Free online video poker is great if you're looking to learn the rules and master the game. Once you're confident with the basics you might want to start playing real money video poker – the best. Replay Poker really is the site of choice for Royal Hold'em poker. This variant is only rarely found on online poker sites, but our community celebrates the challenge, and there's always a game to join. Royal Hold'em is unique in that only the aces, tens and picture cards are used, and there are only six seats used. Easy no-download video poker! Jacks or Better, Bonus, Double Double, Deuces, Joker Poker, total of 17 variations plus perfect play trainer. While a slot machine might return only 70 to 90 percent of what you spend on it, video poker at an online casino is more likely to offer a return of 95 to 99 percent. This means that playing video poker is going to be better for your wallet than many other online casino games.
There are three primary ways to play video poker online, depending primarily on in which state you live, but also based on the type of video poker games you are looking to play.
Whether you are an expert at traditional poker or just interested in learning the game, there are tons of options available online. Free video poker games give you the chance to play the game without depositing a cent, so you can enjoy a fun hobby without worrying about deposits and withdrawals. It also has the advantage of letting you play from home, rather than traveling to a casino that might be miles away from you.
- Play free video poker online – Available in all states
- Play video poker for cash prizes at online sweepstakes casino sites – Available in all states except Washington
- Play video poker for real money – Available in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia
Play Free Video Poker
Interested in playing free video poker online? Look no further – you can play right here on-site above. There is no download or sign-up necessary and it works on desktop along with mobile devices including iPhone, iPad and Android.
Best US Online Video Poker For Cash Prizes 2021
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Chumba Casino is available in almost every state and is our editor's choice for best US online casino. Their unique sweepstakes model gives players the ability to play their favorite online casino games and win real cash prizes. This includes online video poker games.
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Online Video Poker At Sweepstakes Casino Sites (Best Option For Most States)
Available in: All states except Washington state.
If you don't happen to live in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, or West Virginia your best bet is a sweepstakes online casino where you can play online video poker for cash prizes.
How Sweepstakes Casinos Work
Online sweepstakes video poker is an alternative for those who aren't in areas where real money poker is legal. These sites take old laws about sweepstakes and use them as a way to offer legal options for those who want to play poker recreationally.
Sweepstakes casinos use digital coins instead of real money as currency. Players accumulate digital coins by winning games and can later exchange them for cash prizes. Because sweepstakes casinos are not legally classified as gambling, they are popular among players who live in states that have not yet legalized real money online gambling. The sweepstakes format provides a similar, but legal alternative to the online casino experience.
In order to participate in a sweepstakes casino's games, you must first buy their coins (or whatever they label as their sweepstakes currency). Your purchased coins typically come with a set number of free sweeps coins. You cannot directly deposit money into an account or withdraw money.
Your purchased coins are valid only for recreational gaming at the sweepstakes casino. Your free sweeps coins can be played on sweepstakes games, and your winnings can then be exchanged for real prizes.
Chumba Casino
Licensed by Malta Gaming Authority, Chumba Casino is arguably the most popular sweepstakes casino on the market. It has a large selection of slot games, blackjack, roulette, and video poker.
New players can take advantage of their no deposit bonus of 2,000,000 gold coins and two sweep coins. Additionally, the casino offers a first purchase deal of $30 gold coin package for only $10.
Chumba Casino is a great option as it offers both slots and table games. Its variety is what makes it a unique sweepstakes casino.
Playing Free Video Poker At Legal Online Casinos
When you want to play video poker for free at a legal online casino, you have a variety of options. There are tons of variations of poker, and you can find almost all of them in an online version so you can play from home. With the advent of free poker games, anyone who is over 21-years-old and in the United States can enjoy a game of poker whenever they feel like it.
Do Legal Online Casinos Offer Free Video Poker Games?
As more states legalize online casinos, having access to online video poker is becoming easier than ever. While most of these casinos offer real money games, there are also demo and practice modes where you can play without spending a single dime. Everyone can play free online slots, even those in states where online gambling is not yet legal.
