Spin City
How to Play Pokies
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Pokies have captivated generations with their uncomplicated gameplay and assurance of a win. Players enjoy playing them as a low-effort means of getting some entertainment that offers a thrill every time the reels spin. Land-based and online pokie games have been able to preserve their time-honored charm while adopting state-of-the-art technology and a plethora of new features. If you ever wondered how to start or how do pokie machines work, this guide will help you make that first step with ease.
The Allure of Pokies
There’s a social and psychological attraction to pokie machines that’s more than simply putting coins into a slot. For some, it’s the way rich graphics and engaging themes bring a bit of excitement to everyday life. For others, it’s simply the thrill that’s built up through anticipation of what’s to come with the next spin. Some have lovely soundtracks and interactive bonus rounds, while some versions have streamlined play with simple reels and paylines. Whatever your style is, pokies are all about experiencing the journey as much as looking for the possible payoff.
Much of their popularity stems from their diversity of betting options as well. If you want something low-key with some casual entertainment, you can bet low. If you want to bet more to feel that adrenaline rush, you can do that as well. This diversity is what attracts a diverse range of players who span beginners to serious fans. And with digital technology advancements, you now have more and more ways to play pokies online with many of those options being designed to simulate the in-venue experience as much as possible.
Understanding How Pokie Machines Work
At the heart of pokie machines—physical or online—is the Random Number Generator (RNG). It’s a smart software that spews out thousands of number combinations per second. When you hit the spin button, it’s at that precise moment that the outcome is determined by the RNG. In whatever machine or online equivalent you play, it’s essentially the same mechanism: each spin is independent of the previous. What that means is that all notions of patterns, hot streaks, or guarantees of wins after a few spins are purely myths.
For those who want to get into the nitty-gritty of it all, each machine has a specific Return to Player (RTP) percentage. The RTP is designed to reflect how much, on average, a pokie machine will pay out over a very long series of spins. The higher RTP values reflect that a machine can pay more back in the long run, although never with absolute certainty on a single play. If you want to check out various pokie titles with different RTP values and play styles, have a look at online pokies and explore options that suit your interests and betting preferences.
I have written another piece which gives more details about how pokies work, check it out.
Getting Started in a Few Easy Steps
When you approach a pokie machine at a land-based casino, you feed it cash or pass a note through a note acceptor. After loading up your credits, you set your bet level and choose how many paylines you would like to play. Then you click on the spin button to begin rolling your reels. The screen will either display your result immediately or move into an entertaining animation if you have a bonus feature or free spins. Some games have a “gamble” feature that enables you to wager your recent win at a rapid double-or-nothing side game of guessing a card suit or color. Though button position can vary slightly, most machines have this same basic mechanism: choose your bet, choose your lines, then spin.
Online pokies work pretty much the same way, although the user interface will be slightly different with different platforms and developers. Instead of loading cash physically, you’ll typically deposit it into your casino account. When you open up a specific game, you’ll choose the coin value and paylines in a menu onscreen and click on spin. New online games will have more layers like progressive jackpots or real-time tournaments against other players. But it’s still essentially the same thing: you’re hoping to spin and line up symbols in winning combinations.
Mental Benefits and Research
Playing games that challenge you to think logically and make decisions can be healthy for your brain. Online games with some degree of strategy and risk assessment can be a means to sharpen cognitive abilities, CAST Centers states. It’s not necessarily about possibly making a profit; it’s also a mental workout element. Selecting your wagers and making a decision to gamble or bank a win is utilizing areas of your brain that deal with memory and problem-solving.
Adding to the premise that enjoyment can be had in moderation, research into reward reactivity in slot machine gambling found that some subjects had positive emotional responses to wins. It noted that increased responsiveness to reward was correlated with increased ratings of enjoyment. It’s not to say that everyone will respond that way, but it does suggest that, at least for some people, excitement derived through spinning reels can boost overall mood.
Honesty and Trust in the Pokie World
Land-based venues and legitimate online casinos both have pokie machines subject to close regulation. In New Zealand, they’re monitored by the Department of Internal Affairs to ensure they’re fair and compliant. Periodic auditing and inspections prevent machine tampering and offer players some level of assurance that outcomes are random.
Regulated online casinos also follow tough regulatory guidelines. This involves employing qualified software providers, being externally audited, and utilizing encrypted systems to handle financial transactions. All of this is done to protect both gameplay and player personal details. When you play in a regulated environment, you can rest assured that the game is being operated by trusted RNG software and that you have customer support at your disposal in case something does occur.
Face-to-Face vs. Online Play
No other atmosphere can match that of a busy gaming lounge. Some players like the feel of tactile buttons and clinking coins falling into a tray. Some prefer the convenience of clicking a digital wheel from their living room sofa with hundreds of variations at their fingertips in a matter of seconds. It’s a personal choice if you play at a real pub or a website. For some people, it’s a combination of both—week-day online play and a weekend journey to a real machine.
You will also find free spins or deposit offers online. These can lengthen your playtime without necessarily adding to your personal expenditure. However, it’s important to watch out for wager conditions. Some offers will make you play through wins several times over before you can withdraw your wins. Look at the conditions, understand the limits, and never forget to stop if luck is against you that day.
Maintaining a Balanced Strategy
While pokies can be enjoyable, it is essential to play responsibly. If you find yourself feeling gaming pressure or begin to chase your loss, step back. The enjoyment is lost very fast if it becomes pressure or concern. Having spending limits on your play or setting a time limit on play sessions can assist you in keeping a healthy balance.
Don’t feel compelled to chase a big win. Some players enjoy experiencing the occasional small win or merely like to play lighthearted games by seeing the humor in funny animations. If you desire a relaxed and uncomplicated session, play low-stakes games. If you can afford to take more risk, play higher-stake pokies. The key is to be relaxed and see the activity as a recreational hobby and not a guaranteed moneymaker.
References
https://gcphn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/How-EGMs-Work-Livingstone-2017.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5938312
Gambling is a fun activity that isn't intended to be used for financial gain. Chasing losses and expecting to win are two main behaviors that may lead to gambling addiction with dire consequences on your life. If you feel like you have a problem, stop immediately, read our Responsible Gambling page, and seek help. Problem Gambling Foundation offers free and confidential support to anyone affected by problem gambling in New Zealand.
