Best Online Pokies 2022
Whether you are the biggest pokie fan or a novice, there is always new ground to cover when it comes to slot machines. These sets had a slow start when first invented in the mid-19th century. They have since ballooned into the most provided and highest demanded of all gambling games. Chances are, if you log into any New Zealand casino, slots feature as the centre of attraction and are provided in the hundreds.
We take on the responsibility to deliver honest, well-researched information and criticism on the games without compromise. Providing slot reviews has been at the heart of Cherry Red Casino since its establishment, continuously upholding high standards to man players with knowledge and experience. Our team of skilled reviewers provide exclusive insight on all there is to know about pokies. The panel comprises slot enthusiasts with different tastes and playing goals to cover every base and give gamblers accurate analysis.
👑 What are Online pokies?
A pokie is a gambling game that plays with a set of reels covered in different symbols. Players have to spin the game in each round, which stops after a few seconds. The revealed icons determine whether a win is awarded or not. Each slot differs from the next one, but some features are standard in nearly all of them, including;
- Reels
Pokie reels are columns that make up the grid. Most slots feature a standard layout of five reels over three rows; they can be lower or higher. The reel designs vary depending on the theme. These columns display a new set of icons with each spin.
- Symbols
Slots feature images that cover the playtable tiles randomly after each round called symbols. They are usually inspired by the pokie theme and valued differently.
- Paylines
Online pokies have patterns running across the grid horizontally that trigger payouts when the correct characters land on them. These lines can be fixed in place or open to adjustment. The higher the bet lines, the bigger the stake, and the better the chances of landing payouts. Modern slots feature up to 100 paylines while others spot as little as one.
- Win ways
Some pokies trade paylines for win ways that grant payouts for similar icons adjacent to each other without depending on fixed patterns. The wins count as long as the correct number of characters are adjacent from left to right. Win ways can be as low as 243 or higher than 200,000, as seen with the Megaways and Megaquads mechanics.
- Bet
Each slot round requires a stake to run. The supported values vary depending on the game. The stake determines the value of triggered payouts – the higher the amount, the bigger the wins. Betting funds must be deposited into online casinos featuring the pokies to be used as bets.
How to Choose Best Online pokies
- You test the pokies to know if they’re worth your money as you don’t put money in casino pokies, not to mention the fun.
- Learn about bonuses.
- You get an idea of the volatile nature of the pokies, RTP.
Online Pokies are easy, luck-dependent and need no well-designed strategy and hence they have the maximum popularity among casino games. The rules are easy to follow. People search jackpots and spin reels at once. Since players have both free and real versions at hand, they can use the demo versions to know the tricks and design their strategies with real money.
In order to opt for this, check this out:
- You gain experience to become familiar with the set-up as the game structure of a casino pokie is almost like a real money pokie. As beginners you should first get the thrill of it, take it slow and only then put in real money.
- Online pokies rid you of the headache to lose money when you’re just starting!
Downloading a pokie enables you to get a sum of money for the exploration of the game. As and when you win money, it gets added on. And, in case you have none in your account – you’ll have bonuses, tasks, etc to regain the money.
- All strategies of online pokies work for the real ones. So, you can not just make them but also you can play pokies even if you’re already engaged with real ones. This helps even the experienced players to work on new strategies leading to prosperous games. Low and high volatile games, low risks, maximum betting can easily be contrasted and thereby chosen. Such moves might be risky with monetary involvement but et voila, here there’s no such anxiety!
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🕹 How Pokies Work
Slot machines may feature varying themes, bets, and payouts, but they operate on the same principle framework. The blueprint is similar to the first-ever pokies invented and has evolved with time to accommodate new generations of the game. Here is a breakdown of how these games work, from their gameplay procedure and payouts down to their inner workings:
Gameplay Procedure
If you are going to love slots for anything, it has to be the simplicity of their gameplay. The procedure is similar in all of them, with only a few alterations in the steps to achieve it. Generally, punters have to place a bet, spin the playtable, and wait for the results. All you need to do is;
- Select an ideal pokie – narrow down the best option according to the developer, theme, betting limits, payouts, bonus features, and casino.
- Deposit funds – a cash commitment in your registered casino is necessary to activate gameplay in real money slots.
