How do Pokies Work?

The vibrant lights and catchy jingles that make up pokies, or slots as they’re known globally, are one of the most popular casino games, both online and in land-based casinos. But beneath the surface of the flashing colours lies a carefully constructed system that works in tandem to create this gaming experience.

Understanding these core elements can offer an interesting glimpse into the technology behind these popular games, so let’s take a deeper look.

Pokies and the Brain

Behind every great pokie lies a Random Number Generator. Although not something that’s visible to the players, it’s a sophisticated microchip that is constantly running complicated algorithms behind the scenes. The sole purpose of an RNG is to generate thousands of random numbers, even if the machine isn’t being played.

These random calculations are the core component that decides the outcome of each spin. When a player hits the “spin” button, the machine grabs the current number being generated by the RNG. This number matches up with a specific position of each of the virtual reels, which determines the combination of symbols that are displayed.

RNGs ensure that pokies remain random, and every spin is based on chance. In this way, pokies can’t be predicted or manipulated by a player or the operator.

Face Off

There are visual aspects of pokies that are the first thing players will see. These are the reels, symbols and paylines.

Reels are the vertical columns that spin when the game is being played. Modern video pokies usually have five virtual reels displayed on the screen. The more reels at play, the more sophisticated and complex the game may get. It also affects the potential winning combinations.

Symbols are the images or icons shown on the reels. They can be anything, such as fruit, numbers, letters, and icons that tie into the game’s theme. Each symbol has a value, and specific combinations that land on active paylines trigger wins. The odds of getting certain combinations depend on the frequency with which certain symbols appear.

Paylines are where winning combinations must land on the reels for players to get a payout. Depending on the games, active paylines could range anywhere from one or even hundreds. Players usually have the option to select how many paylines they want with each bet. The more paylines you bet on, the greater your chances of winning, and, the bigger your bet will be.

So Pretty

Beyond these mechanics, sound and visual effects play a big role in the appeal of pokies. Flashing lights, engaging animations and creative soundtracks are designed to entice and excite. Should you win, it will be accompanied by celebratory jingles and visual indicators that are fun to watch. All of this is designed to capture attention and create a sense of anticipation.

A Hub of Information

For those who need to know the value of symbols, what winning combinations they need to look out for and other game features, the paytable is where it’s at.

It also explains the rules of the bonus features, such as how to trigger bonus games or free spins and what the mechanics are for them. Understanding the paytable means you can make informed and responsible decisions about how to budget and what to look out for.

Extra, Extra!

Bonus features in modern pokies are a huge part of why people enjoy playing them. These can include:

• Wild symbols
• Scatters
• Free spins
• Bonus games
• Multipliers
• Progressive jackpots

Now that you know some of the basic core mechanics that make up pokies, you can understand why they are some of the easiest casino games to play. Modern pokies have a range of themes that can make gameplay simple or more challenging, depending on what you choose. Knowing how they work will also help when it comes to responsible gambling, such as budgeting and bankroll management.