In Australia pokies are one of the most popular forms of gambling. With so much popularity, it leaves many people wondering how to cheat the pokies. Our team decided to take the matter into our own hands and test all popular strategies. Read on to find out if cheating pokies is possible.
How to Trick a Pokie Machine in Australia
Hacking a slot machine is very challenging, even for professional hackers. Pokies are developed by companies that are experts in their field, and they hire extremely knowledgeable teams. They create enjoyable products that are difficult to trick or hack into.
Before the official launch of any new product, it undergoes extensive testing. This means any potential bugs can be fixed before they are released to the public. They also look for ways people could potentially hack and trick the machine, making it extremely difficult for members of the public to do so.
Despite ongoing work on the trial-and-error process, there is a theoretical possibility of revealing some errors in the machines. The question of how to trick a pokie machine is very common among hackers, but the answer is simple – you must be a genius.
On top of this, you need to have a team of professionals to learn how to dismantle the machine. It may have been easier to hack into and cheat pokies in the past, when technology wasn’t as advanced, but these days, it is almost impossible.
Legal Implications of Cheating
While it may be fun to imagine playing out your Ocean’s 13 fantasy, it is important to remember there are some very serious legal implications if you get caught trying to cheat pokies. So, if you are wondering how to hack pokie machines in Australia, you should know what you’re in for if you get caught.
It is so serious that if you are even caught conspiring to cheat, you could face serious jail time. The punishment for conspiring to cheat will likely be the same if you actually completed the crime. It doesn’t matter how involved you are in the process of cheating pokies – it is illegal, and there will be consequences for your actions.
❗You would be blacklisted by the establishment you cheated from, but that is the least of your problems, as you would likely face jail time. This page is written for entertainment purposes, and we certainly do not encourage or condone cheating pokies.
How to Cheat the Pokies: What are the Best Methods?
It is every gambler’s dream to win big one day. Some may be tempted to take things to the extreme by thinking about cheating the system. There are many myths and folklore surrounding different methods for cheating the pokies. However, it is important to remember that modern pokies are designed to prevent tampering.
Some methods have worked in the past when the technology of pokies wasn’t as advanced. Below are some of the most popular methods used in the past for cheating the pokies.
Cheat Codes
Gambling authorities have always ensured that everything works smoothly in the gambling market. Engineers are responsible for designing machines that can be monitored and further checked for delivering fair and high-quality gameplay.
In the past, we have seen engineers rig the code and make the game work in their favour. The most famous story comes from Ronald Dale Harris, an engineer of the Nevada Gaming Commission.
He manipulated a slot machine and managed to get away with it for years. It wasn’t until his partner won a massive $100,000 playing Keno in 1995 that his scam was uncovered, and the authorities took action. This method isn’t very effective these days as it is difficult to implement the cheat codes on a modern machine.
Pros | Cons |
Can win massive payouts. | Need access to codes. |
Major tampering with a machine isn’t required. | Requires the right skills to use the codes. |
Serious consequences if caught. |
Magnet Utilisation
Many people wonder how to cheat a slot machine with a magnet. It is important to know that modern machines cannot be tricked with a magnet as they are programmed, therefore making this method not very effective these days. Despite this, we had examples of people who were successful in cheating with a magnet on the machines in the past.
To make this possible, you need to spin the slot reels and utilise a robust magnet to cease reels from spinning as soon as you notice your winning combos. Everything is done outside of the machine. You can easily claim winnings once you remove the magnet from the machine.
Pros | Cons |
Easier to get your hands on the magnet needed | Modern machines cannot be tampered with using this method. |
Don’t need to tamper with the machine. | Spinning reels of older machines is still quick, making it difficult to stop at the correct time. |
It is illegal to tamper with pokie machines. |
Light Wand
If you’re looking for additional methods when it comes to how to manipulate a slot machine, then you should know about Tommy Glenn Carmichael. He was a famous slot machine cheater who used a light wand. He used his light wand to deliver jackpot awards from seemingly thin air.
A light wand was a perfect tool for blinding the optical sensor on machines and it was not possible to check the number of deposited coins in the machine. It was the way for Tommy to make big wins from small bets. As the technology behind pokie machines has advanced dramatically, this method is no longer effective at all.
Pros | Cons |
Don’t need a lot of skills or intelligence to implement this method. | Doesn’t work with modern machines. |
Easier to find the light wand. | Could be quite obvious to others around what you are doing. |
If caught, there are serious consequences for your actions. |
Monkey Paw
Tommy Glenn Carmichael was a total pro in cheater terms, and along with his method of using a light wand, he also created the monkey paw. He tested the monkey paw on video poker, and eventually, he got the method right and was able to use it to his advantage.
The monkey paw is a guitar string linked to a bent rod. He then pushed it up the air vent of any machine and moved it around until he reached the trigger for the coin hopper. All the coins in the machine would then come pouring out. Obviously, this method isn’t effective with modern-day machines because most of them no longer use coins.
Pros | Cons |
Simple enough to design. | Most modern machines don’t accept coins. |
Cheap to purchase tools required. | What you are doing is more obvious, making it easier to get caught. |
Tampering with pokie machines is illegal and unethical. |
Replacement of the Chip
Another way to cheat the slot machines was invented by Dennis Nikrasch. He purchased a machine and picked it apart to find out all possible flaws. He found out that computer chips in the machines can be re-programmed to pay jackpots on cue.
Nikrasch bought many chips and employed others to assist in the scamming adventure. His scam was successful for years, and casinos lost enormous amounts of money. This method could be used today, but it would require the assistance of others, and it is a long-term project.