- Adjust paylines – choose those to remain active if the game has adjustable win lines. These lines affect the bet value – the more the paylines, the higher the stake. On the upside, they drive up the chances of triggering a win.
- Choose a bet – there are one or two requirements in this step depending on the pokie. Some slots require players to choose the number of coins and their values separately. Others limit it to one of these fields.
- Spin the reels – the spin button runs the game one round at a time. Autoplay is a popular alternative that plays automatic spins and can be preset in most pokies.
- Set turbo mode – this option speeds up gameplay by stopping all the reels at once instead of one at a time. It applies to both manual and autoplay spins.
Pokies feature UI panels or buttons around the screen to carry out the gameplay procedure. The reels spin and reveal random symbols on each reel, the necessary payouts are awarded, and the process repeats. Pokies require no skill to play, and results are entirely luck-dependent.
The Random Number Generator
Slot machines have random results unpredictable by neither players nor casinos. The first slot creators achieved randomness by fitting symbols in a revolving drum. Players would pull a lever on the side, spin the machine, and reveal a combination. Today, pokies depend on Random Number Generators for the same purpose.
An RNG, Random Number Generator, is an algorithm that solves complex math formulas to produce random numbers. These numbers tie to the possible combinations that slots can reveal in each round, which are displayed randomly. RNGs also determine the chances of triggering bonus features. The algorithms can use things like internal calendars and clocks to run. They can produce billions of numbers continuously, making it impossible to predict payouts accurately.
Slot RNGs are not entirely random to anyone with the seed number and algorithm. The seed number is the base value the generators need to generate results. The chances of predicting the outcomes of each round accurately go up significantly if it is used alongside the pokie’s algorithm. Seed numbers are not available to casinos or players.
Symbol Winnings
Symbol payouts are a core feature in slot machines and the main source of payouts since their invention. The icons activate winnings when matching ones land on a payline or win way. In most pokies, wins are reserved for two/three or more characters, and they have to start from left to right on adjacent reels. Some slots allow win lines to pay both ways.
Pokie symbols usually vary in payout values. The poker face cards A through 9 are often used as the low-value characters and are the most commonly landed. The slot theme often inspires icons with premium values. The higher their winnings, the rarer they are to land. The awarded payouts are dynamic according to the selected stake
Continue playing purely for excitement till you have designed your game plan and feel safe enough to involve money.
Real Money vs. Free pokies
Real money or real pokies are those involving actual money, free or demo modes are thosewhich don’t involve money.
Free pokies
- You play with credits here, not cash. A tag on the pokie shows so. It’s like real play only with 1 credit being equivalent to 1 pound in real money. Both have similar probabilities but of course, the demo allows it to be bolder.
- It’s like just playing a game, not gambling because you gain points – not money. So, you have a huge winning combination but alas, still no money! And you might lose it in real play.
- It is entertaining and an enjoyable experience.
Real Money pokies
- This is gambling. You bet, lose or win real money, but for that, you’ve to get anaccount, make the minimum deposit and put up your payment details.
- You can cross-check your currency and make a spin to check if the on-site balance goes down.
- This is the default mode because this is what makes online casinos different from computer games – winning money.
💰 Pokie Bonuses
Slots have bonuses in all shapes and sizes, but they function the same way. They can be customized to suit the payouts and themes, and they often fall into the following categories:
- Wilds
The wild is a symbol with the power to stand in the place of any other to complete a paying winning combination. For instance, if the same icons land on the first and third reels with the wild in between and on a payline, a win is awarded. Usually, scatters, free spin, and other bonus characters are the exceptions to these rules. The wild carries no value in some slots and appears on limited reels. In others, it serves the highest payline wins.
