Online casino gaming really has taken off in a big way. The number of people who are setting up accounts at casino sites and trying out the games has increased steadily over the past few years.
A significant and underexplored factor in this rise is the fact that more women are now playing casino games. There is more than one reason for that, but the fact that playing online can feel more comfortable and welcoming for women is probably the biggest of them.
It is possible that you are one of the women thinking about visiting a casino site. If you clicked on this article, there is a very good chance that you are. That is great and if you take the time to understand a few basics first, you are sure to have a lot of fun.
Now let’s get started on what you need to know before playing casino games online!
The Key Things to Look for Before Creating an Account
The online casino industry is not a free-for-all. It has its own regulatory bodies that award licenses to casino sites if they meet certain standards of honesty and fairness.
The very first thing that you should do when you visit an online casino is to look for evidence of that license. A casino site that has one will typically display it on most pages and it must be from a recognised regulator such as the Malta Gaming Authority.
A license is proof that the site has passed tests concerning fair gaming, prompt payouts and data security.
The next thing to pay close attention to is the range and choice of games. Every casino site should have a lot of slot games, but should also offer roulette, blackjack and poker at a minimum.
Make sure your preferred game is there before bothering to create an account.
There should be an appealing welcome bonus for new players. Always check the terms and conditions small print though, to be sure that the wagering requirements do not cancel out the value of this bonus.
Check what the available options are for contacting the site if there is a problem. Make sure that there is more than one of them, with email, telephone, live chat and social media channel contacts what you should be looking for.
Customer service should also be available 24/7, so make a simple enquiry just to test out how responsive the site is before committing yourself.
The Different Casino Games
Now let’s take a look at how the different games found at a casino site are played.
Slot machines are the single most popular casino games. They are very simple for new players, as it is just a matter of putting coins of the accepted amounts into the pay lines and pressing the ‘play’ button. Wins come when you get a matching row of reel icons. Slots are games of chance.
There are several versions of blackjack, but the aim of the game is always to build a card hand that adds up to 21. The dealer will be trying to do the same thing. Stick with single deck blackjack if you are new to the game, as it is the easiest version
This game is about betting on numbers or colours within the roulette wheel. Then the dealer spins the ball in the wheel and if it lands on a number or colour you chose, you will win. It is the second easiest game after slots and like them is really about luck.
The versions of poker include Stud and Texas Hold’em. In most types of poker the aim is to be the player withthe highest value hand of cards.
Other Points to Understand
Some casino games allow you to control your destiny more than others. The card games poker and blackjack enable you to offset the initial edge in favour of the casino through smart playing strategy. They are also the more difficult games for new players to master though.
That house edge is a constant and must be factored into your play – it is how the sites turn a profit. Therefore new players should remember to be cautious with their betting and look for ways of reducing the edge. For example, European roulette has a lower house edge than the American one, so always try to play that version of the game if it is on offer.
The main thing to keep in mind when playing at an online casino is that you are there to have fun. Do not wage more than you can afford to and log off if it is just not your night