An essay about online poker machines
From
Icabod Molesworth
June
2015
From Poker to Pokies
As a poker player you know Phil Ivey
and you know Howard Lederer and you
know Doyle Brunson. And if you go way
back you know Johnny Moss. But do you
know Si Redd? You play poker because
it is the game in the casino where skill can trump luck
in the long run. William
Silas Redd is the guy who brought video poker to
casinos. Video
poker allows punters to make decisions in slot machines
and they actually have one of the lowest house edges
in the casino. You play poker because of the thrill
of big pots. The biggest jackpots in the casino are
those attached to progressively linked slot machines.
Yeah, Si Redd was responsible for that, too. His Megabucks
slot machine back in 1986 harnessed the power of the
microchip and started offering those multi-million dollar
jackpots. It should come as no surprise that Redd's
company, International Gaming Technology, became
the biggest builder of slot machines in the world and
was a leader in developing online gaming platforms for
hundreds of online casinos. If you have not visited
the slots world in a while, things are quite a bit different
from the days of the "one-armed bandit" with three reels
of oranges and cherries and a single payline.
The World of Online Slots Games Today
Slot machines these days offer players an exciting array
of options. Three reels have expanded to five and on
some games the traditional grid has disappeared altogether
with hexagons and other geometric shapes taking their
place. Instead of one payline there are nine, twenty,
forty, one hundred and even more ways to win on each
spin. If you are a fan of a particular television show
or popular movie, chances are there is a slots game
online for you to play along with your favourite characters.
Modern slots games tell stories in high-definition,
introduce characters, take play to additional screens,
feature bonus awards, allow player interaction, play
music, use 3D graphics and more. Oh, yes. If you need
a break from bluffing and raising and just want some
relaxing fun you can also play simple traditional slots.
Try Online Slots Games for Free
Still not convinced today's slots are for you? You can
dip your toe into this wild world of online slots without
risking any money. Pokies.com
allows you to sample 25 of its game for free. If that
sounds like they are giving away the store, they have
more than 320 on offer. Included in the free suite of
games are branded slots featuring iconic characters
like Superman, the Terminator and Judge Dredd. Even
Game
of Thrones has a slots adventure ready to play.
Try the video slot Avalon II which follows the travails
of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as
they pursue the Holy Grail - there are 243 ways to win
on every spin. There are also delightful traditional
games like Toki Time and Sunny Scoops that will transport
you instantly from the serious business of Hold'em poker
for a quick mental refresher. There are instant scratchies
games like Cashapillar and Game, Set & Scratch. And
if you prefer not to stray too far from the action of
table games there are video poker games, roulette, blackjack
and baccarat to try. When you access Pokies.com from
your mobile device ten of the games are available to
try including Deuces Wild Poker and several video slots
games. All the games play directly from your browser
and there are no downloads or apps to contend with.
A Cash Bonus to Get You Started
In addition, Pokies.com rewards new players with 10
free spins at one of its most popular games
- Foxin' Wins. So that initial bankroll can
grow before you even start using it. Whenever you break
from poker to relax with some slots games, Pokies.com
remembers your play and applies VIP points to your account
which will result in bonuses, free spins and even cash.
Today's online slots games are more than just
a mindless distraction to have a little action during
breaks between deals. Give them a try.