The wild is the most popular slot bonus, sometimes featuring more than once in one game. In the first-ever pokie, it appeared as the joker and could complete any hand. Modern slots feature them as theme-inspired symbols. Aside from the standard task of replacing icons, pokies modify wilds in other ways, including;
| Wild | Special Features |
| Expanding wilds | Expand to cover an entire column when they come into view |
| Stacked wilds | Appear as individual icons stacked on each other. They do not have to cover the entire reel. |
| Nudging wilds | These wilds are bigger than ordinary symbols. When part of them is visible anywhere on the grid, they nudge other characters out of the way to fully cover a reel. |
| Multiplying wilds | They carry multipliers that apply to any winning combinations they trigger. If multiple ones complete one combo, they usually apply to each other and then the wins. These wilds often feature in big win slots for explosive payouts. |
| Wild scatters | These characters trigger bonus rounds like scatters while substituting where winning combinations can be completed. |
| Sticky wilds | They stay on the same tile for one or several following rounds after being landed. |
| Walking wilds | These wilds also stick to the grid when they land, but they usually move one position horizontally with each round until they exit the other side. |
| Roaming wilds | They shift positions randomly in each spin. |
| Falling wilds | Falling wilds are like walking wilds, but they move vertically until they exit the playtable at the bottom. |
| Replicating wilds | When these icons appear, they change other icons around them into wilds. |
| Jackpot wilds | These wilds are linked to jackpot wins, making them the most valuable characters. For instance, in the pokie Arabian Nights, five wilds on a bet line with the max bet in play trigger the progressive pot, which pays in the millions. |
| Exploding wilds | They destroy the symbols around them after completing winning combinations |
- Scatter
The scatter is a bonus symbol that earns the name from its ability to pay despite its position on the reels. Other icons have to line up on paylines or form win ways and clusters. Also, scatters wins are multiplied by the total wager instead of the payline stake or coin value. These characters are usually linked to bonus rounds like free spins.
- Free spins/respins
A spin refers to each round in a pokie, so a free spin is one that does not require a bet. These bonuses trigger when 3+ scatters appear and can vary depending on the number of symbols. The awarded rounds can be anywhere between 5 to 100 or more. The spins play with the same value and paytable as the activating round. Slots can customize their free spins by adding multipliers to their wins, making them available to retrigger, or making them upgradeable. Respins are similar to free spins but are usually smaller, often up to three. They can be attached to unique icons like wilds and scatters or grid events.
- Cascading/tumbling/avalanche reels
Most pokies use spinning reels to reveal new characters while others drop them off the grid while new ones rain from above. Paying icons vanish from the screen, and those above them fill the spaces left behind. These cascades potentially create new winning combinations, which also exit the reels. The tumbles continue until no more wins trigger, and they do not cost a dime more than the original spin.
- Cluster wins
Some pokies pay for icons appearing anywhere on the reels as long as a certain number of them connect horizontally and vertically. Tumbling reels and large grids often accompany cluster payouts.
- Multipliers
Multipliers can appear as symbols or accompaniments for wilds, scatters, free spins, and other bonuses. They multiply the payouts by the indicated value, often ranging between 1x and 100x. In most pokies, multipliers that occur in the same combinations apply to each other before the wins. These bonuses can also be progressive, especially when linked to cascading wins. They are among the most valuable slot features.
- Gamble features
Some slots offer a shot at more win values after symbol combinations pay. Choosing to gamble reveals a second screen with a guessing game that awards correct answers and strips winnings for wrong ones. The most common gamble feature is the hidden card that doubles payouts for the right colour and quadruples them for the correct suit. The round can be played multiple times, but a single loss ends it. The gamble feature does not usually apply to bonus wins.
- Picking rounds
This pokie bonus presents players with different hidden items, and choosing them reveals wins. The contents are often cash payouts, but they can also be multipliers, free spins, respins, wilds, and other incentives.
- Fixed jackpots
Slot machines may be some of the riskiest casino games, but they pack massive wins, most of which are jackpots. Fixed jackpots feature set amounts that only change according to the selected stake but do not grow over time. The fixed pots can be 10x to over 100,000x the stake, and one slot can feature multiple.
- Progressive jackpots
Some pokies feature progressive jackpots, which grow over time by collecting a portion of placed bets. The pots start at a seed value (as little as $10 and as much as $2,000,000) and increase continuously until triggered. Pooled jackpots can activate by landing unique icons or through random triggers. Some slots feature multiple of these pots, including Mega Moolah, Mega Fortune, and WowPot pokies.
