Real money pokies (also known as poker machines or slots) are the most popular form of gambling in the world, and the bulk of casino revenue comes from these machines. This site is dedicated to real money pokies in all their glory. You’ll find some basic information below, but everything seen here is expanded on in the various articles contained within the site.
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While success at slots often comes down to random luck, familiarizing yourself with the best games and most profitable options can only help your efforts. Unlike casino games like blackjack and video poker that require a certain degree of skill and practice for sustained success, a player only needs to sit in front of a pokie and press a button for a chance at a payout. And since progressive jackpots can deliver a life-changing amount of money on a single spin of the reels, the appeal should be obvious.
Navigating your way through the different pokies terminology and types of pokies games can be daunting to newbies, but have a read through our guides and then give free-play a try at online casinos and you’ll start feeling comfortable with Web pokies in no time.
A variety of gaming options
Pokies feature a number of game-play options, but there are a few elements that occur on a consistent basis. In this section, we’ll look at the various features commonly found on poker machines.
Progressive Jackpots – Each time money is deposited into the machine, a small amount is contributed to the progressive jackpot. This prize continues to grow until it is won, at which point it drops back down to a predetermined amount. In most cases, players need to make the maximum wager in order to be eligible for the progressive.
Straight Multiplier – For each coin that’s inserted into the machine, the player receives a higher payout. For example, a single coin wager might return 10 coins, while risking two coins would result in a 20-coin payout. A three-coin pay structure is common.
Bonus Multiplier – This works on the same concept as the straight multiplier, but players who wager the maximum number of coins receive an added bonus on any winnings.
Bonus Games – When a certain symbol or series of symbols appear on the reels, a bonus game is triggered. These take numerous forms, but most offer free spins or extra credits. Some pokies have multiple bonus games, while others are limited to a single option.
Multiple Paylines – There are multiple winning lines on the machine, and the player must insert a coin to activate each one. Some games only feature a few paylines, while others range into the hundreds. Online gives you access to a wider variety of payline options, including 243 Ways pokies, 1024 Ways pokies and even 3125 Ways pokies.
You can read more about the different types of pokies available online here.
Types of progressive pokies
Stand-Alone Pokies – These machines are not connected to any other electronic game, so the progressive jackpot is drawn entirely from the money deposited in the individual unit. As a result, the jackpot takes longer to build and doesn’t reach as high a level.
Local Area Progressives – A number of games, often located in physical proximity to one another, or linked together to fund a progressive jackpot. These are quite common in land-based locations, and online casinos have been adding them with increasing frequency in recent years.
Proprietary Network – Numerous games within the same casino are linked together to offer a larger progressive payout. Some online casinos even link all their games for a massive payout that can change a player’s life within seconds.
Wide Area Network – If you’re looking to become rich by playing pokies, the wide area network is your best option. This type of progressive links games across a number of casinos and the payouts often run into the millions of dollars. These can also be found online, with Microgaming casinos being a notable example.
How Internet pokies differ from traditional pokies
Depositing Money – At a regular casino, you can deposit either coins or bills into the slot machine. With Internet games, you first deposit money into an account, and the cost of each game is automatically deducted from this amount.
Gameplay – Online and land-based slots are similar in design, especially since most modern casino pokies no longer use physical reels. The same denominations exist, and progressive jackpots are often just as large. While some real pokies do have superior graphics and animated sequences, the majority of games are equal in quality.
Payback Percentage – Neither virtual or brick-and-mortar casinos are in the habit of announcing the payback percentages for their game, but it’s long been an accepted fact that Internet pokies pay out more money on a daily basis. This is due to the amount of competition in the online gaming industry, where a player can switch to the competition with only a few clicks of the mouse.
Selection of Games – Online pokies are comparable to real slots, although the titles are usually different. While a large brick-and-mortar casino may offer over 1,000 games, an online establishment provides enough to satisfy even the most finicky player.
Getting Your Winnings – Regular casinos pay out winnings immediately, while online players are forced to go through the withdrawal process. With the latter, payouts can be received in a number of different ways, from checks to direct deposits into a bank account.
Convenience – Traveling to a land-based casino can be a real pain, especially if you have to drag other people along. With the online option, you can just wait until everyone has gone to bed to get in a few hours of peaceful gambling. Even better, you won’t have to spend huge sums of money to pay for hotel rooms and airfare. For those on a budget, it’s the smartest way to play.
