It’s a well-known fact that Aussies love the pokies. They’re the main event, the undisputed king of the casino floor. But any top-tier online casino ausy is much more than just a massive room full of spinning reels. Tucked away in the games lobby, beyond the usual suspects of Blackjack and Roulette, lies a treasure trove of niche games that offer a completely different flavour of fun and excitement.
Too many punters never venture into these corners of the casino, and they’re seriously missing out. Taking the time to explore these hidden gems can not only teach you a new skill but might just introduce you to your new favourite game. So let’s pull back the curtain on some of the other top-notch games you can have a crack at.
Video Poker: Where Skill Meets Simplicity
Don’t confuse this with playing poker against other people. Video poker is a solo game that brilliantly blends the fast-paced action of a pokie with the strategy of five-card draw poker. You’re dealt five cards, you choose which ones to keep (“hold”) and which ones to discard, and you get one draw to try and make the best possible poker hand.
The best part about video poker is its incredibly high RTP (Return to Player), often soaring above 99% when played with the correct strategy. Popular versions like Jacks or Better (where you need at least a pair of jacks to win) are a fantastic mental workout. There’s a mathematically correct decision for every hand you’re dealt, making it a rewarding game for players who like to think.
Craps: The Most Exciting Game You’re Not Playing
Walking up to a craps table in a real casino can be intimidating. There are dozens of different bets on the layout, and everyone seems to be yelling and cheering. But online craps allows you to learn this incredibly exciting dice game at your own pace.
At its heart, craps is very simple. On the first roll (the “come-out roll”), most players just make a “Pass Line” bet. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, you lose. If they roll any other number, that number becomes the “point,” and the goal is to roll that number again before rolling a 7. That’s it! It’s an energetic game of chance with a fantastic communal feel, even when playing the online version.
Sic Bo: An Ancient Game of Pure Chance
If you want pure, simple dice action, then Sic Bo is your game. This ancient Chinese game is played with three dice. All you have to do is bet on the outcome of the roll. The betting board looks complicated, but it’s very straightforward. You can place simple bets, like whether the total of the three dice will be “Small” (4-10) or “Big” (11-17). Or you can get more specific, betting on a specific total (like a total of 9), or even betting on a specific triple (like three 4s), which offers a massive payout. There’s no strategy involved; it’s just a fun game of pure luck.
Keno and Bingo: Relaxed Lottery-Style Fun
Sometimes you just want to sit back, relax, and not think too hard. Online Keno and Bingo are perfect for this. In Keno, you pick a set of numbers (usually up to 10 or 15) from a grid of 80. The game then randomly draws 20 numbers. The more of your numbers that match the drawn numbers, the more you win. It’s that simple. Online bingo is just as easy and offers that same relaxed, social feel as the classic bingo hall.
So next time you log in for a session, why not take a detour past the pokies? You might just discover that the thrill of a royal flush in video poker or a hot streak at the craps table is the exciting change of pace you’ve been looking for.
