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Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Playing Online Pokies

At Online pokies, also called online slots, are virtual versions of the classic casino slot machine games. Pokies can be played on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and any device with an internet connection.

The concept originated from the mechanical slot machines introduced in the late 19th century. Over decades of evolution incorporating new technologies, online pokies emerged, providing convenient access to a wide variety of slot games right from your own home.

In online slots, no physical reels are spinning. The visual display of spinning reels is just an on-screen simulation driven by a random number generator (RNG). This RNG cycles through symbol combinations randomly and independently of any previous spins. When you click spin, the RNG picks the symbols that land on the virtual reel positions.

Pokies come in all shapes and sizes, from simple 3-reel classics to 5-reel video slots with intricate graphics and bonus features. You can find standard fruit machine themes and popular movies, musicians, TV shows, and more adapted into online slots.

In this guide, we will introduce online poker, its history, how it works, the various types of games, tips for playing, and top software providers. Let's start with the evolution of slots over the decades.

History of Pokies

The roots of slot games date back to the late 1800s. The Liberty Bell machine created by Charles Fey in 1895 was the first slot with three reels and featured card suit symbols.

In the early 1900s, slot machines became commonplace at saloons, bowling alleys, train stations, and other venues. The iconic "one-armed bandit" mechanical slots lasted for decades with a lever on the side to set the reels in motion.

In the 1960s and 70s, slots were transitioned to electromechanical operation. While still mechanical at the core, electrical components were incorporated for the reel mechanisms and payouts.

Video slots arrived in the 1990s, replacing spinning reels with virtual simulations on a video screen. This paved the way for online slots controlled by sophisticated computer programs.

The first online casinos launched in the mid-1990s, and online slots debuted around the turn of the century. Rapid improvements in graphics, animations, and game features led to the advanced online pokies we see today.

Software providers keep raising the bar with new slot innovations like progressive jackpots, interactive bonus rounds, movie-style cut scenes, and 3D graphics. Next, we'll look at how modern online slots work.

How Online Pokies Work

casino

While online slots may visually look like their vintage predecessors, the underlying mechanics are different. Instead of intricate machinery determining outcomes, online slots rely on sophisticated computer programming.

At the heart of all online slots is a random number generator (RNG). This program continuously and randomly cycles through thousands or millions of number combinations.

When the participant clicks the spin button, the RNG stops on a random set of numbers that correspond to specific reel results for that spin. Each outcome is entirely independent of previous spins.

The symbols lining up on the reels are just a visual representation of the underlying numbers. The randomness of the RNG ensures the results cannot be predicted or manipulated in the player's favor.

The game developers configure the math behind the RNG. The programming sets the long-term payout percentage for the slot based on the pay table. But every outcome is a random dice roll on an individual spin level.

While online slots may look and sound like their vintage predecessors, the modern RNG system driving results sets them apart mechanically. Next, we'll cover today's wide range of online slot types and themes.

Types of Online Pokies

The great benefit of online slots is the immense variety available. While classic 3-reel slots are still popular, most online pokies fall into the 5-reel video slot category, featuring rich graphics, animations, and bonus features. Some major types include:

Video Slots

  • Five reels with multiple paylines
  • Cinematic graphics and sound effects
  • Bonus rounds like free spins, pick bonuses
  • A broad spectrum of themes, from fantasy to pop culture

Classic Slots

  • Simpler 3-reel games
  • Fruit and bell symbols
  • Single payline
  • Retro look and feel

Progressive Slots

  • Jackpot grows as players spin across casinos
  • Top prizes can be in the millions
  • Must bet max to win progressive pot
  • Games like Mega Moolah, Major Millions

Branded Slots

  • Games based on movies, celebs, TV shows
  • Titles like Jurassic World, Game of Thrones
  • Familiar themes and characters
  • Clips from shows integrated

With new titles released monthly, players have an endless array of unique online pokies to explore. Next, we'll go over some tips to play slots successfully.

