While there are literally thousands of slot machines available today only a handful reach the level where gambling venues must have multiple versions of the game to keep players happy.
Interestingly enough some of the most popular pokies have been re-released with different themes and music and have not been so popular. It is hard to predict what players will like.
Below we list the top 15 most popular games in Australia. Most of them are also found in casinos in other locations such as in the United States and Europe. Aristocrat machines make up the majority of games in Australia while overseas there is bigger competition from makers such as IGT.
This article only covers the games that can be played in pubs, clubs and casinos. Check out our Online Pokies section to find the most popular games that you can play online right now.
Top 15 Pub, Club and Casino Pokies in Australia
1. 5 Dragons
Part of the Reel Power range of games from Aristocrat, 5 Dragons features an Asian inspired theme with lot's of ways to win. Hitting three or more coins aligned left to right awards the free game bonus where you can choose from a range of free game options and possible win multipliers.
2. More Chilli
Released in 2007, More Chilli brings a whole new style of free spin feature. The game is part of the MKVI Gen 7 series and includes the Power Pay bet option. Three money bags award the free spins where you collect Chilli symbols to unlock extra sets of reels and guaranteed wilds.
3. Queen of the Nile
Released as Golden Pyramids in early 1997 using Aristocrats new Mk5 series technology, Queen of the Nile is the most commonly popular game. It has an Egyptian theme, comes in 3, 9 and 20 line formats and offers a 15 free games bonus. Almost a decade after its launch it is still number one.
4. Indian Dreaming
Using Aristocrats "243 Way" configuration, Indian Dreaming was released in 1999. It offers a relatively unique experience as you do not have to line up symbols to win - symbols on adjacent reels win. Offers the chance to win 5, 10 or 20 free games with X3 and X5 multipliers added on the feature.
5. King Of The Nile
Clearly cashing in on the popularity of Queen of the Nile, Aristocrat released King of the Nile in 2002. The game only comes in the 20 line format. To give the game a point of difference you have the second chance option at the end of the free spins - play again, take the win or go for a mystery prize.
6. 50 Lions
The first 50 line video slot to be released. 50 Lions instantly looks different from all other games as 20 symbols are displayed on the screen instead of the normal 15. The game also has groups of the top paying lion symbol on each reel so it is possible to get a whole screen of the same symbol.
7. Lucky 88
Lucky 88 features the biggest free spin multiplier we have seen with a big X88 possible during the free spins. The game uses the 25 line format and includes the option for an extra bet with Aristocrat's Power Pay option. Win free spins with the scattered lanterns or the random "You are Lucky" bonus.
8. Show Me The Money
Released in 2000, Show Me The Money adds yet another twist to the free games feature. In this case you can choose from five options of spins and multiplier. These are 20 @ X2, 15 @ X3, 10 @ X5, 5 @ X10 and 3 @ X15. There is also a mystery prize for getting wilds on reels 1 and 5.
9. Super Bucks
Now in it's fourth version release, the Super Bucks games are generally only found in denominations of 50 or higher. The fourth generation game offers the chance to choose between a range of free spin options. Any additional scatters during the free spins award between one and three extra games.
10. Wild Ways
Another game that uses the 243 Ways format, Wild Ways features a wild Africa theme with symbols such as lions, zebras and elephants. Three sunset symbols trigger 15 free spins where each paw that appears increases the win multiplier by X1 to a maximum of X15.
11. Where's the Gold?
Adding yet another twist to the free game bonus feature. Where's The Gold offers the chance to win up to 20 free games. When the bonus is activated you pick one of five characters. Then free spin amounts and symbols drop down the screen. Any symbols collected become wild on the free games.
12. Big Red
A high denomination game typically found in the 50c to $1 coin size, Big Red has an outback Australian theme and a win repeat bonus. Get any win with the wild Kangaroo and you get five games where each scattered tree symbols pays the triggering win of up to $2500 per tree.
13. Prize Fight
Now in it's second release, Prize Fight is a boxing theme game that is only found in the higher denominations starting at $1. Three KO symbols on an active line award 5 free games with all wins tripled. The free game wins can only occur on the line that activated the bonus.
14. Mr Cashman
The Mr Cashman series brought back some of the early games such as Jail Bird and Mystic Eyes and added a new twist. For an additional side bet you can have the chance at one of five randomly hit bonus games. These include free spins, instant prize, poker machine and random reel spin.
15. Penguin Pays
Most commonly found in the 9 line format, Penguin Pays offers something a little different from the usual bonus game. Landing an iceberg on reel one and a coin on reel five activates the bonus. The wild penguin then jumps to all 15 reel positions and pays for any combinations in completes.