How to win at pokies – tips & tricks to improve your odds
Read our expert guide on how to win at online pokies, covering slot basics and top tips to help you hit the jackpot and win cash prizes at real money casinos.
Top 10 tips on winning online pokies
Online pokies are games of chance, so there’s no foolproof way to guarantee a win, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve your chances! To help get you started, our experts have compiled 10 top tips on how to become a better player and maximise your gaming experience:
1. Choose your pokies wisely
Thousands of slots are available online, with different themes, betting limits, bonus features and return-to-player (RTP) percentages. Choosing your pokies wisely can significantly impact your prospects of winning real money.
Look for low volatility pokies with high RTPs, such as Games Global’s Lucky Riches (97.49% RTP) and Blood Suckers (98% RTP) from NetEnt, as theoretically, these slots will pay out more frequently. You should also aim to choose games with many bonus features, as there’s a higher chance of winning rewards that will help boost your bankroll.
2. Practise pokies for free
Another helpful tip on how to play slots and win is to test out games in demo mode. Free-play slots are widely available at online casinos in NZ, allowing you to spin the reels without spending a cent.
Playing slots for free allows you to familiarise yourself with gameplay and study the paytable before wagering real money. It will also help you determine whether you enjoy the slot you’re playing, as you can fully immerse yourself in the game without worrying about your bankroll.
3. Study the paytable
The slot paytable is like a guide or information sheet and can be found in the main game panel. It displays a game’s slot symbols, resulting values, paylines, betting requirements, reward probabilities, winning combinations, and more. Studying the paytable and understanding which symbol combinations are the most lucrative can help you discover how to win big on pokies.
4. Understand payout percentages
Understanding pokie payout percentages can help improve your chances of winning online slots. The RTP indicates how much money you can expect to win on average from playing a pokie game.
For example, if you play a pokie with a 96% RTP (the industry average), you can expect to win $96 on every $100 wagered on average. While this can’t be guaranteed, the higher the RTP, the more money you’ll likely receive over time.
5. Find loose slots
A ‘loose slot’ has a higher-than-average payout percentage. The industry average RTP stands at 96%, so games with rates of 97% above would be classed as a loose slot. Theoretically, you have a better chance of winning when you play these pokies, as they pay out regularly and often in more significant amounts. Here are some of the online pokies with the most generous RTPs:
| Online slot | RTP |
|---|---|
| Ugga Bugga | 99.07% |
| Mega Joker | 99% |
| Ooh Aah Dracula | 99% |
| Jackpot 6000 | 98.90% |
| Madame Mystique Megaways | 98.03% |
6. Learn about slot variance
When learning how to win at slots, it’s important to learn about variance. Pokie variance is a term that describes the level of risk present in a slot game. It’s determined by a pokie’s RTP, odds of landing a big payout, and the hit rate. Researching slot variance can help you better manage your budget and decide whether a game fits your playing style.
Low-variance slots are ideal if you’re on a budget, as they are low risk and pay out small amounts frequently. High-variance slots are perfect for risk-takers with big budgets. Although they don’t pay out often, you’ll receive a significant cash prize when they do hit.
7. Take advantage of casino bonuses
A great way to boost your bankroll and improve your chances of winning is by claiming a casino bonus. Bonuses and promotions are available to new and existing players, from no deposit offers to daily drops with bespoke prizes. Discover the most sought-after bonuses in New Zealand:
Welcome bonus: These one-off promotions are offered to new players to incentivise them to sign up and deposit at a casino site.
Free spins: As the name suggests, free spins give you free stakes on specified online slot machines. Free spins bonuses are great for helping you get to grips with gameplay and increase your bankroll with minimal investment.
Deposit match: A type of bonus that matches your deposit(s) up to a specific percentage to boost your bankroll. For example, if you deposit $100 on a 100% deposit match up to a $100 offer, you’ll receive an additional $100 in casino credit, doubling your bankroll.
8. Play at trusted online casinos
We only feature legit online casinos that are trustworthy, but being able to spot these platforms for yourself is extremely helpful. Independent testing agencies like eCOGRA also audit our top-rated sites to guarantee safe and fair gaming. You should always check whether a casino is licensed by a reputable authority, such as the MGA or UKGC. This information can be found in the site’s footer.
All reputable casinos partner with industry-leading software providers that use random number generators (RNG) to ensure game outcomes can’t be pre-determined and reproduced. Regarding security, you should play at casinos that use modern SSL encryption technology to protect your personal data. Here are our experts top-rated online casinos in NZ:
9. Read casino reviews
One of the best ways to determine whether an online casino is worth your time is to read expert casino reviews. Suppose you play online slots at a rogue casino. In that case, you’re unlikely to win any money as these sites engage in dishonest and unfair practices, such as running rigged games, refusing to payout winnings, and providing no customer support.
Always do your research and read reliable casino reviews like those at OnlineCasino.co.nz to find licensed sites that adhere to strict gambling regulations. Alternatively, visit sites like AskGamblers and read user reviews from other players. We also review slot games to help you understand what to expect from the gameplay and bonus features. Check out our expert reviews of popular slot games in NZ:
10. Manage your bankroll
It can be easy to get carried away when trying to win at slots and eat away at your funds. To gamble responsibly, managing your bankroll is essential as this will help you avoid losing more money than you can afford. Play smarter by setting a budget and sticking to it, ensuring gaming remains fun.
Gamble responsibly
If you or someone you know struggles with gambling habits, we advise using responsible gambling tools and seeking professional support. Regulated online casinos provide self-help tools such as exclusion and time limits and problem gambling resources to help you gamble responsibly.
To save you time, we’ve listed contact details for several responsible gaming agencies in New Zealand that you can go to for further advice and support:
Freephone: 0800 664 262
Text: 5819
Email: [email protected]
Helpline: 0800 654 655
Text: 8006
Phone: (04) 496 2000
Email: [email protected]
Check out more pokie guides
How to win pokies FAQs
Check the pokies RTP rate, as this will inform you how much you’re expected to win while playing over time. Anything exceeding 96% is considered high and likely to pay out more frequently.
All pokies use RNG technology, so there’s no way to guarantee a win. That said, following our tips on how to win at pokies will help you become a better player and improve your winning chances.
As winning outcomes are determined by a random number generator, it’s impossible to say which slot game is most likely to produce a win. Still, pokies with high RTPs theoretically provide more regular wins.
Anytime! Now that online slots are available to play online and at mobile casinos, you can enjoy your favourite pokie games whenever and wherever you want.
No, providing you play at a licensed real money online casino. Our top-rated sites are partnered with reputable software developers like Games Global and independently audited by eCOGRA to ensure fair gaming.
Yes, slot strategies can help you win real money on pokie games. However, it’s important to note that wins aren’t guaranteed, and you can only improve your chances.
The biggest slot win of all time was a massive $39.7 million on the popular Megabucks pokie machine at the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas. Even though this win occurred in 2003, it remains the most significant slot jackpot prize ever recorded.
Courtney has an extensive background in creative and commercial writing across numerous iGaming verticals. As a self-professed lover of pokies, Courtney is passionate about the casino and gambling industries. While her writing covers a wide range of topics, slots and bonuses are arguably her favourite gambling subjects.
