Many people think that choosing to play online pokies is so simple, that it is practically a no-brainer. And while the nature of these games is, perhaps, the most uncomplicated of all casino games (after all, it's not that hard to just choose a bet amount and hit a button to win), there are still some specifications and features that players need to be aware of if they want to make the best out of every pokies game they play.
Online pokies can be categorised into two broad categories – classic pokies and video pokies. Classic pokies are straightforward and fairly simple to understand. They have three reels and only one pay-out line. If your spin manages to align the winning symbols (cherries, lemons, etc.) on the pay-out line, you win. If it fails to do so, you lose your money.
The other kind of online pokies, video pokies, are a bit more complicated, mostly in the way they pay out. They have five reels and offer multiple ways to win. The world of video pokies is just as exciting as are some of the themes for these games. They don't look like your typical boring slot machine that you see at one of your local pokies pub, but resemble arcade games. And that fun feature gives them great advantage. The graphics, the sounds, the interactive bonuses make for an entertaining gambling experience. They have pop culture themes, and players choose based on their personal preference — from the Pink Panther, to Tomb Raider, to Lord of the Rings, to Gladiator.
As these games have multiple pay-out lines, players, as we already said, have many chances to win. This way, regardless of whether a winning combination falls on a straight-across, diagonal, vertical or a zigzag-shaped payline — you get to bank the money. Having a strategy is very important. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when playing these games.
First, you must activate a line to win. As we know, any slot game pays out only if you align the winning symbols. Now imagine this – you place a deposit, you press the button and you score a winning combination in one of the lines, but you don't get any cash for it. What a disappointment would that be? That's why betting on several lines is important. Of course, the more lines you bet on, the better your chances to win. So when you plan your gaming strategy and you are on a tight budget, consider this. If you place smaller bets on more lines, there is a better chance that you'll score a prize with one spin, but the amount of money you will earn will also be small. On the other hand, if you opt for betting larger amounts on fewer lines, then the payout amount will also be bigger, but your chances of scoring a winning line per spin are smaller.
Ideally, when you budget allows it, you can bet maximum amounts on all lines possible. In that case, your chances of winning a large sum with a single spin are very high. Bear also in mind that some games offer pay-out bonuses to players, who bet on the maximum number of lines. You have to be moneywise though — as loose as your budget might be, maximum betting may drain your money faster and may cut your game short. Therefore, evaluate your budget and choose a strategy that will allow you to play longer and win.