- Bonus wheels
Bonus wheels are exactly what they sound like – wheels with bonuses on different wedges. The pokie grants the incentive pointed at when it stops spinning. These wheels are used to award free spins, multipliers, wilds, and jackpots.
- Meters
In some slots, players have to fill meters to trigger bonus features. They are placed somewhere on the screen and charge up when symbol wins form or unique icons are collected.
🤑 All About Payout Metrics
As earlier mentioned, pokie machines are random, and winnings are unpredictable. Even so, these games have payout metrics that give hypothetical predictions of how they are likely to pay. Here is a look at three of them:
Return to Player Rate (RTP)
The RTP is the most popularly provided payout metric and is often demanded by licensing bodies. The rate is presented as a percentage of the expected payouts depending on the placed bet. For instance, a pokie with a 96% RTP rate will likely pay about $96 for $100 stakes placed over an extended period. While RTP does not predict the accurate wins in slots, it lets players know the level of risk they are getting into. The higher the RTP rate, the better the chances of landing wins in the long haul.
🟡 Pokies Volatility
As it applies to pokies, volatility is the inherent risk of playing. Also known as variance, volatility describes how much and how often you can expect to win during a gaming session. When playing slots, you will notice that some games often pay small amounts regularly while others have long dry spells rewarded with big payouts. Like RTP, volatility does not affect the random nature of the games. It is determined by observing the game over many previous spins to predict its behaviour. Pokies fall into the following variance categories;
- Low volatility
Slots with this volatility rating have low risk. The games are inclined to low payouts that frequently trigger, reducing the risk of significant losses. Such pokies are perfect for new and casual players not wanting to spend too much but are chasing wins. The volatility is often spotted in sets with low maximum winning potential.
- Low-medium volatility
The risk in low-medium variance pokies is low to moderate, and the wins are small to midsized. These games are perfect for punters looking to entertain themselves but don’t mind a little risk from time to time if the potential for sizeable wins rises.
- Medium volatility
Medium volatility slots fall in the middle and are a delightful compromise between low and high variance games. Most of the triggered wins are typically low to mid-sized, but there are moderate chances at significant payouts.
- Medium-high volatility
Medium-high slot variance takes the risk several notches higher and makes the losing bouts longer. Waiting out the dry spells is compensated with increasing payouts.
- High volatility
High variance pokies are the riskiest of the bunch and the most rewarding. The wins in these games can be higher than 100,000x the bet or have jackpot wins. These slots can be pretty brutal and are survived with large bankrolls that can ride out the extended losses along the way.
Hit Frequency
Also known as hit rate, hit frequency is the likelihood of a pokie machine hitting a winning combination instead of losing. The mathematics behind this metric is relatively simple. The hit frequency indicates the percentage of a pokie’s likelihood to land paying combos or bonuses. Unlike the RTP, hit frequency considers rounds that generate wins lower than the placed bet rather than focusing only on higher ones. The hit rate in high variance slots is usually low due to spaced wins, while that of low volatility titles is high due to frequent triggers.
🎰 Types of Reel pokies
Slots flood casinos in the thousands to meet the high demand and turn new players into loyal fans. Pokies may have a similar blueprint, but they find other ways to stand in their own right. Numerous elements classify the different types of pokies, and here are some popular ones:
- Classic pokies
Classic slots draw inspiration from traditional games from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of these games feature three reels, while others adopt the modern 5×3 design. The symbols on the reels can be traditional icons like liberty bells, BARs, and horseshoes like in the Liberty Bell machine. The fruit machine era of 1902 – 1908 also inspires one of the most popular classic genres that still thrives to date. Such pokies have characters like cherries, watermelons, plums, oranges, lemons, stars, and sevens.
- 3D pokies
These pokies are developed with imagery that makes them look three-dimensional and life-like. Their designs can be outrageous and outlandish, but they still look like they could leap off the screen. Most modern slots fall in this category.
