New Zealanders enjoy visiting online casinos. They prefer this option because of the wide range of games like online pokies, live dealers, fast games, and so on. They especially love the range of pokies, or as the rest of the world calls them, slot machines.
This article explores what online pokies are and how they function. You’ll learn about their types, peculiarities, and how to play successfully.
What are Pokies?
These are virtual machines that resemble real ones. Pokies don’t have physical reels or rows, but they simulate these mechanisms. They also have paylines, just like real machines, so they pay according to certain rules.
Types of Pokies
Slot machines can be categorized according to several peculiarities. For example, here’s a table of online pokies types by mechanism:
| Type | Description |
| Classic and fruit machines | These resemble traditional pokies and have simple animation or graphics. |
| 3D and video slots | These pokies always have better animation, graphics, and sound effects compared to classic machines. |
| Jackpot machines | These could have fixed or progressive jackpots. The latter increases over time until someone hits it. |
| Megaways | These have thousands of ways to win instead of regular paylines. |
There are also other classifications. You can play at casinos that categorize their pokies by theme:
- ancient civilizations;
- “Book of” genre;
- Asia;
- Egypt;
- fantasy or mythology;
- anime;
There are pokies with all possible themes. So, you can find a game that you love.
Moreover, you can play games with special functions like cluster pays where you have to connect symbols from 3 or more. You can also find games with additional reels that unlock after certain combinations appear on the screen, avalanche mechanics, sticky wilds, and so on.
Guide on how to Play Online Pokies
It’s an easy task, even if you’ve never played before in land-based or online casinos. Here’s what you should understand:
- Register at a chosen casino. You need an account to play for real money.
- Find a game and launch it. As we mentioned, online pokies are often categorized by their peculiarities.
- Wait for the game to load and read the rules. Pay attention to the paytable and explanations how the pokie pays. For example, from left to right, for 3+ symbols, on what lines, etc.
- Adjust the bet size. Press the button that spins the reels.
Then you have to wait for the results. Remember: all online pokies are based on luck, or its digital version, RNG. This means you can’t change the outcomes with strategies or certain actions.
Tips for Successful Gambling
As we explained, strategies don’t change outcomes. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t use tips to improve your results and minimize losses. Here’s a list of recommendations:
- Play the demo mode of a pokie, which is a free version.
- Place smallest possible wagers to extend gameplay.
- Set a budget and don’t exceed it.
Remember to gamble responsibly. Treat the game as entertainment, not as a way to earn money.