How to Play Pokies
Pokies is one of the most popular games in the casino. Online casinos offer multiple types of pokies games and these often make up more than half of the total number of casino games that the casino offers. Land-based casinos offer banks of pokies machines for players to choose from. Pokies is a simple games to play and to learn. They were originally included in the casino as a distraction for wives and girlfriends while their male companions played the more serious casino games. Pokies is a random game that relies on a certain amount of luck making it popular with amateur gamblers. On the other hand, today there are so many variations of pokies and the ability to win such large prizes that professional gamblers spend much of their time enjoying the game as well.
Choosing a Machine
Before you begin to play the game of pokies you will need to choose a pokies game and choose a machine. Especially if you play online, there are many different types of pokies games available. These include classic pokies, video pokies, progressive pokies, real series pokies and i-pokies. Some of these are offered by specific software providers so will only be available if you play at a casino powered by that software provider. With video pokies games, you will typically find 3 reel, 5 reel or 7 reel games and games with different numbers of paylines – typically up to 25.
Games may include wild symbols, scatter symbols, multipliers, bonus rounds, megaspin options and more. If you want to be in with a chance to win huge jackpots, you must choose to play on a progressive machine. Make sure to choose a progressive machine with a low enough coin denomination for you to be able to bet with the maximum number of coins.
Pokies games also have different themes and you should choose a machine that will appeal to you. Regardless of the game, make sure that the machine suits your bankroll – the longer you can stretch your bankroll, the more chances you will have to hit a winning spin so don't choose a machine that will use up your bankroll in a short period of time.
Be Aware of the Rules of the Game
Different pokies games have different rules and different payout structures. These should be displayed on the machine itself. Make sure that you are aware of these before you begin to play. If the game offers special features, such as wild symbols or scatter pay, make sure that you are aware of that and also check to make sure if the game offers bonus rounds or free spins and how to play these.
How to Start the Game
To begin the game of pokies, you need to place a bet. The bet that you place will be dependant on a number of factors such as the coin denomination of the machine, whether it is a progressive machine and the size of your bankroll. If you are playing at a progressive machine, you must bet the maximum number of coins to be in with a chance to win the jackpot. Once you have placed a bet, you must start the reels spinning. This is typically done with a button or may even be a touch screen pad on modern machines. If you are playing online pokies, you can make use of the auto spin feature that spins the reels automatically allowing you to do something else while your game continues.
Winning a Game of Pokies
In order to win at a game of pokies, certain symbols must line up in a specific combination. Each reel in a pokies game contains 22 symbols and each game commonly has 3 or 5 reels, though it is not uncommon to find 7. Games may also have wild symbols or scatter pay. The combinations required will be displayed on the machine. Once you have started the reels spinning they will randomly come to a stop. If the symbols line up in the specific combination you will win. The amount that you will win will depend on the coin size and the number of coins that you bet with, the number of paylines and the combination that was spun.
