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Beginners Guide to Play Casino Games

Casino games can be great fun, but only if enjoyed responsibly and with a solid understanding of how the games work. Slots offer exciting bonus features and big prizes, while games like blackjack and craps offer a strategic challenge. Plus, online casinos offer bonus deals such as free spins and bonus cash, further enhancing the enjoyment. 

However, if you’re new to iGaming, read through this guide on how to play casino games for beginners before you get started. It will help you get off to the right start and teach you some of the best casino tips for beginners. 

Essentials to Know Before Playing in a Casino Online

Whether you know how to play casino games or are new to slot and table games, it’s important to remember that gambling is not a way to earn money. Treat it as a fun and risky form of entertainment and expect to lose. If you win, treat it as a bonus on top of your enjoyment.

The following are the essentials you need to know to help enhance your enjoyment and minimize losses as much as possible. 

House Edge and RTP - The House Always Wins

The first thing any player must realize is that the house (casino) always wins. All games are designed to give the casino an in-built advantage that ensures it always makes money. Some players can win, and others can lose, but the casino is guaranteed to profit from all the money its games take in.

Each game has an RTP (return to player) that determines how much it pays back from the money it receives. The average RTP of a slot is 96%, meaning it will pay back 96$ of every $100 it takes. The remaining 4% ($4) is the house edge and the amount the casino will make. 

The Importance of Responsible Gambling

While half the battle is against RTPs and RNG, the other half is against our human emotions, urges, and impulsive belief that the next spin has to be the lucky one. We’re often our own worst enemies when playing casino games, which is why it's important to gamble responsibly.

Here are some casino tips for beginners to help them play responsibly:

  • Play for Fun, Not Monetary Gain: Do not use gambling to make money. Instead, treat it as entertainment. The casino always wins in the long run.
  • Only Bet Money You Can Afford to Lose: Only use money you have set aside for gambling. Do not bet with money meant for bills, rent, or other important expenses. 
  • Don’t Chase Losses: Resist the urge to chase losses. Depositing more money in an attempt to win back losses can make things worse. 
  • Know When to Quit: Set win and loss limits, and end your session whenever one is met. 

Bankroll Management - Set a Budget

A good bankroll management plan can help your budget stretch longer, recover from losing streaks, and minimize losses. 

  • Set a budget for your gambling session: With money you can afford to lose, set a budget before you start playing. If it is meant for an entire month, perhaps split it up into the number of sessions you plan to play. 

  • Use the 1-3% Rule: Set a stake that is between 1 and 3% of your bankroll to ensure you can place more bets during your session. For example, if you have a 0.1 BTC bankroll, perhaps go for bets of 0.002 per spin/round. That gives you 50 base bets, although you’ll receive more if you land wins. 

  • Consider Variable Betting Strategies: You could establish rules, such as increasing your stake if you are up by a certain amount. On the other hand, you could reduce your stake if you lose X amount of your budget. 

Take Advantage of Rewards

A good online casino will offer a variety of exciting bonuses and promotions that can boost players’ bankrolls and their chances of winning. They can give you a percentage match of your deposit in bonus funds, assign free spins that can earn winnings, and special perks and bonuses via VIP/loyalty programs. 

  • Welcome Bonuses: Designed for new players, casino welcome bonuses give players bonus cash, free spins, or both in return for their first deposits. For example, a bonus could offer 100% up to 1 BTC and 100 free spins. A player will receive those spins and a 100% match of the deposit amount as bonus funds. 

  • Reload Bonuses: Again, these are usually match deposit bonuses and/or free spins. However, they’re generally smaller as they’re designed for regular players and are bonuses offered more than just once. 

  • VIP/Loyalty Programs: A good casino will also offer a VIP/loyalty program o casino rewards program that allows players to unlock perks and bonuses. For instance, you might receive bonus cash or free spins when leveling to a new tier. Plus, some allow you to exchange loyalty points for bonus offers in a loyalty shop. 

You’ll find some examples of exciting bonus offers on our promotions page. 

Choosing the Right Games 

If you want to learn how to play casino games, it is important to know which are best for different reasons. There are various types of games in an online casino, usually found in casino games categories in the lobby. 

  • For Better Odds & Strategy-Based Gameplay: Blackjack is a great game if you like to use strategies. It’s also got an RTP of 99% or higher if played using basic blackjack strategy. Baccarat has an overall RTP of 98.95%, while some bets in Craps have RTPs of 98.59%.

  • For a Casual & Relaxing Experience: Slots and roulette generally have a lower RTP compared to the games above but arguably offer more enjoyable gameplay. Make sure you stick to European Roulette, as American roulette has double the house edge. Keno is another game that’s simple to play and offers a relaxed vibe. 

Basic rules and strategies 

As for casino tips for beginners who want to know how to play casino games, the first is to take it slowly. Don’t jump straight into real-money casino action. Instead, follow the below steps first:

Learn to Play the Games Before Playing High Stakes

It is essential to know how to play any online casino game before placing real-money bets. Not knowing the rules and lacking experience could cause you to lose money. Instead, read guides such as those linked below to learn the rules:

  • How to Play Table Game
  • How to Play Roulette
  • How to Play Blackjack
  • How to Play Baccarat
  • How to Play Slots

Play the Demos for Free

Then, you can play slots and virtual table games using free-to-play demo versions. You can spin without financial risk until you’re comfortable. Those demos are also mobile-friendly, so you can play mobile casino games on the go. 

Go for High RTP Slot Games

We touched on RTP earlier and mentioned some of the high RTP table games available. However, some slots have good RTPs as well. Below, we’ve listed a few slots that have returns similar to table games like roulette.

The Final Word

Casino games can be a thrilling form of entertainment when played responsibly. From understanding how RTPs and house edge work to picking the right games and managing your bankroll, there are plenty of ways to improve your chances and have more fun.

If you're ready to put your new knowledge to the test, explore our collection of beginner-friendly games, generous bonuses, and top-tier rewards at our oline casino.