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If there’s one type of casino game that New Zealanders really know and love, it must be pokies! Also known as slots in many parts of the world, these games have just been getting more popular each year since first being introduced to the bars of Brooklyn and San Francisco in the early 20th century.
The lever-controlled one-armed bandits were such hits there that they were introduced to Las Vegas in the 1960s and 70s. Originally intended as side attractions for the female companions of the men at the serious tables, they were soon successful in their own right.
Slots continued to spread throughout the world, and have been legal to play in New Zealand since 1989. The fast-paced action, bright colours and instant rewards are just as appealing online as on land, and the best digital versions can be found with us at Euro Palace.
These days all pokies games are operated using screens, animations and Random Number Generation software, and of course the games at online casinos always have been. Originally, however, the games had several mechanical parts. Actual reels would be spun, as is simulated today, and players would be paid out according to how the icons lined up when they came to rest.
If the images were arranged in specific patterns called paylines, players would win prizes. The 2 types of pokies that we see today are called classic slot and video slot games. Classic slots resemble these original machines, with fewer paylines, smaller betting ranges and simpler themes and graphics.
Video slots immerse players with icons, sound effects and graphics that all tie into a central theme, which could be anything from clever wordplay such as Bar Bar Black Sheep to popular culture as seen in blockbuster titles like Tomb Raider and The Phantom of the Opera. Though these add a more engaging kind of thrill to your spins, the payouts are the same in both types of game.
Spinning classic and video reels is important to any well-rounded gambling experience. Classic pokies are great for new players who are just getting to know the ropes, or for more seasoned enthusiasts who want to slow down a little but are keen to keep winning.
Video pokies will transport you to entirely different worlds, and with their bonus rounds and special features they’re perfect when you want to feel more like a gamer or forget whatever else is going on around you.
Check out Jurassic Jackpot, High 5 and our other classic reels, as well as many of Microgaming’s award-winning slots such as Avalon II, Ladies Nite and Immortal Romance. You can play a lot of them for real money or for free on demo games, which can help you find the ones you really want to spend money on. Don’t forget that both types can have progressive jackpots attached to them too, with rewards that could change your life in the blink of an eye!
