Flashing lights, perhaps blinding if you've never been to an offline casino with a series of slot machines. That's the pre-eminent theme in land-based casinos offering this centurion enigmatic casino game. However, don't let that unnerve you. Slots are the most uncomplicated casino games to play on online and offline platforms.

Initially, slots were regarded with contempt by table game players since you could wager less money. That made slot machines a liking for the poor. While the elites enjoyed complimentary drinks and meals at the tables, slot lovers had nothing extra to relish. Currently, among all online casino games and platforms, the adoration and universality of slots are unparalleled.

Sought-after casino games don't come much better than slots or pokies (as most Aussies call them). They're the most admirable games since they're easy to play and require little-to-no finesse, unlike Blackjack, Roulette, or Baccarat. For beginners looking to try out any casino game, slots sit top-of-the-pile. In addition, they're entertaining, fun and are developed with additional features like reels, free spins, etc.

In our beginner's guide, we'll dive deep and showcase every aspect of the game. We purpose to hone you to maximum slots expertise. As easy as it is playing slots, you need to know the basics of the game. Moreover, you'll need a few tactics to help you maximize your winnings. Our handy guide has all that, plus more, in abundance.

Slots possess a magnetic pull and reputation in the iGaming market. Therefore, it's not rocket science that hundreds of casino operators want their fair share of the piece of cake. Thus, for a newbie, it'll be challenging hunting down the best online casinos. Worry not! Our guide has gone the extra mile to recommend top arenas like Wild Casino. We only want the ultimate experience for you.

A Brief History of Slots

Before learning how to play this evocative casino game, let's go back to the archives to get its memoir. Knowing the game's history will add spice to your gaming experience. So, the year is 1891, and Sittman & Pitt company has engineered the first-ever slot machine in New York City. The machine had 50 playing cards with five (5) drums.

You're probably wondering what cards are doing in slots. That's understandable. We would probably ask the same question. Here's why. In our previous article, how to play video poker, we saw slots using similar-looking machines to video poker. So, instead of a 52-card playing deck, slots used 50 cards.

The missing cards were the 10 of spades and the Jack (J) of hearts. They were discarded to increase the house edge by halving the chances of acquiring a Royal Flush. Also, that's why there's much debate on the similarities of both games among gamblers. Here's where the name Pokies, referring to slots, came from. Now, you're up to speed.

Therefore, to play the slots, a player had to insert money into the machine and pull the in-place lever. If your reels lined up poker hands, you'd then receive non-monetary pay in terms of drinks and cigars. However, the first automatic slot machine came about in 1895, although the exact date isn't precise. The inventor being Charles Fey or the ‘Father of Slots.'

The automatic slot machine used three (3) reels and five (5) symbols which replaced the playing cards. Fast forward to 1976, and the Fortune Coin Company crafted the 1^st video slot. The famous IGT then bought Fortune Coin.

Slots: The Modern Shift

Since the emergence of the Internet, there's been tremendous development in the iGaming industry. Slots lead the way in that department. The change has been ecstatic from mechanical to automatic machines, and now to the modern era of the Internet slots. Currently, slot games occupy a grave sector in the lobby of online casinos.

Initially, the first online platforms featured only classic slots, which resembled those at offline casinos. In an eye's blink, there were other thrilling variations of the slot games. They included video slots and jackpot slots that had multiple reels and offered higher payouts. The dominance of slots is unmatched in the iGaming market, with plenty of software developers crafting newer games.

The most famous names in that field are NetEnt, RTG, IGT, and Microgaming. Modern-day slots use the Random Number Generator technology to decide slot outcomes. The RNG is a computer chip fitted into slot games to ensure the results of spins are fair and random.

In addition, you don't have to visit a brick-and-mortar casino to play your ideal slots. You can play at home or wherever the urge finds you. Online casinos have an integrated HTML-5 framework that allows you to play online via browsers like Google Chrome. Furthermore, owing you have an Internet connection, you can play on multiple devices such as Tablets, Mobile, and PC. The fun is at your fingertips!

 Basics of Slots for Beginners

Now that you're familiar with the slots' history, you can converse with other slot aficionados without feeling out of place. However, before learning the art of playing the game, you'll need to equip yourself with essential elements of the game. These elements are standard whether you're playing offline or online.

1.      Reels

Have you ever heard the term ‘spin the reels' in any casino setting, and you got confused? Reels appear horizontally or column-like across your gaming device. Depending on the slot game you're playing, you'll find different icons or symbols within those reels.

Slot games, such as classic slots, have three (3) reels. On the other hand, video slots can have five (5), seven (7), or even nine (9) reels. After wagering and spinning, you win if a particular combination of symbols appears on a payline.

2.      Paylines

As its name suggests, a payline is a pattern that can make a winning combo. In any slot game you play, you'll see numbers indicated on either game edge. A payline has rows running from left to right across the slot reels. In addition, paylines can have symbols in one row or alternating rows.

Slots pay lines can range from one up to 50 paylines or more. For example, let's say the slot you're playing has 50 paylines. If you activate all paylines with a max bet, you'll have 50 different winning styles. For beginners, cramming the payline can be intimidating, but worry not. That's because the slot games automatically show you the winning paylines and payout accordingly. Tapping the max bet button will play all the paylines of that specific slot game at online casinos.

3.      Rows

It's common knowledge what a row is. In slots, they run vertically, and a game can have three or more rows. A combination of specific symbols in one row will give you a payline. However, paylines can't always appear on one row as they go in all directions as long you have matching symbols.

4.      Symbols

These are icons that spin on the game's reels. You're bound to have different symbols depending on the game you're playing. For example, if you're playing sports-based slots, you'll have matching symbols to the specific sport's theme.

The icons have different values, and aligning certain symbols will payout according to their values. High-valued symbols mean higher payouts; the opposite is also true. However, some symbols come with additional properties like bonuses, wilds, and free spins. We'll expound on this in the next chapter of this article.

5.      Payout Table

The payout table is the critical part of gameplay. With sheer luck, you can hack it at slot games. However, flying in blind isn't advisable. Hence, we would advise you to read your ideal game's payout table before having a go at it.

The table indicates what symbols have a winning combination or which icons lead to free spins. Also, the table will show you how much you stand to win on particular combos and much more.

Symbols on Slot Games

Earlier, we mentioned what symbols are in slots. Here, we're going to explain what the common slot symbols mean in detail. Matching these symbols in specific combinations will allow you to unwrap the gifts they bear. Note: These icons/symbols vary according to the slot game you're playing.

1.      Wild Symbols

In Video Poker, a wild card can substitute any card to give you a winning hand. Similarly, when the wild slots icon pops up, it can replace any other symbol to provide you a winning combination. Therefore, the icon gives you boosted winning opportunities.

2.      Scatter Symbols

Although rare to land while playing, this symbol prompts bonus rounds where you can grab free spins, among other prizes. Interestingly, this icon doesn't have to show up on your combination line to earn you points.

The scatter symbols are usually a gambler's best allies as they can offer a chance at a progressive jackpot. So, anywhere you see the icon, it means goodies are up next.

3.      Sticky Symbols

When you land on this symbol, your reel stays put for several spins. They're often hard to acquire, but you need only to match two icons to win when you do.

4.      Multiplier Symbols

A multiplier symbol multiplies your winnings should you be lucky enough to land on one. Depending on the slot you're playing, the multiplier can increase your payout by 4x, 2x, or 6x. Unfortunately, they're rare symbols and are popular with online slots.

They add a different thrill to the game. Who wouldn't fancy a multiplier to increase winnings? In some scenarios, wild and scatter symbols could function as multipliers. That would madly escalate your payouts.

5.      Bonus Symbols

When you land a bonus symbol, you'll steer away from your regular spins and play bonus games or rounds. In the bonus rounds, you might get free spins which will increase your winning chances. However, there's no full-proof tactic to ensure wins in bonus rounds. So, it all falls to how lucky of a gem you are.

6.      Stacked Symbols

These symbols allow standard icons to occupy more than one slot on a reel. Hence, your chances of acquiring a matching combination are magnified. Fortuitous as it may be, you land a stacked wild symbol, your winning opportunities increase exponentially.

The Guide: How to Play Slots

By now, we hope you know the essential elements and symbols of the game. So, let's get to the fascinating stuff; how to play slots. May the games begin! As stated earlier, playing slot games is straightforward. Our beginner's manual simplifies it further with the following few steps:

1. Sign up and deposit funds into your player account.
2. Select your preferred slot game at our recommended casinos
3. View the game's paytable to see the value of each symbol.
4. Choose the paylines you'd fancy playing. If you'd like to play all the paylines, press the ‘Max Bet' button.
5. Push the ‘Spin' button to spin the reels. If you win, your winnings will be showcased on your screen.

That wasn't complicated, was it? That's done and dusted, but it's not the end. We'll go ahead to show you how you can maximize your winnings.

Handy Slot Games Tips

We've done the homework for you. All you require is to follow our handy tips while playing slots. In doing so, you'll be having a virtuoso display at the slots.

1. Set deposit ceilings to manage your bankroll. Don't gamble more than you can afford to lose. Decide how much you can lose and stop playing when you lose that amount.
2. Choose the slots with the highest Return to Player percentage (RTP%). Each game's RTP varies. Some have 98%, others 97%. Therefore, please select the best since it means higher winning chances.
3. Wager on as many paylines as your budget can support. Betting on multiple paylines means you stand to win more often.
4. It's typical gambler's knowledge to stop gambling after winning big. If you continue playing, you might lose everything.
5. You can play the demo version of each game for free to learn the rules and gameplay. Later, you can wager on real money slots. Furthermore, you can play the free slots versions at our casino.
6. Play at safe online casinos such as Wild Casino.
7. Finally, remember to have fun and gamble responsibly.

Types of Online Slots

Slots are commonly determined by the number of reels they possess. In that regard, we have three (3) main types of online slots, as discussed below.

1.      Classic Slots

These variants are also known as 3-reels slots. You'll also hear them being referred to as ‘one-arm bandits.' That name comes from the traditional slot machines, which required the player to pull a lever to initiate a spin.

For beginners, these are the best variants to start with. That's because they're easy to play, learn, and are fast. Landing three matching symbols at classic slots will win you a jackpot. Although few reels reduce a player's winning opportunities, classic slots have the best payouts.

