Online casino games allow you to experience the thrill of the casino floor from the comfort of your own home. With just an internet connection and a device, you can try your hand at classic table games, immersive slots, or even live dealer games streamed right to your screen.
While landing a life-changing jackpot may come down to the whims of Lady Luck, there’s still skill involved in games like poker or blackjack. Understanding the rules, odds, and basic strategies can help stretch your bankroll and boost your chances of winning at Fair Go Casino. Our beginner’s guide will walk you through the key things to know before placing your first real-money bets.
Get Familiar with Common Online Casino Games
Before risking your hard-earned cash, it pays to understand the games you’ll encounter at most virtual casinos. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular options:
Slots
The humble slot machine accounts for over 70% of the average online casino’s game library. Players love slots for their simplicity, exciting themes, and million-dollar jackpot potential. All it takes is a click to spin the reels – the rest is up to luck!
Modern video slots come packed with bonus features like free spins, prize multipliers, and interactive bonus rounds. Be sure to check the rules and paytable of each game to understand special symbols and how features are triggered.
Blackjack
Blackjack is a classic card game, pitting players against the dealer in a battle to get closest to 21 without going over. Getting dealt a natural blackjack starting hand pays out 3–2 odds on your original bet.
You’ll have options to “hit” and receive extra cards, or “stand” and hold your total. A great blackjack strategy can help reduce the house edge to under 1% with perfect play.
Roulette
In roulette, a ball spins around a wheel with numbered pockets until it lands to determine winning bets. Wagers cover straightforward options like colors (red or black), individual numbers from 1-36, as well as categories like odd/even and dozens.
While the odds and payouts favor the house in the long run, landing a few good spins in a row can still equal massive wins. Just ask the Finnish man who pocketed over €17 million from a €0.25 bet!
Poker
Video poker machines let you play digitized versions of poker hands like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. The key is knowing optimal strategies for which cards to hold or discard to maximize your payouts.
For the authentic poker experience, live dealer tables stream an interactive session with a professional croupier calling the action in real-time. Put your skills to the test against other players without ever leaving your living room.
Brush Up on Betting Basics
While every game has its own distinct rules and betting options, there are some common betting principles to understand:
Understanding House Edge
The house edge represents the mathematical advantage casinos hold over players in the long run. It’s expressed as a percentage – an edge of 5% means over time, the house will retain 5 cents of every dollar wagered.
When choosing games, keep an eye on the house edge. Lower is better, so blackjack (under 1%) is more favorable than roulette (5.26%) or slots (5-10%).
Getting Familiar with Odds
Payout odds refer to how much your bet will return for a winning result. For example, the odds of red/black on a roulette wheel may be presented as 1:1. This means a $10 bet returns $10 profit plus your original $10 wager.
Higher odds generally mean a less likely outcome. A single number hits on average once every 38 spins, so the 35:1 payout tempts many players to take a risk.
Minimum and Maximum Bets
Each game and casino will specify minimum and maximum betting limits. Make sure to check these band to ensure your bankroll can support the required bet sizes.
Progressive jackpots often have a fixed minimum bet amount required to qualify for the life-altering top prize. The current Mega Moolah record payout of $20 million was won from a $0.25 spin!
Use Betting Strategies to Your Advantage
While winning ultimately comes down to chance in casino games, having a smart betting strategy can help optimize results. Here are some tips to stretch your gambling dollar:
Set a Budget
Determine how much you can afford to lose before hitting the tables, and stick to it. Setting a loss limit is vital – don’t let emotions lead to chasing losses. Slot bankroll management tools even allow you to allocate funds per spin.
Lock in Profits
Table games with progressive betting allow you to capitalize on hot streaks. In blackjack, once you’re ahead, start lowering your per-hand bet size. This lets you lock in profits in case the tide turns against you.
Review the Paytables
Paytables provide the house edge and payouts for slot machines and video poker. Use them to identify games offering better value. Slots with higher volatility have bigger (but less frequent) wins, which may suit bigger bankrolls.
Claim Bonuses
Online casinos compete by offering generous welcome bonuses for new players in the form of free cash or spins. Make sure to read the fine print on playthrough and expiration dates, but used wisely, these perks can significantly boost your starting balance.
Practice Bankroll Management
Managing your bankroll wisely is critical to gambling success. Avoid chasing losses by setting a budget for each session and sticking to it, win or lose. Here are some bankroll management tips:
Only Gamble Affordable Sums
What you can afford to lose depends on your personal situation. As a general rule, gamble 1-5% of your bankroll per session. Gambling more than you can afford to lose is a recipe for trouble.
Set Win Limits and Cash Out
On hot streaks, set a reasonable win goal and cash out your bets when you hit it. This avoids the risk of losing everything back.
Have a Stop-Loss
Determine the maximum loss you can accept, and stick to it. Hitting a stop-loss limit signals it’s time to call it a day.
Avoid Chasing Losses
It’s tempting to try to win back losses with bigger bets, but this rarely ends well. Walk away and come back another day with a clear head.
Choose Reputable Online Casinos
While luck ultimately determines results, you still want to gamble at trustworthy sites. Here are the key signs of legitimate online casinos:
- Licensed and regulated in reputable jurisdictions like Malta, Gibraltar, Alderney, or the UK
- Uses trusted banking providers and encryption protocols
- Independently audited for fair gaming by eCOGRA
- Responsive, professional customer support
Stick to casinos meeting these criteria, and you can play with peace of mind knowing games are fair and winnings can be withdrawn safely.
Ready to Try Your Luck?
Understanding the rules, setting a budget, and finding a reputable site allows you to focus on the fun of playing. Brush up on blackjack strategy charts and give those slots a spin – you could become the next millionaire jackpot winner!
Just remember to gamble responsibly. Set limits, manage your bankroll wisely, and see online casino games as entertainment rather than a way to make money. Maintaining perspective is key, but approach gambling with discipline, and who knows – you might just get lucky!