The best option for choosing a reputable site for video poker is by looking at large brands you have heard of in the past. The websites that operate in partnership with physical casinos are an excellent place to start since they need to adhere to specific rules and regulations.
Do I Need An Account To Play Free Video Poker Games Online?
It depends on where you want to play. In some cases, you can play by just navigating to the site and clicking on a game. However, there are other instances where you must register to access the catalog of games at a poker site. If you prefer a quick and easy poker game, you'll want to look for sites without registration.
Keep in mind that sites with registration may offer perks to those who become members, which can make signing up feel like less effort. When it comes to real money video poker sites, you must sign up to be a member just to play the practice games. If your privacy is important to you, you may have to use other websites for your video poker.
Is There Any Way To Win Real Money Playing Free Video Poker?
In most cases, the sites that have free video poker do not offer cash payments. Instead, you will typically be racking up virtual currency that cannot be turned into money. Free games are usually used by players who just want to have a good time or who want to practice outside of paid games to become better at a particular type of poker.
However, there are some exceptions in terms of free sites that offer real money. Most of them are going to be found in sweepstakes video poker sites, which we'll look at in more depth below.
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Golden Nugget is the very best online casino in New Jersey. It offers live dealer casino games and has over 1,000 casino games. Golden Nugget has an amazing assortment of online slots with many of the same titles as you would find in las Vegas.
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DraftKings Casino is one of the fastest-growing online casinos in the United States. DraftKings Casino has live dealer games along with many of your favorite casino games including online slots, blackjack, roulette, and more!
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BetMGM casino is brought to you by the same company that operates MGM casinos across the United States including Las Vegas. BetMGM offers over 100 casino games including slots, blackjack, roulette, and more! All of your Las Vegas favorites are there.
Playing Las Vegas-Style Video Poker Online For Free
If you're searching for legal online casinos in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that have Vegas-style video poker, you have plenty of options. Both of the states have a wide variety of casinos that offer video poker and many of the games are based on Vegas poker options. Three of our options for playing video poker online in these states are listed below for your convenience.
BetRivers Casino is partnered with the land-based Rivers Pittsburgh Casino and offers a selection of video poker options. Users can log in to play practice games or deposit money to play for cash if they are located in Pennsylvania. In addition to providing video poker, this casino also has hundreds of slot games, as well as table games like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.
Hollywood Casino is another online legal casino in Pennsylvania that provides the option to play poker. This was the first online casino to launch in the state and it partnered with IGT to power the gaming options on the website and apps. This casino also offers dozens of slot games, roulette games, blackjack, baccarat, and more.
Those who are looking for New Jersey video poker will find it in various locations, including BetMGM. There are many variations of poker at this provider, including Regal Jacks or Better, Triple Play Draw Multi-Hand Poker, Bonus Poker, Texas Hold'em, and more. It also offers a variety of slot games and table games that you can peruse.
Playing Video Poker For Real Money Online
For those who want to spend money playing poker, there are several options available. However, this is only the case in states where you can legally gamble online. If you are not in one of those locations, real money gambling on video poker is not allowed. While more states are slowly allowing online real money poker, it's a good idea to know what the rules are for your specific location.
States With Legal Online Video Poker
Before we delve into other specifics, knowing where online video poker is legal is essential. It might be surprising to learn that some states allow online poker but don't allow online table games and slots, while others go in the opposite direction. Since it can be confusing to determine what states allow legal online video poker, we have provided a list of legal states below:
- Delaware
If you don't see your state listed above, playing video poker for real money is not allowed in your state. There are two alternatives available to you if you want to enjoy video poker. The first is to choose a free online site that has poker available and the second is to use a sweepstakes gaming site like Chumba Casino.
How Many Different Video Poker Games Are Available?
Counting up all the different video poker games would leave you with a number that might be mind-boggling. Many types of poker have been introduced in an online version that you can play on your own without other players. In fact, if it's available in a land-based casino, you can likely find it in a video poker option.
However, different websites and apps are going to have different games, so finding one that has your favorite type might take time if it's a lesser-known variation. Those who are fans of games like Jacks or Better, on the other hand, will find this kind of poker on nearly any site that includes poker.
