There are dozens of casino games out there, each designed to appeal to a different kind of player. Games like roulette offer bursts of excitement as players keep their fingers crossed that the ball lands to pay their bet. Others, such as blackjack, require a little skill and understanding if you want to make the most of the game and get the best odds.
You’re not confined to playing only one casino game, but you’ll inevitably like some more than others. Here’s what to consider when deciding which casino games are right for you.
What Stakes Do You Want To Play?
When approaching casino games, whether online or live, the first consideration is to decide what stakes you can comfortably afford to play and stick with it. This is the number one rule when it comes to enjoying the experience and not being overly attached to the results. Any wins are a bonus.
Your stake should be an amount that you are happy to lose. It’s possible to play low stakes for pretty much any game, but when it comes to tabletop games, space is limited in casinos, so wagering can start higher.
Online casino games tend to be more flexible when it comes to buy-ins, as the gambling sites can host dozens or hundreds of games on the server at all stakes without having to worry as much about space.
In any case, it’s a good idea to work out what stakes you are happy with when choosing the right casino game.
Pure Chance Or Part Skill?
Some casino games are pure chance, such as roulette or slots. These are the perfect choice for players who just want to jump in straight away, as you can learn the basic rules of betting. Aside from that, there’s no strategy to use, and each outcome will be the same.
Other casino games involve an element of skill, such as blackjack and poker. There’s still luck involved, as players have no control over certain aspects, like which cards come out. However, the more you know about the maths behind the decisions, the better equipped you are to win more bets.
In blackjack, for example, the house edge for an average player is around 2%, meaning the casino stands to make an average of $2 for every $100 bet. If the rules are favorable and the player knows basic blackjack strategy, the house edge can be reduced to around 0.5%.
If you want to lay down bets and see what happens, choose games of pure chance. If you find enjoyment in learning and improving, then pick games that involve skill.
Volatility Levels
Volatility refers to the risk-reward of the casino games. High volatility means that you won’t win very often, but when you do, the prizes will be much grander. Bigger risk, bigger reward. Low-volatility games pay out more often with smaller prizes.
Players are often attracted to the opportunity to win huge jackpots, such as progressive jackpot slots or betting single numbers on roulette. But it can be more fun to use your bets wisely with a slow and steady approach, such as playing low stakes blackjack hands.
It all depends on your preference for risk-taking.
Online Casino Or Live Casino?
Online casinos have become increasingly popular as an alternative to brick-and-mortar establishments. They offer an unmatched convenience, with classic casino games and modern games available from desktop or mobile devices.
Live casinos certainly still have their place. They offer more of a ‘night out’ experience, complete with entertainment and real human interaction.
Again, this isn’t a choice between one or the other. As a player, you can visit the casino and play at online sites.
Choosing Casino Games
With a clearer understanding of the stakes you are comfortable playing, the types of games you want to play, and the volatility level that you prefer, you’re ready to decide on your favorite casino games. Here are some of the most popular for you to consider.
Slots – Slots are one of the most popular casino games. Brick-and-mortar casinos typically have rows and rows of slots to choose from, while online sites offer dozens or even hundreds with all kinds of themes. Slots range in volatility and stakes, so you won’t be stuck no matter what your preferences. They are nearly always games of pure chance.
Roulette – Roulette is another game of pure chance. You can’t influence the outcome or know which numbers will come next. You can, however, increase or decrease the stakes by betting smaller amounts. You can also reduce volatility by betting on even-money propositions like ‘odd or even’ or ‘red or black’. Or, you can increase volatility by stacking chips on just a few numbers.
Blackjack – Now we get to the games of skill. Blackjack is one of the most popular table games. The card game is played against the dealer, and the house has an edge, but there is the best way to play hands, mathematically speaking, based on what you have and what the dealer is showing. You can learn the strategy to improve your odds. As long as you don’t take side bets, blackjack is a low-volatility game.
Poker – In most poker games, players compete against each other, and the casino takes a rake. Strategy plays a big part in poker, so much so that it’s possible to beat the other players in the long run. In video poker, the house has an edge, although this can be reduced by knowing which cards to hold.
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