- Themed pokies
Pokie machines can be classified according to the theme that inspires their visuals and storylines. There is a pokie for almost anything one can think of. The themes determine the icons that land on the reels, the grid design, and the soundtracks used. Some are chaotic and loud, while others are subtle and relaxing. Below are some of the most popular pokie themes and their most associated features:
| Theme | Popular Features |
| Greek Mythology | Mount Olympus, temples, lightning bolts, harps, Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hercules, Athena, Medusa, Pegasus |
| Egypt | Pyramids, deserts, camels, gold, pharaohs, Cleopatra, ancient Egyptian gods (Ra, Anubis, Sobek, Bastet, Seth, Osiris, etc.), sarcophaguses, temples, hieroglyphics |
| Fairy tales | Magic wands, strange creatures, fairies, spell books, portals, portions, witches, monsters, royalty, forests |
| Asia/Oriental | Colour red, waving cats, temples, red packets, dragons, gold coins, colour gold, turtles, pandas, bamboo, cherry blossoms, zodiac calendars, dumplings, Hanzi |
| Christmas | Santa, reindeer, decorating lights, pine trees, Christmas balls, presents, snow, the colour red, eggnog, cookies, sleighs, mistletoes |
| Halloween | Pumpkins, candy, the colour orange, scarecrows, costumes, blood, monsters, vampires, bats |
| Money | Coins, bags of coins, wads of cash, diamonds, fast cars, private jets, expensive watches, mansions, precious gems, dollar signs |
| Movies | Starring characters, cut scenes, film soundtracks, and catchy lines |
| Nature | Pandas, lions, rhinos, wolves, horses, gorillas, jungles, traditional tribes, dolphins, octopuses, bears, buffalo |
| Las Vegas | The Las Vegas sign, showgirls, roulette wheels, gambling tables, dice, poker cards, playing chips, neon lights, precious gems, street performers |
| Pirates | Ships, skulls, flags, pirates, treasure maps, treasure chests, gold, gems, islands, seas, anchors, sea monsters, parrots |
| The Wild West | Saloons, pistols, outlaws, wanted posters, gold, buffalo skulls, mines, bells, mustangs, bandits, deserts |
- Megaways pokies
Big Time Gaming changed the game with the invention of the Megaways engine. Most pokies with this mechanic support up to 117,649 ways to win. Some can be as low as 46,656 or higher than 200,000. Such a high number of win ways is supported by featuring massive grids, usually six reels, and each one displays two to seven or more icons per round. The game studio awards the Megaways license to other developers, and it has been used to recreate popular pokies like Gonzo’s Quest, Piggy Riches, and The Dog House.
- Infinity Reels pokies
Infinity Reels are a ReelPlay innovation that creates unlimited paying opportunities where each combination win activates a new column. These slots often start with a 3-reel paytable, and when a winning combo lands, the columns remain in place as an extra reel runs to the right. If it extends the payout combinations, a new column is added, and so on.
- Progressive pokies
These slots have pooled pots available to win. These payouts can be as little as a few hundred dollars or tens of millions. The chances of landing these jackpots are usually high for small ones and low for large ones.
- Hold and Wins pokies
These pokies can also be called Hyperhold, Link and Win, or Lock it Link Slots. This name comes from a bonus round featuring cash prizes and sometimes jackpots. The Hold and Win bonus plays out similarly in most slots, starting with landing 6+ bonus symbols. All other icons exit the reels, and 3+ respins are awarded. The empty spots spin for a chance to land more bonus icons, and any new one resets the rounds to three. If there are fixed or progressive jackpots, some characters can display their values. Typically, the most massive pot triggers when all tiles are covered in bonus symbols.
- Bonus Buy pokies
Bonus Buy slots serve players not patient enough to wait for features like free spins and bonus games to hit. It allows one to pay for the incentives, and the prize can be as high as 100x the bet. In some cases, punters can increase the wager to drive up the chances of landing bonuses.
- Exclusive pokies
Sometimes, software developers and casinos enter partnerships to create unique games that cannot be found elsewhere. These pokies can be popular sets reskinned with elements of the gambling den, like the logo or colour palette.
🕹️ Free vs. Real Money Slots
Before the online gambling era, the only pokie options were pay-to-play machines available in location-based casinos. The internet revolutionized the industry with free-to-play games provided alongside the real money versions. Both variants mirror each other where visuals, bets, gameplay, and payouts are considered. They also differ in several ways, some of which make a huge difference in the playing experience. Let’s dissect the expectations to have when exploring either option.
