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What Makes Slots the most Popular Casino Game?

Walk into any modern casino and you’re instantly spoiled for choice – there are so many games on offer. Rows of tables cover the floor, offering card games like blackjack and baccarat or hosting shiny roulette wheels. If it’s your first visit, it can be a daunting experience, but whether it’s your first time or your hundredth, you can guarantee that the same sight will draw your eye every time: the bright lights of the bank of slot machines.

Playing slots is an incredibly tactile and sensory experience. The lights and sounds react to everything you do, whether pushing buttons or cranking the level to spin the multicolored reels. Because slots have been digital since the 1970s, they aren’t limited in design by what the mechanical reels can do, so game designers are able to offer a richer visual experience. From animations and video clips to bonus mini games, modern slot machines have so much to offer, which explains why they are the number one choice for gamblers, both online and in land-based casinos.

Why do Slots Appeal?

• Slots are a great entry-level game for newbie gamblers. They look fun and don’t require you to learn rules, winning hands, or any tricky strategies.

• Slot machines offer some of the lowest starting bets of any casino game – often just a few pennies. While you won’t win big if you only bet small, you won’t lose your bankroll quickly either, meaning you can play for a long time with relatively little outlay.

• Some slots are even available to play online for free, as they have a demo mode function. If you love to play but can’t afford to spare the cash, you can still get your slots fix.

• Different slot machines are configured to pay out at different rates – known as their volatility. High volatility will pay out infrequently, but the prizes will be larger, whereas a low volatility machine pays smaller wins more often. You can see beforehand which machine is which, so you can make sure you pick the one that you are going to enjoy the most. You can’t do that with poker opponents!

• Slots are solo games, so if you’re not up for socialising or feel shy around strangers, they’re the perfect place to start. No one will be queuing behind you for a space at the table and you don’t have to feel self-conscious that other players are judging the way you play. The same is true online.

The Rise of Online Slots

The majority of gamblers today are looking to play slots online. Internet casinos can offer the same slot experience as land-based casinos in terms of graphics, sounds, and chances of winning. And because they aren’t limited by space, they can actually offer a greater variety. There are hundreds of online slots to choose from in almost every theme you can think of, loaded with different features like free spins and wilds, and promising tempting RTPs.

In fact, online slots are so popular that they are often the subject of online promotions, as the providers know that these offers will appeal to potential new players. The chance for free spins on a certain slot may well be enough to entice a new customer to open an account, and once they see the huge array of options on offer, the casinos are hoping they will stay around and keep playing.

Choose Choice

The choices for traditional table games are rather limited; yes, you can choose between Texas Hold ’Em or Omaha stud poker, and different games have different betting limits, but for a truly bountiful selection of options, slots are the place to look.

Online casinos have shot up in popularity mainly due to the amount of online slot games they can offer. Each game displays its statistics, so you can instantly see the average RTP, volatility, max/min bets and any jackpots, meaning that any choice to make to play slots online is fully informed.

Players are all drawn to different themes, and online slots have this area well and truly covered. Like animals? There are farm, safari, jungle, and ocean themed slots. History enthusiast? Check out Roman, Mayan, Norse, and Egyptian offerings. There are even pop culture slots based on movies like A Nightmare on Elm Street or bands like Motorhead and Kiss.

The Verdict

Slots have been captivating players since they were first invented at the end of the 19th century. The design has changed surprisingly little since then, with the only major alteration being the swapping of the mechanical reels for digital ones. However, that didn’t dampen players’ enthusiasm; in fact, it just allowed for even more creative and inventive slot machines to hit the casino floors.

The success of online slots continues to prove that they really are the complete package. They’re fun, easily accessible, and appealing to all demographics. With everything they have going for them, it’s easy to see their popularity continuing for many more years to come.

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What are the Most Played Casino Games?

The age of online gambling legalization is here with us. From the US and Canada to the UK and Sweden, the number of countries that support online casinos is growing rapidly. Most countries are authorizing the industry to profit from taxes and to generate jobs for their citizens.

People love online casinos because they’re convenient. But there’s also another great reason—you have access to popular games. Below are some of the most popular games you can play.

