Are pokies the same with slots?

More well travelled readers may have heard the term pokies before, those who haven’t heard of it may be surprised to learn that it actually refers to slot machines. Some players wonder whether pokies are the same as a slot – try Megaways Slots.

What are Pokies? 

Pokies is actually an incredibly common term, it is mainly used in countries such as Australia and New Zealand. It is simply another way that people refer to slot games. The term is thought to have originated as a nickname for poker machines, these machines predated slot games over in Australia. When slots began to gain popularity in Australia, they just so happened to be right next to the poker machines. Eventually, this term ended up referring to slot machines as well and it has managed to stick. The term has even moved onto online casinos, where online slots are known as online pokies! Pokies can be found in similar venues as slot machines in the UK, mainly bars, pubs and even some clubs. 

Similarities and Differences between a Pokie and Slot 

Pokies and slots are terms which are used to refer to a slot game machine. There are more similarities than differences between the two. 

●       Pokies and slots refer to the exact same machine. Although the names would indicate otherwise, a pokie is a slot machine. Travel to an Australian casino and ask to use a slot machine and you may get a strange look but ask to use a pokie and they will know exactly what you are talking about.

●       Different names. The pokie originally referred to poker machines in Australia but they eventually came to refer to slot machines as well. In other parts of the world, this nicknaming did not take place.

●       Different slang for different countries. Australia and New Zealand both have their own style of cadence, with unique words to refer to things, it is not just slot machines which they have renamed. The rest of the world has similar things which they affectionately nickname. For example bangers and mash is a popular term in the UK but it is never used in other parts of the world, ultimately making its meaning confusing to visitors. 

Other interesting slot slang 

Pokies isn’t the only piece of slot related slang that can be found across the world. As every country has their own colloquial phrases and words, there are actually a few nicknames for a slot machine out there. 

1. England actually has its own slang term to describe slot machines, which may surprise some people. The term fruit machine or fruity has been a common description of a slot machine.
2. Scotland also has its own slang to describe a slot machine, sometimes referring to them as puggys. 

Final Thoughts 

Pokies are slot machines, just as fruit machines are slot machines. The only differences between them are the names they are called. All around the world, there are slang terms which are used to refer to slot machines.