As players begin their gambling journey, it is best to know what type of games there are out there and how they all work. Online casino games have dated back to the mid 1990s, when the first online casinos started to emerge. Today, gambling games have become more advanced with complex themes and graphics, bonuses, and so much more.
Since online gambling emerged, people no longer need to go out of their way to start. It is as easy as picking up a phone or going on a computer and signing up/logging in. It can be overwhelming trying to find the right games since there is so much variety but, this guide is created to help you gain more insight into the games before beginning.
Popular Games
Slots
Slots are the most popular provable fair, RNG-based game where players can spin reels to try and match symbols in previously chosen paylines. Slots are a by chance game and players are able to customize their experience through themes, bonus features, and more.
How-To Play
As discussed above, slots are played but hitting spin and watching the reels either legit spin or cascade down the screen. Payouts are determined by the paylines you choose before the game starts or, if it is a megaways slot, it is determined by the number of symbols matched across the whole board. Most of the payouts are multipliers but others are a certain amount based on your wager. To understand slots even more, please refer to the Slots Game Guide.
Blackjack
One of the most popular casino table games as well as one of the only games with true strategies. While strategies can be used, the cards that are dealt are random and are pure luck. The goal is to beat the dealer by making your “hand” as close to a total of 21 without going over, also known as busting.
How-To Play
Create an account and fund your bankroll. The game works by each player, including the dealer, being dealt two cards to begin with. Note that the number cards are counted as their face value, and the J, Q, and K all are counted as ten. Depending on the casino, the Ace can be valued at one or eleven, so make sure to check the rules beforehand. To win, your hand must have a higher value than the dealer but no more than 21. Another way a player can win is by the dealer busting. To understand blackjack on a deeper level, check out the Blackjack Guide written by one of our experts.
Roulette
Roulette is considered a casino classic for both online and in-person casinos due to its known simplicity and excitement. The concept is simple; a player places a bet on where they believe the ball will land on a spinning wheel.
How-To Play
Players will begin by placing chips on the layout table to try and predict where the ball will land. There are many types of bets that we explain in our Roulette Guide for players to choose from. The wheel will then spin and the ball will bounce between the numbered and colored columns. Once all momentum is lost, the ball will land in one of the slots and the results will be shown and payouts will be distributed to the player accordingly.
Dice/Roll
The game of Dice is starting to gain popularity in the casino world through its simplicity, transparency, and quick results. This game is mostly known in the crypto casino world. The goal of the game is to predict the outcome of whether the dice will roll higher or lower than the target number selected.
How-To Play
A player will decide a number 1-100 as well as whether the dice will roll under or over the selected number. The game system will then generate a random number and if the result matches what the player wagered on, they win. The closer to the ends of number line (0 or 100), the higher the possible payout, but this creates low win probability.
Keno
Keno is a lottery-style game where players can have a chance to win large payouts. The goal of this game is to select a set of numbers from a larger pool. While it is a lottery-style game, keno in online casinos offer faster and instant results making it ideal for continuous play.
How-To Play
First, a player must select their bet amount. Then they will move onto selecting their numbers from a grid typically numbered 1-80. The game's RNG will then select around twenty numbers. If the majority of the numbers drawn match the ones the player chooses, then the player wins. The payout amount depends on how many numbers match and in most cases you will need to match multiple to even begin gaining profit; in other words, just matching one number won't result in a win.
Limbo
Limbo is one of the most modern online casino games that is known for its fast pace gameplay. This game is becoming very well known in crypto casinos and even an in-house game. The concept of the game is simple and very similar to crash; players choose the multiplier they think will be lower or equal to what the game will display.
How-To Play
To begin, the player will select their target multiplier. Note that the higher the chosen multiplier, the larger the payout, but the chances of it hitting are low. The player will then choose the amount they desire based on their bankroll and level of risk they are willing to take. After hitting the bet button, the game will randomly generate a multiplier. If the game's chosen multiplier is higher or equal to the player's target multiplier, their original wager is then, you guessed it, multiplied by the winning target multiplier and distributed back to the player.
Plinko
Plinko is a popular online casino game inspired by the casino game show "The Price Is Right". This game combines simple gameplay and customized risk to excite the players. The mechanics are easy; with a triangular peg board, players are able to drop balls/chips from the top of the board. While the balls drop, they hit the pegs randomly and land in the prize slots below.
How-To Play
A player first starts by setting the amount they are willing to wager. They are then able to directly choose their risk difficulty and the amount of balls they want to drop at a time. The ball will fall and eventually land in a multiplier slot. Just like other games, the winning multiplier gets multiplied by the initial bet wagered.