2.      Video slots

Also known as 5-reel slots, video slots are an upgrade of the classic slots. They have excellent in-game graphics and entertaining gameplay soundtracks. That would lure in anyone. In addition, they're the most played slots at online casinos, and they're the predecessors of modern-day slots.

Automatically, 5-reel slots come with more paylines. Hence, that means that you have enormous winning chances compared to classic slots. Video slots have additional features, such as free spins, which make the game more fascinating.

3.      Progressive Jackpot Slots

These types of slots can increase your bankroll beyond your imagination. Have you ever seen the jackpot amount of a slot game rising by the minute? That's because every time you and other players bet, part of your wager diverts to contribute to the jackpot. Hence the reason why it's always displayed by most online platforms, if not all.

Although jackpot winning odds are slender, when you do, you'll have a bankroll that'll envy even the house. However, to qualify for the jackpot, you must be wagering with a max bet. The jackpot pools usually reach millions.

These are the significant slot variations popularly played in online casinos. However, there are other types of online slots that you can learn and enjoy playing.

Odds & Payouts

Unlike other casino games, the odds of slot games don't change; they don't fluctuate. Payouts vary incumbent on the slot game you're playing and the game's software provider. The crucial aspect is to read the paytable of each slot game you love playing.

In slots, you don't always know the odds of a particular symbol combination. That's why some people prefer playing other casino games such as video poker to slots. Without a doubt, not many would pass the opportunity of playing slots because of that. Most gamblers enjoy the itch of the anonymity of slot odds.

However, to ensure you win regularly, we recommend choosing slot games with high RTP percentages. A slot with 95% RTP going upwards is ideal. The payouts of winning paylines are automatically calculated and will be displayed. So, you'll receive the appropriate payout if you win.

Where to Play Slots for USA Players

We recommend these casinos:

Ignition Casino – Our current favorite for players from the USA or Australia. Ignition casino offers 100s of different slot machines including classic 3-reel slots and more advanced video slots. The progressive jackpots are huge and life changing.

The games are supplied by recognized game developers such as Revolver Gaming and RTG. These games have high-definition video graphics that allow gaming across multiple devices. More importantly, this casino has some of the fastest payouts of winnings on the planet, along with responsive 24/7 customer service.

Read our Ignition Casino Review or visit Ignition Casino.

Wild Casino – This is an online casino that caters to USA players by offering a safe gaming experience with responsive customer service. The top notch software includes over 300 of the best slot machines from top software providers including some of the best slots in the industry such as Mystic World and Thunderbird, along with a large collection of table games. There's a generous sign-up bonus for all new players, and a myriad of deposit and speedy cashout options.

Read our Wild Casino Review or visit Wild Casino.

Cafe Casino – Established in 2020, Cafe Casino is a relative newcomer to the gaming scene but they have established an impeccable reputation amongst players for offering state of the art games along with responsive customer support, and fast payouts. They offer 100s of slot machines that are all extremely super realistic and they offer the option for free practice play.  New players can of course claim a generous sign-up bonus, and they offer multiple deposit options including by Bitcoin.

Read our Cafe Casino Review or visit Cafe Casino.

Where to Play Slots for International Players

For readers from other jurisdictions we have compiled the following guides:

Australia Online Slots

Canada Online Slots

South Africa Online Slots

Conclusion

No casino game rivals the charisma of slot games in online casinos. They're easy to play and offer some staggering payouts with the progressive jackpot variants. Although less skill is required to play, tactics are a must-have. Using our handy tips, you'll be winning most of the time.

While gambling, remember to have fun and gamble responsibly. If you develop a gambling addiction, our casino has features that will help you manage it. You can set deposit limits or even self-exclude from playing for a specific time.

The post How To Play Slots for Beginners (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

The traction video poker has in the iGaming community is out-of-this-realm. Hands-down, it ranks amongst the most enchanting casino games ever. Rivalled only by the popularity of slots machines, video poker, although a bit complex, is easy to understand. However, the two casino favorites often compare to each other. That’s because initially, they had homogenous-looking playing machines.

Also, that’s why you’ll find gamblers from particular regions referring to slot games as pokies. Nonetheless, it’s a totally different game from slots. While slots require little-to-no expertise, video poker needs tamed skill to win. Also, in slot games, you’re usually reeling in blind without knowing your odds of winning. On the contrary, video poker (VP) has the best odds in any casino lobby. Therefore, with the right strategy, you may decide your winning hand at VP.

Now back to our main event; video poker. It’s a card game played with a 52-deck card that’s shuffled after every round. Interestingly, joker cards can be used in this type of game since they don’t count in others, like Blackjack. In addition, video poker is easy to play, even for newbies, because our beginner’s guide will unwrap all the prerequisites. At advanced levels, where you’ll be after we’re done fine-tuning you, you’ll ravish in the euphoria of playing VP.

You can play video poker’s numerous variations at online casino platforms or brick-and-mortar terminals. The rules are the same wherever you decide to play this iconic game. However, most gaming is done online. Therefore, you can try playing at Real Money Video Pokers after acquiring the basics of the game.

In this VP beginner’s guide, we’ll explain the basic rules and strategies of the game. Furthermore, we’ll discuss the odds & payouts of different hands, where to play, and its history.

Video Poker: A Brief History

Let’s roll back years before most of us were conceived. Although video poker isn’t an old guard among casino games, its origin is fascinating. Sittman and Pitt Company innovated the first poker machine in 1891. The machine had 5 drums or reels, and each reel had 10 playing cards. A coin was slipped into the machine to play, and the player would then pull the handle to spin. The five drums would then spin and halt, with each displaying a card coming up with an eventual poker hand.

Charles Fey, ‘The Father of The Slot Machine,’ engineered a poker machine known as the ‘Card Bell’ in 1898. For a Royal Flush, the card bell would pay a max of 20 coins. He then invented the ‘Skill Draw’ machine in 1901, which enabled players to hold cards to improve their hands. That resulted in the first five-card draw machine.

The hold feature appealed to most gamblers, making them feel they could sway the odds of winning to suit them. Poker Matic was the first video poker machine developed by Dale Electronics in 1970. Although it didn’t hit the ground running, it came into fame around 1981, thanks to Si Redd.

Si Redd took his company, SIRCOMA, and renamed it IGT (International Gaming Technology), which’s now a reputable software developer. The video poker machines were gradually accepted among gamblers in gambling houses.

Video Poker: The Modern Shift

The late 19^th century saw the emergence of the very first online casinos. In 1994, Microgaming, a well-known software publisher, was the first to develop online video poker games. The game’s online versions garnered an immense liking from the fresh wave of Internet savvy players.

Online video poker rapidly became admirable among online gamblers. The element of skill and possibility of holding some cards to better your hand made video poker an-industry-dynamite. Steadily, physical casinos began losing video poker clients.

Why visit a land-based casino where you’re likely to miss a VP machine while you can play comfortably at home? Globally accepted game providers like IGT, NetEnt, Microgaming, among others, make that possible. Welcome to the 21^st, where the game has completely morphed, revolutionizing the online gaming arena.

Now, you can enjoy playing the game anywhere you are. You only need an Internet connection and a PC, Tablet, and Mobile (Android or iOS), and you’re good to go. There are enormous variations of the game you can play, which makes it more appealing.

Additionally, the online versions use the Random Number Generator software, which ensures all game outcomes are random. Therefore, all game results aren’t fixed but are honest and fair. With the best odds in any casino, video poker will offer you the best winning opportunities.

Video Poker Rules & How to Play

If you’ve played traditional poker before, video poker would be a walk in the park for you. If you’ve not, the rules are quite straightforward. For starters, video poker has quite a number of its variations. Hence, you’ll need to choose the one that fits you. That will come later in this guide, however. For you to win at the game, you need to have at least the lowest paying hand. For example, if you’re playing Jacks or Better, the lowest hand’s a pair of jacks.

In addition, you’ll need to know the rankings of all the hands you’ll be playing at your ideal VP game. These hands will always be indicated at the top of the paytable, and all hands have different payouts. Also, it’s important to note that the hands are arranged in descending order. The Royal Flush is the most significant paying hand. We’ll also learn about these hands later.

Some of the video poker variants also have a wild card feature. The wild card is usually the Deuces (2) or the Joker. For example, in Deuces Wild, 2 is the wild card. Similarly, in Joker Wild, the wild card is the Joker card.

How to Play

Playing video poker is easy. The holy grail is acquiring a unique batch of cards that’ll give you a winning hand. As a standard to all casino games, you’ll need to wager before the game begins. Unlike other card games like Blackjack that need playing chips, video poker requires credits or coins to play. In casinos, you can bet with up to 5 coins per hand. The coins have different values, with some going as low as $0.20. Some other platforms can also allow a minimum bet of $0.10.

After placing your ideal bet, press the deal button. Based on the 5-card draw rule, you’ll receive 5 cards, randomly selected by the RNG software. Depending on the cards and variation you’re playing, you may decide to hold or discard some cards. Also, you can scrap all the cards to try to have a stronger hand that wins. If you have a winning hand or combination of cards after the draw, you will receive payment according to the paytable.

To simplify, here are the steps of playing video poker:

1. Select how many credits/coins you’ll prefer betting.
2. Press draw/ deal to receive cards on your hand.
3. Select hold to keep any suitable cards. All other cards will be discarded.
4. After holding some cards, click draw/deal to finalize your hand.
5. If you win, payouts are made.
6. Click draw if you want to play another hand after finishing the previous one.

The video poker paytable has five columns with different playing hands. You win according to the coins you’ve wagered (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). We’ll explain the payouts in the odds section of this guide.

The Different Video Poker Hands

Now you know the rules and how to play the game. Next up are popular hands in online video poker. A hand in VP means the cards you hold that were dealt to you. Depending on the variant you’re playing, these hands will payout differently. Remember: the goal’s always to have the most substantial hand. A round begins after you receive the cards and ends when you win the game or fold.

1.      Royal Flush

A royal is a hand with an Ace (A), King (K), Jack (J), Queen (Q), and a 10. All these cards should belong to the same suit to have a Royal Flush hand. For example, when the A, K, J, Q, and 10 cards are all diamonds. Also, you can have the A, K, J, Q, and 10 cards, all of spades, clubs, or hearts.

It’s the best hand you can get and automatically beats all other hands. However, it’s a golden hand that’s unimaginable to acquire. This hand may activate the progressive jackpot feature in some games if there’s that feature.