#1: Slots

Slots are so popular that some casinos generate 90% of their revenues from these games. In Las Vegas, slot machines take up lots of casino floor space. But only the best performing machines remain there for long.

Every now and then, casinos review games to replace underperforming machines with new slots. On the Internet, slots don’t need to compete for space. However, they also make up a large chunk of the games you’ll find.

So, what’s the hype about slots? They’re shiny, inviting and can be rewarding. They are also simple to play. The standard machine has a video screen that displays symbols. Certain symbols earn you money. But they only come out through luck.

Due to that, whether you win or lose at slots all boil down to luck. If you’re fortunate, the machine will trigger winning symbols. Depending on your bet size and the game’s payout policy, you can win 2x, 5x or 1000x your bet.

Pro Tip: Choose top rated casino games to increase your chances of winning. The games are top-rated for a reason—people have played them and found them to payout often. What’s more, they’re more innovative, more exciting and more feature-rich compared to regular games.

#2: Roulette

Roulette is yet another game of luck beloved by players. It’s a simple game. You choose a roulette type—European or American. Then you decide on a bet. You can predict where a small ball thrown inside the roulette wheel while it’s running will land.

In European roulette, the wheel has 37 numbers: 1-36 colored black or red and a green colored zero pocket. In American roulette, there’s an extra pocked with two zeros (00).

Owing to the slight difference, American roulette has a bigger house advantage than its European counterpart. That means European roulette is the game you want to play at all times.

All the same, you get paid at a rate of 35 to 1 if you predict a roulette number and win. You’re paid 1:1 if you predict on the black/red, odd/even number or high/low number. You can also place these bets:

• Columns

• Street Bets

• Splits

• Corner Bets

• Lines

#3: Blackjack

When you ask many people which casino game you should play, blackjack tends to come up. There are several reasons. First, it’s a simple game. Second, you play against the house and not a fellow player, which makes it a tad more appealing.

Blackjack has been around for many decades. And it hasn’t changed in how it works. The only thing that has changed is its variants. You don’t have to play the original blackjack game. You can also play Blackjack switch, Spanish 21, Vegas Strip and Atlantic City blackjack.

Classic blackjack comes in two types: RNG software or live casino blackjack. With the first option, you play against software. It’s not really exciting, which is why it’s more enjoyable to play the game at a live casino.

You receive two cards at the start of a competition. You can see the values of each card. Your opponent, the dealer, gets two cards too. You can see one of their cards but the other one is hidden.

The aim of blackjack is to produce a hand of 21 points. Let’s say you have an ace card whose value is 11 and a King card whose value is 10. That’s a perfect blackjack hand that wins you the game automatically.

#4: Poker

In the Western world, it’s hard to find a casino card game that’s more popular than poker. Celebrities love it. Wealthy players cherish it while professionals would rather play at poker than at any other game.

Like blackjack, poker comes in several variations:

• Texas Hold’em

• Omaha Hi and Hi/Lo

• 5-Card Draw

• 7-Card Stud

• Caribbean Poker

Texas Hold’em is the king of all poker games. It’s the variant most people play, whether they’re professionals or casuals. It’s sort of a multiplayer game in that you compete with two to nine players to win a jackpot.

The game has four rounds: Pre-flop, the flop, the turn and the river. During each round, you can call to match betting amounts or fold to stay out of a round. You can also bluff to trick your opponents into thinking you have a strong hand. Importantly, you can risk as much money as you want per round, including your entire capital.

That said, poker variants like Omaha and 7-Card Stud have pot limits. You can’t “go all in.” Some variants also involve looking for the lowest hand instead of the strongest hand. In other words, they are different games but share the same elements of poker.

#5: Video Poker

Video poker is a blend of poker and video slots. At one time in history, this game was more popular than slots. Yet, for some reason, video poker lost its popularity over the years. It’s still available at many casinos.

And depending on why you play casino games, video poker might be a better option than slots. Let’s explain. Video poker has a payout rate of between 97% and 99%. By comparison, slots pay up between 90% and 97%.

