The Perfect Time to Play Pokies

March 25, 2025
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Ask then Kiwis when the best time to play pokies is, and, chances are, you’ll get ten different answers. Some swear that the machines pay best on a quiet Sunday morning, while others wait for that Friday night evening after a long week, convinced that they’re “due” to pay out.

From the mathematics point of view, however, there is simply no “best” or “worst” time to play an online pokie machine, and that’s due to the way they’re actually designed: 100% random. However, that doesn’t mean that some times aren’t better than others – but just not for the reasons you think. Here’s how to find the best moment for you to play an online pokie.

When You’ve Got Time to Enjoy It

For me, pokies are at their absolute best when you’re not trying to squeeze in a five-minute session between tasks. For most players, the fun is in the actual rhythm, which involves picking a theme you like, waiting and watching for the bonus features to land – and seeing what happens! This also means not being under any pressure to increase your bet size and finish a session. Why?

Because, if you’re in a rush, you’re almost never really going to enjoy it. The perfect time is when you can sit back and play for the entertainment side of things, not when you desperately need to win money or only have a few minutes before you need to head out the door.

After You’ve Set Your Budget – Not Before

The single best time to play is right after you’ve decided what you’re comfortable spending – and once you’re sure that you can actually walk away if you end up losing the pre-set amount of money you agreed on. Players who set themselves a hard limit before they begin playing almost always end up having a better time than those who make a deposit and play on the fly.

My Advice: Treat your pokies budget like the cost of a movie ticket: it’s money set aside for a bit of fun, with no expectation of winning, or getting it back. Then, anything else is a bonus.

A Rainy Kiwi Weekend

Let’s be honest – there’s nothing quite like a wet Auckland weekend or a grey Wellington afternoon, and both of these scenarios, for me, are perfect to make a cosy gambling session feel… just right! After all, when the weather’s keeping you indoors anyway, a few spins on a game you actually enjoy beats scrolling the same three apps for the 50th time, right?

Just remember to set limits before you begin playing – even when it’s cosy, rain-induced gambling!

When You’re Chasing the Game, Not a Win

This one matters more than most people would probably think – and that’s because the perfect time to play is when you’re actively interested in gambling: maybe there’s a new pokie that’s been released you want to try, or you decide to try our games from a new software provider.

The worst possible time to play, on the other hand, is when you’re trying to claw back losses, or “make up” for a bad run. Gambling online from a good headspace is really important – and it’s far better than playing from a bad one!

Written by
Sophia Novakivska
10 years experience Pokies & Live Games Specialist

Sophia Novakivska has already been spending 12 years on everything related to gambling writing. Slot and casino reviews, comparisons, top options for different audiences, news, how-tos and gambling history - she knows the area and proved it with her publications on Better Collective, AskGamblers and Gambling.com. For four years, Sophia is into NZ iGaming niche where she analyzes the online casino bonuses, live games, new slot releases, and sport news. Sophia’s credentials: GLI University’s iGaming testing & compliance course (2020) and UKGC-approved Responsible Gambling certification (2022).

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