What Are The Smallest Stakes You Can Play Online?
This is another question that will depend on the provider you use for your video poker. However, what you should know is that video poker typically requires bets that are much smaller than traditional poker in a physical casino. While some of these poker games have high payouts, they don't always require you to empty your wallet to try to win.
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Because these games have lower stakes than a typical poker table, they make an excellent option for those who are just learning to play. They also feature the opportunity to get better for those with some level of experience without spending too much. Once someone is happy with the progress that they've made with video poker, they can try live games or traditional poker with more confidence in their performance.
Fundamentals Of Video Poker Strategy
Just like other forms of poker, video poker has many different strategies that players employ to ensure they win more from their hands. Different people enjoy different techniques, so there are many to choose from. Having a basic strategy you can use will help you do better at video poker, whether you are just beginning with the game or have been at it for many years.
Video Poker Strategy Basics
While games like slots rely only on luck, poker is a casino staple where the players have a lot of impact on how the game ends. Since you have more choices in terms of what cards you keep, which you discard, and what hand you play at the end, you can learn to play a hand that is the most beneficial and likely to result in a big payoff. However, a lot of players continue to rely only on play streaks or hunches to decide how to play a game.
The strategies that can help you win are based on math, which is excellent for anyone who has excelled at this subject in the past. Some approaches focus on getting royal flushes as often as possible, which is the best hand you can have in most poker games. Others are going to have a focus on winning every hand, even if it's by a small amount through a hand that has less optimal cards.
Video Poker Strategy Charts
Those who are interested in serious strategy in video poker may choose to use a video poker strategy chart to do so. These charts will show that cards you can have to get the most significant return on the match. Below the best return, it will show the next best and continue in this way until you should discard an entire hand rather than saving any of it.
For example, when playing Jacks or Better, the chart would show a royal flush on top, followed by a straight flush, four cards of a royal flush, a full house, and so on. If you're looking to improve your ability to play poker, taking a look at strategy charts can put you on top of your game.
Video Poker: The Five Minute Guide
No matter what kind of poker you like, you'll find it in an online video poker version. This kind of poker involves one player against a computer dealer, rather than having several players at a table who are competing against each other. While the most common poker variations are Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild, you can also find a selection of different games to play.
Basic Rules Of Video Poker
Since there are dozens of video poker variations, going through the rules of each one would require a long article all of its own. However, since Jacks or Better is one of the most popular options, we'll use that as an example to explain the rules of video poker.
The basic idea behind this kind of video poker is to acquire a five-card poker hand with a winning combination. The lowest winning combination is a pair of Jacks. Other combinations that can win a hand include the following:
- Two Pair – Two card pairs that have the same number or symbol
- Three of a Kind – Three cards with the same symbol or number
- Straight – Five cards that make up a sequential order of numbers
- Flush – Five cards that have the same suit
- Full House – A pair along with a three of a kind
- Four of a Kind – Four cards with the same symbol or number
- Straight Flush – Five cards of the same suit that are in sequential order
The Royal Flush is the best hand you can get and consists of cards of the same suit that go from 10 to Ace. The idea behind the game is to get the best hand possible to earn the most points. You are dealt cards and choose which to discard before being dealt more to make up your final hand.
Common Video Poker Variations
We already mentioned that Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better are two variations of video poker, but there are dozens of others. Aces and Eights is another version where you get additional coins or money for having Aces or Eights in your hands. Double Bonus is a video poker game where you get massive bonuses for four of a kind hands. Some of the other games you will commonly see include:
- Bonus Deuces Wild
- Deuces and Joker
- Double Double Bonus
- Jokers Wild
- Tens or Better
The House Edge In Video Poker
One of the reasons that so many people enjoy video poker is because the house typically has an exceedingly small edge. While a slot machine might return only 70 to 90 percent of what you spend on it, video poker at an online casino is more likely to offer a return of 95 to 99 percent. This means that playing video poker is going to be better for your wallet than many other online casino games.
