Are Pokies Any Different to Slots?
Searching for slot machines at an Australian or New Zealand online or land-based casino can spark some confusion. You may find some of your favourite titles listed under a category termed “pokies” and wonder if you’ve discovered a new casino game genre. Well, you haven’t.
Pokies are simply an Australian or New Zealand term for slot machines. Walk up to or click on any pokie machine at brick-and-mortar casinos or any of the top-rated free pokies sites in NZ or Australia, and you’ll encounter the usual three, four, or five-reel layout stacked with playful cartoon symbols.
So, if these games aren’t different from traditional slots, why call them a different name? We provide the answers in the next section of this article.
What Are Pokies?
Australian and New Zealand gamblers refer to slot machines as “pokies.” This term comes from poker machines (a reference to video poker games). Video poker was one of the first and most popular electronic gaming machines at land-based casinos in Australia and New Zealand.
They were soon joined by slots, but since these new games more or less looked like their video poker counterparts, gamblers didn’t bother coming up with a different name for them.
So, all electronic or digital gaming machines at Australian or New Zealand casinos are simply called pokies.
How Do Pokies Work?
Pokies aren’t any different from slot machines – except in terminology. You’ll find the same features, bonus rounds, and explosive animated effects on the pokie machines at NZ and Australian casinos.
As such, you won’t need any extra time or effort to learn the nuts and bolts of these games. Simply click on any title that catches your eye, and start playing.
If you’ve gone through the game selection at a New Zealand or Australian casino, you may have also noticed that all your favourite games make up the list, including new-releases like Pragmatic Play’s Devilicious and Revenge of Loki Megaways.
Of course, this variety of slot machines isn’t surprising. Pokies are quite popular among players in NZ and Australia. In fact, Australia alone is home to nearly 200,000 land-based slot machines – or around 20% of the gaming machines worldwide. So, you can expect to find many fan-favourites at the brick-and-mortar or mobile casinos in this region.
Tips for Playing Pokie Machines at NZ and Australian Online Casinos
Signing up at an online casino in NZ or Australia to play pokies for the first time? We’ve put together some tips to help you make the most of the experience.
Consider the RTP and Volatility
RTP and volatility are two crucial factors that determine the probability and frequency of reaping rewards on slot machines. With volatility, players can tell how often a pokie machine hits winning combinations.
Low volatility slots typically pay out regularly, although in smaller amounts. If you prefer frequent winnings,no matter the size, these slots should be your target at NZ or Australian casinos.
In contrast, highly volatile slots don’t trigger rewards often, but they hit higher winnings when they do. For players who enjoy the thrill of waiting for a mega prize, these kinds of games are ideal. As for RTP, it calculates the possible return expected from a pokie machine in the long run.
For instance, an online slot with a 98% RTP will pay out $98 for every $100 wager in theory. In practice, though, this figure is calculated across thousands of wagers over a lengthy period of time. Nonetheless, it gives a solid idea of the probable rewards to look forward to as you play.
Play in Demo Mode
Most New Zealand and Australian casinos will allow you to explore games for free before wagering with real money. Demo pokies can help you to familiarise yourself with the in-game mechanics and refine your strategy.
They can also provide insight into the rate at which the game pays out rewards. Find out if it’s possible to play in demo mode at your preferred NZ or Australian casino and take advantage of this feature if possible.
Stick to a Budget
Pokie machines can be exciting. Little wonder they’re so popular among gamblers in New Zealand and Australia. However, if you’re not careful, it’s easy to get carried away with the fun and lose track of time as you play.
You’ll likely only realise how long you’ve been playing after exhausting your balance on one game or even a series of slot machines. Gambling this way is irresponsible and unhealthy.
Some strategies that could help prevent this occurrence include having a defined budget while playing and tracking how long you spend on a game. Many NZ and Australian casinos have responsible gambling tools with these features, and they could come in handy to restrict your gameplay.
Final Thoughts
If you’re from America or the UK where gambling machines are popularly referred to as slots, the term “pokie” in New Zealand or Australia might trigger confusion. However, these games are similar to traditional slot machines, only with a different name. All the features and visuals are the same, so you won’t lose out on the captivating gambling experience, regardless of whether you’re playing in the US or New Zealand.
