How Pokies Work

There are a lot of myths and misinformation when it comes to how pokies work. In this section we show you how they really work. While we are focusing on pokies in this article this is also the way that all video slot machines work so the information applies to any five reel slot machine with a video screen found anywhere in the world.

All poker machines are made up of a range of parts. These include external parts and internal parts. Below we list the major parts.

External
Cabinet - This houses the game and comes in a variety of types
Video Screen - This is where the game is displayed
Buttons - Found under the screen and used to interact with the game
Note & Coin Acceptor - Used to insert coins or notes into the machine
Top Box & Belly Panel - Used to display game artwork and pay table
Coin Tray - Found at the base of the machine. Paid coins collect here

Internal
Motherboard - A computer part which has areas for other parts such as RAM
EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) - The main game logic
Interface Card - Connects the EPROM and motherboard to the buttons
Meters - Record all game data, pay outs, money in, etc.
Cables - Connect the screen, motherboard, buttons and other components
Note Validator - Checks all inserted notes for authenticity
Lights - Found behind the top box and belly panel art covers
Cash Box - Stores all notes inserted into the machine
Hopper - Stores all coins in the machine and can pay wins to the coin tray
Speakers - Play the game sounds such as the win music
Door Alarm - A sound to alert staff to a door on the machine being open

On the right is a diagram showing a simplified example of a poker machine. The virtual reels have been extended out of the screen to show that they continue.

You will notice that each of the symbol positions has a different number. In our example there are 15 symbols per reel but there can be anywhere from 10 to 100

While the reel positions have different numbers you will find that there are more lower paying symbols on each reel than higher paying ones. For instance a low paying symbol could be in positions 2, 5, 9 and 11 on reel one.

As soon as you press spin the EPROM randomly selects five numbers - one from each reel. In the example on the right this would have been 6, 30, 38, 51 and 69. The reels then spin and come to stop on the selected positions. You are then awarded any resulting wins and then have the option to try to double up your win.

The games pay back percentage is controlled by the symbol positioning through extensive mathematical testing. One point to note is that the symbol positions never change and that the casino or pub cannot change the payout percentage. For this to be changed a new EPROM must be installed. Each game type can come in up to 10 payout levels.

Pokies in Australia must have a payout percentage of 87% or higher. In most cases you will find games around the 90% to 93% mark although you will never know it as individual gambling sessions will vary widely. The listed percentages actually refer to the long term performance of the machine. That is that over a long time a machine with a 95% setting will return 95%.

On of the most important points to not is that there are no pokies with a pay back set to over 100%. This means that the longer you play the more you are likely to lose. There is no way to consistently win on the pokies.

Pokies are one of the most misunderstood forms of gambling and myths abound. On of the most common is that if a machine has had a lot of losing or winning spins that the tables will turn. This is not the case - every spins is random and is in no way related to the last. A winning streak could go on four days as could a losing one.

There is also nothing that you as a player can do to effect the game outcome. Many players believe that changing bet levels, touching the machine and pressing certain combinations of buttons will lead to a big win. All three of these things will do absolutely nothing in terms of altering your results. The only thing you have control over is yourself.

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