Online Casino Guide
Online casinos are an entertaining and fun alternative to land based establishments. Gaming technology has been developed significantly over recent years and the whole experience is vastly superior compared to early options. We have compiled this guide to provide our readers with strategy and advice based on our own years of real money experience.
Online casino sites differ from other types of betting sites in one significant way. You are playing against the house in games primarily of chance. At a poker site you are playing against other players and if you can learn the game well enough to be better than the majority of your opponents you will win money. At an online sports betting site, you can use your skill, knowledge and judgement to make informed bets and give yourself an excellent chance of being a winning bettor. Luck plays a far bigger role at online casino sites, to get started choose from our list of top rated web places to play at listed below.
Best Online Casinos
Playing online casino games for money should primarily be about entertainment - enjoying the experience, and and hopefully winning some money. The key to getting the most of your gaming experience is to make sure you get the best value you from the places you play at. Our guide will help you achieve that.
Game Specific Betting Information
All variations are different, and many games offer many different types of betting rules depending on which format you are playing. Below is a list of detailed "game specific"guides:
For now they will be listed alphabetically, with frequent updates and additions.
We have also added a new page detailing playing live dealer casino games. Many players also enjoy playing casino tournaments, which offer chances for a big payout with little risk.
Choosing Where To Play At
The first step, somewhat obviously, is choosing the best destination to play at. There are hundreds of different establishments to choose from so this is not necessarily an easy task. Not everyone wants the same things, of course, so what is good for one person is not necessarily right for another.
Key considerations are the brands reputation, value of sign-up bonus, quality of software, and the range of options players have to choose from. There are a few rogue operators out there so it is really important to play with well established companies. We would advocate trying out a site with small deposits at first, to get a feel for the software and user interface. If you feel comfortable and process a few payouts, then try out a larger deposit and keep playing. It is advisable to try out a few different sites and find your favourites. We recommend players spread their bankroll across multiple sites to minimize risk. It is also worth comparing rewards programs to see which one best fits your playing style and gaming preferences.
We provide more information and advice on choosing where to play at in our ratings section.
Sign Up Bonuses
Sign up bonuses are a fundamental strategy to attract new customers. From the player’s point of view, they are an excellent way to try out a new provider while gaining some extra value at the same time.
Online casino bonuses can come in a variety of different forms, with the most common being a first deposit bonus, where your initial funds are matched based on a percentage, giving you extra money to play with from the start. Some of these bonuses can be incredibly generous and well worth taking advantage of. Others come with strings attached that make it predatory, the key is knowing where to play at.
It is vital to fully understand the terms and conditions attached to the sign up bonus before going ahead with it. For example, there will almost certainly be wagering requirements attached to the bonus, meaning that you have to make a certain amount of bets before the bonus is cleared and you can make a withdrawal. Often, only certain games will count towards the "rollover" so you should make sure your preferred games are included, or be prepared to try other games.
You will usually only have a certain period of time to meet the wagering requirements too, before the bonus is forfeited. If you have 7 days to clear the bonus, for example, be sure you can fit in the wagering requirements during that period.
Sometimes casinos will offer new customers a choice of sign up bonuses. You may have the choice of a no-deposit bonus, free spins, or a deposit match bonus for example, but only be able to take advantage of one. Sometimes, there are different promotions and incentives depending on what you play. One might have a choice of a $50 deposit incentive for blackjack players or a $100 match play for slots players.
Promotions And Loyalty Rewards
Most gaming companies work hard to look after and retain their customers, as it is a very competitive market place. This is usually done in the form of loyalty schemes or regular promotions. Similarly to sign up bonuses, these can offer some great added value.
Loyalty schemes and promotions will vary greatly from one casino site to another. A common form of loyalty reward is where a site offers “comp points” which be awarded to you every time you make a wager. As your points build up, they can be exchanged for cash. This can be a great way to get some extra cash back.
Other promotions might include a weekly or monthly leader board where you earn points every time you play. The more you play, the more points you earn for the leader board. At the end of the set period, the players in the highest positions will win cash or other prizes.
As with bonuses, it is important to make sure you fully understand the terms of conditions of any loyalty schemes or VIP promotions.
Tips For High Rollers & VIPs
As you can imagine, online casinos take care of high rolling customers – in much the same way as live casinos do. If you spend a fair bit of time gambling then you can expect to be rewarded over and above the regular customer.
If you consider yourself a high roller, then it is advisable to check whether a casino has a VIP program and what the benefits might be for your stake levels. Always make sure you get maximum value for your play, and don't be afraid to ask for special treatment.
Rules Of Each Game
Internet based casinos tend to offer a very large range of game choices to their players – usually more than you would expect to see at a brick and mortar establishment. Part of the fun of playing online is trying out new and exciting game formats and variations – some of which can be very different to what you are used to seeing.
Whether you are trying out a new style or playing an old favourite, we strongly suggest that you have a solid understanding of the betting rules of each game.
Basic Strategy
As we’ve mentioned, playing casino games for real money involves a large amount of luck. However, there are certain strategies you can employ to ensure that you have the best chance of winning. For example, when playing blackjack there is tried and tested basic strategies that tell you exactly what action to take in any circumstance.
To give yourself the greatest opportunity of winning money, we would recommend that you try to learn some of the tactics that can be applied to various games. A bit of time spent learning a solid technique will definitely be time well spent.