Cash Commitment
Demo slots save players the trouble of depositing money since they come with built-in credits. The fun coins abide by the same betting limits as the cash versions and trigger the same win values. These games are ideal for sifting through several pokies to find the perfect one without breaking the bank. On the other hand, real money slots demand a cash commitment to activate gameplay.
Account Registration
In most cases, accessing free slots does not require opening an account in affiliate websites and casinos. For instance, you can launch any of the listed free pokies on our website by simply launching our page on any browser, searching for the desired title, and proceeding with gameplay. Real money gameplay requires account registration, which often requires providing personal information like your name, email address, billing address, phone number, and banking info.
Withdrawable Wins
While real money pokies demand account creation and cash deposits, they offer a chance at cashable payouts. The value displayed in the ‘Balance’ section can translate into real money and is transferred to players’ accounts through the casino’s listed payment methods. These wins differ from those of free pokies that can only be reused as stakes.
Accessibility
Slots are widely available to New Zealand gamblers, but free pokies more than real money ones. Since actual cash and account registration is necessary to play the latter, they are limited to NZ casinos with permits to provide such services. On the other hand, demo pokies feature in casinos and game-review sites like ours.
Gameplay Procedure
Demo and real money pokies mirror each other in the playing procedure. In both cases, the only requirements are placing a stake, spinning the grid, and collecting payouts depending on the displayed symbols. The buttons and menu bars are also the same, making demo pokies the perfect way to get familiar with the procedure before putting actual money on the line.
Mobile and PC Affinity
Free and real money pokies are designed with smartphone, tablet, and desktop users in mind. All new pokie releases come with HTML5 technology, supporting cross-platform accessibility. This tech also allows them to run in instant-play mode on almost any browser. Some pokies come with download options available in app stores, like Apple Store, Microsoft Store, and Google Play Store.
🇳🇿 Casino Bonuses and Promotions
The real money deposits meant for online pokie gameplay can be used to claim a myriad of incentives like match promotions, free spins, cashbacks, and VIP rewards. Most of these rewards cater to slot players. The fun credits in free slots cannot be used to claim bonuses, and neither can boons be used in the games.
Progressive Jackpots
Pooled jackpots offer the most massive online casino payouts, some starting as high as at €2 million+ and growing to over €10 million before dropping. The lucrative nature of these packages makes them available in real money slots only. While the progressive pokies often have demo versions, the pooled bonus is locked out. Such pokie machines include;
- Fortunium Gold Mega Moolah
- Queen of Alexandria WowPot
- Immortal Romance Mega Moolah
- Mega Fortune
- Mega Fortune Dreams
- Juicy Joker Mega Moolah
- Book of Atem WowPot
🥇 Top Slot Providers
Online pokie machines may use the exact basic blueprint (grids, gameplay procedure, symbol payouts, bonus features), but the software developers behind them tread unique paths in their creation. Some game studios focus on abundant payout values for high win potential, while others deliver high entertainment value with stunning graphics, animations, and soundtracks. Some pokie providers dominate the market more than others, with superior releases catering to most player needs. Below is a breakdown of slot studios that occupy top spots on popularity lists:
| Software Provider | Selling Points | Popular Pokies |
| NetEnt | · Established in 1996
· Operating licenses from the UK Gambling Commission, Gibraltar Gaming Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, Alderney Gaming Control Commission, New Jersey, Belgium, and Romania · Over 200 pokies in its catalogue |
Starburst, Starburst XXXtreme, Mega Fortune, Finn and the Swirly Spin, Cash Noire, Street Fighter II, Vikings, Gonzo’s Quest, Guns N’ Roses, Fruit Shop, Gordon Ramsey Hell’s Kitchen |
| Microgaming | · Established in 1994
· The first-ever casino service provider · Paid out more than €1.3 billion in progressive jackpot wins · Over 800 pokies in its portfolio |
