Did you know that close to 80% of Australian adults engage in some form of online gambling according to recent statistics? Among these, more than half choose to play pokies in online casinos. There clearly is a reason why so many people in Australia enjoy online pokies.
And what’s not to enjoy? Most pokies today have amazing graphics, a ton of great features, special mini-games, bonus or free spins rounds and give players the chance to win some pretty amazing prizes.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, here’s a quick crash course in online pokies. Find out what they are, how they work, which ones have particularly caught the eye of Australian players and where to play them.
1. What are online pokies?
“Pokie” is the name given to a slot machine by Aussie players. While other countries also adopted different names for the online slot machines (called fruit machines in the UK, puggies in Scotland for example), the Aussies seem to have nailed it because it is clearly the most used alternative.
A bit of history – from mechanical slots to online pokies
An online pokie (or an online slot) is a digital version of the classic slot machines everyone knows from the brick and mortar casinos. While back in the day, the slot machines were electromechanical devices, nowadays most of them run based on digital algorithms which determine the outcome of every spin.
These algorithms that govern the pokies and determine the way they operate are called RNGs (random number generators) and are much more complex than the systems that were used in the past for electro-mechanical slot machines. The RNGs cycle through millions of numbers and combinations every time you place a bet, making the outcome of each spin impossible to predict.
Because the algorithms have gotten more complex over the years and the payout tables and winning combinations have also changed a lot since the first slot machine was invented more than a century ago, other gimmicks have been added as well. Most pokies these days also feature bonus rounds, free spins rounds and other mini games when hitting certain winning combinations or certain special symbols on the reels.
Better algorithms or better odds?
Certain online pokies also give players the chance to win jackpots. A small amount from each spin is collected and added to the prize pool for one very lucky player to win. These progressive jackpots can be won by hitting extremely rare combinations of the reels of a pokie and that is why sometimes it takes years for certain jackpots to be won. But those who do usually have their lives turned upside down (in a good way), because many times the jackpots are won after they’ve grown well into the millions.
While all this may seem intimidating and would make one believe that pokies are 100% games of chance, there are still things you can do to give yourself a better chance of winning. Strategies are available and even though they are not similar to Blackjack or Poker strategies, they do have a positive effect on your winning ratio.
Correct bankroll management and knowing how much to bet on each spin depending on the size of your balance could provide you with a better optimized gaming experience. Knowing how to choose which pokie to play from the thousands that are available online depending on their payout ratio is also extremely important.
Despite the relatively low odds of winning, online pokies are some of the most popular casino games, and for good reason. Their design is appealing to say the least, they feature various themes, promote the chance of some pretty amazing winnings and they are very easy to play.
There is no skill involved in playing pokies, just some discipline at the most. All you need to do is select the bet size, the paylines you want to activate and hit the spin button.
2. What are the most popular pokies in Australia?
Given the incredible popularity of online pokies in Australia, finding just a couple of favorites among the thousands of pokies that are being played is quite the challenge.
Online slots are created by many different game providers and come in various themes and designs. Moreover, the way they are designed to work also has a major influence on gameplay and the rewards they pay out. Here are the top 15 pokies in Australia and their respective casino games providers:
- Big Bad Wolf – Quickspin
- Safari Sam – Betsoft
- Paydirt – RTG
- Sugarpop – Betsoft
- Gypsy Rose – Betsoft
- Who Spun It – Betsoft
- Good Girl Bad Girl – Betsoft
- Kitty Cash – 1×2 Gaming
- Rock on! – Rival Gaming
- Cosmic Quest Mystery Planets – Rival Gaming
- Thunderstruck II – Microgaming
- Immortal Romance – Microgaming
- Jack and the Beanstalk – NetEnt
- Book of Ra Deluxe – Novomatic
- Game of Thrones – Microgaming
As you can see, there’s a lot of great pokies you can play in Australia and the great news is that nowadays most of them can be played directly on your smartphone. How cool is it that you could actually win a life-changing amount of money from the comfort of your own home and directly from your mobile device? We live in beautiful times.
3. Where to play the best pokies in Australia?
Again, the variety of online casinos you can join in Australia is huge. Choosing the best one is close to impossible since it’s also a matter of personal preference. There are a couple of things you should always pay attention to whenever you join an online casino.
First of all, you should make sure that the casino is licensed and operates legally in Australia. There are a lot of rogue casinos out there and you definitely don’t want to be among those who start spending their money there. Unlicensed casinos usually have counterfeit games which look just like the originals, but have significantly lower payout ratios.
You should also compare welcome packages and choose the one that suits you best. You will most likely find several variations of percentage bonuses and free spins being offered for your first couple of deposits. Also check the Bonus Terms and Conditions and find out what wagering requirement will be applied to your welcome bonus and whether there is a maximum withdrawal cap.
Having a decent customer support team is also important for an online casino. Before you start making deposits, you should definitely get in touch with the Customer Support team and check how responsive they are, how professional and how helpful. You will need them at some point.
As you can see, starting to play online pokies can be quite an adventure. It is up to you to take all the necessary precautions in order to ensure that it will be a pleasant and rewarding experience. Follow our advice and you will thank yourself later.
