Online pokies are very popular among Australian punters and it is easy to see why. Generally, these are games that have very simple gameplay, but the winning potential could be life-changing.
There are so many top online pokies, but how would you know which ones to play? Picking the right online pokie can make an entire difference to your online gambling experience.
To put it simply, you need to be very careful in choosing which games you play as that is how you will have the best chance of winning. So, with all that in mind, we are here to give you a guide on how you can choose the best Australian pokies.
Check the RTP and Variance
First off, we have the technical information that you need to check in Australian online pokies. The RTP stands for Return to Player and is always expressed as a percentage. It will give you an idea of the theoretical long-term payout you can expect from a certain casino game.
The keyword here is “theoretical”, as it doesn’t mean that your gameplay will pan out exactly like the model says. As an example, for an RTP of 96%, for every AU$100 you wager, you can expect AU$96 to come back your way.
The average RTP in Aussie pokies these days stands at around 96%, so should you encounter anything above that, then you have yourself a game with good RTP. We would advise you to avoid games that have an RTP below 90%.
On the other hand, the variance level of pokies will tell you how risky it is to play the game and how often you can expect payouts.
There are three variance levels in pokies:
- Low Volatility – you can expect smaller, but more frequent wins;
- High Volatility – bigger payouts which will come less often;
- Medium Volatility – somewhere between the two.
So, if you are a new punter with a limited budget, then low-variance games will be ideal for you. On the other hand, high-rollers are in love with high-variance games as the stakes are bigger, but so are the payouts. Lastly, casual gamers prefer medium-variance games, as it gives them good value for their bets.
Bonuses and Special Features
Other important elements that you need to check in online pokies in Australia are the special bonus rounds and features a certain pokie may have.
Long gone are the days when you could only enjoy 3-reel classics. Nowadays, video pokies are much more intense and thrilling thanks to their special features.
As such, common special bonus rounds in video pokies, these days include:
- Free spins;
- Win multipliers;
- Expanding wilds;
- Cash prizes;
Of course, you are never limited to these special bonus rounds, as different games have unique bonuses with different values and trigger requirements.
Moreover, games these days have different mechanics, all offering unique gameplay. So, you are always wise to check out which mechanic the pokie has, so you know what to expect during your gameplay. Some of the most innovative game mechanics you can encounter include:
- Megaways – increases the number of paylines;
- InifinReels – the number of reels can grow infinitely;
- Gigablox – features Mega Symbols that can cover more reels;
- Splitz – can split symbols and double your winnings;
- Cluster Pays – clusters of symbols are created, helping you form bigger wins.
Additionally, if you want to aim for the highest wins possible, then you can always try out progressive jackpot titles.
These games collect a portion of every Australian punter’s wager and store everything in a prize pool. One lucky winner will get to take the ultimate prize home, which often goes into millions.
However, as you would imagine, progressives have a high variance and low RTP structure, and the chances of hitting the jackpot are minimal.
There are just so many bonus rounds and mechanics to choose from, so you will never be short of options here.
Of course, if you don’t fancy any game with special features, you can always try 3-reel online video pokies.
These are games that have a simple 3-reel structure, no special bonus rounds and symbols such as fruits, BARs and 7s. Thankfully, all reputable game providers release dozens of these games, as punters often look to go back in time to when pokies were as simple as they get.
Visuals and Sound Effects
First impressions do matter, and the best online pokies will stun you when you load them. Apart from offering exciting bonus rounds, game providers need to pay close attention to how the pokie looks.
It is not uncommon to see players choosing games based on their visuals, which is why we put so much emphasis on this aspect.
You don’t want outdated graphics in your game. As much as the bonus rounds are exciting, if you don’t enjoy the visuals, you are just wasting your time.
We can say the same about audio effects. You don’t want a game that will tempt you to mute it whenever you load it. To enjoy a complete gaming experience, check out the audio and see whether it is a match to the theme.
Thankfully, game providers get creative when creating the visuals for a video pokie. As such, you can find online pokies that have the following themes:
- Ancient world theme (Egypt, Greece, Rome);
- Movie theme;
- Music theme;
- Adventure theme;
- Norse mythology theme;
- Alien theme;
- Ice-age theme.
Mobile Compatibility
The number of smartphone users in Australia grows all the time, so it is essential video pokies are mobile-friendly.
There is no way that a pokie will be a successful one in today’s iGaming world if it is not optimized for all mobile devices.
It is no secret that Australians love to finish their daily activities on their mobile phones, and it is a trend present in online gambling as well.
Therefore, check out whether your chosen pokie works and looks good on your mobile phone. If it does, then you can enjoy a great mobile gaming experience. Some punters say that pokies are much better on a small, mobile screen, but we will let you decide that on your own.
Can You Play the Pokie for Free?
Free online pokies are also vital aspects of the online gambling world. Game providers know that not everyone feels comfortable just laying out their money and trying out games instantly, so they always make sure to provide demo versions of their games.
There are tons of advantages that come with free pokies. You can play for free for as long as you wish without wagering anything.
This way, you can see whether you like the game or not, learn its rules and build the much-needed confidence before you eventually dive into real-money action.
Don’t Forget About the Online Casino
Well, everything on this list would be worth nothing if you don’t choose to gamble at reputable online casinos.
Online scams are very present in Australia, and unfortunately, there are tons of unreliable gambling sites circulating in the market.
Thankfully, there is an easy way to check whether the site is a reputable one. All you need to do is check the following aspects:
- Does the casino have a license – a piece of information usually found on the footer of the site
- SSL encryption – an SSL certificate ensures that all transactions and data are completely safe
- Game providers list – reputable game providers only partner with reliable online casinos, it is as simple as that
Once you ensure that a site ticks all these boxes, then it is just a matter of fine details. You can check out the game library of the operator and see which pokies you have at your disposal as well as the list of available payment methods.
At the end of the day, online gambling should always be a fun pastime activity. Thanks to our guide, you can now choose the best online pokies that match your taste and your wallet and hopefully, secure some big wins on the way!