In other words, you’re more likely to win at video poker than at some slots. Another reason to play the game is that it’s not purely based on luck. You get a chance to choose cards and discard some. That way, you can increase your chances of winning.

You can bet between one and five credits or their multiples. You’re paid based on the strength of your hand: High card is the lowest hand and royal flush is the highest hand.

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5 Great Accessories Every Avid Gamer Needs

Gaming is more than a passion for some people, and if your goal is to constantly get better, then you will need some help. Accessories can be a great way to feel more comfortable and immersed in games, but they can also significantly improve your performance. They can also be useful if you want to do some streaming or play simulation games. Let’s take a look at a few accessories all gamers should have in their collection.

A Standing Desk

Sitting for hours on end is one of the biggest nuisances of being a gamer, and if you find yourself being antsy after a few minutes, or are starting to feel cramps, then we suggest you invest in a nice standing desk. It will not only make playing for extended periods more pleasant but will also improve your back and overall health as a result.

LED Strip Lights

If you have a desk and it’s not backlit yet, you need to get yourself some LED strip lights. These will make gaming much more comfortable after dark as these lights are much more soothing. It will also make for a great backdrop if you want to make videos.

Dual Monitor

A dual monitor setup is essential if you are serious about gaming. You could even have a three-monitor setup if you want to play racing or flight simulation games. Dual monitor setups can be used to do non-gaming-related things or look at walkthroughs. It can also be used by online casino players to play on multiple tables at once. It can unlock your potential as a gamer and gives gaming a whole new dimension.

A Gaming Chair

You also have to invest in a good gaming chair if you want to be comfortable while playing. A gaming chair with proper audio and feedback can also make gaming much more intense. When picking a chair, you need to look at the size of the chair, the additional features, and the type of fabric.

Some chairs are made from fabric while others are made from leather. If you’re the clumsy type and you like to snack while playing, then leather would be a better choice. You also have to check how easy it is to adjust and if it comes with customizable options.

Blue Light Cancelling Glasses

Blue light is very bad for your eyes after a while and is emitted by most electronic devices with screens. You might want to go on a Call of Duty marathon with your friends, but, if your eyes are tired, you will not enjoy yourself and risk causing long-term damage. The solution would be to get blue light-blocking glasses. These will allow you to last longer, see better, but will also help you sleep as blue light is known to interfere with our internal clocks. This is especially important for those who like to play late at night.

All of these accessories should be considered if you want to improve your gaming experience or performance. Give them a look and see which ones would work great with your current setup.

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Playing games as a couple

Playing games is fun and enjoyable and has seen a massive growth in popularity over the last few years. It is estimated that the online gaming market is worth almost US$200 billion worldwide (2020 figures), and is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. There are many reasons that online gaming has become so popular, including improvements in technology, low cost and potential gains for players, allows people to meet like-minded people, and is a fun way to spend an evening and relax and unwind after a long day.

So, what could be more fun than playing online games as a couple? It is a good opportunity to have fun and spend time together. Game developers have tapped into this and there are many games that can be played as a couple. There are games for couples who want to play co-operatively, and ones for more competitive couples. There are games featuring strategy, sports, puzzles and quests, and are perfect for couples; working together is a great way to increase communication and overcoming obstacles in a game can be a great tool to help couples overcome obstacles in relationships.

Blackjack

Online Blackjack is an exciting game to play in and of itself, but the stakes are raised, and the excitement is higher when there are two of you playing. Teaming up together to play isn’t possible in a land-based venue, but if you play blackjack at DraftKings, you’ll find that two brains can be better than one. The difficulty comes when one of you is dead set on sticking, while the other wants to twist!

Overcooked / Overcooked 2

Both iterations of this game are fun and fast paced, where players run a restaurant together and must fulfill orders, with orders becoming more complicated and numerous as time goes on. Players rotate around stations to complete different elements of the meal and is one of the few games where players find themselves barking orders at each other to get things done, making this fun and collaborative from the outset. Completing a level requires patience, coordination, and cooperation. There are also some wacky situations where players must dodge falling debris and avoid falling into the sea whilst cooking up the orders! It is quick and fun to pick up, and suitable for all levels of gamers.