2.      Straight Flush

It consists of five (5) successive cards in value. These cards should belong to the same suit to have a Straight Flush hand.

For example, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 cards, all of the spades, clubs (slang: flowers), hearts, or diamonds. It’s also the 2^nd best hand you might have.

3.      Four of a Kind

As its name suggests, this is a hand with four (4) cards of similar rank. For example, four Queen (Q) cards, all of any suit, such as hearts, clubs, diamonds, or spades. Also, it can be Aces (A) of any suit.

4.      Full House

A full house’s a hand consisting of three (3) cards of similar rank and a pair of another rank. For example, 5 (spades), 5 (diamonds), 5 (clubs), and 7 (diamonds), and 7 (hearts).

5.      Flush

It consists of five (5) cards of a similar suit with no particular order. For example, you can win with this hand with an Ace, 6, 3, 8, and 10, all of the hearts, clubs, etc.

6.      Straight

A straight hand is the opposite of a Straight Flush. Instead of having five successive cards in value of the same suit, a straight had has five different suits.

For example, 4 (spades), 5 (clubs), 6 (hearts), 7 (diamonds), and 8 (clubs).

7.      Three of a Kind

As its name suggests, this is a hand with three (3) cards of similar rank. For example, three 7s of any suit, such as hearts, clubs, diamonds, or spades. Simply, it can be 7 clubs, 7 spades, and 7 diamonds.

8.      Two Pairs

Two pairs is a hand consisting of 2 cards of another rank and two other cards of one rank.  For example, Q (hearts), Q (clubs), and 5 (diamonds), 5 (spades).

9.      Pair of Jacks or Better

This is a hand consisting of two Jacks, Aces, Kings, or Queens.

Basic Video Poker Strategy

There’s no cheat sheet to winning at video poker online. Even with the lowest house edge of all casino games, the casino always wins. However, you can increase your winning probabilities by using the proper strategies to try and beat the house.

The strategies come down to whether you’ll discard or hold certain cards from the dealt first five cards. Keeping certain cards will improve your hand, but it can also destroy it. Hence, our beginner’s video poker strategy will guide you on what cards to hold and when to improve your winning chances.

We advise you always to keep/ hold a Straight Flush, Royal Flush, Four of a Kind, Two Pair, Full House, or Three of a Kind. However, with the three-of-a-kind hand, discard the prevailing two cards to have an opportunity at a four-of-a-kind hand. Moreover, by doing that, you’ll also have a chance of getting a full house hand.

If you get two pairs, we advise you to discard the 5^th card. That way, you’ll have a likelihood of acquiring a full house hand. Only split up a straight or a flush when having four cards, remaining with one to a Royal Flush. For example, if you have K, Q, J, A, and a 9, all hearts, scrap the 9. Discarding the 9 gives you a chance at the Hail Mary (Royal Flush) since you’ll need a 10 (hearts). You’ll also have the possibility of a Jacks or Better (JoB) hand if you get any K, Q, J, or A.

In addition, split up a pair of JoB with four cards to having a lower Straight Flush or a Royal Flush. These are the simple techniques for playing video poker. After familiarizing yourself with these tactics, you can use the optimal strategy that’s more accurate but complex.

Video Poker Variants/Variations

Statistically, there are about 100 variants of video poker on online gaming platforms. That’s overwhelming for beginners trying to learn the game, primarily because each features multiple pay tables. Therefore, we won’t glut you with all these variations. We’ll discuss the most popular variations, including Jacks or Better, Tens or Better, Deuces Wild, and Aces and Eights.

There are other versions of the game, such as Bonus Poker, which have a higher payout. You may also find jackpot and multiplay variants of the game. In multiplay versions, you can wager several hands simultaneously.

1.      Jacks or Better

We advise beginners learning to play video poker to kick off their online play with this variant. That’s because it has a more straightforward paytable compared to the other versions. In addition, it’s a fan favorite, thus being played by most gamblers. It’s based on the 5-card draw poker and uses a single deck of 52 playing cards.

The minimum winning hand in this variation is a pair of Jacks or Better. So, that’s where the version draws its name. The highest/ best hand here is the Royal Flush and pays out 4,000 coins with a max bet of 5 coins/credits. You’ll find others referring to the game as 9/6.

2.      Deuces Wild

Also, amongst admirable VP games is Deuces Wild. In this version, all 2s are wild. So, that means the 2s can substitute any other cards to help you make a better or winning hand. However, in this version, a pair of jacks isn’t a winning hand. Additionally, the Deuces Wild pay table begins with a Three of a Kind.

When a Royal Flush’s achieved with the help of the wild card, the hand’s usually known as a Deuces Royal Flush. The Deuces Royal Flush is the 2^nd best hand after normal/Natural Royal Flush.

3.      Tens or Better

Tens or Better is a desired variation of Jacks or Better. It’s similar to Jacks or Better, but the difference is that the minimum winning/payout hand’s a pair of Tens.

4.      Aces and Eights

Last but not least is the Aces and Eights variation that’s also similar to Jacks or Better. Here, a Four-of-a-Kind of either Eights or Aces will earn you more. With a max bet of 5 credits, the two hands, 4 Eights, or 4 Aces will win you 400 coins.

It’s also played with a single deck of 52 playing cards. The paytable is also similar to the Jacks or Better one.

All the above versions are beginner-friendly, and we advise you to start playing them before advancing to other variations. In addition, before playing your ideal variant for real money, you can practice by playing the free versions of the game available at our casinos.

Video Poker Odds & Payouts

We earlier discussed the different winning hands in video poker. Here, we’ll look at the payouts each winning hand will give you with bets ranging from 1-5 coins. Every VP variant has a paytable that might differ from others. In addition, depending on the software provider and the online casino operator, they may also vary.

Since full pay Jacks or Better is a well-liked variant, we’ll look at its sample paytable. As stated before, JoB is also known as 9/6 JoB. That’s because the payout for a Full House and a Flush is 9 and 6 coins/credits, respectively.

The lowest hand here is the Jacks or Better and pays even money. That means if you wager with 1 coin, you’ll receive one extra credit. Similarly, if you wager with max credits (5), you earn an additional five coins. With a max bet on the Royal Flush, you win a staggering 4,000 coins.

If you’re lucky enough to have that winning hand, you’ll have a bankroll that mere mortals would only dare dream. That’s why you should always bet with max coins. The house edge for this paytable is a minute 0.46%- the lowest of all casino games.

Where to Play Video Poker for USA Players

We recommend these casinos:

Ignition Casino – Our current favorite for players from the USA or Australia. Ignition casino offers eight versions of video poker including Bonus Deuces Wild, Joker Poker 1 Hand, 3 Hands or 10 Hands, Jacks or Better 1 Hand, 3 Hands or 10 Hands, & Double Double Bonus Poker.

The games are supplied by recognized game developers such as Revolver Gaming and RTG. These games have high-definition video graphics that allow gaming across multiple devices. More importantly, this casino has some of the fastest payouts of winnings on the planet, along with responsive 24/7 customer service.

Read our Ignition Casino Review or visit Ignition Casino.

Wild Casino – This is an online casino that caters to USA players by offering a safe gaming experience with responsive customer service. The top notch software includes a large assortment of games with single hand versions of Tens or Better, Joker Poker, Double Joker, Deuces Wild, Faces & Faces, Jacks or Better & Deuces Wild. They also offer multi-hand versions of Tens or Better, Joker Poker, Jacks or Better, Double Joker, Deuces Wild, Deuces & Poker, and Aces & Faces. There's a generous bonus for all new players, and a myriad of deposit and speedy cashout options.

Read our Wild Casino Review or visit Wild Casino.

Cafe Casino – Established in 2020, Cafe Casino is a relative newcomer to the gaming scene but they have established an impeccable reputation amongst players for offering state of the art video poker games along with responsive customer support, and fast payouts. New players can of course claim a generous sign-up bonus, and they offer multiple deposit options including by Bitcoin.

Read our Cafe Casino Review or visit Cafe Casino.

Where to Play Video Poker for International Players

For readers from other jurisdictions we have compiled the following guides:

Australia Video Poker

Canada Video Poker

India Video Poker

New Zealand Video Poker

South Africa Video Poker

UK Video Poker

USA Video Poker

Conclusion

Video poker’s global appeal among online gamblers is exceptional. With a Royal Flush hand, you stand to win crazy sums of money. That’s why we, the experts, advise you always bet with maximum coins (five) on that hand. It’s a Hail Mary opportunity that knocks once, and you wouldn’t want to miss out.

Th game has other multiple hands you can win with at our endorsed online casinos. The best part about video poker is holding certain cards that may give you a winning hand. In a similar fashion, you may also discard the ones not in your favor to improve your hand.

Our beginner’s guide has explicated every detail crucial to give you an edge against other players. The goal is always to have a hand that beats all others to win. Our recommended online platforms have the best bonuses and video poker variants in the industry. Sign up and live the thrill yourself. Soon, you’ll be framing video poker and sticking it on the mantlepiece.

The post How To Play Video Poker for Beginners (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

The glamour and glitz of roulette compared to other casino games is beyond comparison. The thrill of seeing the roulette wheel spinning with the ball bouncing along is beyond forgery or imitation. Therefore, as iconic as casino games come, roulette is in a class of its own. It’s a game of finesse, skill, and strategy savored by a significant following in the iGaming community.

You’re a beginner, and we get that. So, don’t let all that popularity take a toll on you. Roulette is a relatively straightforward game with quick-to-grasp rules. Thus, with this exclusive guide, you’ll be a roulette maestro with exquisite panache in the art of playing the game.

You can play roulette in physical casinos or at an online casino. Our guide will sharpen you to play anywhere you desire. But in this century, without a doubt, most gameplay is done online. That said, you’ll find tons of casinos in the iGaming market. Therefore, you’ll need a pick-me-up to locate the best platforms in the industry to wager your money. In this article, we’ll endorse only the prime online venues that’ll galvanize your roulette experiences.

We’ll digest all the rules into tiny nuggets of information to make you understand how to play the game. In addition, we’ll illuminate all the strategies you can use to maximize your winnings. To up the ante, you’ll also get to know the game variants, different bet types, and the odds & payouts. Before all that, let’s dig into the roots of the game and learn its origin.

A Brief History of Roulette

Roulette’s a famous casino game, and its global admiration is linked to its fascinating history and origin. You can’t mention roulette without recognizing the name Blaise Pascal. He was a French inventor, physicist, and mathematician. As an inventor, Pascal was trying to engineer a perpetual motion machine that operates without drawing external energy.