Pros | Cons |
Process of swapping chips is relatively easy to learn. | Very intricate scam and needs multiple people to assist. |
Can win jackpots on cue. | Could take a long time to implement. |
It is illegal to tamper with pokie machines. |
Using Note Validator
The next way to cheat a slot machine is by using a note validator. In this case, you can use a small device wrapped over a note to trick the slot machine. By doing this, the machine will assume it is getting a $100 note when it is getting only a $5 note.
This scam was invented in a Nevada bar by Billy Joe and Uncle Fuzz. However, this method is not as effective and may not work at all in Australia, as the size of notes is different. You would need fairly advanced technology to make this method work.
Pros | Cons |
Simple method that doesn’t require a lot of knowledge or skill. | Not as profitable as other methods. |
Not obvious to others what you are doing. | May not work with Australian notes. |
Could face major legal consequences if caught using this method. |
Software Glitches
Casinos used to refuse winnings in many cases due to glitches. One of the most famous incidents occurred in 2015 when a grandmother from Illinois, Pauline McKee, won $41 million on the Miss Kitty slot machine at the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo. She sued the casino, and her last appeal was refused in 2015.
Cheating has also used software glitches for years. They used to play a specific pattern of games and stakes to confuse the slot machine and activate a glitch that delivers a jackpot amount.
Many cheaters took advantage of this practice, but they were later denied because of this cheating practice. In Australia, if the machine glitches, any potential winnings are automatically voided. This also includes if tampering with the machine is noticed.
Pros | Cons |
Glitches can occur naturally in pokie machines. | Machine glitches result in winning being automatically voided. |
Can win large amounts of money. | Purposely causing a glitch takes a lot of skill. |
Tampering with a pokie machine is illegal. |
Can I Cheat at Online Pokies?
As we previously mentioned, if you are looking for more information on how to hack pokie machines, the first thing you’ll need is a lot of skills and knowledge. You basically need to be a genius and have a team around you to help.
Employees of the gambling venues have the most opportunity to trick slot machines as they are close to the games. It is also useful to test the machine manually. To test the game, you need to complete several phases, including testing the bet size, the total number of active pay lines, and the total bet amount.
If you read forums, you can find many stories about potential cheats and hacks for Aussies casino games. The real truth is that any issue can easily be fixed by the machine’s developer. There have been instances recently where game providers like Unicum and Igrosoft experienced bugs, but they were sorted out very quickly.
Myths vs. Reality
In the world of gambling, there are many myths and this is certainly the case when it comes to how to hack online pokies or physical machines. The possibility of gaming the system is much more prevalent for online pokies, but you need to know how to hack online providers’ systems and that is a stiff task.
It’s easy to get carried away with the stories people say are easy tricks or hacks that guarantee wins. However, in reality, they are just myths or exaggerations of the truth. It is very difficult to hack machines, especially with the advancement of technology, and the stories you hear should be just that – stories – taken from outdated information.
The Most Well-Known Slot Hackers
If you want to relive the past and find out more about some of the most notorious slot hackers in history, you’ve come to the right place! We go through some of the most well-known slot hackers of the past here:
- Ronald Dale Harris. A computer programmer working for the Nevada Gaming Control Board during the 1990s. He was responsible for finding flaws and gaffes within casino games, and he used his knowledge and position to modify machines to pay large sums.
- Louis “The Coin” Colavecchio. An American casino counterfeiter who led a gang that fabricated the coins of machines using hardened steel dies of the original coin.
- Tommy Glenn Carmichael. An American repairman who remained undetected for almost four decades. He rigged pokie machines using tactics like a light wand and monkey paw.
- Dennis Nikrasch. A locksmith who pulled off the biggest casino theft in Las Vegas history by realising he could break into any lock, using the unique skills he had learned from his locksmith career.
- Billy-Joe and Uncle Fuzz. Two Americans came up with a note validator device, a small gadget that overlaps a note to make the machine believe it’s taking a higher value note than it really is.
Pros and Cons of Cheating Pokies in Australia
If you’re looking for a method to cheating Australian pokies, you should understand the pros and cons of cheating pokies in general. Due to the seriousness of the crime, there are mostly cons associated with cheating pokies. You can find more information about this below.
Pros | Cons |
Potentially win a lot of money. | It is illegal, and you could face jail time. |
Most methods don’t work on new machines. | |
A lot of skills and knowledge are required to be successful. |
Final Thoughts on How to Trick a Pokie Machine in Australia
So, there you have it! All the unique methods and infamous people who have managed to cheat pokies in the past. It is important to remember that most of these methods won’t work these days, and, most importantly, trying to cheat pokies is illegal.
If you want to hear more about reviews on some of the best online casinos, don’t leave us just yet! We provide completely unbiased reviews written by experts in the industry with many years’ worth of experience.
FAQs
- Can I still cheat slot machines today?
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Technically, yes. However, cheating slot machines today is very difficult, thanks to advancements in technology. Most of the hacks used previously no longer apply to modern-day slot machines.
- How do I know a casino or slot machine doesn’t cheat me?
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Casinos have to adhere to strict laws, so you know they can’t cheat players. Just like it is illegal for players to cheat the pokies, it is also illegal for casinos to cheat players. Casinos face huge consequences if they are found not adhering to laws.
- How to cheat online slot machines?
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It is slightly easier to cheat online slot machines compared to physical ones. However, it would still take a master hacker to be successful and also cover up their tracks afterward. Online casinos have many measures in place to stop hackers from gaming the system.