Some players will tell you that the safest possible bet you could make if you play real money online casino games is to start small. The lower the wager, the lower the risk, right? Yes, there’s merit to this, and starting with the minimum bet is a good place to start if you’re entirely new to gambling. However, if you’re serious about playing, no matter how small your bets, eventually your bankroll is going to run dry.
The good news is, you can prolong it by implementing a few smart tactics and choosing your games wisely. This is because not all casino games are created equal, and some will drain your budget quicker than others purely because the odds favour the house more than the player. Casino games with complicated rules can also lead to making big mistakes that can cost you a fair penny or two.
This article covers what you need to know If you’re still learning how online casinos work, including how to choose the right games for your budget and playstyle, and just as importantly, how to get the most out of your sessions so you actually enjoy them and aren’t constantly fretting over what’s left in your bankroll.
Why Some Games Are Better Than Others
Every casino game asks something different of its players. Some require very little decision-making skills, while others are almost entirely dependent on the player’s strategic moves and prowess. Some games pay for patience; others are built on instant gratification. These factors don’t necessarily make any of them better than one another, but on an individual basis, they can matter quite a lot.
If you’re new to online casino games, your literal best bet is to steer clear of any games that could overwhelm you or encourage you to keep raising the stakes in the hopes of hitting a big payout. In the early stages of your gambling journey, you should be looking to understand how casino games work, get accustomed to placing bets, and establish what you actually enjoy playing.
Hitting a jackpot or big win is an elating feeling, but this alone shouldn’t be the only thing that determines whether or not your session was worthwhile.
Which Games Give Beginners the Best Chance?
When learning the ins and outs of any new game, prolonging the life of your bankroll is essential. Some casino games are a lot more forgiving than others, and therefore can be a great starting point for beginners when it comes to getting to know the rules, paytables and odds, and generally giving them the chance to build some confidence with their bets. That said, even though they can ease you into the online casino world, these games, just like all casino games, are still reliant on luck to win.
Blackjack
Thanks to its simple rules and low house edge, online blackjack is considered by many to be the best beginner-friendly casino game. For one, it doesn’t ask much from your bankroll (providing you’re not playing games with a huge minimum buy-in), and two, it doesn’t demand too much of your time—a round can be over within a few seconds or minutes. The objective is to beat the dealer’s hand, or produce a card combination as close to the figure of 21 as possible. It’s extremely easy to pick up, and if you’ve ever played a game of Pontoon, you’ll master the rules in no time.
Baccarat
Baccarat may have earned its reputation as being a game for the high rollers of Macau, but contrary to belief, it’s actually one of the easiest games you could opt for at an online casino. To play, you just need to wager on who you think will win out of the player, the banker, or whether there will be a draw. The Banker bet is the most favourable for the player because it has one of the lowest house edges out of all casino bets, while the tie bet is one of the riskiest.
Low-Volatility Slots
If online slot machines are more your style, look for games described as low volatility. These games pay out smaller wins but more frequently than machines designed to produce larger payouts. Your bankroll will thank you for opting for these smaller stake games rather than throwing everything down on a high volatility slot. You’ll also have the chance to play around with your bets and explore the game’s features for longer as well.
Video Poker
Video poker sits somewhere between slots and traditional poker. It rewards a little strategy without becoming overly complicated, and anyone familiar with poker hands will feel at home quite quickly. Some versions also offer impressively low house edges, making them a worthwhile option if you enjoy games that involve a little more thought than simply pressing Spin.
Practice Before You Spend
If a casino offers Free Play mode or Instant Play, this is a great opportunity for you to try out a whole host of games completely risk free. That means you don’t need to worry if you’ve made a mistake, nor do you need to be concerned if you bet $50 on a slot machine spin and lose. That’s the beauty of Free play mode! You get to test your limits, fully explore a game’s potential, at no consequence to your finances.
But it’s not just about seeing how bold you can get with your bets and how much you could theoretically win if you were playing for real, it’s about actually getting to grips with different games you want to try, and applying those lessons and insights into real-life play. This is how optimal gambling strategies and smart mindsets are born. It’s also while you’ll hear about many seasoned gamblers utilizing the Freeplay mode feature in order to stay ahead of the game and to maximize their real money earning potential.
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Your first casino session doesn’t need to end with a big win to be a good one. If you’ve found a couple of games you genuinely enjoy, got a better feel for how everything works, and managed to make your bankroll last longer than you expected, that’s a pretty solid result. Gambling should never feel like a race, and taking your time to learn the ropes will almost always leave you in a better position for your next visit.