While that’s practically impossible according to physics laws, Pascal wanted to go against all odds as an inventor. Sadly, he failed but brought forth one of the most iconic casino games ever- roulette in 17^th century France. Initial roulette wheels had both a double and a single zero. The additional zero gave the casinos a more significant house edge.

Gradually, roulette’s popularity increased in France’s illegal gambling dens while utilizing the double zero wheel. This double-zero wheel format in today’s world is known as American roulette. In 1843, a single zero pocket was introduced by French siblings Louis and Francois Blanc.

This new roulette wheel version had a lower house edge, which massively increased roulette’s fame among gamblers. The roulette wheel with a single zero is known as European roulette in today’s world. The game spread expeditiously to New Orleans in the US, and it now has a global appeal among gamblers.

The Roulette Shift

The new age of online gambling began late in the 19^th century. Then, only slot machines were popular on the Internet. But it was only a matter of time before the elegance of roulette rose to the occasion to grace the Internet.

Currently, you can play the game wherever you’re provided you have an Internet connection on websites such as these Real Money Online Roulette sites.  Additionally, you can play roulette on your PC, Android, iOS, and Tablet devices. You can also enjoy any roulette variants available online, gratitude to software publishers like RTG, Playtech, and Microgaming.

If you’re used to playing at brick-and-mortar casinos, you may think online roulette lacks the human interaction aspect. You’ll be delighted to know that our online platforms offer different live roulette variants. The experience is unchanged since the game is played via a live video stream in real-time. In addition, there’s always a human croupier or dealer. Hence, you’re missing out on nothing.

Roulette Rules & How to Play

Roulette is the most sought-after casino game since it’s easy to play- as easy as one, two, three. The iconic game doesn’t have complicated rules compared to other table games like Baccarat and Blackjack. With roulette, beginners have a great chance of winning at the table. In that regard, the roulette’s table has two constituents; the betting board/felt and the wheel.

The felt has all the diverse bets you can make, and it’s where you will place your betting chips. The wheel is the heart of roulette as it determines the results of every round. However, there are two roulette wheel models, the American and the European, each with a unique number sequence. The American design is partitioned into 38 compartments/pockets with a double zero (00) and a single zero (0).

On the other hand, the European model is split into 37 pockets but with a single zero. That variation positions the European version as a fan favourite since players have better winning opportunities. In addition, each number on the wheel has a different colour, either black or red. The zero is ordinarily green.

There’s also a tiny white ball that’s placed on the spinning wheel. When the wheel stops spinning, the ball randomly lands on any pocket number, deciding a particular round’s outcome.

How to Play Roulette

You now have the layout of the game, and now comes the action-packed part- playing roulette. The roulette felt has numerous betting options; we’ll explain them later on. Prior to the beginning of a round, you’ll need to place your desired bets. Tip: you can have multiple wagers in one round. That way, you’ll be increasing your opportunities of winning.

Whether you’re in a land-based casino or at an online platform, playing chips are a necessity. You can’t wager with cash at the table, and therefore you’ll need to exchange your money for playing chips. Depending on the casino, the chips have diverse colours with different value denominations.

A dealer will be present if you’re either in a physical casino or playing the live-dealer roulette version. The dealer spins and then drops the ball over the wheel. You tap the spin button after placing your bets. The aim’s to speculate where the ball will land and wager on that pocket number.

However, you don’t have to wager on that specific pocket, as there’re many bets you can make. For example, you may also choose that the ball will land on the red or black colour. Also, you can predict if the ball will stop at an odd or even number. Therefore, there are many alternatives, and we’ll look into them all. After obtaining the spin result, all winning players receive their winnings, and the house collects all losing bets. A new round then begins, repeating the same procedure. Easy-peasy like child’s play, eh?

The Different Types of Roulette Bets

As mentioned earlier, roulette has a multitude of various bet types. In addition, all these types of bets have specific odds and payouts. We’ll discuss the payouts later in this article guide. While you can place tons of bets at roulette, these wagers narrow down into two categories; outside and inside bets.

Inside Bets

This is a wager that’s made on numbers. These bets are placed in the inner segment of the roulette table. Stakes on inside bets offer players higher payouts, but the chances of winning with these bets are low. Inside bets are divided into six sub-categories:

1. Straight Up– It involves wagering on a single number on the roulette felt. To bet, you need to place your chip(s) over your ideal number. If the ball lands on your number, you win. If it doesn’t, well, you know what happens!
2. Split– This is a bet on two adjacent numbers on the felt. Place your chips on the edge between your selected two numbers. If the ball drops on either of the two numbers, you win.
3. Street– It’s also known as a trio bet. It’s a stake on all your preferred three numbers in a vertical line. You win if and when the ball stops at any of your hand-picked row numbers.
4. Corner– This is a bet on 4 numerals that form a square on the felt. Place this bet by positioning your chips at the core of all four digits. If the ball drops on any of the 4 numerals, you win.
5. Basket– The basket’s a bet on 5 digits (0, 00, 1, 2, & 3). Hence, the ball dropping on any of the 5 numerals means you’ve won. Place this bet by putting your chips on the cord between zero (0) and one (1).
6. Line- This is a bet placed on dual adjacent streets. To wager, place your chips between your ideal two streets. If the ball stands on any of the six numerals, you win.

Outside Bets

It’s not rocket science that these bets are the opposite of inside bets. They’re placed on the outer segment of the roulette table. Stakes on these bets offer lower payouts vis a vee inside bets but with increased winning probabilities. Outside bets have five sub-categories:

1. Black/Red– You need to place your chips on the black or red section of the felt to bet. If the ball falls on any number with the colour of your choice, you win.
2. Even/Odd– Here, you choose whether the ball will drop on either an odd or even number. If you place your chips on the ‘odd’ option and the ball falls on any odd numeral, you win. The same case applies when you bet on the ‘even’ option.
3. High/Low– On this wager, you predict if the ball will stand high (19-36) or low (1-18). To wager, place your chips on your suitable high/low space on the felt. If it lands on any digit fitting your selection, you win.
4. Column– There’s a ‘2 to 1’ inscribed at the bottom of the three columns of a roulette felt. Place your chips at your desired column to stake on the column bet. You win if the ball stops at any number on your wagered column choice.
5. Dozen– Here, you’re betting that the ball will land on one of the three ‘12’ squares. To bet, place your chips on either the 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd 12 section. If the ball falls on any numeral in your selected 12 numbers, you win.

Popular Roulette Wagering Strategies

Roulette is a game of luck. That’s the first crucial bit of information every novice roulette player ought to know. While there are tested strategies that will aid in increasing your bankroll, none of them works to 100% perfection. These expert strategies include:

1. Martingale System– Probably the most commonly used technique in roulette is the Martingale strategy. Here, you’re advised to make even only chip bets. You’ll be required to double your previous stake every time you lose. You’ll not win every time, but at least you won’t lose your entire money.
2. Labouchere System– The strategy requires you to set your desired win amount. Depending on whether you’re winning or losing, you’ll need to change your stake amounts. This technique allows you to picture how much more you need to win to hit your target amount. By doing that, you’ll be avoiding more losses.
3. D’Alembert System– This roulette technique has striking similarities with the Martingale System. That’s because it prompts gamblers to increase their bet amounts when they lose a particular roulette round. With this strategy, you’re not likely to allow the house to collect your entire bankroll.
4. Fibonacci System– This strategy relies on the reputable Fibonacci mathematical sequence. Here, you bet per the Fibonacci sequence. If you win, you proceed to the succeeding number. If you lose, you go back two steps in the series.

You can employ other strategies, such as the James Bond Strategy, to increase your winning probabilities. Note: Don’t rely on these strategies too much since none of them guarantees sure wins at the roulette table. They’re only there to help you make more educated wagers at roulette. Hence, gamble responsibly and remember to stop betting when the fun ends.

The Roulette Variants/Variations

While there are three main roulette variants, you’ll find other variations of the game at our online casinos. The three dominant types of the game include French, European, and American roulette. All these versions have minor differences, which we’ll explain below, but game rules remain constant.

Therefore, that means that if you learn one variation, you can easily play all other variants. Reminder: You can enjoy the free-to-play version of your desired roulette type at our online casinos. However, it’s important to note that there’s no demo version of the live roulette games.

1.      American Roulette

Earlier on, we discussed the layout of the roulette wheel. Thus, the American roulette version is different from the European and French types. That’s because it has a double zero (00) and a single zero (0) on the wheel.

The (00) reduces the winning probabilities of players at the table. That means that your chances and odds of winning at American roulette are reduced compared to the other versions. In addition, the house edge of this version is higher at 5.26%.

Even money wagers will lose if the ball lands on either (00) or (0) in American roulette. To beginners learning how to play roulette, the American version should be avoided at all costs for obvious reasons.

2.      European Roulette

European roulette is the most played version both at physical casinos and on online platforms. Players prefer this version to the American variant since it has a magnified chance of winning. Who wouldn’t want that? That’s the primary reason we advise novice players to play this roulette version.

The difference between American roulette and European is in the layout of their wheels. While the American type has a single and double zero, the European version only has a single zero.

Additionally, the house edge of European roulette scales down to a coveted 2.7%. More reason for you to play this variation. However, just like American roulette, you’ll lose your even chip bet if the ball falls on zero.

3.      French Roulette

Last but not least is the French roulette. This variation has two rules within the game; the en prison and la partage rule. Don’t let the French terminologies deceive you into thinking it’s a complicated roulette version.

On the contrary, it’s not only the best-in-class roulette type but also among all casino games. That’s because it has a down-to-earth house edge at only 1.35%. That’s insane! The French roulette wheel also has a single zero pocket which automatically makes the house edge low.

The house edge scales even lower thanks to the rules mentioned above. Let’s discuss them below:

La Partage– This term is French for ‘sharing’ when translated into English. The rule allows players to get back half their stake on even money bets if the ball falls on zero.

En Prison– This rule’s similar to la partage, except half of the player’s stake remains on the table here. The tern can translate to ‘in prison’ in English since the player’s stake is not returned to them. Instead, it’s saved for the next bet.

However, roulette variations aren’t limited to the three stated above. Other roulette versions include Double Ball, Mini, Multi-Wheel, German, and English roulette. In addition, all these variations have their live-dealer versions for those who fancy playing in live dealer rooms.