Playing Tips and Strategies

casino

While online slots rely heavily on chance, there are some tips and strategies to employ:

  • Review the pay table - Know the value of different symbols and payouts for line combinations. Search for games with higher RTP (return to player).
  • Handle your bankroll - Set a budget for each session and loss limits. Don't chase losses. Take advantage of casino bonuses.
  • Understand paylines - Games can have 5, 10, 25+ paylines. You can bet on multiple lines to increase winning chances. But more lines mean higher bet costs.
  • Play max on progressives - To qualify for the life-changing jackpots, you must bet max coins per spin. Read the rules before playing.
  • Take advantage of free spins - Use free spin offers wisely. Play all lines to maximize your chances of winning.
  • Slow down your play - Faster is not always better. Slower slots can extend your playtime and bankroll. Autoplay can speed up spins.
  • Sample new slots - Try demo modes of new releases to find favorites with bonuses and high RTP. Explore different genres.

While online slots apply a lot of luck, these tips can help extend your gameplay and maximize the enjoyment of your slot experience.

Top Software Providers

While the themes and features vary across slots, most online pokies are powered behind the scenes by software from major providers. Some top developers include:

Microgaming

This company is the pioneer of online casino software. Microgaming launched the first online slots in the 1990s. I am known for branded titles and record jackpots.

NetEnt

Provider of top-rated slots like Starburst and Gonzo's Quest. Renowned for polished graphics and innovative game mechanics.

Playtech

Before they were discontinued, the leading brand offered many online slots, including many Marvel superhero games.

RTG

RealTime Gaming has hundreds of online slot titles. Their games include interesting themes and generous bonus rounds.

IGT

A dominant force in land-based slots, IGT now also produces popular online slot titles, including Cleopatra and Da Vinci Diamonds.

Trying slots from top providers like these is an excellent way to ensure a quality gaming experience. Their titles are featured at most reputable online casinos.

Online pokies provide all the spinning reel excitement of traditional slots adapted for desktop and mobile play. While vintage slot machines relied on intricate machinery, online slots use sophisticated random number generators to determine their outcomes.

Today's online slots include lavish graphics, animations, soundtracks, and bonus features unmatched by their land-based predecessors. With new 5-reel video slots released monthly, players have endless options spanning various themes and genres.

While the results come down to chance, following tips like managing bankroll, understanding paylines, and sampling new slots with free spins can lead to a more rewarding experience. Playing slots from leading providers like Microgaming and NetEnt is also advised.

For slot machine enthusiasts, online pokies give convenient desktop and mobile access to all the lights, sounds, jackpots, and fun of spinning reel games at any time. With such an expansive library of online slots to explore, players can turn away to their heart's content from home.

FAQ: Essential Insights on Online Pokies and Slots

What are online pokies?

Online pokies, or online slots, are digital versions of traditional slot machines that can be accessed on devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Evolving from 19th-century mechanical slots, they now use advanced technology and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

How do online slots work?

Online slots use a Random Number Generator (RNG) system instead of physical reels to determine outcomes. The RNG generates random symbols independently on each spin, ensuring fair play and randomness in the game outcomes. This system picks the symbols on the virtual reels when you click the spin button.

What types of online pokies are available?

There is a vast variety of online pokies available, including:

  • Video Slots: These feature five reels, multiple paylines, cinematic graphics, and sound effects, with themes ranging from fantasy to pop culture.
  • Classic Slots: Simpler in design, these usually have three reels, a single payline, and traditional symbols like fruits and bells.
  • Progressive Slots: These games feature a jackpot that increases with every spin players make in various casinos, and the top prizes can reach millions.
  • Branded Slots: These works are inspired by popular movies, TV shows, and celebrities, featuring familiar themes and sometimes clips from the original productions.

What strategies can improve your online slot play?

Even though online slots are mainly about luck, there are some strategies you can use to make your experience more enjoyable.

  • Review the paytable to understand the values and combinations that payout.
  • Manage your bankroll carefully, setting limits and not chasing losses.
  • Understand the number of paylines and bet on multiple lines to increase your chances of winning.
  • To qualify for the major jackpot, play the maximum number of coins on progressive slots.
  • Make the most of your winnings by using free spins and bonus features.
  • Try new games in demo mode to find those with themes and bonus features you enjoy.

Who are the top software providers for online poker?