Hi-Lo
This common game, also known as high-low, is considered to be a simple, fast-paced game where players try to predict whether the next card will be higher or lower than the current one displayed. The game will only stop if the player guesses incorrectly or if they decide to cash out.
How-To Play
Players can begin by placing their bet amount based on the size of their bankroll. Then, based on the current card being shown, the player will choose if they think the next card will be higher or lower. In many cases, players are also able to choose to skip the current card, and the game will display a new randomly generated card. The game will continue until the player guesses incorrectly or decides to cash out.
Crash
This game allows players to cash out before the multiplier “crashes”. Crash is a popularized crypto casino game that creates a fast-paced environment for players. In this multiplier-based game, timing is very important and knowing when it will crash leads to the unpredictable excitement players love.
How-To Play
This game begins with a player placing a bet before the round starts. Then, once the round begins, a lined graph begins at 1x and increases until the game randomly decides to crash. If the player cashes out before the game crashes, then the player wins; however, if the player is still in the game when it crashes, they lose. The payout amount on a win is determined by multiplying the player's bet amount by the multiplier they decide to cash out on.
Mines
The popular online casino game, Mines, is inspired by a classic Minesweeper concept. This game has customizable risk and appeals to both the casual and experienced player. Playing Mines is simple and is done by revealing safe tiles and trying to avoid the hidden mines. Each safe tile that is revealed increases multiplier until either the player decides to cash out or hits a mine.
How-To Play
Just like other games, the player starts by choosing their bet amount. Then, they are able to decide the number of mines that are put on the grid (more mines = higher volatility). The player can then begin clicking tiles to result in either a win or loss. Revealing a mine instantly ends the game, but safe tiles increase the multiplier value.
Coin Flip
Besides Hi-Lo, coin flip is one of the simplest games an online casino can offer. This game appeals to players who enjoy fast and straightforward gameplay. Players are able to choose from two outcomes: heads or tails. The game's RNG or provably fair algorithm then decides and displays the result for players to see.
How-To Play
Again, the player begins by logging in or creating an account at a secure casino and funding their online wallet. The player can then choose their bet amount and select what they believe the outcome will be. The game decides and virtually flips the coin that will land and
display the result of the flip. If a player guesses correctly, the winnings are paid out at fixed odds.
Wheel-Spin
The game of wheel is inspired by a Wheel of Fortune style and is entirely a game of chance. Many players are drawn to this game due to its simple rules, colorful wheel, and fast game style. Players are able to place bets on segments on a wheel that correspond to multipliers. The game is designed to be simple and ideal for any type of player.
How-To Play
The player begins by placing their wager on either a segment(s) or an overall bet on if the arrow will land on a segment at all. Each segment displayed represents a different payout or probability. Then the wheel is digitally spun and goes until momentum is lost and the arrow decides the outcome. The payout is determined by the multiplier/result displayed. The segments with higher multipliers are less likely to hit.
Live Dealer
In an online casino's live dealer games, players are able to experience the authenticity of a real casino. The casinos/providers use high-quality equipment to stream the game in real time. Players are able to place bets and interact through on-screen controls and a chat
room. Unlike the other standard games, games that use live dealers do not rely on RNG or provably fair algorithms solely. They instead use real equipment that offer an authentic feeling.
How-To Play
First, a player will fund their wallet with the desired currency (crypto or fiat) and join a live game table. Next, the player can place a bet through the game's interface. The dealer will then complete the actions of the game on camera, and the results are streamed instantly. If a player wins, their winnings are distributed directly to their account. While playing, many casinos offer a chat feature to interact with the dealer and other players in the game.
RTP and House Edge
The return to player (RTP) of a game is the percentage of wagers returned to players over time. This percentage is taken over millions of plays and is not a guarantee for short-term plays. The house edge is the opposite of that. The house edge is the other bit of percentage left out of the total 100 that the casino gets over time and is built into the games. To find the house edge, it is simple; 100 - RTP = house edge. It works the other way around to find the RTP as well. Most casinos display this for each individual game, but here is a chart to show the average RTP each game has. These can vary based on location and providers.
Popular Game | Estimated RTP |
Slots | ~ 96.0% – 99.0% |
Blackjack | ~ 99.4% – 99.7% |
Roulette | ~ 96.0% – 98.0% |
Dice | ~ 99.0% |
Keno | ~ 92.0% – 96.0% |
Limbo | ~ 99.0% |
Plinko | ~ 97.0% – 99.0% |
Hi-Lo | ~ 98.0% – 99.0% |
Crash | ~ 96.0% – 99.0% |
Mines | ~ 98.5% |
Coin Flip | ~ 98.0% – 99.0% |
Wheel | ~ 96.0% |
Live Dealer | ~ 97.0% – 99.0% |
Online Vs Traditional Land Based Casinos
Whether you enjoy lounging on your couch at home or going out with cash in hand, casino games are available just about anywhere. Many players enjoy the environment of a traditional casino, but others enjoy the convenience of being able to play anytime, anywhere. While having the ability to play from your phone, tablet, or computer is one of the most common advantages to gambling online versus traditional casinos, let's talk about other advantages and disadvantages both online and traditional gambling has.