Handy Roulette Tips for Beginners

1. Play European roulette as it has greater winning probabilities compared to American roulette.
2. Play the demo versions of roulette offered by our casinos to practice before getting into the real action.
3. Set deposit limits and never wager more than you can afford.
4. Remember that no strategy’s perfect. So, don’t rely on tactic too much since roulette’s a game of chance.

Roulette Odds and Payouts

Now you’ve learned the simple roulette rules and how to play the game. While it’s essential to know playing roulette, understanding what you stand to win with each bet is equally critical. Knowing the odds and payouts will help you make enlightened bets while in the right frame of mind. The goal’s to win as much as possible and not to lose all your money.

Roulette odds and payouts are the same across all the three major variants, as shown below. The difference comes in the win probabilities of each. Also, the house edge involved in each variant differs, as discussed above.

You’ll realize that the basket bet doesn’t have odds and win probabilities in the table. That’s because you cannot place a basket bet in European and French roulette. The option is only available in the American version.

Furthermore, the win probabilities in American roulette are lower compared to the other versions. Hence, it would be best to play the French and European types for better winning opportunities at roulette. You can reference the above table anytime to see all the odds and bets you can make in roulette.

Where to Play Roulette for USA Players

We recommend these casinos:

Ignition Casino – Our current favorite for players from the USA or Australia. Ignition casino offers four versions of Roulette including Classic American Roulette, American Roulette, Classic European Roulette, and European Roulette. For players that want to play with live dealers they offer three games including both American & European Roulette with various table limits from $1 to $3000.

The games are supplied by recognized game developers such as Revolver Gaming and RTG. These games have high-definition video graphics that allow gaming across multiple devices. More importantly, this casino has some of the fastest payouts of winnings on the planet, along with responsive 24/7 customer service.

Read our Ignition Casino Review or visit Ignition Casino.

Wild Casino – This is an online casino that caters to USA players by offering a safe gaming experience with responsive customer service. The top notch software includes an astounding 9 versions of roulette including classics such as American Roulette, and European Roulette, as well as specialty games such as Roulette Tournament. They also offer a large number of live dealer Roulette games that features table limits from $0.50 to $12,500. There's a generous bonus for all new players, and a myriad of deposit and speedy cashout options.

Read our Wild Casino Review or visit Wild Casino.

Cafe Casino – Established in 2020, Cafe Casino is a relative newcomer to the gaming scene but they have established an impeccable reputation amongst players for offering state of the art games along with responsive customer support, and fast payouts. They offer four versions of roulette that are all extremely super realistic and they offer the option for free practice play. If you prefer playing with a live dealer this is on offer as well with both American and European Roulette. New players can of course claim a generous sign-up bonus, and they offer multiple deposit options including by Bitcoin.

Read our Cafe Casino Review or visit Cafe Casino.

Where to Play Roulette for International Players

For readers from other jurisdictions we have compiled the following guides:

Australia Online Roulette

Canada Online Roulette

India Online Roulette

New Zealand Online Roulette

South Africa Online Roulette

UK Online Roulette

USA Online Roulette

Conclusion

With this handy article, we’ve simplified perfection. This easy-to-interpret guide will swiftly transition you from a novice to a roulette aficionado. Roulette is a straightforward game to play and with multiple bets. Your best wagers as a beginner would be on the even-money bets such as high/low or red/black. Although they have relatively low payouts, these bets have the highest probability of winning in roulette.

With our handy tips backing you up, you stand a greater chance of winning in this game. Finally, if at any point you feel gambling has become overwhelming, you can stop playing. Our casinos allow you to self-exclude and set deposit ceilings at the same time.

The post How To Play Roulette for Beginners (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

You've probably seen people having a roll of the dice in the streets. Craps is played in the same way- with a roll of a pair of dice. Craps is a universal game of dice mostly enjoyed in online casinos as well as land-based platforms. The game is known as street craps when played in a different setting from a casino's.

It's an exhilarating and cliff-hanging game. You roll the dice, and trust lady luck dines with you at the craps table. If you've ever been to any offline casino, you've seen crowds celebrating when the dice rolls in their favor. Craps is that thrilling.

It's a globally accepted game, with its fame rising exponentially in the 21^st century. Initially, players had to frequent their best land casinos to enjoy the game. In this modern era, the game is at your disposal with just the tap of a button. There are over 1000 online casinos worldwide offering the iconic craps game. Hence, it will be daunting and confusing for novice players to get hold of the best craps casinos.

We've taken the liberty of recommending only the top-of-the-pile platforms to rev up your gaming experience while having fun. Read on to discover more.

A Brief History of Craps

Although the origin of craps isn't precise, it's believed it was invented by the military legion of the Roman Empire. In the beginning, more than 1000 years ago, it was known as Hazard. Hazard was a dice game, and the dice were cut out from bones into cube-like structures. That's why you'll hear antique gamblers say “roll the bones” when rolling the craps dice.

Years later, Hazard's appeal among aristocrats and Old English European elites became immense. Its popularity increased rapidly, and it was quickly adopted into gambling houses. Fast forward, Hazard reaches France and gets the name ‘Crabs.' The game then spreads to North America and Louisiana via French settlers. The game then morphed into one of the best games being played at casinos worldwide.

In the 19^th century, dice maker John H. Winn, or the ‘Father of Modern Craps,' upped the game's ante. He engineered the ‘Don't Pass Bet‘ and crafted the modern craps table design we see today. The ‘Don't Pass Bet' up to date allows players to wager for and against the dice thrower.

The Craps Modern Shift

Prior to the invention of online casinos, craps was being played at physical gambling houses or even in the streets. It was fun, and many people would gather to see how the game played out. The 1990s saw the emergence of electronic machines, and, as expected, craps also was integrated into online casinos.

Gamblers love the game since it's easy to play, and the rules are simple, even for amateur players. In addition, our recommended online casinos provide all the playing rules of the game. So, you can learn while at it. Furthermore, these casinos will allow you to practice playing the game's demo models to familiarize yourself with the rules. There are different bet types you can wager on with lucrative odds that promise huge payouts. As of now, craps is at the helm of online gambling.

That's because you can play anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection. You can use multiple devices such as phones, PC, and tablets.

The Basics of Playing Craps

Theoretically, playing craps involves just rolling the pair of dice. Understanding the craps table layout is the hard part, especially for beginners. But worry not, we'll explain all the necessities of the game and how to play craps online.

As stated earlier, craps is a dice game, and basically, you'll need to bet on the result of the roll of the pair of dice. The dice will fall and generate different results each time. That's why the craps table felt has many betting fields. Interestingly, the other bets available have specific odds, and some with no house edge at all!

In a nutshell, in craps, the main objective is precisely to predict the dice roll result. That is, you bet on the dice combination you think will be rolled each time.

The Craps Table

Depending on the casino, a craps table could be 12ft long, but you can find smaller tables. The table can hold up to 16 players, and unlike blackjack tables, players here do not sit while playing. Smaller craps tables have up to 8 players. At physical casinos, there are casino employees who oversee the flow of the game. They include:

1. The Box person– They are responsible for exchanging player's cash into playing chips. The person also oversees the dealers and makes sure the game is running effortlessly.
2. The Stickman– Their role is always to announce the dice outcomes. They use a curved stick to collect the pair of dice while moving them around shooters.
3. The Shooter– This is the person rolling the dice. In craps, all players get to shoot or roll the dice. The dice also moves clockwise in the table among all players come, shooters.
4. The Base Dealers– At a craps table, there are two dealers on each side of the Boxman. They collect all losing bets and payout to all winners at the table. Also, they can place hard-to-reach bets on behalf of players.

However, when playing at any Real Money Online Craps, things are simple. So, don't panic. The rules are similar, and the difference is that there is no other table personnel, and you're the shooter. You only need to place your preferred bets by clicking on the ideal spot on the craps felt.

Craps: How to Play and Rules

A round in a craps table begins by players placing bets on the dice outcome before the shooter rolls the dice. You can wager for the shooter or against the shooter. Choose the ‘pass line bet' and the ‘don't pass line bet' to wager for and against the shooter, respectively.

As with any table game, you'll need to exchange your cash for playing chips at the cashier's section of the casino. At offline casinos, there's someone at the craps table responsible for that. The chips are of different colors with various value denominations. However, the color chip values might change depending on the casino.

Crucial Craps Terminologies

1. The Puck– It's a round disk with ‘on' and ‘off' buttons. Before establishing the shooter's point, it's usually ‘off.' It's then turned on when the point is determined.
2. The Come-out roll– This is the shooter's first dice roll at the table.
3. A Natural– It's a come-out roll with an outcome of 7 or 11, which wins automatically. Pass line bets win while the don't pass line bets lose.
4. Wrong Bettors– These are players who bet against the shooter.
5. Point Numbers– These are come-out roll dice outcomes that are not 7 or 11. They include 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. In some casinos, rolling a 2 or 12 may be considered a push or tie. However, that depends on the casino's craps table rules.

The Rules

As stated before, craps is a game of chance, and you wager by predicting the dice roll result. There are two common bet types among craps players, and they have different rules attached to them. To understand playing craps, you'll need to understand these basic rules associated with the bet types.

A round at a craps table kicks off with a come-out roll. In the come-out roll, you'll have two wagering options with all the basic rules of playing the game. The two options include the don't pass line and pass line bets.

Pass Line Bet

This is the most straightforward and typical bet among craps players. After placing your bet, the shooter will roll the dice and have one of the following outcomes.

1. When the result is a 7 or 11, all the pass line bet players automatically win and get paid. The game ends, and another round begins with a new shooter.
2. If the outcome is a 3, 2, or 12, all the don't pass line bet players lose. Similarly, the game ends, and a new round commences with a fresh shooter and come-out roll.
3. In case the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, players don't lose or win their bets, and a point is established. The pluck is turned ON, and the game shifts as explained below.

The Point

A point will be established if the shooter rolls one of the above-stated numbers. The game gets more thrilling, and it's said you're playing the point. Let's say, for example, that 5 was the come-out roll outcome.

The dealer will then change the pluck from ‘off' to ‘on' at the table on the number 5. If you make a pass line wager on the come-out roll, the following will happen:

1. Your stake on the pass line bet survives.
2. If the point (5) is rolled first, pass line bets win. The objective is to roll a 5 before a 7. Therefore, all pass line bets lose when a 7 is rolled first, in our case, before the five.
3. The shooter will roll again if they roll a different number from the established point. If they roll a 7, the game ends. If they don't, they will roll until they roll a 7 or the point (5).