However, keep in mind that different casinos have different odds and may have a unique house edge. This is also an excellent reason to choose a reputable site or app that lets you know what you're getting into when you sit down to play a game.
Free Video Poker Online Play FAQ
Yes. Some websites that offer free video poker will allow you to play without making an account. However, other websites and apps may require you to register before you take part in games. In most cases, if you do register, you will get some kind of reward for doing so. If you prefer to play without registration, make sure that's an option at the site you are visiting first.
Yes. With sweepstakes video poker sites, you can often win real money or other premium prizes even though you are playing for free. At websites like Chumba Casino, you can earn coins that may be turned into real money for playing particular games, taking advantage of promotions, or making deposits to play additional games.
Yes. One of the best ways to get better at video poker is by playing free games. You can enjoy learning all the best strategies without worrying that you're going to break the bank. Since these games are often the same as real money poker, you can take the knowledge you gain and use it to win cash once you're happy with how you are playing.
No. Most of the free video poker games online do not require a flash player, although there are some exceptions. If you aren't interested in a flash player, you will have no issues finding games that don't require it. However, having one available may make your options more robust if you want to play a specific game or use a particular website.
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Free Pokies Games
On this page, you will find a detailed description of online pokies and what they are all about. You will find out if there is a difference between online pokies and online slots. We will also talk about some of the reasons to play free, as well as the real money pokies. In addition, we will discuss how free online pokies work and tell about the game providers that develop them. On this page, you will also find a comprehensive list of online slots that can be played for free.
Not to be confused with the house that detains convicts, free online pokies are the most popular casino games available to be played on online casinos. Pokies are incredibly popular in online casinos, as you will find many websites hosting over a thousand online pokies on their platforms.
Free Pokies or Slots – What's the Difference?
If you are a big fan of casino games, then you might have come across the term 'pokies'. So, what are pokies? And what is the difference between pokies and slots?
If you are not aware of what this term means or what it refers to, then settle down and let us dissect it for you. It is quite common for people to invent and make up new names that are unique in their sphere to refer to things that already have their common names. For example, if you go places, there are different names or slang terms that can identify different things like pubs — some call it bars, saloons, taverns, tap houses, taprooms, and many more. People make up new names because having their own terms makes them feel related to the subject named.
In short, 'pokies' is another term used to refer to slot machines in Australia and New Zealand. No one knows where the term originated from, but some people believe it was coined from video pokers, though it is used to refer to slot machines and not video poker. The term has gained wide use, and it has been used over the years in all land-based casinos of Australia and New Zealand, where you would normally find slot machines. And like the online adaptation of the slot machines, the name 'pokies' was also carried over to its online versions. There is no significant difference between pokies found in Australia and New Zealand and slots found in other areas.
Reasons to Play Free Pokies
Today, a common practice among many software developers is to equip their games with a free play/demo version. The practice is common across various regions, and many players have avidly embraced this attractive benefit. The importance of free pokies cannot be over-emphasized as many players make effective use of this feature to help them before they start playing with real money.
States With Legal Online Video Poker
Before we delve into other specifics, knowing where online video poker is legal is essential. It might be surprising to learn that some states allow online poker but don't allow online table games and slots, while others go in the opposite direction. Since it can be confusing to determine what states allow legal online video poker, we have provided a list of legal states below:
- Delaware
If you don't see your state listed above, playing video poker for real money is not allowed in your state. There are two alternatives available to you if you want to enjoy video poker. The first is to choose a free online site that has poker available and the second is to use a sweepstakes gaming site like Chumba Casino.
How Many Different Video Poker Games Are Available?
Counting up all the different video poker games would leave you with a number that might be mind-boggling. Many types of poker have been introduced in an online version that you can play on your own without other players. In fact, if it's available in a land-based casino, you can likely find it in a video poker option.
However, different websites and apps are going to have different games, so finding one that has your favorite type might take time if it's a lesser-known variation. Those who are fans of games like Jacks or Better, on the other hand, will find this kind of poker on nearly any site that includes poker.
What Are The Smallest Stakes You Can Play Online?
