Online fruit machines, which some people, operators, and industry experts also refer to as online slots, fruitys, one-armed bandits, or pokies, are completely different from traditional/classic poker variants.
However, there are some commonalities between fruitys and poker, which I will reveal here. For example, understanding the odds and implied probability rates is vital in both casino favourites.
Understanding bankroll management can also be applied to both, plus there are many other transferable strategies that everyone who is considering playing fruit machines and poker at a fully licensed and regulated iGaming site should know.
Let’s dive in and take a closer look at how some basic poker strategies can be applied to fruitys and vice versa:
Are there any transferable strategy concepts between fruit machines and poker?
I consider myself a fairly proficient poker player and have played almost all poker variants there are, either against other participants at dedicated poker sites or playing classic poker alone/against the dealer at online gambling sites.
I have also played hundreds, possibly thousands, of the most popular online casino slot games and can tell you that there are actually a few transferable strategy concepts between poker and online fruitys.
For example, the way you manage your bankroll can be applied to both. Although the two are very different, both require keeping hold of your chips/bankroll as long as possible, and by whatever means necessary.
Similarly, understanding the odds and implied probability rate of an outcome/result occurring is crucial when placing bets in poker and online fruit machines.
For example, you may find an online fruity with a side bet option that boosts your odds of triggering the main bonus feature by 2/1 (fractional odds). 2/1 is the same as saying there’s a 33.33% implied probability rate of that outcome occurring.
Knowing what the odds and IPR are trying to tell you can help you when playing online fruity machines and poker. It doesn’t take long to learn the basics, and if I can understand what both are trying to tell me about what my next move should be, anyone should be able to understand.
- For example, if something has a high IPR (an outcome that’s most likely to occur), it may have a 99.00% IPR, which would appear as 1/100 in fractional odds, 1.01 in decimal odds, and -10,000 in American/moneyline odds.
- Similarly, if something has a 50/50 chance of occurring, it will appear as 1/1 in fractional odds (aka evens), 2.00 in decimal odds, and +100 in American/moneyline odds.
- Finally, if something is very unlikely to occur and only has a 1.00% IPR, it would appear as 100/1 (fractional odds), 101.00 (decimal odds), and +10,000 (American/moneyline odds).
The other thing that’s often overlooked is mentality, which can also be described as emotions or psychology. If you let your emotions take control, it could negatively affect your decision-making abilities, and you could end up losing a huge chunk or more of your bankroll. In poker, this phenomenon is known as tilting – something to avoid at all costs while at the tables.
In other words, try to stay cool. Like almost all players, if your emotions sometimes get the better of you, simply close the game.
I’ve found that taking regular session breaks or just logging out and coming back another day when I’m in a much better frame of mind can help me place more sensible bets.
What are the main differences between poker and fruitys I should be aware of?
When playing poker against other players, for example, playing in a cash table, MTT (multi-table tournament) or sit ‘n go tournament on a dedicated poker site, you can use your poker skills to try and win.
However, you can’t use any skills to win in computer-generated online poker and fruit machines because the results/outcomes are produced by Random Number Generators (RNGs).
Therefore, you can be as competitive as you like when playing online fruit machines and try to use certain strategies, but it won’t help you win, unlike in poker, where certain skills and strategies (like bluffing) can affect the outcome.
When playing online fruit machines, try to go in with the mindset that you are subject to losses and that winning is just random. Try to have fun and enjoy your time.
In poker, you have to be a little bit more devious because the skills/strategies you use can be the difference between winning and losing.
Summary
Online poker and fruit machines are completely different from each other and have their own unique appeal.
When playing computer-generated fruitys/poker or live dealer content at licensed and regulated gambling sites, the most important thing to remember is to gamble responsibly at all times because it can be too easy to get carried away.
I’ve found that the easiest way to stay in control of my spending is to set things like session time reminders, win/loss limits, and deposit limits. You can set reasonable limits when logging into your account by heading to the safer, responsible gambling tools section.
If you are looking to play poker or fruitys using real money, then it’s recommended you set as many of these limits as possible.
It’s helped many players, and many players now rely on these useful tools to help them remain within their budgets, too.