How to Read a Pokie Game’s Paytable Like a Pro
When it comes to online slots, or pokie games as they are known in Australia, one of the most important things to understand is the paytable. The paytable is essentially a guide that tells you what symbols to look out for and how much each symbol is worth. It’s like a road map for your game, showing you the potential rewards along the way.
However, many players don’t take the time to properly familiarize themselves with the paytable, which can lead pokies online real money australia to missed opportunities and a lack of understanding of the game mechanics. This guide will teach you how to read a pokie game’s paytable like a pro, so you can make informed decisions about your spins and potentially increase your chances of winning.
Understanding the Basics of the Paytable
Before we dive into how to interpret the information on a paytable, let’s quickly cover some basic concepts. First, what is a paytable? Simply put, it’s a chart that shows you all the possible combinations of symbols you can land on the reels and the corresponding payout for each combination.
Each symbol has a specific value, which is usually displayed as a multiple of your original bet. For example, if the paytable says "5 Symbols x 200x Your Bet", this means that if you land five of a kind symbols, you will be awarded 200 times your original bet amount.
Now, let’s break down the different sections of a typical paytable:
symbol value
This is the most important part of the paytable and should be the first thing you look at. Here you’ll see all the possible symbols that can appear on the reels, usually including wild symbols, scatters, and the core playing card suits or numbers. The value for each symbol is shown as a multiple of your bet, as mentioned earlier.
Number of Symbols in a combination
This section will tell you how many of each symbol is needed to trigger a payout. For example, landing three of a kind could give you a payout, but landing four or five of a kind would result in a higher payout amount.
Special Features and Bonuses
In addition to the standard symbol values, many pokie games have special features that can be triggered when certain symbols appear in specific combinations. These could include things like free spins bonuses, gamble features, or progressive jackpots. The paytable will outline these bonuses and explain how to trigger them.
Interpreting the Paytable for Maximum Payouts
Now that you understand the basic structure of a paytable, let’s look at some strategies for interpreting it to maximize your potential payouts:
Look for High-Value Symbols
The paytable will list all the possible symbols and their corresponding values. It’s important to spot the high-value symbols as these are the ones that will give you the biggest payouts when landing in combinations. These are usually the wild or scatter symbols, as they can represent multiple regular symbols and thus lead to bigger wins.
Identify BonusTriggering Combinations
As mentioned earlier, many pokie games have special features and bonuses that can be triggered by landing specific symbol combinations. Look for these combinations on the paytable, as they can provide huge payouts or other benefits like free spins. For example, some games may require you to land three scatters to trigger a bonus round.
Understand Payout Multipliers
Some pokie games will have symbols with multipliers attached to them. These are usually wild symbols that act as multipliers for any win they are part of. Look for these multipliers on the paytable, as they can greatly increase your potential payout for landing those symbol combinations.
Consider the Volatility of the Game
The volatility of a pokie game refers to how often you can expect to land wins and the size of those wins. Games with higher volatility offer bigger payouts but may require more spins to trigger those wins. On the other hand, low-volatility games offer smaller, more frequent payouts.
When reading the paytable, look for games with a volatility level that aligns with your personal preferences. If you’re looking for big wins, go for games with higher volatility and bigger symbol values. If you prefer smaller but more consistent payouts, opt for lower-volatility games with smaller symbol values on the paytable.
Practice before Playing for Real Money
Before playing a pokie game for real money, it’s always a good idea to practice first. Many online casinos offer free play mode, where you can familiarize yourself with the game mechanics and paytable without risking your own money. This way, you can get a feel for how often you might land different symbol combinations and their respective payouts.
Final Thoughts
Reading a pokie game’s paytable is an essential skill for any player looking to maximize their potential winnings. By understanding the symbol values, bonus combinations, and volatility levels of a game, you can make more informed decisions about your spins and potentially increase your chances of landing big wins. Remember to practice for free first and always gamble responsibly. Good luck!