Stardew Valley

A farming game with a difference. Stardew Valley sees players inherit a farm from their grandfather and gives them the opportunity to customize and build it, making it totally unique. It is available across computers and consoles, and there is cross connectivity between different consoles and different computers, but not (yet) between consoles and computers. There is so much to do in this game, that couples can spend hours exploring the beautiful world created, and really spend the time building their ideal world together.

Portal 2

Portal 2 is a great game for couples, as it depends on cooperation, rather than competition and is great for couples with different levels of skill when it comes to gaming. Working together to explore their environment, players are tasked with completing puzzles by placing portals and teleporting to different areas of the game. There are tractor beams, lasers and lights that all make the game fun and exciting, and the beauty of the co-op game is that even is the player dies, they re spawn quickly, and gameplay is not interrupted. There is also additional downloadable content that means players can create their own levels and share them with the online community. And there is a great deal of humor in the gameplay, witty banter and great acting that make this a fun and engaging game for couples to play.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

This is a co-op space shooter where couples must work together to explore the galaxy, escape enemies, and rescue cute fluffy creatures; the goal of the game is to defeat bosses who are trying to take over the universe by stealing cute fuzzy bunnies, cats, turtles and others. The gameplay encourages cooperation and linked up working, as while one player directs the ship, another will shoot the turret, and there is a constant need to balance all elements of the ship to avoid spinning into the void and destroying the ship.

Gaming as a couple is fun, and can serve to help strengthen relationships, increasing collaborative work, communication and problem solving.

5 Games You Don’t Want Anyone to Know You Play

When it comes to gaming, there are some games that make you sound really cool if you’re a player – like Call of Duty, Texas Hold ‘Em poker, or soccer. And yet, on the other hand, there are some games that will just make people look at you strangely or flat out laugh at you when you mention them. This post is dedicated to those games that many of us are a bit embarrassed to admit that we play. Do any of these sound like you?

1. Pokemon Go

Your friends all think Pokemon Go stopped being a ‘thing’ back in 2016, after it first came out. With stories about people walking off piers, getting mugged, and swarming various locations, this game was a huge hit back in the day. But you and I both know that the fun didn’t stop there.

Game for kids?

Pokemon Go is still a thriving community, depending on where you live in the world. With the advent of COVID-19, the mobile app developed some nifty gameplay rules that allowed players to catch more Pokemon, level up, and complete challenges all from the comfort of your own home. This one is a great game to play when you’re traveling as it can lead you to interesting spots you’d never thought to visit – and all without fear of judgement because you’re in a foreign place and no one knows you.

2. Online slots

Are you feeling guilty because you know that playing online slots has no real skill involved in gameplay? Or are you feeling guilty because you’ve managed to spend a fair amount of cash on real-money casinos, or in micro transactions on play casinos?

Online slots have come a long way

Either way, the allure of slots can be impossible to resist – particularly on new, modern games, where there are high definition graphics and animations, exciting and different features, and jackpots aplenty. If you’re spending too much on online slots, then it’s time to switch up your strategy – there are plenty of freebies out there. Due to the easy access to thousands of free spins slots, it’s no wonder online casinos are so popular.

3. Strip Poker

Continuing with the gambling theme, here is one game I’ll admit to playing every now and then – usually after many beverages have been consumed! Whether you play Strip Poker, Strip Snap, or Strip Go Fish, the aim of the game is to leave your opponents wearing next to nothing, while you keep all your clothes. This is determined how well you play.

Of course, it helps to be good at the game that you are playing, or not inebriated, or you might just end up losing. Although, perhaps for some people that is the gameplay all along. This one is a game that is a university party favorite – for obvious reasons!

4. Solitaire

Nobody wants to be a basic bitch. That’s why you always play Solitaire when you know that no one can see you. Even your mum would call you out if she stumbled across you playing Solitaire – “That’s what your Great Aunt Meryl always plays!”

Despite the fact that Solitaire is the most basic of computer games (yes, Microsoft Solitaire was released in 1990 on Windows 3.0) it is also highly addictive and requires a certain degree of skill to master. Whether you play on your Windows box, on your phone, or even with a regular old deck of cards in real life, this game is a guilty but relaxing pleasure for many of us.

