K-casinoreview guide: Mastering online casino games
Online casino games are luck-based games that you play on casino sites using your desktop computer or mobile device connected to the internet. The main idea is to place bets on the outcome of the game, also known as gambling.
A random number generator (RNG) is responsible for providing results to ensure a fair gaming environment. An RNG is a computer program that randomly decides the result of each game, ensuring that every outcome is not rigged.
Winning a bet on any online casino game means payouts that you can withdraw. Online casino games are becoming more popular since they are accessible and more exciting to play. They also offer the chance to win big prizes in the comfort of your home.
Casino game types
Casino platforms offer a wide range of casino game types compared to land-based casinos since these sites are not hindered by limited space. These games allow you to play against a computer program or a live casino dealer, depending on the game.
Here are the casino games you will find in an online casino:
Online slots are based on slot machines found at land-based casinos. To play, you must place bets, spin the reels, and try to line up matching symbols to win. Here’s an overview of how online casino slots work:
- Decide how much you want to bet on each spin.
- Click the spin button and watch the reels spin.
- If the symbols on the reels line up in a winning combo, you win.
What makes online casino slots more fun to play is that there are features that make the gameplay more interesting. Some of these are:
- Themes → Slots have engaging themes, including ancient Egypt, pirates, and ghosts. Each theme has special symbols and music to make the game more interactive.
- Paylines → Paylines are the winning lines across the reels. If the winning symbols line up on a payline, you win.
- Autoplay → Most slots have an autoplay feature that lets the game spin the reels for you, so you don't have to click every time.
- Wild symbols → These symbols are like the joker in card games. They replace regular symbols to help you form winning combos.
- Scatter symbols → Scatter symbols trigger bonus rounds or free spins in the game.
- Bonus rounds → These are mini-games you can trigger during the main game. They offer extra chances to win big for a more worthwhile gaming experience.
- Free spins → Many slot games have bonus rounds wherein you get to spin the reels without placing bets. More spins means more chances of winning big prizes.
- Jackpots → Some slots have huge jackpots that can be won with a lucky spin. These are often life-changing amounts of money.
Aside from exciting features, online slots also have different types you can choose from. These include:
- Classic slots → These are the simplest slots, with only three reels and five to nine paylines. They also feature classic symbols like cherries, bars, and lucky sevens.
- Video slots → Video slots are the most popular type of online slot. They have more reels, paylines, and tons of exciting features like bonus rounds, wild symbols, and free spins. Video slots also have cool themes and graphics, making the gameplay more worthwhile.
- Progressive slots → These slot games have a special jackpot that keeps growing with each bet placed. If you win the progressive jackpot, you could win millions.
- 3D slots → 3D slots use cutting-edge graphics and animations to create a more immersive experience. They often have 3D characters and environments that make you feel like you're inside the game.
Megaways slots → Instead of having a fixed number of paylines, Megaways slots have a dynamic reel system. This means that each reel can have a different number of symbols on it, boosting the number of ways to win on every spin.
Baccarat is a classic card game played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The goal is to bet on which hand, the player's or the banker’s hand, will have a point total closest to nine. The round starts as two cards are dealt to the player’s hand, and two cards are dealt to the banker’s hand. The cards are counted as follows:
- Ace → 1 point
- Cards 2 to 9 → Face value
- 10, Jack, Queen, King → 0 points
Online baccarat also has a third-card rule wherein a third card is dealt to either hand. These rules are based on the point totals of the player and banker’s hands. The hand with a point total closest to nine wins. If both hands have the same point total, it's a tie.
What makes online baccarat more exciting is that it boasts different variations, each with its unique gameplay mechanics. Some of the most popular baccarat types you’ll find in an online baccarat site include:
- Punta Banco → This is played with six decks of cards. It follows the same rules wherein you bet on who will win: the ‘punto’ (the player) or the ‘banco’ (the bank).
- Chemin de Fer → In this game, two players go head-to-head, trying to get a score closer to 9 than the other. You can choose whether to draw more cards, making the game more immersive and strategic.
- Mini Baccarat → This is a simplified version of baccarat that is often played at smaller tables. Mini baccarat is faster-paced, as the dealer handles all the cards and there are fewer steps involved.
