Pokies are a beloved pastime for many Australians. With exciting themes, thrilling gameplay, and the chance to win big, it’s no wonder these slot machines are so popular across the country. One of the best parts of playing pokies is taking advantage of free spins bonuses. These give you extra chances to win without having to spend any of your own money. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about maximizing free spins for the biggest pokies wins.
Understanding How Free Spins Work
Free spins are a common bonus offered by online casinos to attract new players and reward loyal customers. During free spins, you get to play rounds on a pokie machine without placing any wagers. Any winnings from those spins are yours to keep.
Free spins are usually triggered by landing a certain combination of symbols on the reels. Some common ways to unlock free spins include:
- Getting 3 or more scatter symbols
- Triggering a bonus round
- Landing on a special symbol or space after a spin
The number of free spins awarded can range from just a few up to 100 or more. You may also get extra perks like expanded wilds, multiplied payouts, and retriggering free spins.
Here are some key factors to understand about how free spins work:
- Wagering requirements – Any winnings from free spins may be subject to wagering requirements before you can withdraw them. This means you have to bet a certain amount before cashing out.
- Time limits – Free spins usually expire within 24-48 hours if not used. So be sure to use them promptly.
- Game eligibility – Free spins are often limited to a specific pokie game or set of games.
- Bet sizes – Your bet size per spin is typically fixed during free spins rounds.
Knowing the ins and outs of how free spins work will help you maximize your winning potential.
Finding the Best Free Spins Bonuses
Not all free spin offers are created equal. To get the most value, you need to hunt down bonuses with advantageous terms and conditions. Here are some tips:
- Compare casino welcome bonuses – Most online casinos offer free spins on sign-up. Weigh the number of spins, any deposit required, and wagering terms.
- Look for no deposit free spins – The best value comes from spins you can claim without depositing any funds. These give you free chances to win real money.
- Check for free spin reloads – Loyalty free spin bonuses reward you for being an existing customer. They refresh your account with new rounds of spins.
- Select games wisely – Consider factors like volatility, RTP, max payouts, and special features. Loose slots with frequent payouts are ideal.
- Read the fine print – Pay attention to expiration dates, max cash out rules, eligibility terms and other stipulations.
- Avoid shady casinos – Only play at trusted, licensed casinos that treat players fairly and pay out winnings reliably.
Doing your homework allows you to zero in on the most valuable and exciting free spins promotions.
| Type of Free Spin Bonus | What to Look For |
| Welcome Bonus | High number of spins, low or no wagering requirements |
| No Deposit | Does not require a deposit to claim |
| Monthly Reload | Ongoing spins for existing players |
| Game-Specific | Pick games with high RTP and volatility |
| Birthday Bonus | Free spins given on your birthday |
Strategies to Maximize Your Free Spins Wins
Once you’ve locked in some free spins bonuses, it’s time to make them count. Use these tips and strategies to optimize your chances for big pokies wins:
Choose Games with High RTP
The return to player (RTP) percentage indicates how much a pokie pays back over many spins. Games with a 96% RTP or higher pay more frequently. This makes them ideal for free spins. A few top picks are:
- Lucky 88 (96%-97% RTP)
- Queen of the Nile (95.74% RTP)
- Big Red (97% RTP)
Check the Volatility Level
Volatility refers to how often and how big the payouts are on a slot. High volatility games have fewer but larger wins. Low volatility slots pay out more often in smaller amounts. Aim for medium volatility to balance both.
Maximize Your Bet
During free rounds, you can usually choose your bet amount per spin. Wager the maximum allowed to take full advantage of the extra spins. Higher bets lead to bigger potential payouts.
Extend Play with Retriggering Spins
Some games allow you to retrigger more free spins from within the bonus round. This occurs when you land the trigger symbols again. Retriggering extends your gameplay and gives you more chances to amass winnings.
Take Advantage of Multipliers
Many pokies apply a win multiplier during free spins. This can be 2x, 3x, 5x or even 10x your payouts. Multipliers dramatically increase how much you can win from the bonus spins.
Don’t Waste Spins
Be sure to use all your spins before they expire. Set a reminder if needed. Wasted spins equate to lost chances to win big.
Applying strategies like these during free spins gives you the optimal shot at hitting those lucrative slot jackpots.
Pro Tip: Payout frequency and size vary across different volatility levels – aiming for medium can help balance both in free spins rounds.
Case Study: How to Maximize Free Spins on Lucky 88
Let’s walk through a case study of how to make the most of free spins bonuses on a popular Australian pokie, Lucky 88.
Lucky 88 is a medium volatility Asian-themed slot from Aristocrat with Reel Power system. It has a 96-97% RTP and exciting features like wild multipliers. Many online casinos offer free spins on this iconic game.
Follow these tips when playing free rounds on Lucky 88:
- Use max bet – Lucky 88 has a wide range of bets from 88c up to $88. Use the highest to maximize your wins.
- Aim for 8s – The Lucky 88 logo acts as an 8 symbol and triggers terrific payouts. Landing five 8s awards the Grand Jackpot.
- Watch for wilds – Wilds substitute for other symbols. They also multiply wins 2x, 3x or 8x when appearing!
- Trigger more spins – Getting three or more gong scatter symbols retriggers more free spins during the bonus.
- Count wild counters – The red lanterns at the top tell you how many spins have wild multipliers.
- Gamble feature – After any win, try the optional gamble game to potentially double your payout.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be hearing the celebratory gongs ringing as you rack up huge wins on your free spins on Lucky 88!
Final Tips to Boost Your Overall Pokies Performance
Beyond just free spins, there are extra ways to improve your pokies performance:
- Find games with high RTP – Shoot for 96% and above for the best odds.
- Quit while you’re ahead – Withdraw your payouts and don’t lose winnings back to the casino.
- Take advantage of loyalty programs – Signing up can give you extra perks and rewards.
- Review game rules – Understanding features and bonuses improves your strategy.
- Manage your bankroll – Set a budget for each session and stick to it.
- Brush up on strategy guides – Sites like auscasinos.com offer great pokies strategy advice.
- Play free games first – Demo versions let you practice before betting real money.
- Avoid tilted play – Walk away if you feel frustrated, upset or reckless. Come back with a fresh mindset.
Mastering these tips, along with maximizing those valuable free spins, will have you succeeding and winning big on the pokies in no time.
Conclusion
Free spins provide a thrilling chance to play real money pokie games for free. To fully capitalize, be selective about which bonuses you claim by comparing terms and choosing high RTP games. During the free rounds, utilize strategies like maximizing your bet, aiming for multipliers and retriggers, and avoiding wasted spins. Combining great free spin offers with optimized gameplay gives you an excellent opportunity to rack up impressive pokies wins.
Now that you know how to make the most of free spins bonuses, it’s time to put that knowledge into action. Choose a top-rated online casino, claim some free rounds on a leading pokie, and start playing your way to those big jackpot wins!