Don't Pass Bet

The don't pass line bet is a wager against the shooter- a familiar wager for wrong bettors. The bet has four outcomes.

1. When the dice roll total result is a 7 or 11, all don't pass line bets are lost. The house/casino gathers all losing bets.
2. If the outcome is a 2 or 3, all don't pass line bets win.
3. A 12 dice roll result means it's a push, and your bet is returned.
4. No one loses or wins if the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. A point is then established, and the game continues as explained above.

Now you know the basic rules of playing craps. They aren't hard, are they? The table might look complicated, but the rules are straightforward. To play craps online and offline, you need to grasp the above bet types before learning other wagering options.

The Different Craps Bet Types

As discussed earlier in this article, the pass line and the don't pass bets are the most popular among beginners. That's because these bets are simple and have better odds compared to other wagering alternatives. You'll find these options on the outer side of the craps table vis a vee others in the middle.

Therefore, apart from the pass line and don't pass line bets, we have others, they include:

1. Come bet– This wager is similar to the pass line bet except that you place a ‘come bet' after establishing a point and after a come-out roll. A roll of 7 or 11 wins you the bet. Consequently, if any craps numbers (2, 3, or 12) are rolled, you lose.

If any other different number is rolled, it becomes the ‘come-point.' If your point (5, 4, 6, 9, 8, or 10) is rolled before a 7, you automatically win. You wager by placing your chips on the ‘Come line' area, at the center of the craps table.

2. Don't come bet– The bet is the opposite of the come bet and is similar to the don't pass line bet. The wager is made after the come-out roll also. You lose the bet on a roll of 7 or 11. On the contrary, you win if a 2 or 3 is rolled. A roll of 12 is treated as a tie or push, and no one wins or loses. You get your bets back.

You lose if your come-point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled before a 7. Consequently, if a 7 is rolled before the come-point, you win. You wager by placing your chips on the ‘Don't Come line' area of the craps table.

3. Odds bet– You can make this wager to compliment all of the bet types mentioned above. An odds bet placed on the pass line and come bet is known as ‘taking odds.' On the other hand, an odds bet placed on the don't pass line and don't come bet is known as ‘laying odds.'

However, you must have a matching don't pass/pass or a don't come/come bet in play to lay or take odds. In addition, these bets lose and win in a similar fashion to the come and pass wagers. These are the best bets in craps since they have the best odds on the table with a 0% house edge. You also can stake up to 5 times your corresponding come/don't come or pass/don't pass bets.

4. Place bets– You can place these types of bets after a come-out roll. You can wager on the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. If a 7 is made before the number you've chosen, you lose. You win if your number is rolled before a 7.

For novice craps players, these are the standard bets you can make while playing craps. Nonetheless, there are many other bet options available during the game should you choose to play them.

Craps Odds and Payouts

Now you can rub shoulders with masters in the art of playing craps since you know all the rules. You only need to grasp the odds and payouts to understand what you expect to win after wagering. We'll explain all the discussed bet options with their odds, house edge, and payouts in a table format.

Where to Play for USA Players

We recommend these casinos:

Ignition Casino – Our current favorite for players from the USA or Australia. Ignition casino offers two variants of the game – classic craps and craps. The games are supplied by recognized game developers such as Revolver Gaming and RTG. These games have high-definition video graphics that allow gaming across multiple devices. More importantly, this casino has some of the fastest payouts of winnings on the planet, along with responsive 24/7 customer service.

Read our Ignition Casino Review or visit Ignition Casino.

Wild Casino – This is an online casino that caters to USA players and offers responsive customer service, top notch software including an authentic craps experience, as well as a safe gaming experience from a trusted leading in the space. There's a generous bonus for all new players, and a myriad of deposit and speedy cashout options.

Read our Wild Casino Review or visit Wild Casino.

Cafe Casino – Established in 2020, Cafe Casino is a relative newcomer to the gaming scene but they have established an impeccable reputation amongst players for offering state of the art games along with responsive customer support, and fast payouts. The craps game on offer is super realistic and they offer the option for free practice play. New players can of course claim a generous sign-up bonus, and they offer multiple deposit options including by Bitcoin.

Read our Cafe Casino Review or visit Cafe Casino.

Where to Play for International Players

For readers from other jurisdictions we have compiled the following guides:

Australia Online Craps

Canada Online Craps

India Online Craps

New Zealand Online Craps

South Africa Online Craps

UK Online Craps

USA Online Craps

Conclusion

Craps has many bet types, with some having sick odds that can win you crazy amounts of cash. Even though no strategy assures perfect dice results, you can increase your bankroll using proved techniques. So, with tons of bets, you have multiple betting options. Therefore, you should choose the best that fits your gaming style.

Although the craps table may look challenging to decipher, craps is one of the easiest table games at a casino. More so, with our easy-to-understand guidelines, playing craps couldn't be more straightforward. Thus, sign up at our recommended online casinos and immerse yourself in the craps entertainment.

The post How To Play Craps for Beginners (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

The tingle of playing table games, especially baccarat, is unmatched in the gambling industry. In land-based casinos, baccarat attracts large crowds of people. That alone showcases its pristineness and popularity among players globally. We've all watched the classic James Bond film' Casino Royale.' The game in the movie is baccarat, and that also exhibits the universality of the classic table game.

Therefore, it's the most played table game since it's easy, and a novice can play with slight experience. Even with little panache, you can win big at a baccarat table if you're lucky enough. However, there are basic playing rules that you need to understand before playing. That will come later in this article guide.

Over the years, there has been a steady rise in the launch of online casino platforms in the iGaming industry. While that's excellent in the gambling niche, players have an uphill task of hunting down the best casinos offering baccarat. But we're saving you that hassle with our expert recommendations. Keep reading to discover more about playing baccarat.

A Brief History of Baccarat

Baccarat's origin is mysterious. Legend has it that its origin dates back to 14^th century Italy. Some say the game's origin goes way back to 14^th century France. Researchers also claim baccarat was invented in ancient China from the tile game Pai Gow, which means ‘make nine,' in English. Others claim an Italian croupier, Felix Falguierein, innovated the game.

However shaky the history, most historians come to a stalemate that baccarat's origin is from Italy and France. The game's also known as ‘Baccara,' an ancient French and Italian term meaning ‘nothing' or ‘zero.' Interestingly, the word ‘Baccara' symbolizes the value of the picture cards and all tens in the game, that equates to zero. Hence, the widely accepted baccarat.

From Italy, the game quickly advanced in France, becoming popular among France's elite gamblers. In France, amongst the wealthy nobles, the game was referred to as Chemin de Fer. Baccarat quickly spread from there to Great Britain and the USA. In North America, it's where it became most favored, going by the name Punto Banco. Despite having a somewhat unclear history, we can all agree the game is thrilling, fun, and has some of the best odds. Probably the reason why high rollers fancy the game.

The Baccarat Shift

Before the game's 21^st century admiration, it used to be played in offline or land-based casinos. The baccarat table is usually about the size of a craps table. The table has three dealers and up to 12 players in these offline casinos. Although you'll find brick-and-mortar casinos in the 21^st, they aren't famous as online casinos.

Thanks to technology, you can play the various baccarat variants, including the live version, without visiting any offline casinos. Modern game software developers such as Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, and Microgaming have developed the game. Therefore, you can play online via your portable devices and PC with an Internet connection being the only requirement.

The live version of baccarat is hosted via a live video stream in real-time, with the dealer always present. The experience is authentic as it's in offline casinos.

Basic Baccarat Rules

Playing baccarat is as easy as you like food. That's because you have only three major wagering options. The most common ones include Punto-player or Banco-bank. You bet on the player's hand or the banker's hand. You can also bet on a tie. However, it's not advisable to wager on the tie bet despite having charming odds if you win.

Baccarat is a card game with 8 decks of 52 playing cards. That's the standard of play in land-based casinos. Online casino platforms use either 4, 6, or 8 decks, but that depends on the software provider supplying the game. As stated earlier, a baccarat table has up to 12 players, but the table on online platforms is usually small.

A hand's value can't be higher than 9 since it's the highest score in baccarat. That's the first rule any rookie should know before playing the game. As in Blackjack, baccarat's cards are also assigned values. However, points in baccarat are calculated differently than in other table games.

Card Values

Before learning to add points, you need to know the values assigned to all the playing cards. Note: Joker cards do not appear in baccarat as it's with many table games. The cards from 2-9 are worth their pip value.

For example, card number 4 is worth its numerical value 4, and so on. Picture cards such as Queens (Q), Jacks (J), and Kings (K) are worth zero (0) points. Tens are also worth zero points. Finally, aces (As) are worth one point. Consider the table below.

The points in baccarat are added differently, and the value of hand that's closest to 9 is the one that wins. When a hand's value reaches double numbers, the 2^nd number in the total automatically becomes the hand's value.

The second digit will always determine the score of a hand. For example, 12 is worth 2, and 10 is worth 0. You drop the 1^st digit, and you'll have the hand's value. Also, as an example, a hand with an 8 and 7 theoretically adds to 15. Therefore, you drop the first digit and remain with 5. So, that hand's worth 5 points.

Reminder: a bet on a hand that's closest to 9 wins. And you can wager on a tie, player, or banker's hand.

How to Play Baccarat

Now you have a rough idea of playing baccarat, and you can wager with real money at one of our recommended online casinos. Gameplay begins with players placing one of three types of bets, as mentioned above. As common ground with all table games, no cash is allowed. You will need playing chips, which you'll exchange for money at the casino's cashier's section.

These chips are of different colors ranging from green, white, black, red, orange, to purple. Each chip color has its unique value depending on the casino. After placing bets, the dealer will then give 2 cards each to the player and banker. The total's hand is calculated as explained above. The winning hand is the one with a value of 8 or 9, and that's a ‘natural.'

A ‘natural' is a hand totaling eight or nine after dealing the first two cards. If there's a natural hand, the round ends, and all bets are collected or paid out. If both the player and the banker don't have a natural, a third card may be drawn under the following rules:

The player's 3^rd card rule

1. A player will get a 3^rd card if his hand total is less than 5. However, a player's hand will stand if it has a total of 6 or 7 points.
2. If the player doesn't draw a 3^rd card, then the banker's hand gets a third card if it has a total of less than 5. Also, the banker's hand will stand if it has a total of 6 or 7.