Online blackjack is a simple and exciting table game wherein you play against the dealer. Your goal is to get a hand value closest to 21 without going over. The game starts as you’re dealt two cards face up. On the other hand, the dealer gets one face up and one face down card.
Before the cards are dealt, you must place a bet. You can also do the following actions:
- Hit → Take another card.
- Stand → Stop taking cards.
- Double down → Double your bet and take one more card.
- Split → If you have two cards of the same rank, you can split them into two separate hands, each with a bet equal to your original bet. You must then hit each hand once.
- Surrender → Give up your hand and forfeit half your bet.
After you stand, the dealer reveals their hidden card and draws cards until their hand value reaches 17 or more. You win if your hand value is closer to 21 than the dealer's or if the dealer goes over 21 (busts).
Online blackjack also boasts different variations you can play in a blackjack casino. These include:
- Classic Blackjack → This is the basic version that most players are familiar with. You play against the dealer, trying to get closer to 21 without going over.
- European Blackjack → European Blackjack is a bit different from the classic. The dealer only gets one card face-up and then decides whether to hit or stand before the dealer reveals their second card.
- Perfect Pairs → This version has a side bet where you try to get a pair of cards with the same rank and suit.
- Spanish 21 → Spanish 21 uses a six-deck, but all the 10s are removed. This means there are fewer high cards in the deck, making it more challenging to get 21.
Online roulette is a simple casino game where you bet on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. The wheel is divided into numbered slots, often ranging from 0 to 36. Each slot is also either red or black, except for the green pockets containing a single (0) or double zero (00).
You can bet on a single number, a group of numbers, red or black, or odd or even. Once all bets are placed, the dealer spins the roulette wheel in one direction and a small ball in the opposite direction.
The ball eventually slows down and lands in one of the numbered slots on the wheel. If you bet correctly, you win. The payout depends on the type of wager made, with bets on single numbers offering the highest payout.
Roulette casino games have different variations, each with slight differences in rules and the wheel layout. Here are some of them:
- European roulette → This version has 37 pockets on the wheel, numbered from 0 to 36. There’s only one green pocket with a single zero, which gives the house a lower edge compared to other versions.
- American roulette → The American roulette wheel has 38 pockets, with numbers from 1 to 36, 0, and 00. The extra 00 increases the house edge, making it slightly harder to win compared to European roulette.
- French roulette → French roulette is similar to European roulette, with 37 pockets and a single green 0. What makes it unique are special rules, like ‘La Partage’ and ‘En Prison’, which give you a chance to get half your bet back or leave it for the next spin if the ball lands on 0.
- Mini roulette → This is a smaller version with only 13 pockets, numbered from 0 to 12. Aside from the adjusted payouts due to the smaller number of pockets, the game is played the same as the standard roulette version.
Poker is a popular card game wherein your goal is to have the best hand possible to win the pot. Each player is dealt a set number of cards, depending on the type of poker being played.
Players take turns betting, starting with the player next to the dealer. You can choose to:
- Check → Pass the turn without betting (only if no one has wagered yet).
- Bet → Place a certain amount of money (or chips) into the pot.
- Call → Match the current bet to stay in the game.
- Raise → Increase the bet, which other players must match to stay in.
- Fold → Give up your hand and any chance of winning the pot.
There are also community cards which are shared by all players to make the best possible hand. Poker has three betting rounds where additional community cards are revealed: the flop (3 cards), the turn (1 card), and the river (1 card).
If more than one player is still in the game, players reveal their hands. The player with the best combo of five cards wins the pot. Some of the most popular poker games you can play at renowned poker sites include:
- Texas hold’em → This is the most popular poker game wherein each player gets two private cards (hole cards) with five community cards available. You then try to make the best five-card hand using any combo of your two-hole cards and the five community cards.
- Omaha → Omaha is similar to Texas Hold'em but with some differences. In this game, each player gets four hole cards instead of two. You must use exactly two of your hole cards and three of the community cards to make your best hand.
- Seven-card stud → In this game, there are no community cards. Each player gets seven cards, three face down (hidden) and four face up (visible to others).
