Casinos have a wide array of games and game variants on offer. From classic table games like roulette and baccarat to live games against human opponents, such as poker, there are games for all players. However, card games and slot machines, or pokies, tend to be the most popular, for various reasons. Slots tend to be more popular because they’re easy to learn while potentially offering access to sizeable jackpots.
However, many people already know the rules of most popular card games, whether those played against the casino or other people, which also makes these popular. And the appeal of playing live human opponents sets poker apart from other games for a lot of players.
Pokies
According to the Techopedia experts, pokies are the most popular games at online casinos, and this mirrors physical casinos. The games, according to Vlad Grindu, offer easy basic rules but more advanced variants include additional and more complex features that also provide access to improved prize pots and bigger jackpots.
At their heart, pokies use random number generators and require players to match patterns of symbols on three or more reels. The reels are spun automatically and winnings are collected automatically.
Basic games include three reels and only have one or a small handful of paylines. They don’t have bonus features or games. More advanced games can include five reels or more and some have thousands of paylines, as well as the option to bet multiple stakes and have the opportunity to take home considerable jackpots.
Pokies Popularity
Pokies are popular for several reasons. Psychological studies have shown that pushing buttons actually makes us happy, which helps explain the popularity of pokies in physical casinos. We also push buttons to play pokies at online casinos, but this is equally true of any casino game.
Slot machines are easy to learn. The most basic requires that the player stakes their money and clicks spin. The software will do everything else, including collecting the money.
Machines use appealing symbolism and audio. They have bright lights and almost hypnotic audio, and all of these factors combine to make slot machines highly alluring and incredibly appealing, even to complete novices.
Why People Don’t Like Pokies
Despite their benefits, not everybody heads straight to the pokies, and some players resist them altogether.
Some players do not perceive pokies to be challenging and they can become quite repetitive. This is why manufacturers have added additional features and bonus games to make them more exciting and enhance enjoyment.
There is not a lot of social interaction when playing pokies. Players rarely stand around chatting, whereas games like live poker obviously encourage interaction. Even games like roulette or craps see players playing at the same table and betting on the same game.
Card Games
Card games range from games against the casino, like blackjack and even three-card poker, to live card games played against other humans: Texas Hold ‘Em is the most commonly played of these live games. Many people have been brought up playing card games at home, and already know the rules of some of these games, and there are variants and a broad enough selection of card games to offer appeal to most players.
Card Game Popularity
Card games are popular because they are engaging. Blackjack has a handful of players sitting around the same table, while baccarat can draw large crowds. Players tend to interact with one another, at least to some extent, and even if it is only the dealer against one player, there is still more human interaction than is generally found at the slot machines.
Most people have some experience playing cards, even if it is only playing rummy with their grandparents. The rules of games like pai gow poker might be different from gin rummy, but the cards themselves are the same and this gives players a degree of comfort. On the other hand, many people already know how to play blackjack and Texas Hold ‘Em before they first walk into or log on at a casino.
Card games are games of chance, at least to some extent, because they depend on the luck of the draw. But games like poker also require bluffing and being able to read when other players are bluffing, and some people love this psychological element of the game. There is no bluffing with slot machines or roulette wheels.
Why People Avoid Card Games
Although card games can draw large crowds, they are not usually as popular as pokies. Games like blackjack also have lower odds than the likes of roulette, which means thrill seekers looking for the biggest jackpot will look to other games instead.
Some card games can seem complex, and while many players enjoy the art of the bluff and trying to read other players, this is what puts other players off. And then there’s the betting table with games like baccarat that can make the game seem highly daunting at first glance.
