Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Whether you are a casino veteran, or you’ve never spun the reels of a slot game in your life, our team is your one-stop-shop for all things casino related. We offer you an expert guide to the rules of every online casino game, information about the best (and worst) games out there and the strategies which can make you money.Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Our team is the best in the business when it comes to the world of online casino gaming. If our team doesn’t know about it then it’s not worth knowing. If you’re looking for the best value promotions and bonuses then you need look no further, as we’ve got all the information you need right here.Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Table of Contents

Expert Tips for Playing Casino Games Online

The expression ‘fail to prepare; prepare to fail’ is never more appropriate than when talking about playing at online casinos. The casino is a dangerous place for the unwary as there are plenty of opportunities to burn through your cash in a hurry. Fortunately, we are here to help.

With our unparalleled knowledge of the newest online casinos and games, you will find everything you need to succeed on these pages. Our team lives and breathes casinos, and we are happy to share our knowledge with you to give you the best chance of beating the casinos at their own game:

We will teach you the only casino bet without a house edge,
how to beat the dealer at blackjack
which roulette bets should always be avoided.

We will be your guide through the casino jungle, giving you the lowdown on the best slots and table games and expert tips on how to outwit the casino and win.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about playing casino games online.

Here are two very popular slots to try, the traditional slot game and the jackpot game:

	Game	Payout Percentage	Further Information	Read Review
	Mega Moolah	94,5 %	Mega Moolah from Microgaming is one of the most famous slot games in the world. It offers huge jackpots and great gameplay.	Review
	Gonzo's Quest	96%	Gonzo's Quest was released by NetEnt in 2010 and is still one of the most popular slot games around. This game has wonderful animations and addictive rolling reels feature.	Review

Why Use Our Game Guides?

When you want expert reviews and honest guides to the best (and worst) online casino games then you know you can trust us. We don’t monkey around when it comes to giving our readers the low-down on which games to go for, and which ones are just a waste of your time. From the latest video slots and jackpots to traditional games like blackjack and baccarat, we got you covered.

Online Casino Games vs. Regular Casinos

Those of you who have visited a brick-and-mortar casino will know what to expect when it comes to the type of real money casino games you will find online. However, there are some differences between playing casino games online as opposed to visiting a physical casino:

The differences between online casino games and regular casino games

Online games are easier to access
Greater variety of games in big online casinos
Automated online table games are faster than in a casino
Return to player on slot games is usually higher online
No physical constraints on quantity of online games
No tipping is required/expected when playing online

Skill Games vs. Games of Chance

Casino games can broadly be separated into two distinct groups: skill-based games and games of chance.

Skill games are those where the outcome will depend on the actions of the player.
Games of chance have a random outcome which cannot be influenced by the player at all.

The type of game you prefer is entirely down to personal preference, as both can be rewarding.

Examples of skill games in casinos include:

blackjack
video poker
casino poker

Blackjack is one of the most popular traditional casino table games and the way that you play will have a major impact on whether you make a profit or loss. There is a limited number of hands which can be dealt during a game of blackjack and there is an optimal play to make for every situation. It can take some dedication to learn every single optimal response, but fortunately when you are playing online you can just keep a blackjack strategy sheet open in a different window and use this to determine your actions.

Examples of games of chance in casinos include:

Slot games are the obvious examples when it comes to game of chance
Roulette and baccarat come into this category as well

There is nothing you can do to influence the spinning reels of a slot game or which pocket the roulette ball will end up in. What you can do is research which games have a better overall return to player and therefore offer a better chance to win. Games like roulette and the dice game craps have some bet types which are more rewarding than others and offer a better chance of success, so a clever player will make sure to research the most lucrative betting options in advance and stay away from the rip-offs.

It should always be remembered that the phrase ‘the house always wins’ exists for a reason.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t walk away from a session at an online casino with a healthy profit.
What it does mean is that the games are all set up to include a house edge favouring the casino; even playing perfectly at skill games will just reduce this edge, it won’t remove it completely.

When it comes to playing online casino games, the best option is always to play games that are fun and enjoyable, rather than expecting to make a profit out of them. After all online casino gaming is about entertainment above everything else.

How to Play Real Money Casino Games Online

Many online casinos give players the option to choose either demo or real money versions of games. This is a great opportunity for newcomers to test out a variety of games without risking real money in the process.

