You've set up your account and you’re ready to go – all that’s left is to choose a game and let the good times roll, right? Not quite. The last thing you want to do is select a random game and wind up unpleasantly surprised. Below are three easy tips that’ll ensure your first online casino experience ends up being a great one.
Gaming Tip #1: Check the Rules
Most online casinos provide players with a section dedicated to game rules and payout information. Before playing any online game for the first time, be sure to read the rules carefully so that you understand how it works and what to expect. For example, Loose Deuces and Deuces Wild are two Video Poker games that share the same fundamental rules: the player is dealt five cards and must choose which ones to keep and which ones to discard. The same hands are used in each game, 2s are considered wild and the player wins if their final hand consists of a 3 of a kind or higher. The difference between the games, however, lies in the types of payouts they offer.
If looking at the paytables for each game, players will notice that compared to Deuces Wild, Loose Deuces offers higher payouts for more valuable winning hands (Royal Flush, 4 Deuces), and lower or equal payouts for the less valuable winning hands (Straight Flush, 4 of a kind, Full House etc.). Although the odds of ending up with the different types of winning hands are the same across both games, players should consider the payout differences in order to choose the game that best suits the type of playing experience they’re looking for.
Keeping with our Video Poker example, if you’re the type of player that’s all about big thrills and big wins, and doesn't mind spending a little more to experience this, Loose Deuces is the game for you. If, however, you prefer playing on more of an even keel with less risk and steadier payout rates, Deuces Wild might be a better choice.
This logic applies to all types of casino games. Read the rules, get a solid grasp of how a game pays out and you’re sure to start off on the right track.
Gaming Tip #2: Practice Play
Practice Play is another useful tool offered by many online casinos as it allows players to familiarize themselves with the games and work out a playing strategy.
Reading strategy articles will certainly help sharpen your game tactics; however, being able to put those lessons into play without having to risk a penny can benefit any player. As the famous saying goes, practice makes perfect. Although there may be no such thing as “perfection” when it comes to online gaming, Practice Play is no doubt a useful tool that can be used to refine anyone’s gaming skills without using real money.
Gaming Tip #3: Grab that Casino Welcome Bonus
Another feature that sets online casinos apart from their land-based counterparts is the welcome bonus.
These bonuses are commonly offered as 100% Chip Purchase Matches. Players must purchase chips, redeem a code and the casino will match that amount by 100%. If you were to purchase $100 in chips, for example, you’d receive a 100% match, giving you a total of $200 in chips to play with.
The main advantage of welcome bonuses is that the casino in question takes on part of the risk, giving players the freedom to explore new games with twice the amount they originally had to play with.
If you’re looking to capitalize on your playing time without overextending yourself, you’ll want to take advantage of the welcome bonus, along other promotions typically offered online. You’ll get more bang for your buck and run the chance of walking away with some great prizes.