The banker's 3^rd card rule

1. No matter the player's third card, the banker will always get a 3^rd card if it has a total of 2 or less.
2. A 3rd card will be drawn if the banker's hand has a total of 3, but not if the player draws 8 as the third card.
3. The banker gets a third card with a 4, but not if the player draws 0,8,1, or 9 as the 3^rd
4.  With a total of 5, the banker gets a third card but not if the player draws 0, 2, 3, 8,1, or 9 as the third card.    
5. The banker will never get a 3^rd card with a 7 unless the player has 6 or 7 as his third card.
6. No 3^rd card is drawn if the banker's hand has 7 as its total. The bank stands.

When playing baccarat, the most known gambler's hack is that you should mostly bet on the banker's hand. However, there are other various strategies you may use to increase your bankroll and spoils. These baccarat strategies include; the Martingale System, Fibonacci Strategy, Paroli System Labouchere System, and the D'Alembert System.

Although no strategy guarantees total success, you'll have a better chance of multiplying your earnings using the above baccarat techniques. While you're at it, please remember to play responsibly because gambling can be addictive. For that reason, we've compiled valuable tips you may use while playing baccarat.

Handy Baccarat Tips.

1. Familiarize yourself with the rules as that will help you make competent gambling decisions.
2. Set limits. You can set betting limit amounts to avoid overspending on gambling. Also, you can set playing time limits and stick to them.
3. Wager on the banker's hand. That's because it has a more significant house advantage even with the 5% tax levied on winning hands. The banker's hand has a 1.09% advantage compared to the player's with a 1.24% advantage.
4. When you have three straight losing or winning streaks, take a break first until the game's streak ends.
5. Avoid betting on ties even though they have irresistible odds. That's because the house advantage on that bet is high- 14.4%.
6. Perfection calls for practice. Finesse comes at a cost, and luckily our expert casino commendations offer it for free. You can practice playing baccarat on the demo variants of the game at these casinos.

Baccarat Variants

Without a doubt, baccarat is an admirable game among gamblers both online and offline. The game has several variants, and the variant you get entirely depends on the casino you frequent. Some are different from others, but there are standard versions you're certain to find in most casinos.

These variants include punto banco, mini-baccarat, chemin de fer, and baccarat banque. In addition, the live version of baccarat is also popular among gamblers. You'll find in online platforms speed baccarat, squeeze baccarat, and no commission baccarat- to name a few. To distinguish all the standard variants, we'll explain their differences.

1. Punto Banco

It's also known as American baccarat, and it's the version most played in online casinos. Its rules of play are the ones we've discussed above, and so you're now well-equipped. It's straightforward to learn and has three main bet types.

Although, only two bet types are common. That is, player-punto or bank-banco, hence the name ‘Punto Banco’. You may also bet on a standoff /tie, but we strongly advise against that. All winning hands in this version are subject to a 5% commission. It's a game of kismet and chance, but if played well, you can reap fortunes.

2. Mini Baccarat

It's also known as Mini Punto Banco since it's the smaller version of the first variant. The difference is that it has a smaller table with a maximum of only seven players. Also, it has just one croupier compared to the two or three in Punto Banco.

That makes this game version fast, taking about 30 seconds to complete. The rules are the same as with Punto Banco, and you can also place side bets. In addition, the stakes are lower compared to its main variant, probably why Punto Banco is much-coveted by high rollers.

3. Chemin de Fer

You don't need a Ph.D. in rocket science to decipher the phrase ‘Chemin de Fer‘ is French. It translates to ‘railroad' or ‘railway' in English. It's mainly played in France, and it's almost impossible to find a casino offering this version of baccarat.

Its rules are similar to Punto Banco's, except that the players here wager against each other. That means that each player turn takes to become the dealer, hence betting against each other. The house provides all prerequisites of the games and still has the 5% winning commissions. The main difference is that the 3^rd card rules are flexible. Players here can decide whether to draw a 3^rd card or not.

4. Baccarat Banque

Also known as Baccarat à Deux Tableaux or Two Table Baccarat, Baccarat Banque is similar to Chemin de Fer. The banker, who's one of the players, remains the banker until he goes bankrupt or decides to step down.

The table here has two halves with six players on each half. They all play against the banker and not each other. Also, players take turns in drawing and in shuffling the cards. The responsibility doesn't solely fall on the banker. Pagat expertly explains this version in vivid detail.

Baccarat Payouts & House Edge

The house edge is the amount you stand to lose on average per unit bet in favor of the casino or the house. To simplify, it's the mathematical advantage of a casino, usually expressed as a percentage. In baccarat, it varies depending on the bet you've placed.

The player bet has a 1.24% house edge, the banker bet has 1.06%, and the tie bet has a 14.6% house edge. Among all other casino games except Blackjack, baccarat's house edge has the best odds available to gamblers. In baccarat, the house always has the bigger advantage.

That's because the banker's hand has a 45.8% chance of winning compared to the 44.6% chance of the player's hand. That's why we advise mainly betting on the banker's hand as you have more winning opportunities. However, baccarat is a chance game. Therefore, you can't be 100% certain which hand wins next. A standoff/tie will win 9.6% of the time.

Payouts

The payout is even (1:1) if you bet on a player's hand and it wins. For example, if you wager $10, you win an extra $10. So, you'll have a total of $20. A banker's hand-winning bet will payout (19:20). That means a wager of $10 will bring back $9 on top. So, you'll have $19 in your bankroll. The missing $1 is the house's 5% commission.

When you wager on a tie bet, it means you're betting for both hands to have a similar count. A standoff's payout is (8:1). For example, a $10 winning stake on a tie bet will reward you with an extra $80! So, you'll have $90 in your account. Some casinos may offer a (9:1) payout for winning tie bets. In addition, some platforms may also offer side bets such as Player Pair, Banker Pair, Perfect Pair, and Either Pair. However, the availability of side bets depends on the casino's software provider.

Note: If there's a tie, all banker's and player's hand bets will be pushed or returned. That's because neither hand has lost nor won.

Where to Play Baccarat for USA Players

We recommend these casinos:

Ignition Casino – Our current favorite for players from the USA or Australia. Ignition casino offers both baccarat and classic baccarat, as well as two live dealer baccarat games with various table limits from $5 to $2500. The games are supplied by recognized game developers such as Revolver Gaming and RTG. These games have high-definition video graphics that allow gaming across multiple devices. More importantly, this casino has some of the fastest payouts of winnings on the planet, along with responsive 24/7 customer service.

Read our Ignition Casino Review or visit Ignition Casino.

Wild Casino – This is an online casino that caters to USA players by offering a safe gaming experience with responsive customer service. The top notch software includes three authentic baccarat games, as well as live dealer baccarat that features table limits from $1 to $1500. There's a generous bonus for all new players, and a myriad of deposit and speedy cashout options..

Read our Wild Casino Review or visit Wild Casino.

Cafe Casino – Established in 2020, Cafe Casino is a relative newcomer to the gaming scene but they have established an impeccable reputation amongst players for offering state of the art games along with responsive customer support, and fast payouts. They offer two versions of baccarat that are both super realistic and they offer the option for free practice play. If you prefer playing with a live dealer this is on offer as well. New players can of course claim a generous sign-up bonus, and they offer multiple deposit options including by Bitcoin.

Read our Cafe Casino Review or visit Cafe Casino.

Where to Play Baccarat for International Players

For readers from other jurisdictions we have compiled the following guides:

Australia Online Baccarat

Canada Online Baccarat

South Africa Online Baccarat

Conclusion

Baccarat is an elegant and classy table game with massive popularity among gamblers globally. It's the most straightforward table game you will ever find. With only three types of bets; punto, banco, or tie, your chances of winning are exponential.

Using our handy tips and following basic baccarat rules and strategies, you can increase your bankroll while having fun. If you have a gambling problem, our casinos provide links where you can get free help. Also, they enable you to set deposit limits and self-exclude from gaming for your desired period. Therefore, register at any of our top-ranked casino platforms for an exquisite baccarat experience.

The post How To Play Baccarat for Beginners (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.

Blackjack is a much-coveted game, whether being played online or in brick-and-mortar casinos. Interestingly the basic rules of the game are similar no matter where you play. It’s the most popular of all card games since it’s a game of skill rather than luck, although luck also plays its part. Sometimes, the game is referred to as 21 because that’s the winning combination. We will clarify that later in this article.

There are over 3000 online casinos in the iGaming industry. Almost all these online platforms offer the classic game along with its numerous variants. Therefore, locating the best to wager your money can be unnerving, and that’s where we, the experts, come in.

In this article, we’ll have an in-depth illustration of how and where to play the game. In addition, we’ll show you the basic rules of the game, strategies to employ, and every other minute detail. Even if you’re a rookie, don’t you worry; you’ll emerge a maestro in the craft after reading this article. Before we dive right in, everything has its origin, and blackjack’s history is riveting.

A Brief History of Blackjack

Blackjack is a table game with a debatable origin like most casino games. It dates back to the 16^th century, when the game was first heard. It was mentioned in a novel by Miguel de Cervantes, a Spanish author. In the book, the card game was referenced as Veintiuno, which is Spanish for 21. More so, the rules of Veintiuno had striking similarities to blackjack rules.

However, history has it that the game also originated in France in the 17^th century. Then it was known as Vingt-et-Un, which is French for 21 in English. Other theorists hold that the game was crafted from other card games like Chemin de Fer and French Ferme. These games were popular in France then and had almost duplicate procedures and rules. Now you understand why the debate has been inconclusive.

Blackjack later maneuvered through Europe and eventually landed in the US. Its popularity rapidly and steadily increased with time. Nevada became the first state to sanction gambling in 1931, leading to the rise in the fame of blackjack.

The Blackjack Shift

In the 21^st century, blackjack’s prominence is only rivaled by innovative slot games or slot machines. But among table games, blackjack’s supremacy is unexcelled. Since then, prominent software developers like RealTime Gaming (RTG), Microgaming, and NetEnt have engineered several variations of the games. With the industrial revolution and technological advancements, you can now play your ideal blackjack variant on the Internet.

You can play via your computer, laptop, tablets, and mobile phones (iOS and Android devices). Also, you can play the live nail-biting version of the game. The game’s played against the casino’s dealer through a live video stream; you need not visit a land-based casino. The experience is still the same, but this time in your comfort zone.