Leading developers of online pokies include:

  • Microgaming is known for pioneering online casino software, branded titles, and progressive jackpots.
  • NetEnt: Famous for high-quality graphics and innovative gameplay mechanics in games like Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest.
  • Playtech: Previously known for a range of online slots, including many based on Marvel superheroes.
  • RealTime Gaming (RTG): Offers a broad portfolio of slots with unique themes and bonus features.
  • IGT: A significant force in both land-based and online slots, known for titles like Cleopatra and Da Vinci Diamonds.

History of Pokies

The roots of slot games date back to the late 1800s. The Liberty Bell machine created by Charles Fey in 1895 was the first slot with three reels and featured card suit symbols.

In the early 1900s, slot machines became commonplace at saloons, bowling alleys, train stations, and other venues. The iconic "one-armed bandit" mechanical slots lasted for decades with a lever on the side to set the reels in motion.

In the 1960s and 70s, slots were transitioned to electromechanical operation. While still mechanical at the core, electrical components were incorporated for the reel mechanisms and payouts.

Video slots arrived in the 1990s, replacing spinning reels with virtual simulations on a video screen. This paved the way for online slots controlled by sophisticated computer programs.

The first online casinos launched in the mid-1990s, and online slots debuted around the turn of the century. Rapid improvements in graphics, animations, and game features led to the advanced online pokies we see today.

Software providers keep raising the bar with new slot innovations like progressive jackpots, interactive bonus rounds, movie-style cut scenes, and 3D graphics. Next, we'll look at how modern online slots work.

How Online Pokies Work

casino

While online slots may visually look like their vintage predecessors, the underlying mechanics are different. Instead of intricate machinery determining outcomes, online slots rely on sophisticated computer programming.

At the heart of all online slots is a random number generator (RNG). This program continuously and randomly cycles through thousands or millions of number combinations.

When the participant clicks the spin button, the RNG stops on a random set of numbers that correspond to specific reel results for that spin. Each outcome is entirely independent of previous spins.

The symbols lining up on the reels are just a visual representation of the underlying numbers. The randomness of the RNG ensures the results cannot be predicted or manipulated in the player's favor.

The game developers configure the math behind the RNG. The programming sets the long-term payout percentage for the slot based on the pay table. But every outcome is a random dice roll on an individual spin level.

While online slots may look and sound like their vintage predecessors, the modern RNG system driving results sets them apart mechanically. Next, we'll cover today's wide range of online slot types and themes.

Types of Online Pokies

The great benefit of online slots is the immense variety available. While classic 3-reel slots are still popular, most online pokies fall into the 5-reel video slot category, featuring rich graphics, animations, and bonus features. Some major types include:

Video Slots

  • Five reels with multiple paylines
  • Cinematic graphics and sound effects
  • Bonus rounds like free spins, pick bonuses
  • A broad spectrum of themes, from fantasy to pop culture

Classic Slots

  • Simpler 3-reel games
  • Fruit and bell symbols
  • Single payline
  • Retro look and feel

Progressive Slots

  • Jackpot grows as players spin across casinos
  • Top prizes can be in the millions
  • Must bet max to win progressive pot
  • Games like Mega Moolah, Major Millions

Branded Slots

  • Games based on movies, celebs, TV shows
  • Titles like Jurassic World, Game of Thrones
  • Familiar themes and characters
  • Clips from shows integrated

With new titles released monthly, players have an endless array of unique online pokies to explore. Next, we'll go over some tips to play slots successfully.

Playing Tips and Strategies

 

casinoWhile online slots rely heavily on chance, there are some tips and strategies to employ:

  • Review the pay table - Know the value of different symbols and payouts for line combinations. Search for games with higher RTP (return to player).
  • Handle your bankroll - Set a budget for each session and loss limits. Don't chase losses. Take advantage of casino bonuses.
  • Understand paylines - Games can have 5, 10, 25+ paylines. You can bet on multiple lines to increase winning chances. But more lines mean higher bet costs.
  • Play max on progressives - To qualify for the life-changing jackpots, you must bet max coins per spin. Read the rules before playing.
  • Take advantage of free spins - Use free spin offers wisely. Play all lines to maximize your chances of winning.
  • Slow down your play - Faster is not always better. Slower slots can extend your playtime and bankroll. Autoplay can speed up spins.
  • Sample new slots - Try demo modes of new releases to find favorites with bonuses and high RTP. Explore different genres.

