Regardless of how familiar you are with the gambling scene, you are surely aware of how big and widespread slot machines are all over the world. What you might not know, however, is that there are many names for this fun game, even in the English-speaking world. If you hear the term pokies, what are the chances you will know what New Zealanders are referring to? To learn more about pokies and see why they are called that, keep on reading.
What are Pokies?
Even if you were not aware of the term pokies, you probably know how slot machines work. While there are many variations, the traditional version has three reels that have various symbols printed on the same. These depend on the machine and can be everything from diamonds and hearts to bells, fruits and stylized sevens. There are also themed slot machines which are licensed from popular TV shows, films and musicians, for instance.
The player has to insert cash or a ticket and then activate the machine by pulling the lever (with traditional machines) on the side. Of course, nowadays this can be done with a press of a button or by touching the screen. In order to win big, the symbols all have to match but some machines reward other combinations of symbols as well.
A Short History
Slot machines have a long history but we’ll give you a crash course of their 100+ years of development. Since the precursor to the modern slot machine developed by Sittman and Pitt in 1891 was released, the game has had many iterations. In 1895, Charles Fey presented what is now known as the first slot machine – the Liberty Bell. This machine improved on the previous model by allowing players to get automatic payouts. Over time, more and more manufacturers started making these machines and they found their place in saloons all across America.
It was not long before it spread all over the world, reaching New Zealand and Australia in the early 1900s. While illegal, they were very popular. With the improvement of technology, it was normal for slot machines to develop further as well. Video slot games were in huge demand and once the internet was invented, the market for these games expanded significantly.
Pokies were introduced to NZ in 1987 and are operated by charitable foundations. They can mostly be found in bars and hotels.
Why Pokies?
Seeing as how pokies in New Zealand are also called poker machines, it’s easy to see that it is actually a slang word. However, it has become a standard term and all the major operators call them pokies. Even though when the first time the term was used was not documented, it is thought that it comes from the time when video poker machines and slots were available in pubs and clubs. It is possible that players grouped them together and called them pokies even though slots are not similar to video poker games. The term stuck and is even used in online gambling.
Is There a Difference Between Slots and Pokies?
It’s funny that this term only appeared in NZ and Australia but it’s no surprise given their tendency to shorten most words. This is why it’s important to remember that saying pokies anywhere else in the world might not be understood. People in Atlantic City or Las Vegas might look at you funny if you ask about the pokie machines. However, slots will probably be understood in New Zealand. When it comes to the game, there is no difference as the principle of slot machines is the same; however, there could be differences in the symbols and themes used.
What Do Other Countries Call Them?
Kiwis are not the only ones in the English-speaking world that have a unique name for slot games. While pokies have the same name in Australia, if you travel to Scotland, you’ll hear the term puggy. On the other hand, in the rest of the UK, people call them fruit machines. In Canada, they are called the slots, and the terms slot and slot machine are understood in most countries. A once-popular name for the original machines used to be the one-armed bandits. People call them that because they usually have one lever and are known to empty players’ pockets just like a bandit would.
Whenever you travel to a new place, it’s good to be across some of the local words and slang terms. If you ever plan on gambling in New Zealand, pokies is definitely a term you should get to know.
