Logging onto an online casino platform can feel a little brain-boggling if it’s your first time. Not only are you immediately greeted by hundreds of animated online slot machines and a myriad of different table game variants to choose from, but the navigation element can also be a challenge on some sites, especially if you’re looking for something specific, such as payment method information, a particular bonus code, or a casino guide.
Fortunately, most online gambling sites don’t require you to spend any money in order to get familiar with a site and how the games work. Freeplay mode, also known as Demo mode, or Instant Play, is what makes this possible. It’s a feature that allows players to access and play various games without needing to make a deposit or place a real money wager. This enables you to spin the reels, throw the dice, and try your hand at online blackjack or video poker, without spending a cent.
If you’re a complete beginner, this feature can be a genuine godsend, but even if you’re a more experienced player, having this option available can be hugely advantageous too—it can help you to work on your strategy, play with different bet sizes (with virtual credits of course), and maybe explore a new variant or game altogether before you commit to betting with real cash.
What Is Free Play Mode?
As mentioned, Free play mode is a feature at online casinos that enables you to try out casino games for free. That means rather than wagering real money, you play off the house’s cash instead.
You’ll still get the same experience when it comes to triggering bonus rounds, hitting payouts and being able to soak up the dazzling visuals, animations, and soundscapes, but there won’t be any actual monetary returns at the end of your session.
It’s essentially just practice mode. Or, you could think of it as taking a car for a test drive before deciding whether or not you want to buy it.
Which Games Can You Play for Free?
Free play mode is most commonly seen in online slots, but if a casino offers it for these games, it’s generally available for all the others as well. That means table variants, plus lotto-style games like online keno, bingo and scratch cards, can all be played for free. Try out one of our newest slot games, Fortunate Zeus, totally for free!
Live dealer games, however, are one such category that cannot be played for free because you’re quite often playing in a virtual room with other real money players, not to mention a real-life dealer or croupier.
Learn the Rules Without Feeling Pressured
Aside from the fact you’re not risking your own money when you play for free, the other big benefit is the removal of any pressure. You’re not being rushed to make a decision or decide your next bet amount, and instead have all the time in the world to choose your moves wisely, see how the game unfolds, and take away information from the game that can be invaluable if you decide to bet money later down the line.
Playing this way also gives you the freedom to explore the game’s mechanics and understand things like paytables, how bonus rounds work, experiment with different betting options, AND make mistakes without any of the financial or emotional consequences that come from playing for real.
Discover Which Games You Actually Enjoy
Many players think they’ll love a game just because it’s a popular choice or favourite among players in general. But that’s not often the case. There are many different factors to account for when choosing a casino game, and your tastes could turn out to be quite different to someone else’s.
You might enjoy the slow and steady pace of a blackjack game, whereas, your best friend might be into the speed and sporadic nature of online slots. You might prefer to place small, incremental bets, while your mum might prefer to place hefty, one-off sums on the roulette wheel. There really is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the right game; it simply comes down to your own personal preference. And this is why Free Play mode is such a handy feature to have if you’re still figuring that out.
Experiment With Different Betting Levels
The fact that you’ve got no financial worries gives you the chance to play around with different betting sizes and explore the potential outcomes wagering different bet amounts have on your gameplay.
Even though there’s no real-world value to virtual credit, using it to play and explore games as a beginner is also a great way to practice bankroll management, which is an integral part of any gambler’s strategy and key to reducing the risk of “chasing losses.”
Keep Expectations Realistic
One thing to remember is that free play should be used as a learning tool, not a prediction of future results.
All outcomes in gambling, whether real money is on the table or not, are entirely independent events that cannot be foreseen or predicted in any way, despite what anyone may tell you otherwise. Therefore, striking a golden win during Freeplay mode doesn’t then mean this will happen once you eventually switch to playing with real money.
Another gambling “ideal” to keep in mind is that there is no such thing as a hot or cold slot machine, this is just a famous myth, and the fact of the matter is that if a machine has been seen to be spilling out payouts, it’s entirely a coincidence because all slots work with Random Number Generation software (RNG).
The only occasion where this wouldn’t be the case is if a game is rigged, which is never the case if you’re playing a licensed and legitimate online casino like Planet 7.
Know When It’s Time to Move On
You might be someone who doesn’t see much value in playing for free if there’s an opportunity to win cold, hard cash. But if you are inclined to try playing this way first, it can be a game-changer in helping you learn the rules and get a feeling for any new games you haven’t played before.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who’s already accustomed to playing different games and comfortable with how they and the betting systems work, then utilizing Free Play mode can put you in a much stronger position to decide whether playing with real money on that game – or category of games – is something you’d like to do.
Whether you’re curious about classic slots, feature-packed video slots, blackjack, roulette, or video poker, demo mode offers a risk-free way to learn the ropes.
By the time you’re ready to make your first deposit, you’ll already know far more than you did on day one, and that’s likely to make the experience more enjoyable from the very first spin.