This is another question that will depend on the provider you use for your video poker. However, what you should know is that video poker typically requires bets that are much smaller than traditional poker in a physical casino. While some of these poker games have high payouts, they don't always require you to empty your wallet to try to win.
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Because these games have lower stakes than a typical poker table, they make an excellent option for those who are just learning to play. They also feature the opportunity to get better for those with some level of experience without spending too much. Once someone is happy with the progress that they've made with video poker, they can try live games or traditional poker with more confidence in their performance.
Fundamentals Of Video Poker Strategy
Just like other forms of poker, video poker has many different strategies that players employ to ensure they win more from their hands. Different people enjoy different techniques, so there are many to choose from. Having a basic strategy you can use will help you do better at video poker, whether you are just beginning with the game or have been at it for many years.
Video Poker Strategy Basics
While games like slots rely only on luck, poker is a casino staple where the players have a lot of impact on how the game ends. Since you have more choices in terms of what cards you keep, which you discard, and what hand you play at the end, you can learn to play a hand that is the most beneficial and likely to result in a big payoff. However, a lot of players continue to rely only on play streaks or hunches to decide how to play a game.
The strategies that can help you win are based on math, which is excellent for anyone who has excelled at this subject in the past. Some approaches focus on getting royal flushes as often as possible, which is the best hand you can have in most poker games. Others are going to have a focus on winning every hand, even if it's by a small amount through a hand that has less optimal cards.
Video Poker Strategy Charts
Those who are interested in serious strategy in video poker may choose to use a video poker strategy chart to do so. These charts will show that cards you can have to get the most significant return on the match. Below the best return, it will show the next best and continue in this way until you should discard an entire hand rather than saving any of it.
For example, when playing Jacks or Better, the chart would show a royal flush on top, followed by a straight flush, four cards of a royal flush, a full house, and so on. If you're looking to improve your ability to play poker, taking a look at strategy charts can put you on top of your game.
Video Poker: The Five Minute Guide
No matter what kind of poker you like, you'll find it in an online video poker version. This kind of poker involves one player against a computer dealer, rather than having several players at a table who are competing against each other. While the most common poker variations are Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild, you can also find a selection of different games to play.
Basic Rules Of Video Poker
Since there are dozens of video poker variations, going through the rules of each one would require a long article all of its own. However, since Jacks or Better is one of the most popular options, we'll use that as an example to explain the rules of video poker.
The basic idea behind this kind of video poker is to acquire a five-card poker hand with a winning combination. The lowest winning combination is a pair of Jacks. Other combinations that can win a hand include the following:
- Two Pair – Two card pairs that have the same number or symbol
- Three of a Kind – Three cards with the same symbol or number
- Straight – Five cards that make up a sequential order of numbers
- Flush – Five cards that have the same suit
- Full House – A pair along with a three of a kind
- Four of a Kind – Four cards with the same symbol or number
- Straight Flush – Five cards of the same suit that are in sequential order
The Royal Flush is the best hand you can get and consists of cards of the same suit that go from 10 to Ace. The idea behind the game is to get the best hand possible to earn the most points. You are dealt cards and choose which to discard before being dealt more to make up your final hand.
Common Video Poker Variations
We already mentioned that Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better are two variations of video poker, but there are dozens of others. Aces and Eights is another version where you get additional coins or money for having Aces or Eights in your hands. Double Bonus is a video poker game where you get massive bonuses for four of a kind hands. Some of the other games you will commonly see include:
- Bonus Deuces Wild
- Deuces and Joker
- Double Double Bonus
- Jokers Wild
- Tens or Better
The House Edge In Video Poker
One of the reasons that so many people enjoy video poker is because the house typically has an exceedingly small edge. While a slot machine might return only 70 to 90 percent of what you spend on it, video poker at an online casino is more likely to offer a return of 95 to 99 percent. This means that playing video poker is going to be better for your wallet than many other online casino games.
However, keep in mind that different casinos have different odds and may have a unique house edge. This is also an excellent reason to choose a reputable site or app that lets you know what you're getting into when you sit down to play a game.
