10 Essential Features to Look for in Your Next Online Pokies
If you’re looking for your next online pokies adventure, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we are going to show you the main things that you need to pay attention to when selecting slot machines. Ready? Let’s go!
Where to Find Legit and Well-Structured Pokie Reviews in Australia
Reviews are what can give us the main details about pokies and are what can make us fall in love with a game or totally dislike it, and unfortunately, some reviews may be pretty biased and we want it to be real. For example, we think you can rely on reviews from SmartPokies since they contain a demo version of the game, a special table with all the necessary details such as the game’s layout, number of paylines, symbols, bonuses, RTP, volatility, and more, and an extra text that will tell you more about the machine. They have a nice structure, all the main characteristics, and an opportunity to try out slots for free.
How to Understand What Other Gamblers Think About Slots
Besides reviews from experts, you can also look up testimonials to every single game you are interested in when selecting one. For that, you only have to enter the name of the pokie game, its provider name, and the word “testimonials”. This is how you will be able to find out what other gamblers think about one or another game.
What to Look for When Selecting Your Next Pokies?
Of course, reviews are important and they can help you a lot but there are things that you have to pay attention to on your own anyway. And we are going to tell you about 10 essential things that you have to bear in mind when picking out the perfect pokie game.
#1 Theme, Sounds & Visuals
Our visual contact makes up our first impression, so it is important that you like the visuals and sound effects of the pokie game you are interested in. And before that, you have to understand which theme you want to find and experience playing in that virtual world. For example, if you want to play horse-themed pokies or Asian-inspired slot machines, you have to form a list of those pokies and then review them one by one to make sure you find the needed characteristics in one of those machines.
#2 Layout
There are different layouts available on the market: 3×3, 5×3, 5×4, 7×7, and many others, including irregular shapes and cascading reels that are quite unique and may seem complicated for newbies or anyone who wants to keep the game simple. So, it’s best if you know your needs and decide if you are ready for those advanced variations or not yet.
#3 Return-to-Player Ratio
The average return-to-player ratio for online pokies Australia is set at 96%, so if you are looking for the highest ratio, you may need to take a closer look at a lot of online games because RTPs always vary. And yet, we do not say that games with RTP lower than 96% are not worth your attention because it does not define your success immediately but it’s still better if RTP is higher. And we totally understand it if you are looking for games with better percentages – this is our way to point out one more important feature of pokies and ask you to carefully pick out a game with this information in mind.
#4 Volatility Level
Always pay attention to volatility levels when selecting pokies online to play because this is essential. If you are a high roller and aiming for huge payouts, then maybe it is best for you to focus on high-volatility games because they usually bring bigger winnings at once (although, they do not bring wins as often as low-volatility games with smaller payouts). And if you like to keep things simple and not risk, try pokies with lower volatility. It all depends on what you expect to get over your game sessions in the future.
#5 Betting Range
The next thing you have to take a look at is how wide the betting range is, as in what minimum and maximum betting amounts are in a particular game. This way, you will be able to understand what your limitations are and how to manage your budget in order to place smart bets and make wise decisions.
#6 Special Symbols
It is pretty rare when slot machines do not have special symbols and allow players to play with regular icons only. We think those are the simplest 3×3 machines that may come with regular symbols only (yet, not necessarily). More advanced games usually come with different types of specials, such as Wilds, Scatters, or unique Bonus symbols. If you want to play with special icons, make sure the game you are interested in has them before you start playing and investing any cash in it.
#7 Bonus Rounds and Extra Features
Online pokies are well-known for their ability to make the gaming process more and more interesting thanks to a variety of different bonus features, bonus games, or extra tools. For example, you can come across such special rounds and tools when playing pokies in Australia: free spins, respins, multipliers and unique multiplier systems, gamble games, jackpots (both fixed and progressive), and others. Check the descriptions and rules of the games before playing them for real cash and see if there are any bonuses that you would like to experience playing with.
#8 Demo Availability
If you think demo versions are important, we agree. They allow players to play the game for free, learn the rules, and see how things actually work at practice with no financial investments. And that’s what helps to make an informed decision the most – this way, you will be able to understand if you actually like the game and are ready to spend your money on it. So, make sure that providers leave a demo version for you to try out.
#9 Maximum Win
If you are aiming at particular values and particular winnings, it’s definitely worth it to look up the maximum win of slots players can get. It is especially important for high rollers since they invest much money and want to get much money too if they’re lucky enough. Anyway, it is best to know the maximum prize in order to understand if the game is right for you.
#10 Providers
Last but 100% not least! Always pay attention to what games you play, as in what gaming studios created them and if they have licences and official permits to operate in general and come up with casino games. Besides, all those games, whether it’s pokies or table games of any kind, have to be made based on RNG technologies as they help to ensure that the results are not biased but truly random. For example, if you see games from such providers as NetEnt, Aristocrat, Felix Gaming, KA Gaming, Play’n GO, and other reputable studios, you will definitely know those are worth your attention and are 100% safe to play.
FAQ
Can I play online pokies if I’m 18 and live in Australia?
Yes, if you are 18 or older, you can legally play online casino games in Australia.
What things should I pay attention to when selecting a pokie game in Australia?
You have to focus on the game’s layout, visuals, RTP, volatility, max win, provider, demo availability, special symbols, bonus range, and bonus rounds.
What are the most popular layouts for online pokies in Australia?
The most popular layouts for online pokies in Australia are 3×3 and 5×3 followed by 5×4 and 7×7.
What is the average return-to-player ratio for pokie games in Australia?
The average for return-to-player ratios is set at 96%, so when people say the RTP is low or high, they compare it to the average percentage.
What are the most popular pokie providers in Australia?
In Australia, there are many great online slot providers but we can definitely point out Aristocrat, NetEnt, Felix Gaming, Play’n GO, KA Gaming, and others.
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