Game Variety and Speed
Online casinos most definitely offer a wider range of options compared to land-based casinos. Online casinos offer thousands of varieties for each main game type. For example, slots, table games, and games offered only online have thousands of variations and ways to win. These games are easy to switch between, offering faster rounds and instant betting for players. This is due to not having to wait for seats or dealer actions.
Land-based casinos offer limited games due to the floor space in a venue but prioritize the quality of their games over the quantity. Players have a more curated experience when playing in person, but this comes with a slower pace due to player interactions and dealer actions. These casinos also offer fewer variations of the popular games.
Land-based casinos offer promotions such as comp drinks, hotel perks, and loyalty points, while online casinos are known for more attractive bonuses. Online casinos offer welcome bonuses, free spins, cashback, and loyalty rewards programs that are more common online than in land-based casinos.
Payment Methods and Betting Limits
Online platforms offer very low minimums and a wide range of limits for any player's budget. Along with the betting limits, online casinos offer a higher standard of responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion tools. While there are limits with the amounts and ways to play, there is a wide range of payment options for online gambling. Many platforms offer payments through credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and most importantly, cryptocurrencies.
Land-based casinos are very different from online casinos when it comes to limits and methods. When playing in person, the minimums are higher than online, especially in popular casino venues. Players also have to rely more on themselves and the casino staff to ensure responsible gambling is in place. While online casinos offer many payment methods, land-based casinos are limited to cash, chips, and limited digital payments.
Fairness and Transparency
In land-based casinos, it is easy to see the fairness of the game through the physical components and visible dealer actions. Decks are shuffled many times, and everything is straightforward. Online casinos offer the same amount of fairness through their RNG testing and provably fair games they offer. Just like many of the slots in land-based casinos, online casinos offer RNG games but go a step further with games that players are able to test the randomness of themselves.
Tips on How to Find the Best Online Casino Game
Try the demo mode beforehand: Many online casinos offer a fun play/demo mode for players to be able to learn the mechanics and features without having to deposit. This is also helpful to players so they can get a feel for the game and determine if that is the type of game for them.
Finding a trustworthy provider: Many providers and casinos can feel sketchy or rigged, so it is always best to make sure you check for:
Valid and reputable licensing
Independent game auditing
Third-party companies such as eCOGRA and iTech
Clear and fair terms and conditions
Clear ownership
Look at the RTP and house edge: Games and casinos offer games that vary in RTP, making it either more or less profitable for the casino. Making sure the casino provides a listed RTP and that it is at 96% or above are key factors to finding the best games.
Knowing what is “best” for you: Not every player enjoys the same play style, so it is good to understand what you like. Priorities include low house edge, desired volatility, level of entertainment, and level of skill required.
Understanding the volatility: The volatility determines the frequency and amount a player gets paid.
Low volatility: Smaller amounts but more frequently
Medium volatility: Balanced and fair gameplay
High volatility: Large payouts but very rare frequency
FAQ
What are online casino games?
Online casino games are a digital version that can be played on many devices such as a phone or computer. Casinos can be accessed through websites and apps and include games like slots, blackjack, and so much more at the tip of your fingers.
Are online casino games fair?
Many online casinos have started to integrate provably fair and RNG-tested games. This means that a player can test the randomness and fairness of the game through the built-in calculator. These games have become the new standard for online casino games so that players don't just have to blindly trust auditors or the casinos themselves.
Do online casino games pay better than land-based casinos?
Yes. Overall, online casinos have higher RTPs, lower house edges, and lower minimum bets since they have fewer operating costs than land-based casinos.
Are online casino games safe?
Online games can be safe when played at licensed and regulated casinos that have encryption technology. These are considered reputable and should always be chosen.
Can you play online casino games for free?
Players are able to play for free through demo modes that most online casinos offer. Playing for free allows players to get a feel for the game and learn the rules before wagering any real money.
What online casino game has the worst odds?
Typically, slots are known to have the worst odds of huge wins even when they have high RTP. Jackpots are difficult to hit, as well as winning a high-volatility table bet, so it is best to check the payout odds for each game.