategy is the following: after each loss, you double your bet. Of course, with pokies, you should start with the minimum bet size, because losses occur very often. The logic is simple: your win will fully or almost fully compensate for your previous losses.
For example, a winning bet of 5 AUD compensates for all your previous losses made with bets of several tens of cents or a few dollars. After winning, you should return to the initial bet size.
Anti-Martingale strategy
It is almost the same but in reverse. After winning, you do not decrease your bet size but double it. What’s the point? Firstly, there’s a theory: winnings often come in streaks. This means you can catch a “wave of success” and win a big amount of money on high bets.
Secondly, many players believe that the Anti-Martingale is an excellent option during a streak of bad luck. The theory is that the more you lose now, the more money the pokie will “return” to you in the near future. So, if wins begin, you should bet more.
Wave strategy
It is a risky option that thrill-seekers will definitely like. After each win, you multiply the bet amount by 5. The logic is the same as in the previous point: you need to catch a winning streak. As you see, the essence of the strategy justifies its name, isn’t it?
Umbrella strategy
It is also a great option for beginners. You have to gradually increase the size of your bets. For example, you start by betting 1 AUD. You make 5 spins. If there is no win, you double the bet. You bet 2 AUD for another 5 spins, and so on. After a win, you return to the initial bet size. You should make the same action if you lose 20 times in a row. Some players even advise switching the slot in this case.
By the way, let’s say a few words about changing pokies. Remember the RTP? A slot machine cannot pay out winnings exceeding a certain amount of money. If there is a streak of losses, it is possible that someone won a large amount before you. In that case, it will be pointless to play. You will only lose money.
Pokies Tips for Beginners
Let’s step away from strategies, rules, and other technical aspects. Here are a few useful general recommendations that will help you avoid losing your bank.
- Don’t turn playing pokies into work.
For beginners, this is often hard to do. They already see themselves winning millions of dollars and not working for the rest of their lives. This happens in one case out of hundreds of thousands. Treat the game as entertainment. In this case, you will better control your emotions. When you deposit money in a casino, mentally say goodbye to it. Consider that you have spent it. Let any winnings (if you are lucky) be a pleasant bonus for you, not an expectation. - Don’t play “after a hard day at work.”
Many newcomers perceive pokies as a tool for stress relief. That’s not how it works. In reality, the situation is the opposite. If you are tired and stressed, slot machines will only worsen your condition. Can losing money help you relax? Of course not. - Don’t play under the influence of alcohol.
A lot of players wake up the next morning and find their bank account empty after that. Altered consciousness leads to thoughtless actions. Remember this! - Use bank management.
If you want to play at a somewhat serious level, manage your money wisely. You shouldn’t place bets randomly. You need to know in advance how much you will bet in each situation. Choose a strategy and your bet size. - Practice first.
We mentioned this above. A great solution would be to play on free pokies. This way, you can learn the features of a particular slot without risking your bank. - Set a time limit.
This will help you avoid the mistakes many beginners make. For example, tell yourself: I will play for no more than 2 hours. Don’t forget to check the time regularly. Remember that playing pokies is a highly engrossing activity. The longer you play, the worse you control your emotions. Know when to stop. - Don’t play on credit.
All rational people should understand this, but many beginners make this mistake. The main reason is the hope that pokies will solve their financial problems. Never do that. There’s probably no case in history where pokies helped someone get out of a bad financial situation. But, slot machines can worsen such problems.
It’s easy once you get the hang of it!
Conclusion
The pokies tips for beginners closely resemble advice applicable to any other form of gambling entertainment. Approach it responsibly, control your emotions, avoid immersing yourself too deeply in the game, and always remember that it is just a game.