Odin’s Riches, Immortal Romance, 10,000 Wishes, Atlantis Rising, Mermaid Millions, Mega Moolah, 9 Blazing Diamonds, 9 Pots of Gold, Thunderstruck II, Playboy |
| Play’n Go | · Founded in 1997 and became an independent firm in 2005
· Credited with popularizing the ‘Book of’ style pokies · A valid license from the Malta Gaming Commission |
Book of Dead, Tome of Madness, Legacy of Dead, Cat Wilde and the Doom of Dead, Reactoonz 2, Rise of Athena, Moon Princess, Fire Joker, Gigantoonz, Love Joker |
| Big Time Gaming | · Cropped up in 2011
· Created the famous Megaways mechanic alongside Megapays and Playerselect · Uses Future Anthem’s AI to optimize pokies |
Bonanza, Bonanza Megapays, King of Cats, Extra Chilli Megaways, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Megaways, Wild Flower, Lil’ Devil |
| NoLimit City | · Over 10 years of hands-on industry experience
· Responsible for ground-breaking mechanics like xWays, xNudge, xPays, and other xFeatures · Operates with a Malta Gaming Authority license |
Punk Rocker, El Paso Gunfight, Deadwood, Tombstone RIP, East Coast vs. West Coats, xWays Hoarder xSplit, San Quentin, Fire in the Hole, Punk Toilet, Warrior Graveyard |
| Red Tiger Gaming | · Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Alderney Gaming Control Commission, Gibraltar Gaming Commission, and Malta Gaming Authority
· Uses creative and unique pokie visuals · Game mechanics are a mix of art and science |
10,001 Nights, Piggy Riches Megaways, Last Chance Saloon, Neon Links, Vault Cracker, Dynamite Riches Megaways, Treasure Mine Megaways, Rainbow Jackpots, Well of Wilds Megaways |
| Yggdrasil Gaming | · Fantastic graphics and payout designs
· Behind Beyond Aggregation, a next-generation revenue engine · Licensed in 17 jurisdictions, including Malta |
Holmes and the Stolen Stones, 90K Yeti, Vikings Go Berzerk, Vikings Go to Hell, Gems Infinity Reels, Valhalla, Golden Fish Tank, Hades Gigablox |
| iSoftBet | · Replicates real-life gaming entertainment
· Visuals and features are endlessly engaging and easy to grasp · A wide selection of branded games themed around popular films |
Gold Digger Megaways, Euphoria, 24, Sea of Riches, Rango, Paranormal Activity, Golden Buffalo, Aztec Gold Megaways, Colossus Hold and Win, Moriarty Megaways |
🏅 The Best Slot Casinos
The internet is crawling with hundred of casinos for New Zealand punters to play slots. While such a vast range of options is an advantage, some of the available gambling dens provide subpar services that swindle players of deposits and winnings. Unlike our website, where registration and cash deposits are unnecessary, casinos risk financial and identity theft. Here are some of the qualities to look for in a pokie gambling club to avoid falling victim to rogue sites:
- Operating License – a valid license from a reputable firm means that a casino is vetted for fairness and security before being certified as trustworthy. Some licensing institutions, like the UKGC and MGA, require casinos and game studios to provide live RTPs. The numbers don’t always match, but slight variations are dismissible. However, a significant disparity, say a difference of 10%, is enough to flag down a rogue party.
- Security – since personal data is requested during account creation and money transactions, confirm that the gambling den’s security system is up to the task of safeguarding such data. Top casinos feature 128-bit SSL encryption and higher, KYC verification, and PIN-protected accounts
- Game collection – sift through the listed slot games to see whether they suit your style. Most casinos offer free pokies on their landing page to explore and decide.
- User-friendliness – settle for a casino with an easy-to-navigate design and fast loading speeds.
- Bonuses and promotions – inspect the boons available to new and regular players, the attached terms and conditions, and how much pokies contribute to the playthrough terms (usually 100%).
Tips for the Best Slots Experience
While slot machines have a straightforward gameplay formula demanding little effort, there are ways to make the best out of the experience, and here is a look at some:
Understand the Odds
Before starting the gameplay, understand that winning in each round is entirely luck-dependent due to RNGs. Also, pokies are negative expectation games with higher losing than winning chances. Looking at nearly all slot RTPs, the house always has an advantage over the player. Accordingly, treat pokie gameplay like entertainment above all else rather than a way to mint profits.
