Common Pokies Strategies & Myths: What Works and What Doesn’t

Pokies are games of chance, and an RNG determines their results. So, understanding pokie mechanics matters far more than following a strategy that turns out to be a myth. Let’s go through the main terms related to pokies so you understand the mechanics better:

• Random Number Generator (RNG): The RNG determines every spin on a pokie machine, so each spin is independent of previous spins. This brings me to my point: a pokie doesn’t ‘remember’ when it paid out, nor does it know you’ve been mostly losing for a certain period.
• Return to Player (RTP): As Alex explains in his RTP guide, it’s the theoretical percentage of total bets a game returns to players over time, over a very large number of spins. For example, a pokie with 96% RTP is designed to return an average of A$96 for every A$100 wagered in the long run. But note that this doesn’t mean you’ll get back exactly A$96 from your own A$100 session.
• House Edge: The house edge is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over you, and it’s calculated by subtracting the RTP from 100%. So, a game of 96% RTP has a house edge of 4%.
• Volatility: Volatility refers to how a pokie pays out wins. There are three types: low, medium, and high volatility, though some pokies fall in between. Low-volatility pokies pay smaller amounts more frequently, while high-volatility pokies usually pay less often but with the potential of bigger payouts.
• Hit Frequency: Hit frequency tells you how often a pokie is expected to produce a winning result. For instance, 25% HF means a winning result happens roughly once every four spins, again, over time, which isn’t necessarily true for your particular session.
• Paylines and Bet Size: The predetermined paylines of a pokie specify the patterns across the reels that can form winning combinations. Some pokies have fixed paylines, while others use special mechanisms like ways-to-win. Your bet size, on the other hand, determines how much you bet per spin and affects your potential payout.

If you’ve ever left a pokie game because it won’t pay out, or changed the bet to try and trick the system, don’t beat yourself up and join the crowd. Pokies are designed to attach players with visual and sound effects and make them believe that they can figure out a pattern.

Players fall for many myths like this nearly every day. Let’s take a look at them and debunk the ones that can do more harm than good:

This one is probably the oldest myth still circulating among gamblers. It all starts with having lost a bunch of times, so you start making up excuses to keep trying, and the easiest one is: if I’ve been losing that long, it’s bound to pay out a win. Sorry to disappoint, but it isn’t.

A pokie machine doesn’t keep track of how much you’ve lost and then compensate you with a win. Pokie machines don’t remember previous results, but as I mentioned, a random number generator determines every spin, so a long losing streak doesn’t make the next outcome more likely to be a win.

The same goes the other way around. If a pokie machine has paid out a big win or dropped a jackpot recently, it doesn’t mean that another good payout isn’t on its way.

Some players believe that pokies pay better at certain times, such as late at night or during quieter hours, but the time you play has no effect on the outcome. A pokie doesn’t become more or less likely to pay simply because fewer people are playing it.

The RNG doesn’t follow a daily schedule, so timing doesn’t matter and will not affect the result, even the in-game timing you’re thinking about, such as when to click the spin button. The RNG determines the outcome when you spin, so the animation you see afterwards doesn’t influence the result.

Another widely believed myth is that a bigger bet can increase your chances of winning, but it doesn’t work like that. A bigger bet can result in a bigger payout if you win, but it won’t increase your chances of hitting a winning combination.

This reminds me of the Martingale, which is a popular betting strategy. It suggests doubling your stake after a loss. The idea is simple: eventually, you’ll win enough to cover previous losses, but a losing streak can quickly push you over budget, and you might reach the betting limits of the table before you can recover your losses.

So, while a bigger bet might boost your potential payout, not your odds of winning.

Some online casino sites tend to even place categories named ‘Hot’ or ‘Hot Pokies’ right there in the lobby. Sure, you can visit and choose games from there, but think of them as popular games to play, not ones that are about to pay out big any moment now.

