Online casino is a relatively new development in gambling, but one that has taken the world by storm. Long gone are the dark ages of having to hoof it to a land-based casino just to have a wee bit of fun. In most places in the world now, all it takes to play one’s favorite casino games is a capable handheld device, an internet connection and a comfy sofa. And it’s not just convenience that the online casino has brought to the gaming experience. It has also added a greater variety of casino games, leaving gamblers (gladly) spoilt for choice. For a beginner looking to wet their feet, however, the choices can be oppressively mind-boggling. This guide should make it easier to determine what online casino offerings would or wouldn’t work for you.
Type Of Games At An Online Casino
In a nutshell, one can do three things at an online casino, or any casino for that matter:
- Spin reels
- Play cards
- Shoot dice
Spinning reels involves playing the slots while the latter two comprise table games offered at a casino. With an online casino, all the above are done virtually, of course! Here’s a closer look at each of the options.
Online Casino Slots
Slots are probably the most popular casino game ever. Part of their great appeal is how simple and straightforward they are. The fact that success at slots is based on luck with zero need for strategy is also an attraction. Understanding online casino slots is easier if one has an inkling of how regular slot games work. Basically, the aim is to create a line of matching symbols by randomly spinning reels. In a land-based casino, this is done on a physical slots machine. In the online version, the physical machine is replaced by computer software. When the gamer clicks “spin”, a random number generator (RNG) generates a series of numbers or symbols. The player’s fate is determined instantly based on whether the numbers or symbols match or not. Just like in a regular casino, there are various versions of online slot games to explore.
Table Games
1) Blackjack
In this game, the gambler plays against the dealer. The objective is to make a card total equal to or very close to 21. Two cards are initially dealt, after which one may choose to take an additional card or not. The tricky part is that exceeding the 21 total also translates to losing.
2) Roulette
Roulette is all about luck. The game features a spinning wheel that’s marked out with rows, columns, squares, numbers and colors. A ball is thrown, with the player predicting where it lands.
3) Craps
Craps is a popular and lucrative dice game. It simply involves predicting possible outcomes from a pair of dice being rolled.
4) Baccarat
Baccarat is a game of cards in which the gambler bets by backing the player, the banker or a (unlikely) tie. Two cards are dealt face-up, and whoever comes closest to a total of 9 wins.
Online Casino Video Poker
Poker is one of the most enthralling games in gambling, and various versions of it can be found online. Just like regular video poker, online video poker is based on the traditional poker game. However, while in traditional poker one plays against human opponents, online video poker is player vs. machine. The objective, as ever, is to make the best 5-card hand one can. This can be calculated either from the cards initially dealt or from combining with new cards traded in. For online video poker, the game’s pay table specifies the winning card combinations.