Manage Your Money
Have a handle on your expenditure, especially when gambling with real money. Online pokies feature fast gameplay, each round lasting only a few seconds. Even when using the smallest penny bets, the amount adds up to a significant amount in the long run. Always approach pokes with a set amount, and it should only be sourced from disposable income. While playing, adjust the stake per round depending on the changes to your betting balance to ensure it exploits the best potential wins while lasting as long as possible. Also, save winnings when they accumulate, even if the gaming session is not over.
Claim the Best Bonuses
The biggest target market for online casino bonuses is slot enthusiasts. The offers typically include matchups, cashbacks, and free spins packaged as welcome, reload, and loyalty offers. Take up incentives that provide the potential to collect profits thanks to lenient terms and conditions. Pay special attention to the attached wagering requirement, which determines the amount required to clear boons and their wins for withdrawal – the lower the value, the better the offer. Also, check the shelf life, triggering deposit, and offered amount.
Play for Jackpot Payouts
Jackpot slots pack massive winning potential, especially the progressive kind. Most pokies leave these bonus features open to trigger by any real money players. However, gamblers must abide by a higher minimum stake limit in others. It should be noted that pokies with such lucrative wins often have brutally high volatility, so big bankrolls are the best.
Have Winning Goals
Online pokies can award life-changing payouts, but triggering them is rare. Before starting the gameplay, have a winning goal in mind, and set it at a realistic amount. This goal should be in place even when playing for jackpot wins. Playing for only the pot payout will likely leave you empty-handed in the long run. Remember that slots have other rewarding features like wilds, multipliers, scatters, free spins, cascading reels, and picking rounds. They may seem negligible compared to jackpots, but they can generate decent amounts.
Play High RTP games
Pokie RTP is far from an accurate prediction of slot wins, but it gives a theoretical projection of expected values in the long run. Ideal online pokies have high RTP rates of 96% and above. Some sets go over 99%, including 1429 Uncharted Seas, Mega Joker, and Rainbow Riches: Pick n Mix. There are cases of variable RTPs that change depending on the version being played.
Choose an Ideal Volatility
Since high volatility slots come with high risk, they are best played with sizeable bankrolls that can survive losses long enough to collect massive wins. Low variance slots have fewer unlucky turns, but wins are small. Therefore, they accommodate low rollers not looking to break the bank but still want to win.
⚠️ Beware of Problem Gambling
Playing pokies is entertaining, but it can turn from a fun indulgence into an addiction with repetitive destructive behaviours. Gambling addiction causes mental, physical, and personal distress, making it hard to go for long without playing. The urge to gamble can build up to severe magnitudes, and visiting a casino often seems like the only relief. Other signs of the addiction include;
- Overspending on pokie bets even if you started with a designated amount for the activity
- Lying about the habit’s extent to loved ones
- Continuing to play even after being intentional about quitting
- Having financial woes that result in borrowing or stealing to sustain the habit
Be intentional about your desire to only play pokies for entertainment to avoid falling victim to problem gambling. Suppose you are already dealing with the issue. In that case, you can apply several measures to control it like deleting casino accounts, strengthening your support network, finding new hobbies or reviving old ones, dealing with low moments healthily, and seeking professional help.
Final Remarks
Trust Cherry Red Casino to provide a wide range of pokie machines to play for free with accompanying unbiased reviews and exclusive insight. Look out for new additions to our catalogue combined with honest feedback on their quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the best online pokies?
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Some of the best online pokies in our selection include Mega Moolah, Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Thunderstruck II and more.
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· What bonuses can I get when playing online pokies?
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Online pokies come with bonuses like free spins, multipliers bonuses and fascinating progressive jackpots.
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How can I activate the free spin bonus round in online pokies?
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n most online pokies, the free spin round is usually triggered with three matching scatter symbols.
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How can I spot a good online pokie?
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First, pay attention to its RTP; if the RTP is high, you have a good chance of winning big. Also, the volatility of the online pokie game matters too. An online pokie with low to medium variance affords you a massive winning opportunity.
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Can I play online pokies for free?
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Yes, most online pokies feature a demo version that allows you to play in the free mode.
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What can I do to win big in online pokies?
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To win big, follow some of the smart pokie strategies explained in this write-up religiously. They are tested, trusted and reliable.