While online slots apply a lot of luck, these tips can help extend your gameplay and maximize the enjoyment of your slot experience.

Top Software Providers

While the themes and features vary across slots, most online pokies are powered behind the scenes by software from major providers. Some top developers include:

Microgaming

This company is the pioneer of online casino software. Microgaming launched the first online slots in the 1990s. I am known for branded titles and record jackpots.

NetEnt

Provider of top-rated slots like Starburst and Gonzo's Quest. Renowned for polished graphics and innovative game mechanics.

Playtech

Before they were discontinued, the leading brand offered many online slots, including many Marvel superhero games.

RTG

RealTime Gaming has hundreds of online slot titles. Their games include interesting themes and generous bonus rounds.

IGT

A dominant force in land-based slots, IGT now also produces popular online slot titles, including Cleopatra and Da Vinci Diamonds.

Trying slots from top providers like these is an excellent way to ensure a quality gaming experience. Their titles are featured at most reputable online casinos.

Online pokies provide all the spinning reel excitement of traditional slots adapted for desktop and mobile play. While vintage slot machines relied on intricate machinery, online slots use sophisticated random number generators to determine their outcomes.

Today's online slots include lavish graphics, animations, soundtracks, and bonus features unmatched by their land-based predecessors. With new 5-reel video slots released monthly, players have endless options spanning various themes and genres.

While the results come down to chance, following tips like managing bankroll, understanding paylines, and sampling new slots with free spins can lead to a more rewarding experience. Playing slots from leading providers like Microgaming and NetEnt is also advised.

For slot machine enthusiasts, online pokies give convenient desktop and mobile access to all the lights, sounds, jackpots, and fun of spinning reel games at any time. With such an expansive library of online slots to explore, players can turn away to their heart's content from home.

FAQ: Essential Insights on Online Pokies and Slots

What are online pokies?

Online pokies, or online slots, are digital versions of traditional slot machines that can be accessed on devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Evolving from 19th-century mechanical slots, they now use advanced technology and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

How do online slots work?

Online slots use a Random Number Generator (RNG) system instead of physical reels to determine outcomes. The RNG generates random symbols independently on each spin, ensuring fair play and randomness in the game outcomes. This system picks the symbols on the virtual reels when you click the spin button.

What types of online pokies are available?

There is a vast variety of online pokies available, including:

  • Video Slots: These feature five reels, multiple paylines, cinematic graphics, and sound effects, with themes ranging from fantasy to pop culture.
  • Classic Slots: Simpler in design, these usually have three reels, a single payline, and traditional symbols like fruits and bells.
  • Progressive Slots: These games feature a jackpot that increases with every spin players make in various casinos, and the top prizes can reach millions.
  • Branded Slots: These works are inspired by popular movies, TV shows, and celebrities, featuring familiar themes and sometimes clips from the original productions.

What strategies can improve your online slot play?

Even though online slots are mainly about luck, there are some strategies you can use to make your experience more enjoyable.

  • Review the paytable to understand the values and combinations that payout.
  • Manage your bankroll carefully, setting limits and not chasing losses.
  • Understand the number of paylines and bet on multiple lines to increase your chances of winning.
  • To qualify for the major jackpot, play the maximum number of coins on progressive slots.
  • Make the most of your winnings by using free spins and bonus features.
  • Try new games in demo mode to find those with themes and bonus features you enjoy.

Who are the top software providers for online poker?

Leading developers of online pokies include:

  • Microgaming is known for pioneering online casino software, branded titles, and progressive jackpots.
  • NetEnt: Famous for high-quality graphics and innovative gameplay mechanics in games like Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest.
  • Playtech: Previously known for a range of online slots, including many based on Marvel superheroes.
  • RealTime Gaming (RTG): Offers a broad portfolio of slots with unique themes and bonus features.
  • IGT: A significant force in both land-based and online slots, known for titles like Cleopatra and Da Vinci Diamonds.