Online casino games are a great mix of entertainment and strategy, where every spin or hand can lead to big wins. You can play conveniently from home and choose from a large selection of games. Online casinos give you the chance at gaming with a profit.
There are hundreds of casino games you can play online, from simple slots to the ever-popular blackjack or even intricate tables games like craps. Before you dive in, it’s important to know what games are available to you, what they are about, and how to enjoy them.
Types of Online Casino Games
Every online casino game offers you a unique experience. Let’s take a look at the main categories and top games:
Slot Games
Online slot games are the pinnacle of games at online casinos. Considering slot machines are by far the most popular casino game, playing them online offers you countless options. They are easy to play, but offer amazing visuals and extras. There are three main types of slot games you will find:
- Classic Slots: These are modeled after the old-school, three-reel slot machines. They offer a more straight-forward gameplay; fewer moving parts, but have bigger payouts on average.
- Video Slots: A modern take on slot games, offering engaging themes, graphics, and bonus games. They are incredibly interactive, where the bonus rounds offer players a chance to win big.
- Progressive Slots: More like a game-mode than a specific type of slot game; it gets their name from the Progressive Jackpot that connects them. Players have a chance to win a life-changing jackpot.
Slots are perfect for players looking for some excitement, pure luck, and the possibility of instant big wins.
Table Games
The staple for any casino, online table games get you closer to the classic gambling experience. You can split these between card games and table games.
- Blackjack: Blackjack is the most popular card game at online USA casinos. You will find a wide range of variations from the classic blackjack everyone loves to crazy ones like Burn 21. This is one game where you have a much better chance of winning thanks to basic strategies, house edge, and card counting.
- Roulette: The famous roulette wheel and table where players test their luck by picking individual numbers or going for lower-risk bets. You can play American, French, or European roulette — all come with their unique twist, but overall the game is played the same.
- Baccarat: This is the game James Bond plays in the movies and is a pretty simple card game where you bet on either the Banker, Player, or a tie. The hand that gets closest to 9 points is the winner.
- Craps: Craps is a dice game that comes with a lot of intricate bets and combinations. Don’t worry, our guide will get you up to speed and tossing those dice.
Here are a few more online casino table games you may encounter:
- Three Card Poker
- Casino Hold’em
- Pai Gow Poker
- Caribbean Stud Poker
- Let It Ride
- Sic Bo
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Spanish 21
- Double Ball Roulette
- Tri Card Poker
The list can go on and on, with a few dozen more that you should try out.
Live Dealer Games
If you are looking for online casino games that are close to the Vegas experience, live dealer games are the perfect fit. Just like the name implies, you play against an actual human dealer, with real cards and table.
These will give you a more immersive experience, as you get to interact with the dealer. They will give you funny looks as you try to hit on a 17 or spin the roulette wheel.
You will find the same main three games: blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Depending on the US online casino you join, they may offer a variety of different games. Some of these include: Bet on Poker, Wheel of Fortune, Super 6, and many more.
Specialty Games
Online specialty games are random numbers games that differ from traditional table games and slot machines. They generally have simpler rules, faster gameplay, and offer a more casual gaming experience.
You may recognize some of the more popular specialty games:
- Bingo: You match the numbers on their cards to those drawn; aiming to complete a winning pattern. You can buy as many bingo cards as you like and the games are fast.
- Keno: Similar to a lottery, you pick a few numbers and win based on how many match those randomly drawn.
- Scratch Cards: Instantly win when you scratch off the panels to reveal the potential prizes. These are a fan-favorite among players looking for a thrill and some quick wins.
You may even find arcade-style games within the specialty section.
Choosing the Right Casino Game
When choosing the right casino game for you, there are a few different aspects you can take into account.
Of course, you can simply ignore these and go play your favorite games; as long as you understand the risks and have fun!
What is Your Risk Tolerance?
Your risk tolerance is how much money you are willing to lose. Consider yours carefully, as the limits vary from person to person.
A good gauge for what types of games are within your risk tolerance is their level of volatility.
High-Volatility Games are online casino games that have the potential for big wins or quick losses. Slots and roulette are high-volatility games.
For example, progressive slots can have a life-changing jackpot, but are rare and could take thousands of spins to get close.
Low-Volatility Games are the casino games that have lower risk, but also have lower payouts. Blackjack and baccarat are perfect games for more conservative players looking for steadier returns.
Even though these have low-volatility, remember that casinos do not offer games that they do not have the edge on.
Get to Know the Odds and Payouts
Understanding what the odds and payouts are will give you a clearer idea of where you might find better value for your money. Every game has a different house edge, which affects your chances of winning over time.
Games with Lower House Edge: Blackjack, baccarat, and craps all have lower house edge. This also means their payouts are also relatively lower. The goal is to have a winning ratio (slight profit) by the end of your gaming session.
