Pokies Winning Strategies: How to Win on the Pokies NZ

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If you dream of winning money on pokies, you’re in the right place. This guide looks at pokies winning strategies for New Zealanders, so you can learn how to win on the pokies every time you play.

From the best tips and tricks to things you should never do if you want to increase your chances of winning on pokies, we’ve covered everything in this article. Stick around and find out everything you need to know about playing online pokies and winning big!

Best Casino Sites for Winning at Pokies


Are Online Pokie Machines Games of Skill or Chance?

Many players are curious how they can increase the odds of winning on the pokies in New Zealand. However, pokies are mainly games of chance, meaning there aren’t many strategies you can use to get big wins.

Online slot machines are programmed using Random Number Generator (RNG) technology to ensure that results are random and fair. The best casinos and game developers undergo audits from third-party companies like eCOGRA, which guarantees that the games are not unfairly rigged in the casino’s favour.

Therefore, unlike games of skill like poker and blackjack, there are only a few things you can do to get pokies winnings. Fortunately, we’ve compiled all of these tips in the section below.

How to Win on the Pokies NZ

Wondering how to win big on the pokies? Although pokies are RNG operated, you can do a few things to improve your luck. Here are our pokies winning tips.

Check the RTP

Casinocrawlers recommend to check the RTP of any slot games you play. The RTP is the Return to Player percentage and indicates the potential payout. For example, Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead has an RTP of 96.21%. This theoretically means the game pays out around $96 for every $100 players spend.

So, we always recommend playing slot games with high payout percentages. Generally speaking, a game with an RTP of 90% or higher will give you a better chance of receiving payouts than other games.

However, payout percentages are not guaranteed, so you may not win anything if you spend $100 on a pokie game. They are simply indications of how much the game pays out over its lifetime.

Check the pokie volatility

Along with the RTP, it is also essential to check the volatility of pokie games. The volatility represents how frequently pokies pay winnings and how much you can win. Slots games with high volatility pay out large amounts less frequently, whereas low volatility pokie machines pay out smaller amounts much more often.

Play for free first

If you’ve never played online pokies before, then it is a good idea to play your chosen game in demo mode first. In free play mode, you’ll learn what all the symbols are worth, how to unlock bonus rounds and find the coin value before playing for real money. Preparing well will help you land a win when you play for real.

Set a budget for pokies winning

How to win pokies online? Stick to a budget! Although this is one of our less obvious tips, it is critical to remember. By setting a budget before you play slot games, you can ensure you don’t deplete your bankroll too much if you fail to land the big wins you were hoping for.

Give yourself a time limit

Along with setting a budget, you should give yourself time limits when playing pokies. The longer you play, the more likely you are to lose money, so by sticking to a time limit when playing pokies, you increase the likelihood that you could win.

Understand coin value

The coin value differs in every game, and you can adjust it in some pokies. It’s best to play the maximum number of coins per bet to ensure you reap the full rewards. The main reason for doing so is that the more coins you play in a single spin, the more the multiplier increases. So, if you win after betting 5 coins, the multiplier will be increased by 5x.

Make the maximum bet

In most online slots, there is the option to choose a ‘Max Bet’ button, which allows you to bet the maximum amount possible. One of the best ways to win more money when playing pokies is to make the largest bet possible and max out all paylines. Although this is risky (and can quickly use up your bankroll), the rewards could be incredible.

Use free spins wisely

You can claim free spins and bonus deals at most online casinos to use on slot games. Most bonuses help you win more money and allow you to make bigger bets than you normally would. However, some bonuses have strict wagering requirements, meaning you spend more cash than you’ve won to withdraw pokie winnings.

Play linked jackpots with maximum wins

At some online casinos, you can play linked jackpots held across many sites or only at your casino. With these linked jackpots, a percentage of each wager is added to the jackpot, which has a capped top prize. As the jackpot amount reaches the prize amount, it is more likely to be won. Therefore, we recommend making large bets on linked jackpot slots when the winning amount is near the top.

Quit while you’re ahead

Although this advice won’t help you if you want to know how to win on the pokies every time, it is essential to cut your losses if you’ve lost money on the slots. Continuing to play when you’ve already lost a lot is unlikely to result in significant wins.

Odds of Winning Pokies

The game’s RTP determines the chances of winning on pokies. The payout percentage is usually a good indicator of your chances of winning a significant amount of money on casino slot machines.

Let’s use NetEnt’s famous Starburst slot as an example. The RTP is 96.01%. In this game, players should earn $96 in winnings for every $100 they spend. However, this is not a given and is just an indicative figure.

Since online casino slots are games of chance, it is entirely up to luck whether you win big. You cannot expect big payouts all of the time; however, you cannot discount it either since most players who land large jackpot wins are often extremely surprised when they do so.

Best Winning Online Pokies

Some online slot machines have a better track record than others regarding payouts. If you want to try your hand at landing a win on one of these games, find out more about them below.

1. Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead

This Egyptian-themed slot has an RTP of 96.21%, which theoretically makes it a high-paying game. It is a high volatility pokie, meaning it pays out high amounts infrequently. There are 5 reels, 3 rows, and 10 paylines, and the game is full of bonus features like a Wild and Scatter symbol that can unlock free spins and big wins.

2. Immortal Romance

Fans of Vampire TV shows, films, and books will enjoy Immortal Romance, which has a 96.86% RTP, much higher than many other slot games. The game is high volatility, meaning when gambling, you’re set to win larger payouts but not often.

Within this slot are 4 bonus round games, which you can play by activating the Chamber of Spins feature after landing three or more scatters.

3. Big Bass Bonanza

Big Bass Bonanza is a high-volatility slot like so many games on this list. Its payout percentage is 96.71%, and you can earn potential winnings of 2100x each bet. The slot machine has 5 reels and 10 paylines and is considered one of the best slots to play if you’re looking for a win.

4. Starburst

This slot game from NetEnt is a favourite among casino players since it closely resembles a typical fruit slot machine. The game has an RTP of 96.09% and is low volatility, which is excellent if you want frequent wins. One of the best features of this game is the expanding Wild, which increases your chances of winning if you land it.

5. Gonzo’s Quest

Another popular game from NetEnt is Gonzo’s Quest. This slot game has a payout percentage of 95.97%, which, although lower than others on this list, is still pretty high. Gonzo’s Quest is medium volatility and has 5 reels, 3 rows, and 20 paylines.

How to Play Pokies Online and Win

It’s really easy to play pokies at online casinos. If you’ve never done so before, here’s what you need to know to successfully play a winning game of slots.

How Pokies Work

When you’re playing online pokies, you’re probably not thinking about how the machine works. However, the pokies algorithm is based on RNG (Random Number Generator) technology.

This software has no memory of what numbers and symbols have landed, meaning the numbers that appear on the screen are completely random. Moreover, this means that players cannot guess the outcome when they spin the reels.

Of course, as the saying goes, “the house always wins.” It is essential to keep this in mind when gambling on the slots. Regardless of the RTP, there will always be a house edge meaning the casino takes a percentage of every wager players make and, therefore, still makes a profit, even if players don’t.

What are Typical Pokie Game Features?

You’ll notice that the machine design is usually loud, colourful, and vibrant when playing pokies. This is typical, and all online casino slots are designed to look and feel attractive so that players have a fun experience, even if they lose money.

Aside from an attractive design, you’ll find many other common features of slot games. For example, you’ll come across symbols like Wilds and Scatters. Wilds can replace any other symbol on the machine, and Scatters can help you unlock in-game bonuses like free spins and bonus rounds.

Although not typical, some slot games will have jackpots which you can unlock in a bonus round. For example, in Mega Moolah, you can win one of four jackpots if you randomly unlock the bonus game during play.

How Playing Pokies Affects You

Even though playing pokies is fun, it can sometimes negatively affect you if you aren’t careful. When you play pokies, your brain will produce large amounts of dopamine, which makes you think a reward is coming. The pleasure you experience when betting on pokies can be addictive, which makes you keep gambling even if you’ve lost money.

When playing online pokies, keeping your wits about you is important. If you’ve lost a lot of cash, it may be time to cut your losses. Similarly, if you’ve won a lot of money, think about ending the game before you continue betting and losing your winnings.

If you struggle with addiction, you can reach out to several support groups in New Zealand. You can visit the SaferGambling website to find support for gambling addiction.

Use Our Pokies Winning Tips Today!

Now that you know how to improve your winning chances, you can find an online casino offering pokie machines from our list above and put our tips to the test. Remember to have fun and always play responsibly!

FAQs: Pokies Winning Tips

How do you win big on the pokies?

The best way to win on the pokies at an online casino is to choose games with the highest RTP rates. Look for slots with RTPs of at least 90% or more.

What is the biggest pokie win ever?

The biggest slot machine win ever was at a casino in Las Vegas in 2003, when a player won $39.7 million from a $100 wager.

What pokie machine pays out the most?

Many online slots have payout rates of 99% or more. Mega Joker from NetEnt has a 99% RTP, meaning it pays out more than other games.

How do I choose a pokie machine?

There are a few things to consider when choosing an online slot machine. Ensure the RTP is high and the game is easy to play. You should also look for additional features like bonus rounds and in-game free spins, which can help improve your winning chances.

What are the chances of winning the grand jackpot on pokies?

It all depends on the game you play. Some games have better odds when it comes to winning the jackpot, whereas others offer you a 1 in 30 million chance of hitting the jackpot.

How to make a pokie machine payout?

You can't force a pokie machine to pay you money, but you can improve the chances of it doing so. Choose a high RTP rate and low volatility game if you want a guaranteed payout. You can also make maximum bets to ensure that you cover all paylines.

Author Lily Hunter

Lily began her career in the iGaming industry more than 10 years ago as a content writer for various online casino sites, such as Unibet and William Hill. With her passion for gaming and an interest in the legal landscape in va... Read more about the author

Casinocrawlers » Online-pokies » Pokies Winning Strategies: How to Win on the Pokies NZ
Last updated: February 24, 2023