Demo versions of games:

Demo versions are particularly useful when it comes to skill games which require some intervention from the player; games like blackjack or poker. Playing with demo versions of these games lets you refine your technique.
Of course you can choose to play demo versions of most games – although this option will never be available for live dealer games, the overheads are just too expensive for the casino to allow this.
Playing with demo versions of games is a great way to identify betting strategies for games like roulette and craps, and is also a good way to gauge how often special features and bonuses appear on slot games.

However, nothing can replace the excitement of playing for real money and in time you will surely want to move to real money gaming. To help in that process we are going to give you a brief introduction to some of the most popular casino games around.

Guide to Online Blackjack

Blackjack is the most popular traditional casino game and has remained one of the most-played betting games for hundreds of years. Online blackjack players can choose between a live dealer version of the game or a random number generated online version. Whichever you choose the basic rules remain the same. You must try and get a hand which scores closer to the total of 21 than the dealer without going over that number. Aces are worth 1 or 11 points and all face cards are worth 10 apiece. Both of your cards will be dealt face up whereas you can only see one of the dealers two cards.

Here is a popular online casino that offers a great selection of Blackjack games:

	Online Casino	First Deposit Bonus	Further Information	Read review and play
	Videoslots	100% / £200 + 11 Free Spins	At Videoslots you have many Blackjack tables to choose from. These include Speed Blackjack, Blackjack Silver, Blackjack VIP and many more.	Review

Guide to Online Slots

Online slot games are one of the simplest online casino games to play, and also one of the most entertaining. The range and variety of online slots available to players today is quite simply stunning, so you will never be short of slot gaming options.

We always suggest that you look up the Return to Player on slots in advance to see if your favourites are more likely to pay out.
Then it’s simply a case of choosing your per spin bet amount and spinning those reels to try and match symbols to win cash prizes.

Big wins are unlocked when you trigger the bonus games, and progressive jackpot games can potentially be worth millions.

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

The word ‘roulette’ is French for ‘little wheel’, and people have been spinning the roulette wheel in a bid to increase their fortunes for centuries.

This is an extremely popular game to play online, with the live dealer version of the game a particular favourite with online casino players.
The wheel consists of 32 numbered pockets coloured either black or red along with one (or two for the American version) green ‘zero’ pockets.
Place your bet on single numbers or groups of numbers and hope that the silver ball ends up in the right place to give you a win.

Here’s a good and trusted online casino that offers a great selection of Online Roulette games:

	Online Casino	First Deposit Bonus	Further Information	Read review and play
	Casumo Casino	100% / £100 + 50 Bonus Spins	Casumo Casino has a great selection of live games from two of the best providers: Evolution and NetEnt. Online Roulette games include: Immersive Roulette, Casumo Online Roulette, Mega Fire Blaze Live Roulette, Football Roulette and many more.	Review

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Baccarat is quite a complex game when played at home, but in an online casino the dealer does all the work and it becomes a very simple casino gaming option. The roles of ‘Banker’ and ‘Player’ are both taken by the dealer and you simply bet on the hand you believe will win, or you can choose to place a wager on the tie. Baccarat has been around for hundreds of years in various forms, and today it is a particular favourite of high-rolling player because of its fast-paced action.

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Video poker is one of the oldest online casino games and it retains its popularity to this day. One of the reasons for this is the fact that this is one of the best-value games in the casino, so don’t ignore it just because it might not have the flashy graphics and animations of some of the other games on the site.

Video Poker is basically a version of 5-card draw, where you are dealt five cards face up and can exchange as many of these as you want in an attempt to form winning combinations.
The most common type of video poker is ‘Jacks or Better’ where you win if you can find at least a pair of Jacks up to a maximum of a Royal Flush.
Like blackjack, there are specific actions which should be taken based on the cards in your hand, and these should be learned before you attempt to play this game.

Here’s a reputable online casino that also offers Online Video Poker Games:

	Online Casino	First Deposit Bonus	Further Information	Read review and play
	NetBet	Up to 500 Free Spins	NetBet has an amazing selection of casino games including video poker. Here you will play Jacks or Better, Joker Poker, All Aces Poker and many more.	Review

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

This poker variation is a popular choice at a number of online casinos. The name may sound unfamiliar to those not accustomed to online casino gaming, but in fact this is a very simple poker game to play.

