Gambling 101: a Beginner’s Guide to Online Casinos

If you’re just getting into gambling, you’re not the only one. In recent years, there has been an explosion of online gambling legalization as more and more states are allowing casinos and bookies to operate.

Endless swathes of gambling sites are scrambling to hook your attention, offering unbelievable bonuses and enthralling live game experiences accompanied by extensive terms of conditions. 

For a new online casino player, this all can be a bit overwhelming, so we’ve prepared this guide to help ease you into it.

What are online casinos?

Let’s first dive into what online casinos actually are. They are digital platforms offering the same kinds of gambling games traditionally found in land-based casinos. They allow players to wager real money (or sometimes play for free) on games through their computers or mobile devices like:

• slots;
• blackjack;
• poker;
• roulette;
• Aviator predictor.

A wondrous advantage of online casinos is that people can play them online at any time. They offer a remarkable social experience with far superior connectivity. You can see which of your friends are online and join a poker table with them at any time.

Casinos can be played on the web or downloaded onto your phone or tablet, the latter offering somewhat smoother performance. For a top-tier gaming experience, check out  www.rippercasinogames.com, where you can explore a variety of exciting options.

Live dealer casinos are great for interacting with people. They’re available even in augmented and virtual reality. More and more casinos are attempting to jump into as many gambling genres as they can since they don’t want players to churn to other platforms due to not being offered some of their favorite pastimes.

Live dealer casinos are great for interacting with people. They’re available even in augmented and virtual reality. More and more casinos are attempting to jump into as many gambling genres as they can since they don’t want players to churn to other platforms due to not being offered some of their favorite pastimes.

These casinos are heavily regulated, must have their code and software frequently analyzed by authorities and licensing organizations, require a presence in the country, and there are mechanisms such as random number generators and funds reserves required to ensure players aren’t cheated.

Getting started with online casinos

Though the process may appear intimidating at times, gambling is regardless ultimately a game of luck, and getting started just requires a few steps. 

1. Choose the right online casino: make sure the casino is licensed by reputable authorities such as Curacao or the UK Gambling Commission, has a broad selection of games for you to enjoy, boasts an abundance of favorable ratings from past players, supports secure and convenient payment methods that work for you, and has a responsive support team;
2. Create an account: complete the KYC process along with submitting proof of identity and your address, such as a utility bill. 
3. Deposit some money to use on the platform: consider the commissions and processing times. Crypto tends to offer the lowest commissions of within a single percent.

Exploring online casino games

We all have our own affinities and nostalgia for particular genres, and there’s no telling what game will hook us for the long haul. However, slots are the most popular. These range from three-reel slots to modern video slots with elaborate themes, bonuses, and story modes.

The jackpots they offer are enormous and more than enough to change somebody’s life. Most importantly, they’re simple – you just spin the reels and hope for a winning combination determined by the symbols you land on the paylines.

An important feature to be aware of is the paylines and the RTP percentage – the amount that the game pays back to players on average versus their deposit.

Table games are a big staple in online casinos. They’re the most salacious draw for those who love to socialize. Many people adore playing games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker, even without putting money on the table.

Baccarat, poker, and blackjack meanwhile feature a number of ways players can influence the outcome using strategy and are much less luck-based than other games. For that reason, these are often provided in live format.

Bingo and scratch cards are another beloved pastime people have. Though they are not impacted by any strategy, they come with the potential for huge winnings. Many online casinos offer demo versions of their games as well to practice and familiarize yourself with them. Give them all a test and you might find yourself a brand new passion.

Bonuses and promotions

One of the details that sways a lot of players and helps them opt for one casino over another is the sweet welcome bonuses and promotions. The biggest offers are for brand-new players, offering upwards of several hundred percent bonuses on deposits.

However, beware as they come with strict terms and conditions. In order to actually withdraw those bonuses, you normally have to have deposited at least that much of your own money and wagered it.

A lot of casinos offer what are called no-deposit bonuses as well, where you receive a small bonus without having to deposit any money. Then there are free promos like free spins in a limited number. This is especially common for slot games.

Then, casinos also offer cashback, which ranges from a couple percent to as high as 20 percent, mainly depending on the total amount that players have wagered.

Other bonuses include:

• reload bonuses – for making additional deposits;
• loyalty programs granting points;
• prize raffles such as tablets, iPhones, and vehicles.

Strategies for beginners

It’s a good idea for beginners to play luck games or games that they at least fully understand if there is a large degree of strategy involved. In doing so, they should enter games with a well-thought-out strategy.

Blackjack

This is a beginner-friendly game, partially because it offers only a slight house edge of 0.5%. Beginners can benefit by reading basic strategy charts that guide players on the best actions to take – when to hit, stand, double down, or split – based on their hand and the dealer’s upcard. 

Roulette

There are strategies you can take advantage of despite that this is a pure luck game. 

Slots

Focus on high-RTP slots that have the best payout rates over time. Also, slots offering free spins and multipliers will work out better. 

Poker

This is one of the few games that involves skill, strategy, and psychology. If you must, play this game for fun, but be very wary of betting money against experienced players.

The martingale strategy

In this case, you double your bet every time you lose, so that every time you win, you end up replacing all of your losses. After each time you win, you reset your bet back to the base size. This way, you always make back your losses. However, this is high-risk and requires you to have a large bankroll.

Fibonacci system

This follows a sequence of numbers to determine your bet size, increasing gradually after a loss.

Forbes also provided its own perspective on how to excel at gambling.