Online pokies have taken the Australian gambling scene by storm, with thousands of games available to cater to every player’s taste. While there’s no shortage of exciting options, some pokies stand out more than others due to their unique themes, high RTP (Return to Player) rates, and exciting bonus features. In this article, we’ll explore the most popular online pokie games in Australia, and what makes them a hit among Aussie players.
1. Wolf Treasure
One of the most beloved online pokies among Australian players is Wolf Treasure. Developed by Pragmatic Play, this game takes players on a thrilling adventure through the wilderness, with wolves, buffalos, and eagles gracing the reels. The game’s stunning visuals and immersive soundtrack transport players to the heart of the American plains.
Why It’s Popular:
- Progressive Jackpot: Wolf Treasure offers three jackpots (Mini, Major, and Mega), with the Mega jackpot offering massive payouts.
- Bonus Features: The game features free spins and re-spins, where players can lock symbols and trigger even bigger rewards.
- RTP: Wolf Treasure boasts an RTP of 96%, which means players have a solid chance of getting decent returns over time.
Tip: The free spins feature is the key to unlocking big wins in Wolf Treasure. Keep an eye out for the scatter symbols to trigger this lucrative bonus round.
2. Big Red
An Australian classic, Big Red is a pokie that resonates with local players due to its Outback theme. Developed by Aristocrat, Big Red takes players on a journey through Australia’s wilderness, with kangaroos, crocodiles, and wild boars appearing on the reels. It’s a simple game, but its high volatility and rewarding bonus features make it a favorite among Aussies.
Why It’s Popular:
- Aussie Theme: Big Red’s iconic Australian theme appeals to local players, with symbols like kangaroos and wild boars representing the country’s unique wildlife.
- Free Spins: The game offers free spins with multipliers, making it possible to rack up significant wins.
- High Volatility: Big Red is a high-volatility game, meaning that while wins may be less frequent, the potential for big payouts is high.
Tip: To make the most of Big Red, aim to trigger the free spins feature by landing the wild kangaroo symbol, which activates this high-paying bonus round.
3. Mega Moolah
A legendary game in the world of online pokies, Mega Moolah by Microgaming is famous for its progressive jackpot, which has made several players instant millionaires. The game’s African safari theme, with lions, elephants, and giraffes on the reels, is fun and engaging, but it’s the life-changing jackpot that makes this game a must-play.
Why It’s Popular:
- Progressive Jackpot: Mega Moolah holds the record for some of the largest jackpot payouts in online pokie history. The progressive jackpot starts at $1 million and grows with every spin.
- Four-Tier Jackpot: The game features four different jackpot tiers (Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega), giving players multiple chances to win big.
- RTP: While Mega Moolah’s base RTP is lower than some other pokies at around 88.12%, the chance to hit a massive jackpot keeps players coming back.
Tip: Since Mega Moolah is a progressive jackpot game, it’s worth placing higher bets to increase your chances of hitting one of the four jackpots.
4. Starburst
Starburst, developed by NetEnt, is one of the most popular pokies in Australia and around the world. Known for its simplicity and vibrant visuals, Starburst has a timeless appeal that keeps players coming back for more. The game’s fast-paced action and expanding wilds make it an exciting choice for players of all experience levels.
Why It’s Popular:
- Expanding Wilds: The game’s signature feature is its Starburst wilds, which expand across the reels and trigger re-spins, leading to bigger wins.
- Fast-Paced Gameplay: Starburst is easy to play, with straightforward mechanics that appeal to both beginners and experienced players.
- Low Volatility: Starburst is a low-volatility game, meaning players can expect frequent, smaller wins that keep the gameplay exciting.
Tip: Take advantage of the Starburst wilds, which appear on reels 2, 3, and 4. When they land, they expand to cover the entire reel and trigger a re-spin, giving you another shot at winning.
5. Book of Dead
A fan favorite in Australia, Book of Dead by Play’n GO transports players to ancient Egypt, where they join adventurer Rich Wilde in a quest for hidden treasures. With its stunning visuals, immersive theme, and potential for big wins, Book of Dead is a hit among players who love adventure-themed pokies.
Why It’s Popular:
- High Volatility: Book of Dead is a high-volatility game, meaning it offers the potential for huge payouts, especially during the bonus round.
- Free Spins: The game’s free spins feature can be particularly lucrative, with a special expanding symbol that boosts your chances of landing big wins.
- RTP: Book of Dead has an RTP of 96.21%, which is on par with many other popular pokies.
Tip: The key to winning big in Book of Dead is triggering the free spins round by landing three or more book symbols. During this round, an expanding symbol can cover entire reels, increasing your chances of a massive payout.
6. Buffalo Blitz
Developed by Playtech, Buffalo Blitz is a high-energy pokie that takes players on a wild ride through the American plains. With 4,096 ways to win and exciting features like free spins and multipliers, Buffalo Blitz is a popular choice for Aussie players who enjoy action-packed pokies.
Why It’s Popular:
- Multiple Ways to Win: The game offers 4,096 ways to win, giving players countless opportunities to land a winning combination.
- Free Spins with Multipliers: Buffalo Blitz features a free spins bonus round with multipliers that can significantly boost your winnings.
- High RTP: With an RTP of 95.96%, Buffalo Blitz provides a solid return for players looking to maximize their gameplay.
Tip: To increase your chances of winning big, aim to trigger the free spins feature, which can award up to 100 free spins and includes wild multipliers that can multiply your wins up to 5x.
7. Gonzo’s Quest
Gonzo’s Quest, another masterpiece from NetEnt, is a visually stunning pokie that follows the adventures of a Spanish conquistador in search of the lost city of gold, El Dorado. The game’s innovative mechanics and immersive storyline make it a favorite among Australian players.
Why It’s Popular:
- Avalanche Feature: Gonzo’s Quest introduced the innovative Avalanche feature, where symbols fall into place rather than spinning, and winning combinations cause the symbols to explode, allowing new ones to fall and create more wins.
- Multipliers: Every time you score consecutive wins in the Avalanche feature, the multiplier increases, allowing for significant payouts.
- Free Falls Bonus Round: The game’s free spins (known as Free Falls) are triggered by landing three golden masks, leading to even bigger rewards with increasing multipliers.
Tip: Keep an eye on the multipliers during the Avalanche feature. Consecutive wins can lead to multipliers of up to 5x in the base game and 15x in the Free Falls round.
Conclusion
Australia’s love for online pokies is reflected in the wide variety of popular games available to players. From progressive jackpots to high-volatility adventure-themed pokies, there’s a game for every type of player. The pokies listed above are some of the most popular choices among Australian players, thanks to their engaging themes, exciting bonus features, and potential for big payouts.
Whether you’re chasing massive jackpots in Mega Moolah or enjoying the simplicity and frequent wins of Starburst, there’s no shortage of fantastic online pokies to explore. So, choose your favorite and start spinning for your chance to win!