Most of us like the idea of a night at the casino, but for many it is something we never quite get around to doing. For some it is lack of opportunity – casinos are typically in big cities and seaside resorts, and are certainly not on every street corner, but more often, it is a case of being a little nervous about the whole thing. Will you stick out as a novice, is there special etiquette to be followed, and most of all, will you lose the shirt off your back?
The arrival of the online casino sector has been a huge relief to anyone with these kinds of concerns. Now, you can log on from home, learn the ins and outs of those classic casino games and spill your drink as many times as you like – nobody will see or care. And once you’ve honed your skills, you will probably feel more inclined to try out the real thing.
Of course, even with an online game, we are all beginners at some time. So if you are considering finding out what all the fuss is about, here are some tips to get you started.
Choose your casino carefully
It’s easy to make the mistake of thinking that all online casinos are the same. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Different sites have different games, different prizes, different payment mechanisms and, crucially for the newbie, different welcome offers. For example, this Calzone review from casino comparison site UK Casinos Online describes a food-themed online casino with a bonus of up to £600 for new players. So check out all the reviews and find a casino that has games that appeal to you, and some generous bonuses.
Understand the house edge
A casino is a business, and businesses are there to make money. It stands to reason, then, that on an average night, the sum total of gamblers will wager more than they win. That’s just basic economics. It comes down to a concept called the house edge. This means that the amount you stand to win is a little less than the odds of you winning. So in a 50/50 wager, such as a flip of a coin, you might assume a one pound stake would mean a one pound win. In fact, it would be something like 95p. This equates to a house edge of five percent. Different games have a different house edge.
Choose your game
Typically, the house edge on a slot machine is around 10 percent, although it is often lower in an online casino, as they have reduced overheads. A single zero roulette wheel has a house edge of 2.7 percent, and in blackjack, the house edge is around two percent, but can be less than one percent if you follow a reliable strategy.
So does that mean we should all be playing blackjack? It’s not that simple. People love the slots because they provide the opportunity to win life-changing sums. You just can’t win that sort of money playing table games.
Slots are also popular because of their simplicity. Insert your virtual coin, spin the reels and see what happens. With games like blackjack, there is far more strategy involved, and you can study for years to improve your gameplay, and at the same time your chances of winning.
Perhaps the best advice is to give everything a try. Explore the slots, spin the roulette wheel, and invest a little time in learning blackjack strategy. With those hefty welcome bonuses, it’s free money, so you might as well spend it learning the ropes and finding out which games you like best. Good luck!