Online Caribbeab Stud Poker in a nutshell:

After betting an opening amount – the ‘Ante’ – the player is dealt five cards face up, while the dealer receives four cards face down and one face up.
Now the player has the option to either Call or Fold, with the proviso that calling will involve betting the same amount as the ante again.
If a Call is made then the dealers hand is revealed and whoever has the better poker hand wins.

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Craps is one of the most popular and exciting games at physical casinos, although it is less commonly found as a live dealer game online or even an RNG (random number generated) game. That’s a shame, as it offers some of the best value to players of any game out there.

This game is both simple and complicated at the same time:

The simple part is that two dice are rolled to determine the outcome of a game, but the number of different bet types available and the complex betting grids make it off-putting to newbies.

Check out our guide and we will teach you which bets to avoid and which offer superb value and a great way to take on the house.

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Bingo has been the ‘housewife’s choice’ for generations, but since moving online it has become popular with a much wider audience. Now millions of people from all over the world enjoy both the social and gaming aspects of this numbers game. Buy virtual tickets which show your numbers on a card and hope that enough matching numbers are drawn out to win you a prize. The price of entry is normally quite low, and games vary according to the amount of balls available, with 75 and 90 being the most common.

Here’s a new online casino that also offers Bingo games:

	Online Casino	First Deposit Bonus	Further Information	Read review and play
	MrQ Casino	20 Free Spins + 6 bingo tickets	Bingo online games are wel represented at MrQ Casino. Here you can play 75 and 90 bal bingo, Full Monty, Pinch a Penny, On the House and Cheap as Chips.	Review

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Sic Bo is an ancient game of Asian origin, although it is growing in popularity in online casinos all around the world. This is a dice game featuring three dice, and the player must simply place bets based on their predictions of what will be rolled.

The bets range from even money bets all the way up to long-shots of 180 to one.
Examples of bets are selecting a specific triple to be rolled, for example three 4s, or betting that one of two particular numbers, for example a 2 and a 4, will show up on the faces of one of the dices.

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

The game of Keno is a close cousin to Bingo, as it is basically a form of lottery game. The main difference is that when playing Bingo you are given a virtual card with a collection of (for example) 15 numbers on it in patterned shapes. With Keno, you get to choose between 1 and 15 numbers yourself, normally between 1 and 80. After you have chosen your bet size and selected your numbers, 20 Keno balls are drawn and if your number or numbers are among those selected then you win a cash prize. Bigger prizes are on offer if you choose to play with more numbers, but of course this is a riskier strategy.

Here’s a good online casino that also offers Keno games:

	Online Casino	First Deposit Bonus	Further Information	Read review and play
	Casimba	100% / £200 + 50 Bonus Spins	Casimba Casino offers three Keno games: FireFly Keno, Tutan Keno and Keno Pop.	Review

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

This game is a variation of poker which is particularly popular in Asian gambling circles.

Here you make a wager – which can range from around 50p to hundreds of pounds – and are dealt seven cards.
The dealer is also dealt a hand of seven cards, except his are dealt face down.
Now the player must arrange his/her cards into two Pai Gow Poker hands:
- one made of two cards
- one made of five cards
If both the player’s hands beat both those of the dealer, then the player doubles their money.
If the opposite is true then the player loses, and it is a ‘push’ (wager is returned) if the player wins just one hand.

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Online scratch cards follow the same concept as those you can pick up from your local shop or petrol station. You will generally find a greater range of scratchies online than you can find in a store, and the prizes can often be much larger as well. Otherwise the idea is the same, as you virtually ‘scratch’ away the front of the card to reveal the symbols behind. Match enough symbols to win cash prizes, other prizes or free scratch cards.

Online Casino Games Guide - Information, Rules & Strategies

Hold ‘em Poker is probably the most popular variation of poker played today, and the casino version is similar to that played in tournaments across the world. The difference is that here you play against the dealer and not other players.

After betting the Ante, both the player and dealer receive two cards although only the player’s cards are visible.
Three communal cards are also dealt face up into the centre of the table and can be used by player and dealer.
The player now has the option to Call or to quit by hitting Fold.
If the player wants to continue then they must Call by placing another bet which has to be double the value of the Ante.
Two more cards are dealt face up to the centre of the table, the dealers two hole cards are revealed, and whoever can form the best five card hand from the five communal cards plus their own hole cards wins the hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of real money casino games are available online?

