Online pokies
From the title of online pokies NZ should immediately spring to mind. The term is a somewhat affectionate one, used by New Zealanders to describe what the rest of the world knows as slots. Online pokies are one of the most popular types of casino games played on the internet.
This is mainly due to their easy gameplay, greatly dependant on luck as well as the sheer variety available for both veterans and rookies alike.
Online pokies offer immersive gameplay to New Zealand players, with literally thousands of themes to choose from: from popular movie themes to ancient civilisations – there’s something to suit everyone’s fancy. Many gamers consider online pokies to be far superior to their physical counterparts known as fruit machines, probably due to the fact that online slots offer a myriad of extra features one cannot find in brick and mortar casinos.
Where and how to find online pokies
Fans of online slots will be spoilt for choice: with the exception of some sports betting sites, you will find that most online casinos heavily feature pokies for New Zealand slot players. New players will usually find that they have to sign up before playing. This will mean creating an account and possibly making a deposit, though a few casinos will allow you to try some pokies for free in demo mode.
It’s also a good idea to scroll through the casino’s games library before you make a commitment. This will help you decide whether you want to sign up with that particular casino. You will also be able to gauge the quality of the pokies you will be playing by looking at the software providers.
Microgaming, NetEnt, Realtime Gaming and Yggdrasil are some of the most highly renowned pokie providers in the industry so you can expect exciting and rewarding pokie gameplay from any online casino that offers slots from these top providers. Your next step is deciding which type of slot machine you would like to play.
Description of online pokies
Online pokies have evolved significantly since the cumbersome slot machines of old. While the gameplay is similar with the main objective of spinning reels to match symbols across a payline, virtual pokies often go beyond that simple 3×3 grid, offering multiple paylines that pay out horizontally, vertically, diagonally or even in predetermined patterns set out in the slot paytable.
Scatter and wild symbols are also a common feature, with the scatter symbol spreading randomly across the screen and the wild replacing previous symbols, adding to the possibility of completing a payline.
Mini-games or bonus rounds add to the excitement. Moreover, online pokie players are presented with fabulous HD graphics, with the symbols, background and soundtrack often designed to match the overall theme. When playing online pokies real money is often what players are mainly after, though some casinos will offer free spins as part of their welcome bonus, which NZ players can then use to try their luck on specified online pokies available at that casino.
If you are playing with real money, it would be wise to check out the volatility of the pokie you’re playing. Low volatility slots are known to pay out small, but regular wins and are ideal for the low-budget, low-risk player. High volatility pokies pay out much less often, but when you do win, you win big.
Types of online pokies
There are several types of online pokies. The first type is your classic slot set on a simple three- or five-reel grid. This type of online pokie does not offer very many chances of winning, though the five-reel option may be slightly more visually appealing.
Jackpot slots are more popular as they often offer a quite substantial prize for the lucky player. Fixed jackpot slots tantalise with a set amount for whoever wins it, while progressive jackpots can potentially be even bigger.
This is because, each time the slot is played and the jackpot is not won, a little contribution is added to the jackpot amount and thus it grows steadily until somebody wins it. Progressive jackpot slots can be local or network: local jackpot pokies receive contributions from the players at one particular casino, while network jackpot pokies receive contributions from a number of different gamblers playing at different online casinos.
The prize for these types of slots can easily reach the mega-millions; the most notorious of these is undoubtedly Mega-Moolah from Microgaming, which holds the title of the biggest win in history with its 2015 £13.2 million prize.
Final thoughts on online pokies
Playing online pokies is a simple and fun way to pass the time since you don’t have to learn how to play nor study any complicated strategies. The variety to be found online is simply mind-boggling and gameplay is fast-paced and immersive. New Zealand players are treated to high-quality graphics and sound from a selection of top providers.
Gamers are often given the opportunity to try pokies for free. This will help them get a feel of the game before playing for real money.
Pokies are suited for all types of budgets with prizes to match. They are also suited for short or long stretches of play as all you need to do is choose your bet amount and press Start to set the reels in motion.
An Autoplay feature in some pokies allows you to sit back and wait for your win, but that is not the only feature available. There are literally thousands of other features that make online pokies the singularly most popular type of casino game on the market.