Free Video Poker Online Play FAQ
Yes. Some websites that offer free video poker will allow you to play without making an account. However, other websites and apps may require you to register before you take part in games. In most cases, if you do register, you will get some kind of reward for doing so. If you prefer to play without registration, make sure that's an option at the site you are visiting first.
Yes. With sweepstakes video poker sites, you can often win real money or other premium prizes even though you are playing for free. At websites like Chumba Casino, you can earn coins that may be turned into real money for playing particular games, taking advantage of promotions, or making deposits to play additional games.
Yes. One of the best ways to get better at video poker is by playing free games. You can enjoy learning all the best strategies without worrying that you're going to break the bank. Since these games are often the same as real money poker, you can take the knowledge you gain and use it to win cash once you're happy with how you are playing.
No. Most of the free video poker games online do not require a flash player, although there are some exceptions. If you aren't interested in a flash player, you will have no issues finding games that don't require it. However, having one available may make your options more robust if you want to play a specific game or use a particular website.
Free Online Poker Machine Games No Downloads
Free Pokies Games
On this page, you will find a detailed description of online pokies and what they are all about. You will find out if there is a difference between online pokies and online slots. We will also talk about some of the reasons to play free, as well as the real money pokies. In addition, we will discuss how free online pokies work and tell about the game providers that develop them. On this page, you will also find a comprehensive list of online slots that can be played for free.
Not to be confused with the house that detains convicts, free online pokies are the most popular casino games available to be played on online casinos. Pokies are incredibly popular in online casinos, as you will find many websites hosting over a thousand online pokies on their platforms.
Free Pokies or Slots – What's the Difference?
If you are a big fan of casino games, then you might have come across the term 'pokies'. So, what are pokies? And what is the difference between pokies and slots?
If you are not aware of what this term means or what it refers to, then settle down and let us dissect it for you. It is quite common for people to invent and make up new names that are unique in their sphere to refer to things that already have their common names. For example, if you go places, there are different names or slang terms that can identify different things like pubs — some call it bars, saloons, taverns, tap houses, taprooms, and many more. People make up new names because having their own terms makes them feel related to the subject named.
In short, 'pokies' is another term used to refer to slot machines in Australia and New Zealand. No one knows where the term originated from, but some people believe it was coined from video pokers, though it is used to refer to slot machines and not video poker. The term has gained wide use, and it has been used over the years in all land-based casinos of Australia and New Zealand, where you would normally find slot machines. And like the online adaptation of the slot machines, the name 'pokies' was also carried over to its online versions. There is no significant difference between pokies found in Australia and New Zealand and slots found in other areas.
Reasons to Play Free Pokies
Today, a common practice among many software developers is to equip their games with a free play/demo version. The practice is common across various regions, and many players have avidly embraced this attractive benefit. The importance of free pokies cannot be over-emphasized as many players make effective use of this feature to help them before they start playing with real money.
Although playing free slots offers no rewards to players, there are many reasons people play them online. You will discover that many gambling veterans play free pokies due to several reasons that are highly individual. Some of these reasons are:
Free Video Poker Jacks Or Better
- To filter through the vast collection: There is always a considerable number of games with a variety of themes, design, and gameplay on online casinos, which makes it quite difficult for many players to find the game to their liking. Thus, they have to browse through a number of games to find the one they find interesting. Since playing for real money means having to stake at least the minimum bet amount to spin, players needed a better system to sort through the games. This is where the free pokies came to play — with demo modes, players get to spin for as long as they want with virtual credits.
- Playing for fun: With zero risks and no pressure, players can explore and enjoy as many free pokies as they like. They can sort through any games in a casino's collection to find the games they like the most. Many players enjoy this convenient process as the free demo has the same features, paylines, RTP as the real money version.
- Platform to hone your skills: There is a widespread belief that sufficient preparation is key to success. So for you, to be better prepared for any slot, playing its free version is the best solution. Playing free pokies will give you the chance to get familiar with the game and its gameplay. You get unlimited free credits that allow you to experience the game just the same way you would if playing for real money. It also helps players get important details like the game's payout ratio, volatility, bonuses, paying symbols, and more.
