Be it in a physical location or in online casinos for real money, the gambling world is very diverse. In fact, for a new player, the variety of choices can seem daunting.
The most common misconception is that all people who play are die-hard addicts, but that cannot be further from the truth. These games are designed to be casual-friendly and accessible, even for those who only wish to play once a month, or twice yearly.
But what if you never played before and want to know where to start? This article aims to act as a general introduction to the topic of casino games, saving all the guesswork that can be expected when first trying out a new experience.
We will not be covering other types of online gambling such as sports betting, as we will focus solely on classic casino games.
Slot games
Without even touching a machine, you probably know what slot games are. These are probably the most common casino games, out of all the gambling casino games. Slots can be seen in hundreds of movies, they are found even outside casinos in some bars (depending on where you live), and the learning curve is not that steep.
And there are possibly thousands of variations on the basic formula of slots. The themes can get wild and exotic, using images ranging from tropical scenery to the far-off lands of Egypt. The pool of jackpots is getting larger every day, and it is not uncommon for someone to win on their first try.
A common myth that you should avoid is that slots are rigged by a certain algorithm to give out payouts after a certain number of tries, or after a certain sum of money was spent.
In accredited and certified casinos, the process is much more random than that. The basic mechanism relies on a Random Number Generator (or RNG for short), which makes sure that each attempt is truly up to the odds.
I can’t say the same about machines in some dingy bar that was unverified by proper authorities, and that’s why it is best to stick to verified and above-board venues or websites.
Poker
In most people’s opinion, Poker is a game of both skill and chance. Of course, success depends on what hand of cards you are dealt, but even if the hand is bad, you can still win if you play it right.
Most games at casinos are almost completely random, and it’s hard to see the same people winning over and over because there’s no actual way to get better at randomness.
Even though it is cliche at this point, poker players like to point out that their game of choice is not a game of chance, because if it was, tournaments would not be won consistently by the same people.
As for the game itself, you usually get 5 cards in a hand, with the winning combinations being pairs, full house, or flushes. There are also multiple variants of poker, with the most popular probably being Texas Hold’em. We also have 5 Card Draw, Omaha Hold’em, Pineapple, and Razz.
Poker has often been used as an analogy for human life itself, most notably in Kenny Rogers’ the Gambler song.
Both in life and poker, you are dealt a hand of cards, and that hand can be good or bad. But no matter what, you must play that hand to the best of your ability, and know when to commit and hold’em, and when to fold’em.
Of course, you won’t be joining pro tournaments right from the start. There are ranking systems, especially in online poker, which will match you with people who are at your skill level.
Blackjack
Blackjack, or Blackjack is another card game depending on your decision-making skills. It is more random than poker, but it is still one of the types of gambling that you can learn and improve.
The game is simple: each card has a numeric value. You are given an initial pair of cards, and then you ask the dealer for more. The trick is to get as close as possible to the sum of 21. If you decide to stop, for example, at the sum of 18, you run the risk of losing to those who have 19, 20, or 21.
But if you ask the dealer for another card, and you go over 21, then you automatically lose.
So, it is up to you to decide if you want to risk it or play it safe.
There are some movies where the main character is a math genius and can count the cards already shown via complex algorithms, without using pen and paper. But I wouldn’t count on that, as those types of skills are astronomically rare.
Just enjoy the game and try to get a feel for how it works. Online gambling has a wide variety of sums, jackpots, and betting slots that allow for both those who wish to spend a lot of money and those who only want to gamble 50 USD.
Roulette
Unlike blackjack and poker, roulette is a game of almost pure chance. You just take a small ball and throw it on a spinning, colorful wheel. Then, you make a bet on where you think that the ball will land. That’s it.
Bets can be made on the column, the color, or the row of the landing spot. The learning curve is easy, as it does not require that much discernment from the player. You just must hope that lady luck is on your side. It’s a game of dice.
Online, digital versions of the game are even more random. In a brick-and-mortar casino, you are deadline with physical objects. However, online, an RNG system decides, and the interface of the spinning wheel is just a visual representation.
So, out of all types of casino games, if you want to play the odds without anything else getting in the way, I recommend roulette.
Honorable mentions
Now that we’ve covered the most popular games, let us also include some honorable mentions.
Bingo, Keno, Baccarat, and Sic Bo are worth a try.
Conclusion
Gambling, online or otherwise, can be a lot of fun. Contrary to popular belief, most people play because it is an interesting pastime, not because they are trying to make money.
For those who prefer games of pure chance, slot machines and roulette are good choices. Meanwhile, for those who wish to learn a game that demands skill, people reading, and quick decision-making, I recommend Poker and Blackjack.
