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Ever entered the world of casino games and found yourself in Alice in Wonderland? The terminology surrounding the casino industry might be confusing, especially for a beginner who tries to play casino games for the first time.
Among many special words in the casino, you’ve probably encountered “pokies”. It is a strange word, but it has been around us for decades. This is not a new term created by Gen Z just to confuse people even more. It actually has a meaning but probably not in the way you think.
The term “pokies” is commonly used in Australia and New Zealand to refer to slot machines. This slang has now become widespread, being recognized and used in various parts of the world, including in the context of the best online slots Canada.
What Are Pokies?
To put it simply, Pokies are just slot machines, and that’s about it. At this point, you are probably wondering why slot machines are called “pokies”. Well, the term comes from video poker machines, which were invented and quite popular in the 70s and 80s. They’ve reached a global expansion and almost every casino in the world had “pokies”.
The term “pokie” comes from “poker machine” and this shortening of words is quite common throughout history. For example, we have a mosquito called “mozzie” so why not poker machines called pokie?
Pokies, also known as slot machines in other parts of the world, are gambling devices that spin reels when a button is pushed. The goal? Line up symbols on a payline to win a prize. Sounds simple, right? Well, there’s a bit more to it than that.
History of Pokies
It is believed that the first slot machine was developed in 1894 and it was called the Liberty Bell. This laid the foundation for slot games we all know and love today. The first machine featured three spinning reels and a fully automated payout system. The Liberty Bell also had one single pay line and the symbols that the machine featured are also present in the world of slots today.
But all things changed with the introduction of video slots, which is where the term “pokie” started to appear. This was around the mid-1980s, even though the first video slot was created back in 1976.
This was without a doubt the biggest development in the world of casino games, and it truly changed the way how we play casino games.
Video pokies were advanced versions of the first slot game, and included five reels. But more importantly, the jackpots increased, and this was the time when the free/bonus spin feature was first introduced. In the 90s we saw the biggest growth of the video pokie industry, and nowadays there are thousands of games made on the same concept.
Even the newly rising trend of social casino games can be considered as pokies. Social casino games are played online and they offer a risk-free alternative where you don’t invest any money in the process. You just play for fun. If you want to learn more about social casino slots visit here.
Types of Pokies: From Classic to Complex
- 3-Reel Pokies: These are the old-school, classic machines. Think of them as the grandpas of the pokie world—simple, straightforward, and perfect when you just want to relax without too much brain strain
- 5-Reel Pokies: The standard in today’s casinos. More reels mean more ways to win and, let’s be honest, more excitement.
- 6-Reel Pokies and Beyond: These are for when you’re feeling adventurous. The extra reel adds a twist, making the game a bit more complex and potentially more rewarding .
Special Features
Modern pokies are packed with features that keep players glued to their seats:
- Wild Symbols: These act like jokers in a card game, substituting for other symbols to help create winning combinations. They come in various forms, including expanding, sticky, and shifting wilds.
- Scatter Symbols: Often your best friend in a pokie game, scatters can trigger bonus rounds and free spins without needing to be on a payline .
- Bonus Rounds: These can be anything from free spins to interactive mini-games. They’re like the plot twists in a movie—unexpected and thrilling.
- Progressive Jackpots: These are the holy grail of pokie features. The jackpot grows every time someone plays and doesn’t win, sometimes reaching millions of dollars. But beware, you usually need to bet the maximum to be eligible for the big prize.
Paylines and Ways to Win
- Fixed Paylines: These games require you to bet on all paylines, which can be pricey but increases your chances of hitting a winning combination.
- Variable Paylines: Here, you can choose how many paylines to activate. Fewer paylines mean a smaller bet but also fewer chances to win.
- All Ways Pay (AWP): Instead of traditional paylines, these games offer a massive number of ways to win, sometimes over a thousand. The more, the merrier!.
RTP (Return to Player)
Return to Player (RTP) is a crucial concept in pokies. It represents the percentage of total wagered money that a pokie will pay back to players over time. A higher RTP means better odds for the player. Aim for pokies with an RTP of at least 96%.
Final Words
So, pokies are just a fancy word for video slots. So, if you want to impress or confuse your friends, tell them that you are going on a pokie journey, and see whether or not they know what you are talking about.