Best online casino sites
For safe and worthwhile online casino gameplay, it’s important to choose a licensed casino site that not only ensures the safety of your info and transactions but also offers a wide variety of games.
You should also choose a site that offers generous bonuses like the welcome bonus for a great head start. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best casino sites you should consider:
Stake is one of the most trusted casino and sportsbook sites in the world despite being one of relatively new players in the iGaming industry. Founded in 2017, Stake quickly rose the ranks because of their impressive sponsorship deals across various sports.
The website is also easy to navigate, with a simple layout that makes it easy to find your favourite games. The graphics and design are high-quality, making the experience fun and worthwhile.
One of the best crypto casino platforms online, Bitcasino is a renowned brand in the crypto betting world. The site’s wide selection of games has enticed bettors, especially crypto users who want to use their assets for betting.
Bitcasino’s loyalty program is also one of their highlight features as it lets site users earn points every time they play and place a bet. Getting more points means climbing the loyalty tiers and enjoying more perks.
BC.GAME was established in 2017 and has become a leading crypto casino site. The site has a massive variety of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games. It also offers unique, blockchain-based games that you won't find on other sites.
For worthwhile gameplay, BC.GAME also offers two types of welcome bonuses. These are the Claim Rewards which should be claimed within 6 hours of registration and Deposit Bonus that should be claimed within 7 minutes after registration. The site is also well-curated, featuring sections for its top-rated games for each game category, offering a seamless gaming session.
Roobet is a well-known casino and sportsbook platform that was established in 2019. It’s regarded for its excellent responsible gambling policy, fast payments, and wide selection of payment methods, including crypto.
The platform has already earned multiple awards in the 2023 MIGEA (Malta iGaming Excellence) Awards, showing their quick rise in the online betting scene.
Founded in 2016, Gamdom is also known in the iGaming industry as a premiere online casino and sports betting platform. The site also has its own original versions of the casino classics Crash, Roulette, Dice, and HiLo. One of their unique offers is Slots Battles where you can play with up to four players and battle it out for your preferred slot game.
The platform is regarded for its fast withdrawals, great selection of games, and variety of payment options. Aside from its user-friendly features, Gamdom also boasts fast-loading games with zero lags.
Strategies for online casino games
Although online casino games are luck-based games, you can still follow some tips and form a strategy to boost your skills and enhance your win rate. Here are some simple tips you should consider when playing an online casino game:
1
Understand the game
Before you start playing, learn the rules and how the game works. Knowing how the game is played and what the best moves are helps you make better decisions.
2
Start with small bets
Start by placing small bets to get a feel for the game. This way, you can play longer and learn more without risking too much money.
3
Set a budget
Decide on a budget before you start playing and stick to that amount. This helps prevent spending more than you can afford.
4
Use bonuses wisely
Take advantage of bonuses and promos offered by the casino site. These offers give you extra money or free spins to use, which extend your playtime.
5
Know when to stop
If you’re on a losing streak or have reached your budget limit, it’s time to stop playing. Chasing losses leads to more losses.
6
Practice using fun play modes
Many online casinos offer fun play modes for their games. Use these to practice and get better at the game before you start betting real money.
7
Play games with high return-to-player rates
The RTP tells you how much money is returned to players over time. Games with higher RTP rates give you better odds of winning in the long run.
Responsible Gaming
Responsible gaming at online casinos is all about staying in control and playing safely. These include setting limitations, such as how much money and time you’ll spend on gambling. This ensures that you don’t go overboard and spend more than you can afford.
Gambling wisely also means playing for fun within limits and not as a way to make money. Don’t forget to check the terms and conditions so you understand the rules about bonuses, withdrawals, and other important details.
A safe and hassle-free online casino gaming is all about playing smart and staying in control. Choose a licensed online casino, play the best casino games, and use the bonuses wisely. By playing responsibly and keeping things fun, you can ensure a worthwhile and enjoyable gaming session.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Learn more about online casino games with these FAQs:
Common games include slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and various live dealer games.
Many online casinos allow you to play games in fun play modes so you can explore the game without betting your money.