Keeping the edge low depends on a few factors:
- The BET you place.
For example, the Banker bet in baccarat has slightly improved odds over the Player bet; the tie bet has insane odds.
- Following a STRATEGY or not.
It is important to follow even basic strategy when playing blackjack, or your odds of winning drop drastically.
- Avoiding the SIDE BETS.
Side bets are very enticing, as they seem like a good bet and offer high payouts. These are what a lot of people would call sucker bets. The casino knows the odds that a side bet winning are low, that is why they offer the higher payout.
Games with Higher House Edge: Slots, keno, and other luck / lottery-based games fall into this category. These are your high risk, high reward casino games that offer much larger payouts, but are much harder to get.
These are the games where your bankroll may suffer the most, especially if you do not understand how the games work. As most of these games depend on luck, you won’t find guaranteed strategies or systems that can help you win.
I am not saying “don’t play these games”, as they are still very fun to play. Go in with the right mindset and see if lady luck is on your side. Remember, no one posts their losses, only wins on social media.
Understand How the Games Work
Knowing the rules and flow of online casino games is important and can help you play smarter. There are very simple, intermediate, and even complex games; we recommend you start easy and work your way up.
Beginner-Friendly Games: The learning curve of these casino games is much lower, letting you start quicker. These games tend to be more luck-based. Beginner-friendly casino games include:
- Slots – playing classic slots with a single payline and 3 reels is as simple as it gets.
- Keno, Bingo, Scratchcards; essentially any lottery-style game.
- Casino War – a card game where the highest card wins.
Intermediate Games: The learning curve is still low, so you can learn to play these games in a shorter amount of time. The complexity comes from the number of bets you can make and the different payouts involved. These include:
- Roulette – while it is a simple game to play, there are multiple ways a player can bet; which affect the payouts and odds of winning.
- Sic Bo – while it may look daunting, you are betting on the outcome of the dice roll; whether that is the total or how the dice land.
Complex Casino Games: The learning curve on these games is steeper than most others, whether it is due to the way betting occurs or the strategies needed to win. Here are two examples:
- Blackjack – while the premise of this card game is simple, the strategies involved in helping you win are not. There is basic strategy to help tip the odds in your favor (over time) or counting cards.
- Craps – if you have taken a look at the craps table, the number of bets, and then wondered “how in the hell do you play this?”, you are not alone. Once you learn the ins and outs, you’ll wonder why you ever worried.
Despite the different levels of complexity, the one thing you need to know is that you can learn to play ANY online casino game.
Online vs Land-Based Games
You may be wondering what the differences are between playing games online vs. at a land-based casino.
Playing Online
- Convenience: you can play from anywhere, anytime.
- Variety: there are thousands of games you can choose from.
- Ease: it is extremely easy to play and look anything up on the internet.
Playing at a Casino
- Comps: land-based casinos do offer comps, like free food or a room.
- Real-Life Experience: playing at an actual casino offers a much different experience.
Both of these options do offer players great rewards, whether that is in the form of bonuses or other perks.
Why We Prefer Playing Online
A lot of people do not have the time or money to travel to an actual casino. This is why we tend to prefer to comfortably play casino games online.
This does not mean we will ever pass up the chance to go to Vegas and hit up the gaming floor.
Tips to Playing Games Responsibly
When playing with real money, its important to play smart and safely. Here are some tips we use to ensure a better gaming experience:
Set a Budget and STICK To It
There are a lot, I mean A LOT, of different bankroll calculators that can help you determine how best to bet your money to minimize losses and maximize profits.
Set a limit of how much you are willing to lose before leaving. This doesn’t mean leave when you lose your entire bankroll, it means leave before you are left with $0.
Let’s say you have a budget of $250 and you want to play blackjack. Most blackjack games have a $1 minimum bet. This would give you a minimum of 250 hands. You could put your loss threshold at half your bankroll, so if you drop to $125, stand up and end your session for the day.
The hardest part is not coming up with the right numbers, its actually sticking to them.
Use the Casino Tools for Self-Management
Many casino sites offer tools that will help as you play their online games. These could include:
- Deposit Limits
- Self-Exclusion
- Session Alerts
This will help you snap back to reality; as an immersive gaming experience can lead to losing track of time.
Problem Gambling, Do You Have It?
Read up on problem gambling and what the signs are. Most issues start when you:
- Chase your losses: avoid the mentality that if you keep betting, you will eventually win your money back.
- Feel compelled to play: this is where it becomes an addiction, when you feel like you have to play.
There are other aspects that can lead to gambling problems. Our number one recommendation is to Take A Break.
Play Smart and Enjoy the Thrill
Online casino games offer an exciting experience, a wide variety of options, and the chance at big wins.
Remember, the goal is to enjoy the experience while keeping a balanced approach; enjoy the thrill of the game, but play responsibly.