- No sign-up or download: One of the upsides of the free pokies is that many of them require no sign-up or download before you can access and play them instantly, though this usually depends on the online casino you use to access them. There is no need to sign up to access this game, so all your personal information is safe and secure. You won't need to expose your devices to unnecessary downloads since the game runs in your browser.
Online Pokies – How Do They Work
If you were to visit any online casino, you would discover that online pokies are by far the most popular casino games that you can find online. By their massive number in the casino's collection, you can easily tell which one is better than the others. And since the emergence of online pokies is dated back to many years ago, there have been many improvements evident by the development of video slots from the classic one-armed bandit slot machines to the recent slots.
Charles Fey invented the first real slot machine in the late 1800s. The machine had three reels with many symbols, including bells and horseshoes. The game's idea was for players to land three matching symbols along a line called 'payline' to win a prize. Interestingly, apart from some slight differences in the features and themes of the modern online slots, there are not many differences in the way the machines work to how it has always been since the first machines appeared.
Mechanism of Online Slots
As we have mentioned earlier, an online slots' mechanism is still the same as that of classic slot machines with some slight modern variations. A classic slot only has three reels, but there are many online slots now with five reels, and there are even some slots with a lot more than that. An online slots' reels and rows make up a grid.
A basic feature of slot machines that cannot be overlooked is the paylines. A payline is a line across the reels' grid that will pay you if you land three or more matching symbols across the line. Classic slot machines only had a single payline, but online slots have improved on this tremendously, with many slot games having many paylines. There are even some slots that have as many as 243 to 1023 ways to win.
So, to summarize the mechanism of online slot machines: you first determine the number of paylines you want to be active in your game, and then you place your preferred bet size and spin the reels. If any three or more matching symbols land along any of your active paylines, you will earn a win.
The Mathematical Aspect of Slot Machines
A question that haunts many beginners to online slot machines is whether or not the game is rigged. To clear your doubts on the subject, we will be explaining how wins are generated in online slot machines. The feature that ensures that online slots are fair and produce random results is the built-in Random Number Generator (RNG) software. This software ensures that every spins' result is actually random and not controlled by casinos. This feature is one of the key requirements before any online casino receives the license to operate.
The RNG is based on a complex mathematical algorithm that creates thousands of random sequences every second. Each of these sequences is connected to a different outcome on the reels. It means that the number generated at the precise moment you click the spin button will determine what result you will get for each round. It is also important to note that the RNG software has no way of storing the results of previous outcomes. It means that any previous losses or wins you might have had will not influence your next spin, as it is completely random and independent of the previous results.
Structure of Online Slot Machines
Features of Online Pokies
The features of online pokies include all the elements you might encounter while playing the game. Ever since the advent of online pokies, there have been many games developed and available to play. Many features are unique to different games; this means that if you compare the features of two different slot games, you will discover that they may not necessarily have the same.
Here are some of the most common features that you might come across:
Paying Symbols | You will find a paying symbol in any online pokies that you play. Those symbols are always in tune with the games' theme, and if you land three or more matching ones across an active payline, you will earn a prize. It is essential to know that the size of the prize earned depends on the value of the particular paying symbols you land. |
Wild Symbol | The wild symbol's function is determined by the particular game you are playing, but it usually replaces any symbols except the scatter to help complete a winning combination. In addition to this function, some games also pay prizes for landing wild symbols across the reels. |
Scatter Symbol | Like the wild, the scatter symbol's function depends on the game you are playing. But the symbol is commonly used to trigger bonus payouts or bonus games by landing three or more of them anywhere on the reels. The bonus may be the usual monetary payouts or free spins. |
Free Spins Round | The free spins round is a feature that allows a player to spin the reels for free each time the free spins feature is triggered. The player can keep spinning the reels till the free spins earned are exhausted. |
Bonus Game | This feature is different in all pokies and some may not have the bonus game feature, and there are other pokies having more than one bonus feature. The bonus game activates an entirely different game where players will get a chance to win even more incredible prizes. |
Multipliers | This feature, when triggered, helps to multiply winnings tremendously in pokies. |
Apart from these commonly used features, there are many others that you might come across when playing pokies. Some of them include Expanding Reels, Cascading Reels, Gamble Feature, Stacked Wilds, and many more.