5. Ultimate

If you don’t know what Ultimate is, then you are obviously not a player already. For the unassuming among us, Ultimate is competitive frisbee. Simply saying that you are in an Ultimate league to another person is cause enough to blush a little – you may even just say that you play frisbee so that you don’t get the “Huh? What?” line of questioning from those not in the know.

For those of us deep in the Ultimate leagues, you’ll know that things can get really competitive and it’s not “just frisbee,” it’s a full-on team sport and great exercise. Just choose the people that you try to rope in wisely.

32 Definitive Signs He’s Just Playing Games With Your Heart

Sometimes, you’ll find yourself living the single life, where you’re casually seeing some people, or maybe even just one person. Love and dating can be a bit of a minefield by itself, and it’s made worse when the dudes you’re finding are just playing games with the girls they fool around with.

Don’t get caught off guard by these wannabe playboys. Recognize the signs of a guy who’s just playing games with you, and make sure you know the rules to the game to turn it in your favor.

1. He texts you just to see if you’ll answer

And you do, because you think it’s inconsiderate not to answer people.

2. But he has no intention of carrying on a conversation

Then he goes and stops the conversation just when it begins.

3. Or he ends conversations very ambiguously,

That requires you to say something and wait for his response.

4. Like he just wants you waiting and staring at your phone every 5 seconds.

But he never actually answers. So you just turn into a paranoid fuck.

5. He’s the king of the Booty Call,

But God forbid you call him, it goes right to voicemail.

6. Yet he denies your calls after midnight.

But he has no problem waking you the fuck up at 1 AM.

7. He’s a master when it comes to guilt-tripping,

Then somehow he always makes you feel guilty about something.

8. Just to ensure you apologize.

And you just want him to stop yelling at you, so you apologize.

9. And even when he’s wrong he’ll never admit it.

Somehow it’s never him that’s wrong, but rather everyone else on the planet.

10. He just calls you crazy,

But in those rare moments where you’re the one who’s right, he shuts you down so fast.

11. Then he has you questioning everything you think and say.

He manipulates you into thinking “am I crazy or is he just an asshole?”

12. He keeps you close,

You’re always just within arm’s reach of him.

13. But not close enough,

He lets you in, but not really. You let me in just to get what you want.

14. So you always want a little more.

He ends things with a snide comment or a one-liner that makes you both love and hate him but also want him more.

15. He plays a pretty good sympathy card,

He knows what to say and when to say it just to get girls to fall for him.

16. And most girls fall head over heels for it

Everyone thinks he’s complicated, but you know he’s just completely full of shit.

17. He’s coy on social media,

He’ll go and follow you, just to unfollow you.

18. Because it just adds to his game

Or like your pic and immediately unlike it.

19. Just to keep you on edge…

Even you can admit you like the game a little bit or you wouldn’t be playing.

20. But he’s never one to post pics with any specific girl

His insta and FB are all on private and he hides a lot of shit.

21. His phone probably has a lock code on it

We all do, but you know if you cracked that code, he’d be spitting the same lines he does to you as he does to every girl.

22. You and he talk most when you’re both drunk

The only time you and he have real conversations is when you’re so drunk you can’t remember.

23. His favorite app is snapchat

Because everyone knows snapchat was first created as a way to get nudes.

24. And he sends generic snaps,

To you and probably every other girl in his contacts.

25. Even though yours are always direct.

But I’m always gonna answer.

26. You don’t think he actually likes you,

He just likes the idea of having you around.

27. But he likes the fact that you like him

Yeah, you do like him. You don’t really hold anything back or try and hide it.

28. And he has you wrapped around his finger,

At least, it definitely seems that way

29. He might think you’re letting him win this game

In reality, you’re far coyer than him.

30. But that’s what you like him to believe

You know his game and you play the role of bashful sheep quite gracefully.

31. Because you will always come out on top

Never on top of him, though.

32. And when it’s over…

You’ll be his biggest regret and he’ll be the one saying sorry as you walk away.

This article was originally published on PuckerMob.