Basic Blackjack Rules

As a prerequisite for playing any casino game, you also need to grasp the gameplay rules to play this classic table game. Don’t panic; the rules are simple and easy to understand, even for an amateur. As stated earlier, blackjack is a card game and can be played with 1-8 decks of the standard 52-card playing deck. Please note that the joker cards aren’t included.

Blackjack’s table is conventionally semi-circular and can accommodate up to 12 players. The standard tables have seven spots, holding 7 players. However, there are tables with only 5 places. The dealer typically stands behind the table. The game begins with the dealer issuing two cards to players at the table face up. One of the dealer’s cards is usually face down, and you can’t see it. Depending on your cards’ value, you have several playing options with the dealer’s value also in mind. We’ll discuss these options later on.

The goal is always straightforward; beat the dealer by acquiring a value higher than his or getting 21. If you exceed the 21-mark, you’ll lose the bet. At the blackjack table, you’re playing against the dealer and not other players. How do you count the card values you asked? It’s simple!

Card Values

In a blackjack game, all cards have assigned values. The total of the cards you’re having will determine if you’ll beat the house (dealer) and win or lose. Acquiring a value less than the dealer’s means you’ve lost the round. To cut to the chase, cards from 2-10 are worth their face values. For example, 2 is 2, 5 is 5, etc.

Jacks (J), Kings (K), and Queens (Q) have a face value of 10. Aces (A) always have a value of either 1 or 11. Usually, the Ace has a value of 11, except when it would take the hand value above 21. In that scenario, its value drops to 1, but the decision is the player’s to make. Let’s put that in a table format for easy interpretation.

Terminologies

1. Soft hand– This is any hand with an Ace card valued at 11. For example, an Ace and a 4 make a soft 15.
2. Hard hand– Includes any hand with an Ace valued at 1. For example, an Ace and a 4 make a hard 5.
3. Bust– Refers to any hand with a value of more than 21. That’s considered a loss for the dealer and the player if either hand goes above 21.
4. Push– When the player’s and dealer’s hands have the same value, that’s regarded as a tie or push. Neither the house nor the player wins. The player gets their bets back.
5. Blackjack/Natural– A hand that acquires an Ace and a face card value of 10 on the first hand dealt with two cards. That hand beats all other hands except another natural.
6. Hole card– The dealer’s card that’s dealt face down.

All these basic rules apply to both land-based and online casinos. Earlier, we mentioned the playing options available to players on a table. Now let’s dig deeper.

How to Play & The Blackjack Playing Options

Now that you’ve grasped the most basic rules of the game, this is where the rubber meets the road. To play a blackjack game, you need to place a bet. Bets are placed with chips and not cash. The chips can be exchanged at the cashier for money, just like in offline casinos. These chips are of different colours with different attached values.

For example, in blackjack, you can have up to 6 chips. They include white, green, red, orange, black, and purple. Depending on the casino, the value of the chips may differ. We recommend playing at Ignition Casino. To play, you need to place your preferred bets before the round begins. The dealer will then signal with gestures from left to right to indicate that no more bets are allowed.

The dealer afterwards starts dealing cards to players clockwise from their left to the right. The 1^st card is issued to each player on the table face up, and the dealer’s card is also dealt face up. In most casinos, the dealer’s first card is dealt face down. The particular procedure varies from one platform to another. The 2^nd card for the dealer is then issued face down while the players’ are issued face up.

You can be allowed to place an insurance bet if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace or a 10. An insurance bet’s a side bet predicting if the dealer has a blackjack or not. This wager is not related to the end result of the round. To take insurance, you need to bet an additional amount of half the original bet you made. If your original stake was $100, the side bet should be $50. You’ll win the insurance if only the dealer’s hand value is 21 or has a blackjack. If not, the insurance bet’s lost.

When the dealer has a blackjack, all players lose their initial stake unless they also have a blackjack. If both the house and the player have blackjacks, it’s considered a push/tie, and the player’s bet is returned.

The Playing Options or Strategies

In the scenario that the dealer lacks a blackjack, all insurance bets are lost, and the round continues. Therefore, as a player, you have the options below, starting from the dealer’s left to the right. The following options have hand gestures to signal your decision at offline casinos. In online casinos, you simply click on your desired alternatives as they pop up.

1. Stand– You may choose to stand or take no further action if you’re satisfied with the total value of your dealt cards. You may choose to stand if hitting will take your hand value to more than 21, which will be regarded as a bust.
2. Hit– By hitting, it means you’re drawing another card, and the dealer issues the card face up to your existing hand. Note: we would recommend you hit if you’ll edge close to the 21-mark by doing so. In addition, if after the first hit, your value’s still below 21, you may hit again or decide to stand.
3. Doubling Down– If you have a beneficial hand, a total of 9,10, or 11, you may decide to double down. By doing this, you’re placing a second bet of an equal amount to the initial wager, and an extra card will be dealt. Some platforms will allow you to double down for a less amount, but we’re firmly against that. Regardless of the outcome after getting the extra card, you’ll be imposed to stand.
4. Split– If your first set of cards has similar ranks, you may decide to split the cards into two hands. You can then place an extra bet of the same amount as the first wager. That increases your winning chances at the table. The cards are then separated, and a different card is issued to complete each hand. Depending on the house rules, you may split again if you receive matching cards after the initial split. However, you can only have a maximum of 4 hands, and no further splits are accepted later on.
5. Surrender– While some casino platforms allow players to surrender, others don’t. Surrendering means that you’re giving up your blackjack hand while losing half your bet amount and keeping the other half. However, you won’t play different strategies after surrendering, and the opposite also applies.

If the dealer’s total hand value exceeds 21 or busts, all the other non-busted players’ hands win automatically. No strategy fully guarantees constant wins at a blackjack table. Nonetheless, the above techniques will maximize your winnings if expertly used.

It would be best never to prioritize taking insurance unless you have a proven working strategy. You can use other methods to have a better chance of beating the house at the game. The most popular technique widely used is the HiLo card counting system.

While playing blackjack is thrilling, entertaining, and fun, gambling could be addictive. Also, you shouldn’t wager more money than you can afford. If you have a gambling addiction, our recommended casinos provide free help on top of offering different blackjack variants. The casino allows you to self exclude to cool off and set deposit limits to manage it. It’s that easy, and you can start playing again after addressing the problem.

Blackjack Game Types

There are diverse types of blackjack that you can play at an online casino. The rules are the same, but they do differ from each other.

1. Classic Blackjack– This is the most common type of blackjack, as illustrated in this article.
2. Multi-hand Blackjack– It has the same rules as the classic variant, but you can play with multiple hands at once. That means you can have more winning opportunities.
3. Single Deck Blackjack– This type of blackjack is frequently played with 6-8 decks of 52 cards without joker cards.
4. Blackjack Switch– Here, it’s compulsory you play with two hands with equal bets. You receive the cards face-up from 6 decks. So, you can only switch the 2^nd card of each hand with each other cards. You can’t switch the 1^st card dealt on the one hand with the 2^nd card on the other hand.
5. Progressive Blackjack– This type of blackjack has a side bet with a progressive jackpot. That will make the payout of a winning hand massive than a typical payout.
6. Live Blackjack– You stream this game type via an HD live video in real-time.

Blackjack Odds and Payouts

The reason why this classic table game is prominent is because of its high payout odds. You stand to earn more cash if you beat the house. Blackjack is a game of strategy and panache, and there’s no better feeling than beating the dealer. We’ve already discussed instances you could win or lose as a player. Now let’s talk money matters.

When you win a hand, you’re paid out at 1:1 on the wagered amount. That means if you placed a bet worth $20, you’d cash out a total of $40 at the cashier. If you doubled down with another $20 and won, you’d have a staggering $80 as winnings.

When you have a blackjack/natural, you’re paid out at 3:2 or (1.5 odds). A $20 wager would earn you $50. So, you’ll get your $20 back plus $30 as winnings. The insurance wager is paid at 2:1.

Where to Play Blackjack for USA Players

We recommend these casinos:

Ignition Casino – Our current favorite for players from the USA or Australia. Ignition casino offers eight versions of blackjack including Single-Deck Blackjack, Double-Deck Blackjack, Classic Blackjack & European Blackjack. For players that want to play with live dealers they offer 28 blackjack tables with various table limits from $5 to $10000.

The games are supplied by recognized game developers such as Revolver Gaming and RTG. These games have high-definition video graphics that allow gaming across multiple devices. More importantly, this casino has some of the fastest payouts of winnings on the planet, along with responsive 24/7 customer service.

Read our Ignition Casino Review or visit Ignition Casino.

Wild Casino – This is an online casino that caters to USA players by offering a safe gaming experience with responsive customer service. The top notch software includes an astounding 12 versions of blackjack including Single Hand & Multi-hand Blackjack, Blackjack 11, Pirate 21, Super 7, 21 Burn, as well as specialty games such as Rolling Stack Blackjack & Blackjack Tournament.

They also offer a large number of live dealer blackjack games that features table limits from $10 to $10,000. There's a generous sign-up bonus for all new players, and a myriad of deposit and speedy cash-out options.

Read our Wild Casino Review or visit Wild Casino.

Cafe Casino – Established in 2020, Cafe Casino is a relative newcomer to the gaming scene but they have established an impeccable reputation amongst players for offering state of the art games along with responsive customer support, and fast payouts.

They offer seven versions of blackjack that are all extremely super realistic and they offer the option for free practice play. If you prefer playing with a live dealer they have 2 blackjack games to choose from. New players can of course claim a generous sign-up bonus, and they offer multiple deposit options including by Bitcoin.

Read our Cafe Casino Review or visit Cafe Casino.

Where to Play Blackjack for International Players

For readers from other jurisdictions we have compiled the following guides:

Australia Online Blackjack

Canada Online Blackjack

South Africa Online Blackjack

UK Online Blackjack

USA Online Blackjack

Conclusion

To rookies trying to play the game for the first time, this guide will help you to become perfect. We’ve simplified it all to make you a great player in a matter of minutes. In addition, we’ve gone ahead to suggest the best platforms you can wager at with real money.

Sign up and deposit at any of our highly ranked blackjack casino sites and join in the fun!

The post How To Play Blackjack for Beginners (August 2023) appeared first on Gaming.net.