How to Play a Pokie Machine and Win: Expert Tips for Online Pokies

Learning how to play pokies will undoubtedly increase your enjoyment while spinning the reels. While winning at pokies is the aim for all players, the reality is that we can do very little to influence the outcome of each reel spin, as the outcomes are entirely random. 

If you’re new to online casino gameplay in Australia, you can use our online pokies tips to guide you as you select which games to play for real money. We explain how online pokies work and run through some simple yet effective tips you can employ to enjoy the games you play while gambling responsibly.

Online Pokies: An Overview 

Understanding how pokies work is an essential starting point before spinning the reels. Though there are numerous types of pokies, they all work the same way. When you spin the reels, the objective is to land matching symbols in specific patterns (known as paylines). 

The symbols in online pokies have specific values, which you can check in the game’s paytable. If a spin of the reels results in a pattern of matching symbols, you will receive a payout. The more valuable the symbol and the more symbols in the pattern, the higher the payout will be.

Online pokies also feature bonus symbols like wilds and scatters. Wilds can substitute for regular symbols to form winning combinations, while scatter symbols trigger access to bonus features. The most common bonus features in pokies are free spins, which provide you with a specific number of spins to try and land the game’s biggest prizes without placing a bet. 

The Reality of Winning on Pokies 

The pokies reality is that every title is a game of chance. When you spin the reels, anything can happen, and you can win or lose each bet you place. Pokies odds are built into the games, and you cannot alter them or do anything to increase your chances of winning on pokies. 

The outcome of every spin of the reels is determined by a random number generator (RNG). This complex mathematical algorithm ensures that every spin is 100% random. These RNGs are independently tested by bodies like eCOGRA to verify their fairness, making pokies fair and transparent at regulated online casinos. 

Therefore, if you decide to play pokies, you must recognise that these games are purely based on chance, and wins are not guaranteed. 

Tips for Playing Online Pokies 

Before spinning the reels on your favourite pokie, bear in mind the following tips to increase your enjoyment of this casino game: 

Set a Budget and Stick to it 

Begin by creating a pokies budget to ensure responsible spending. This might be $1, $10, or $100, depending on how much of your income you wish to allocate to gambling. As for pokies money management, adjust the spin value to ensure it’s aligned with your bankroll and don’t simply bet the maximum just because you can. 

Know When to Stop 

The nature of online pokies makes them addictive, so knowing when to stop is crucial. You can set stopping limits by allocating a specific amount of money (perhaps $10) or a specific amount of time (possibly one hour) to your pokies gameplay. Having the willpower to stop is central to responsible gambling and means you can enjoy pokies without putting yourself in a perilous financial situation.

Play Free Pokies Online 

Though skill doesn’t come into the picture while playing pokies, you can enjoy free pokies online to learn how these games work. 

Online pokies practice will give you an idea of how the mechanics of the games work, which is ideal if you’re new to casino games. You can also practice pokies to learn about bonus features like free spins and to get a feel for games with exciting mechanics like Megaways or cluster-pays systems. 

Avoid the Fallacy of Due Payouts

A common mistake that new casino players make is falling for gambling myths. One such myth is the pokies fallacy that you are due a payout because you have played for an extended period. This is entirely untrue. 

As mentioned above, the outcome of every spin is 100% random. You have as much chance of winning on your first spin as you do on your 1,000th spin of the reels. Remember this as you allocate your gambling budget. 

You can control which games you play when spinning the reels. You must consider return to player (RTP) to determine the best value slot games. RTP indicates how much, over time, is returned to the players, enabling you to deduce a game’s house edge. 

For instance, if a pokie has an RTP of 96%, on average, $0.96 out of every $1.00 spent on the game will be returned to the players. Therefore, high RTP pokies are the best pokies to play, as they pay out more money to players over time. 

Take Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions 

Another way of getting more for your money while playing these games is to take advantage of online pokies bonuses. At online casinos, pokies promotions are usually offered as free spins. For instance, when you deposit and bet $10, you might be given 50 free spins for a specific slot game. 

Numerous other casino bonuses are available, including welcome cash bonuses and cashback promotions, so make sure you access the offers available at your chosen online casino to boost your bankroll. 

Play Progressive Jackpot Pokies 

If you’re interested in winning jackpots, progressive jackpot pokies are the obvious choice. These games are known as big-win pokies as they regularly deliver huge payouts reaching seven figures. 

Progressive jackpot pokies are tied to progressive networks, and each time someone places a bet, a percentage is kept to one side as the jackpot total. This amount continues rising until someone wins it. Though progressive pokies offer big wins, they usually have lower RTPs, so consider this before selecting a game.

Understand the Paylines and Features 

Understanding pokies is crucial to your enjoyment of these games. Most games are similar despite having different themes, designs, symbols, and styles. 

First, check the pokies paylines available in the game. This is the pattern in which winning combinations must land for you to win a payout. In most games, paylines offer wins from left to right when at least three symbols land. You should also check the pokies features in the game and consider how wilds, scatters, and other special symbols contribute to wins.

Manage Your Time 

If you’re not mindful of time management, it’s easy to get carried away when playing pokies online. For balanced gambling, we advise you to allocate a specific amount of time to your gameplay, be it 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Take some time away from the screen when you feel like you’ve played for long enough; you can always come back and spin the reels later. 

Wrapping Up on Playing Online Pokies 

Responsible pokies play is all about setting time and bankroll limits and playing within your means. You cannot influence the outcome of a pokies game with strategy or skill, so you must play these games with the understanding that you can win or lose in equal measure. 

Pokies are undoubtedly a fun and engaging way to pass the time, but you should not look at them as a guaranteed way to win money. If you understand the risk attached to pokies and consider our handy tips above, you can enjoy these games at the best Australian casinos.