How to win at pokies?

Let’s start this article with a dose of reality: If you are looking for a cheat, system or foolproof strategy that will allow you to win on the pokies, then you are going to be disappointed. Even despite the spurious claims of con artists out to separate you from your money.

The fact of the matter is a modern pokie operates on a random number generator that cannot be influence by the player. There’s no system for this, no strategy, it is a random chance event and nothing you do will influence the outcome.

The real ‘victory’ on a pokie machine comes from enjoying the experience. If you enjoy playing, then that is your pay off. Or it certainly should be, any money you may win back in profit should be seen as a bonus.

However, there are things you can do to try and give yourself a chance of winning more often. These tips may only offer you a slight chance of more success, but research and evidence suggests they do cut down the house edge when you play slots.

  • Play high percentage payout games, with medium to low variance. These machines pay out smaller amounts more often, so statistically you have a bigger chance of success.
  • Budget for more spins, not higher wagers. If you want to win on the pokies, you need to spin the reels, sometimes a lot. Budget for a lot of spins in a session. If you have $50 to play through, play a $1 slot 50 times, rather than a $10 slot five times.
  • Set a budget and stick to it. Once your cash has gone, don’t be tempted to spend more. Set a budget for your sessions and keep to it. Good budgeting is a key skill for the best slot players.

Finally, the biggest tip I can give you is to persevere; few people win big on the pokies on their first few spins but if you keep at it, play sensibly, maybe one day it could be you taking down a big jackpot.