Types of Casino Games
Everyone has their favorite casino game. Some love the simplicity of slots, while others enjoy the strategy involved in table games like blackjack. Of course, you’re not just limited to one. By trying a wide range of casino games, you can get a feel for gambling and determine which types of games you’re most attracted to and why. Before jumping in, familiarize yourself with the different types of casino games available online.
Roulette
The game of roulette may seem simple enough. Place a bet and watch to see where the little white ball comes to rest. While the concept of casino roulette is fairly straightforward, the game can actually be a little tricky.
Whether you play online or in a casino, the basic rules remain unchanged. In the game, there is a wheel that has black and red slots with numbers ranging from 1 to 36. There are also one or two ‘0’ green slots, depending on if you’re playing the European or American version of the game. There is also a table that has numbers and additional sections in which bets can be made. The game begins when each player places their bets on the table. Next, the dealer spins the wheel, and a small ball is thrown. Whichever number of the slot the ball lands on is the winner.
There is no for-sure strategy that works with roulette, as no player can determine where the ball will ultimately land. However, it is important to determine the amount you could possibly win to make the risk worth it.
Slots
Unlike most table games which require some level of skill, slots are all about luck. Slot machines results are determined by random number generators (RNGs). When you hit the ‘Spin’ button, your result is determined by the most recent number combination. An RNG typically moves at the rate of thousands of number sequences every second. This means that the result of your spin is based on when you spin.
Your odds of winning at slots are based on the machine’s return to player (RTP). Also known as the payout percentage, this number represents how much money you are able to win back from your bets. For example, if a slot machine has a 97% RTP, the machine would theoretically return $0.97 on every dollar that is wagered.
What makes slot machines even more fun is the variety of bonus rounds and free spins available on many machines. These bonuses are designed to keep you excited about playing. To trigger a bonus round, you may need to get a certain combination of symbols on the payline.
Blackjack
Blackjack is undoubtedly one of the most popular casino games. It is commonly referred to as ‘21’ as a special payout is awarded to players who hold an ace and jack of spades (a “black jack”), which is the equivalent of 21 points.
There are several variations of the game; however, most follow the same basic idea. The game begins when each player is dealt two face-up cards. The dealer is dealt one card face down, and one card face up. Cards between 2 and 10 are worth their face value, while all face cards have a value of 10. An ace can be valued at 1 or 11. Once the cards have been dealt, players must decide how they want to play their cards to get as close to 21 as possible without going over (bust).
What makes blackjack so popular is that it’s easy to play and has a fairly low house edge. In fact, the house edge can be as low as 0.28%. There are also certain blackjack strategies that can be implemented to help increase your odds of winning, such as the Martingale, D’Alembert, and Paroli.
Keno
Keno is easy to play and looks similar to a bingo or other lottery-type game. Like a slot machine, the game of keno uses a random number generator to draw numbers. Players must place bets by choosing numbers between 1 and 80. Once bets have been made, 20 numbers are randomly drawn using balls or an RNG. If a player’s numbers are drawn, they win.
When placing your bets, it’s important to factor in the odds. Typically, you will be allowed to pick between 1 and 15 numbers. While you are allowed to choose as many numbers as you’d like up to the limit, it’s generally not a good idea to pick too many numbers as the chance of hitting them all is very low.
Payouts in keno are based on how many numbers you have selected during the game and how many of these numbers are ‘hit.’ Unfortunately, keno is all about luck, and you cannot manipulate the results. However, understanding your odds can help reduce your risk of losing money.
Video Poker
Like slots, video poker is played on a machine. However, playing video poker is more complex than your average slot game. Unlike a slot machine, where you bet an amount to maximize your return, followed by a spin of the reels, video poker requires you to make decisions that can have a direct impact on whether you win or lose.
First, you need to choose a denomination to play. These denominations can range from a penny up to several dollars or more. Once in the game, you can choose to bet one credit or play max credits. If you are playing subsequent hands, you can also press the deal/draw button. Once you place your bet, five cards are dealt on the screen. The player must decide which cards to hold.
You can generally find the game’s paytable displayed on the face of the game. This paytable will contain all the paying hands and how much each of these hands pays per credit bet.
Craps
Craps can be a little intimidating if you’re a beginner. With so many different bet options and fast-paced gameplay, it can be hard to keep up. However, it remains one of the most popular casino games for good reason. One of the most important things to learn in craps is the most basic bet, the pass line bet.
To play craps, you will need to exchange chips for cash from the dealer. There is usually a minimum bet for each table which typically starts around $5. Next, the players take turns rolling the dice. However, you will ultimately win or lose your bets even if you’re not the player rolling. The players continue to roll until they roll a losing 7, also known as “sevening-out.”
Players can win by rolling a 7 or an 11 on the Come-Out roll or by rolling the point twice. Players lose if they roll a 2, 3, or a 12 on the Come-Out roll or if they roll a 7 before they roll the point twice.
Baccarat
Baccarat remains a well-known table game worldwide, with different variations played in different regions. With a house edge of just 1.06%, the casino game is fairly advantageous compared to other options like roulette. However, the game can be a little challenging until you’ve learned the rules.
Unlike blackjack, players do not play against the dealer. Instead, the croupier suggests that you make a wager on the field that you believe to be a winner. If your bet is winning, you can increase your stake up to nine times.
There are three main types of bets in the game of baccarat, each with their own special pay rate. The first is the player, known as punto, which has wins paid at a 1:1 ratio. The banker, or banco, is paid at a ratio of 19:20. There is also a tie which means that both the player and the banker have hands with the same number of points. This type of bet is paid at a ratio of 8:1.
Like other table games, there are a number of betting systems and strategies that can be implemented to increase your odds of winning, such as the Martingale, Fibonacci, and D’Alembert strategies.
Other Casino Games
While these make up the most popular casino games, they’re certainly not all of them. If you’re interested in playing even more online casino games, consider alternatives like scratch cards, bingo, and Wheel of Fortune. There are also different varieties of poker to choose from, including Texas Hold’em, Pai Gow poker, and Caribbean stud poker. While searching for online casino games, you may also come across Sic Bo, an ancient dice game originating from China, and High or Low, also referred to as “hi-lo.”
Keep your eye on the prize and try your luck on some of these fun and exciting casino games.