Cost – Internet slot machines come in the same denominations as traditional slots, but you’ll still save money due to the lack of travel expenses. You won’t have to buy a plane ticket to play in your own living room, and you won’t have to shell out cash for a motel room. Even if you live within easy reach of a land based casino or pokies lounge, you’ll save money on transport, parking, taxis, drink prices, etc. This is one of the major advantages of gambling online.
Playing pokies for real money in Australia
If you’re an Aussie resident wanting to play real money pokies, you have an array of options at your disposal. The simplest is to head down to your local pub or social club, as there’s a strong chance they’ll have a few machines available. If, however, you desire more variety in your gaming experience, you may want to sample a few of the brick-and-mortar casinos that dot the landscape across Australia’s various states and territories. The following are the locations currently available to residents and foreign guests:
- The Star – Has a limit of 1,500 pokies in their main area, although the total rarely falls below this number. Sydney, New South Wales.
- Jupiter’s Hotel and Casino – Over 1,400 spinning reel machines are available on the main floor, with even more in the VIP areas. Broadbeach, Queensland.
- Jupiter’s Townsville – More than 320 pokies are on the main gaming floor, and higher limit game are available in the VIP area. Townsville, Queensland.
- Crown Melbourne – The largest of all Aussie casinos has 2,500 machines on the main floor and even more in the more exclusive areas. Melbourne, Victoria.
- Crown Perth – A total of 1,500 electronic gaming machines are available at all times. Perth, Western Australia.
- Skycity Adelaide Casino – Contains several hundred electronic machines, with an emphasis on pokies. Adelaide, South Australia.
- Skycity Darwin Casino – Slot machines are available on the main floor and in the VIP area. Darwin, Northern Territory.
- The Reef Hotel & Casino – Includes hundreds of slot machines for the gaming enthusiast. Cairns, Queensland.
- Country Club Casino – Contains a decent number of machines, although not nearly as many as some of the nation’s larger casinos. Launceston, Tasmania.
- Wrest Point Hotel Casino – Features a wide array of state-of-the-art gaming machines. Hobart, Tasmania.
- Lasseters Hotel Casino – Offers hundreds of machines on the main casino floor, as well as even more in the VIP section. Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
- Treasury Casino and Hotel – Both the main floor and VIP area contains poker machines, although the limits are higher in the more exclusive section of the casino. Brisbane, Queensland.
Online poker machines
In order to play online, you need to select a trustworthy casino like any of those recommended on our site, sign up for an account, and then deposit money into your account. Once these steps have been taken, you can select from a wide range of gaming options to suit your taste.
Real money pokies come in numerous shapes, sizes, and denominations, and new players are encouraged to try them all in order to develop a personal preference. Punters on a budget can play penny machines to get their gaming fix, while high rollers and those interested in striking it rich may choose to spend a considerable amount per spin. The variety and easy-to-understand rules have resonated with individuals across the globe, which is why pokies remain the most popular form of casino gambling.
Best software developers for online pokies
Online casinos don’t create their own gaming software. Instead, they enter into an agreement with a software developer to provide them with a complete suite of games. A number of these companies have come and gone over the years, but a few names remain constant. Here are some of the industry’s top names in online pokies software:
Net Entertainment – Giving Microgaming a run for its money as the new leader in online slot games, NetEnt is known for pushing boundaries when it comes to innovative software and exciting new game features. You will find hundreds of pokies from this multi-award winning software developer at many of the best casino sites on the Web, including several progressive jackpot games and licensed games like South Park, Guns N’ Roses and Jimi Hendrix.
International Game Technology – Also known as IGT, this company has their corporate headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada. Additional offices are located around the globe, and they provide designs for both online and land-based pokies. About half the slots in the United States are made by IGT, and they are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Some of their most notable game creations include Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Megabucks, Star Wars, and The Amazing Race.
This is just a very small insight into the pokies developers, with other leading game studios online including iSoftBet, Play’n Go, Quickspin, Yggdrasil, NYX Gaming, NextGen Gaming, Playtech, Thunderkick and many others. You can read more about the leading pokies software studios here.
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