Jackpots
Aside from the maximum payouts that players can earn in a particular pokie machine, some slots come with progressive jackpots. Progressive pokies are the most popular type of casino games because their players get a chance of winning a massive payout if they trigger the jackpot. The jackpot is massive and keeps growing because each time players place bets to spin, a little portion of the wager contributes to the pots.
Reels
Online pokies normally come with either three reels or five reels, although in recent years, the gambling world has witnessed power-reel slot machines that have been developed with even more reels.
- Classic or three-reel pokies: The three-reel pokies, also known as classic pokies, give players the feel and look of the land-based slots with mechanical reels. The game is straightforward, with little to no-complex features.
- Modern video pokies: This includes slots with five or more reels; it is the latest and newest slots with many in-game features, bonus games, and winning combinations. One of the key features of this type of pokies is that it usually has many paylines. The games are equipped with exciting themes with amazing animations, graphics, and sounds.
Return to Player (RTP)
The return to player refers to the percentage payout of the pokies machine. The RTP percentage lets you know how much a game will pay out of wagered money in the long run. The RTP rate varies for every game, but it usually ranges between 92% and 98%. The more the RTP, the more generous the game.
Popular Online Pokies Providers in Australia & New Zealand
Online casinos do not develop online pokies, but many software providers consistently provide top-of-the-line games to online casinos. Some of the most popular suppliers of online pokies in Australia and New Zealand include Aristocrat, IGT, Playtech, Ainsworth, Bally, High 5, Microgaming, NetEnt, and many more. In this article, we will look at one of these providers and why they are popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Aristocrat
Aristocrat is one of the largest developers in the world when we talk about traditional land-based pokies, but in recent years they have moved on to create online games. It is very popular with players because the brand has decades of knowledge and experience creating slot machines, which helps them develop top-notch online pokie games. The brand is licensed in over 300 jurisdictions and operates in over 90 countries. Some of their popular ones include Queen of the Nile, Zorro, Red Baron, 5 Dragons, Big Red, and many more.
Reasons to Play Real Money Pokies
Even though it is fun to play online pokies for free, you usually won't get the thrill that comes with playing for real money. When you are done figuring out everything you need to know about a game in its free version, do not hesitate to spend time playing the game for real money. This is because playing real money slots is not only fun, but rewarding — you can win some cash while playing.
There are many reasons why most players consider playing real money pokies, some of which includes:
- To have fun: Just like demo slots, many gamblers play real money pokies just to have fun through experiencing risks, thrills, and the excitement of winning.
- To win money: As was mentioned earlier, playing free online pokies carries zero risks with absolutely no rewards. To stand a chance of winning at online pokies, players need to switch from playing with virtual money to playing with real money.
- To enjoy bonuses and loyalty points at online casinos: Many online casinos offer incredible bonus opportunities to gamers that play online pokies on their platforms. So, to be eligible for these generous rewards, a player has to play real money pokies.
There are many more reasons why gamers play real money pokies. And while it can be fun and exhilarating, it is important to know that you will lose money in the long run, so you should gamble responsibly and play for fun only.
FAQ
- Can I play pokies on mobile?
Yes, you will find popular online pokies from top software developers that you can play on mobile devices. Many online pokies run on HTML5, which means that it can be played on any mobile device, whether it is iOS or Android devices. Furthermore, many online casinos are developing mobile apps to make games even more accessible to players on their mobile devices. - Can I play online pokies in Australia?
Yes, there are many online pokies options that you can play for free or for real money in Australia. You can make use of any trusted online casino sites to play for fun and stand a chance to win great prizes. - What are the chances to win at pokies?
One of the major concerns of people new to online pokies is the fairness of the games. We want to let you know that online pokies from standard software providers use a random number generator that ensures that the result of every round is random and fair. It means that the outcome of the results cannot be predicted or rigged, making the chances of winning random.