Some players believe that a pokie that has paid out several times in a row is hot, while the one that hasn’t is the opposite, cold. These labels don’t mean anything, and they definitely don’t tell you much about what happens next. I said it once, and I say it again: past results don’t influence future ones.

Imagine this scenario: you are playing for an hour or so, but it’s mostly losses so far. So you decide this machine has no wins left, so you might as well switch to another pokie. Yes, many players believe this to be the solution, but a losing streak won’t make your future potential wins on the same pokie less likely.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s perfectly fine to switch games if you want to play something different, but changing machines won’t reset your luck.

Bonus Buy pokies are modern types of pokie games that let you buy and play the bonus round right away, instead of waiting for it to trigger during the base game. While this isn’t exactly a myth, it can create the wrong impression about where the winning potential lies.

It’s true that many of the best pokies feature bonus rounds, and they often offer access to the game’s biggest payouts, but that doesn’t mean that the base game can’t produce decent wins. Some players keep buying features because they assume that’s where the money is, yet paying for instant access won’t necessarily make it more likely you’ll win.

However, while there’s nothing wrong with buying bonus features, don’t expect miracles simply because you’ve bought it.

If you constantly follow a strategy or make yourself believe that a machine is ‘cold’ or ‘hot’ and won’t get over it, it might cause problems in how you view gambling.

Sometimes, players get lucky and attribute that win to the machine being ‘due’, which leads them to believe gambling is a good way to make money, not just entertainment, which is where the real problems start.

Chasing losses is another problem because believing a payout must come right after a losing streak makes it almost impossible to leave the game. Some players go over their budget to deposit more money, convinced that their next spin will fix their balance.

Also, spotting patterns in the randomness of pokies can be problematic. Winning three times in a row just because you clicked the button in a specific rhythm is pure luck, not a pattern. If you mistake this for a way to win more, you’ll burn through your cash faster than planned.

Some ‘strategies’ and pokie myths are harmless, such as lucky charms, lucky items, or personal habits (like the colour you are wearing when playing) that realistically don’t affect the outcome of the game but don’t harm you either.

While there is no system or strategy to outsmart pokies, that doesn’t mean some tips won’t help. The following ‘strategies’ can help you manage your bankroll, control your spending and make more informed choices when playing online pokies.

Where you play matters just as much as what you play. Choose safe online casinos that offer independently tested games, established and secure payment methods, and clear, fair terms.

Most online pokies have an RTP of around 95%-96%, although there are also some that are over 97% or above. However, while a higher RTP means a better return over many spins, it won’t guarantee a better result in your next session. Remember, it is a long-term theoretical advantage, not a promise you’ll win that much.

A session or daily budget is the way to control the money you spend as much as possible. Before launching a game, decide how much you are comfortable losing, go with bet sizes that fit your budget and resist the temptation to deposit more if things aren’t going the way you planned.

The easiest way to do it is to use the responsible gambling tools that casino sites offer, such as limiting your deposit, your session, your wagers or even your losses. You can usually control these right from your account, and they’re a useful way to manage your spending.

The demo mode is there when you aren’t really sure if a pokie will meet your expectations. In demo mode, you can learn the paytable, explore bonus features, and test different bet sizes before you play for real money. It’s also a good way to see whether the pokie you’re considering is actually enjoyable.

There’s no secret strategy that can make a pokie pay more or turn a losing bet into a winning one. The RNG decides the outcome of every spin, so chasing a ‘hot’ game, changing your bet after a loss or waiting for a pokie to become ‘due’ won’t give you an advantage.

What you can do is make smarter choices about how you play. Check the RTP and volatility before choosing a game, set a budget that you’re comfortable with and use the responsible gambling tools available at your casino. And if you’re trying a new pokie, you can play it in demo mode first for free.

The best strategy isn’t about finding a trick to beat the pokies, but about knowing what affects your game, ignoring the myths and keeping control of your bankroll.