Playing free pokies is the safest, most fun, and cheapest way to get acquainted with one of the most popular casino games of all time.
The History of Pokies
Pokie machines, one-armed bandits, or however you wish to say it, are one of the simplest and most exciting gambling games of all time. It’s said that the first ever coin-operated pokie machine was invented in the United States in 1894. But! there are actually records of other gambling machines having been created a decade earlier. I’m sure you didn’t expect them to be so old!
The concept of pokie machines is actually quite simple. The first ones ever created functioned a little differently than the ones that we know now. Firstly, you insert a coin into the slot of the machine. Then, that coin will fall onto an internal scale. The weight of the coin will cause the scale to tip and the coins to fall out. In the more current versions of pokie machines, you insert a coin into the slot and pull a lever that spins 5 reels. If the player manages to hit a winning hand, they will get a prize. Typically, these prizes are either more coins or free spins.
You might still be wondering where the name comes from. Why is it oftentimes called a slot machine or slots? Fret no more! We’ve got the answer for you! The gambling machine "swallows" the coins that are inserted into its slot, hence the name. Does it help us in any way to know the history when we want to learn how to play pokies? Well… Not really… But knowledge never hurt anyone, right? If you want to learn more practical information, such as how to play free pokies online, keep reading.
What Do the Symbols on the Pokies Mean?
The model that we are most familiar with in today’s society, was invented by Charles August Fey. He created a more sophisticated system with three reels with different symbols. This system was moved by gears that would turn whenever the lever was pulled. Some of the most famous symbols of today’s pokie machines, such as the bell and horseshoe, come from this particular model. In 1909, the Industry Novelty Company began to refer to its pokies as gumball vending machines. They even created some that actually dispensed gum. The fruits on the reels represented the available tastes. These machines were typically called fruit machines, which is an expression still used today when referring to pokies. In 1916, the Mills Novelty Company, the same company that introduced the BAR symbol, invented the jackpot. Winning a jackpot comes from hitting a certain combination of symbols. Typically, jackpots are big amounts of money.
Technological Advances
In the 1950s, we saw the arrival of electromechanical systems. This means that in 1975, technological advances made it possible for video pokies to replace physical reels with reels on video screens. With the rise of online casinos, online pokies are becoming more and more popular. They use algorithms that seek to make the results as random as possible in order to ensure that all players have a fair chance of winning. Furthermore, these algorithms ensure that it is nearly impossible to cheat the system. As technology keeps on advancing, more and more stunning graphics and sounds are being created. They make you feel like you're in a real casino. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home. You just need to use your mobile phone, tablet, or computer. Any smart device with an internet connection will do.
How to Play Pokies Online?
Interested in playing pokies online? Nice! We’ve created a little guide on how to start your free online pokies journey.
First of all, you must have access to a computer or a mobile device with a good internet connection. Any smart device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, will work perfectly.
Secondly, you must choose which online casino you want to play at. At Casino Cupid, we help you choose the right one for you! You can check out our list of NZ online casinos.
Compare the different casinos. Use filters to speed up the search and find your perfect online casino based on your personal preferences.
Once you have found your preferred online casino, all you have to do is register if necessary, and play!
RNG – What Is It?
In the world of modern online pokies, there are usually pokies with 3, 5, and 7 reels. They typically have multiple paylines with different symbol combinations. In order to win, you must hit a winning symbol combination. When "pulling the lever" at an online casino, an algorithm will generate random numbers. This random number generator, also referred to as RNG, is responsible for shuffling the symbols in order to get random combinations. The RNG will get as random numbers as possible. Don't worry. All licensed casinos are extremely well-regulated, and they do their best to keep the RNG as random as possible. There are no ways to cheat the software when it’s regularly regulated. This ensures that all players have a fair chance of winning.
RTP ( Return to Player )
Winning at a pokie game is all a matter of luck. But! It doesn’t hurt to be prepared. Each pokie game has a different RTP. RTP stands for the percentage of the wager that the player can expect to win and withdraw when they finish playing. For example, if the RTP is 98%, and the player bets 100 credits, he will only be able to withdraw 98 credits in winnings and the bookmaker keeps 2 credits. Many players choose the pokies according to the RTP. But! Depending on the type of player you are, we recommend that you choose the games according to their volatility instead of the RTP.
High and Low Volatility - How to Choose the Right One
The volatility level measures the probability of winning a game of pokies. The higher the volatility, the bigger the prizes will be – but they will be less frequent. On the other hand, a pokie with low volatility offers wins more often – but in smaller amounts. So, if you’re the type of player who wants to spend much time having fun with pokies, and you prefer the security of winning regardless of the amount, choose a pokie with low volatility. On the contrary, if what you like is the adrenaline rush of betting big and winning big, a high volatility online pokie is the one for you.
Jackpot
The Jackpot is the largest prize you can win in a game of pokies. Pokies are games of chance, and it’s not possible to promise that you’ll win the jackpot when playing. They wouldn't be as fun if it didn't just depend on luck. You can play for years and not win any big jackpots. Or you could win a jackpot on your first-ever try. It’s all about luck!
Minigames
Pokies are an extremely popular game. Online casinos are constantly coming up with new ways to beat their competitors. One of the innovations, that they’ve come up with, is mini-game pokies. As the name suggests, some casinos have created games where there are small additional games within the main game. These minigames offer the player the opportunity to extend the playing time. Some minigames also give the player the chance to win bonuses and free spins.
Why Play Free Pokies?
The biggest advantages of free casino pokies are:
You don't put any of your money at risk.
Generally, you don’t need to register to play.
You can try the game for free in order to decide whether you like it or not – before you wager real money.
If you don’t have much experience in the world of online pokies, you can play the free versions to practice and discover what to expect from the game. Then, you can be more relaxed when you decide to play for money. Whenever an online casino launches a new pokie, they usually offer a free demo version for their players. This is so the players can familiarize themselves with the game. There are plenty of free online pokies on the market. All you have to do is choose the one that you find most appealing, and have fun!
Free Pokies No Download
Do you know what the best part about free pokies is? You don't need to download anything. You can simply use our comparison site to choose your favourite casino, choose which pokies you think are the most fun, click, and start playing. When playing for free, you can play without registering or having to download any type of program or application. That’s the magic of online casino games. You’re guaranteed fun wherever you are!
If you want to learn more about pokies, such as the best tips and strategies for online pokies, or the different types of online pokies, take a look at our article on online pokies.