If you have ever visited a land-based casino then you will know what kind of games to expect to find at an online casino. The main difference is that online casinos don’t have to worry about floor space and so can offer a greater quantity of games. As in real casinos, slot games tend to take centre stage at online casinos. Besides these, you will find many casino table games such as blackjack, roulette, casino poker, baccarat and many more. Some casinos also offer instant win games, progressive jackpot slot games, scratch cards, bingo/keno and virtual sports among their portfolio of games.

What is a Progressive Jackpot Slot Game?

Most slot games have fixed jackpot amounts which can be won by matching five of the highest value symbols along a winning payline. However, progressive jackpot slot games do not have fixed jackpots, but instead a small percentage of each bet placed on the game is added to the jackpot total. Sometimes a progressive jackpot game is specific to one particular casino, but often if you play the same game at any online casino a percentage of your bet is added to the overall jackpot. Some series of games – such as the Age of the Gods slots from Playtech – are all linked together and combine to form the same jackpot total which can be won by playing any of the games.

What are Live Dealer Casino Games?

A live dealer casino is one where casino games are dealt by a real croupier in a casino or gaming studio. The live feed of the game is streamed to your device and you can place bets as you would with a regular online casino table game. Many players prefer to be able to see real-life dealers give out the cards and spin the roulette wheel rather than playing on animated versions of games. Expect to see versions of all popular casino table games available as live dealer games, with blackjack, roulette, baccarat and Casino Poker among the most popular options.

Are there any betting limits on online casino games?

Online casino games will have a betting limit per hand or spin, but these limits can vary enormously according to the game in question. For example, one spin of a slot game could cost from as little as 10p up to hundreds of pounds. VIP tables at live dealer casino games can have limits in the thousands of pounds for high-rolling players. The most important thing to remember is never to bet money at the casino which you cannot afford to lose.

Are online casinos safe?

One of the first things you should look for when you are considering signing up with an online casino is the license. Every online casino should have a license from a recognised regulator, with the UK, Malta, Isle of Man and Gibraltar regulators among the most trusted. Casinos with these licenses are perfectly safe because to engage in any illegal or unfair behaviour would mean that the site would lose their valuable license. If you are insure, check our list of recommended sites, as we never recommend any but the most secure of online casinos.

Are online casino games fixed?

Although some players are hesitant to play animated online game, casino games are most certainly not fixed and will pay out fairly. Games from reputable casinos (see above) will have their games independently tested by bodies like eCOGRA on a regular basis, and these games come from trusted casino game suppliers.

What is a ‘wagering requirement’?

If you receive a bonus or free spins from an online casino, you will not be able to immediately withdraw your money without playing. The casino will require you to bet a certain amount before the bonus funds becomes available to withdraw. This amount is usually a multiple of your bonus, so for example if you received a bonus of £100 you may be required to bet 35 times this bonus (100 x 35 = £3,500) before the bonus funds can be withdrawn. Note that the wagering requirement refers to the amount you must bet, not the amount that you need to win.

What is the Return to Player?

You will often hear the Return to Player (RTP) being mentioned in reference to casino games. This RTP is the percentage of money bet which is expected to be returned to the player over time. For example, a slot game may have an RTP of 96% which would mean that if £10,000,000 were bet over tens of thousands of spins around £9.6 million would expect to be returned to the players, with the casino taking the remainder. The (in this example) 4% which goes to the casino is often returned to as the house edge. Every casino game will feature a house edge, although some games are more generous than others.

Which casino games offer the best odds?

Smart casino gamblers will look for the games which offer the best chances of success. We referred to the Return to Player which is built into every game, and a higher RTP means a better chance for the player to make a profit. Slot games tend to have an RTP in the range of 94 to 97% for the most part. However, games like Blackjack, Video Poker, Baccarat and Craps tend to offer the highest RTPs, although this is dependent upon your choosing the best bet types as well as the optimal playing strategy. Luckily our team can help you out on that score, just go to our guides to the individual games for the best winning tips and advice.

Author: Leo Wilson
My name is Leo and I am a contributing author at Free Spins. Over the years, I have developed a love for online gaming. I have spent many hours sitting in land casinos and traveling to different venues. The first time I gambled online, it was love at first spin and I haven’t looked back since.
Read more