Even those who enjoy heading to the casino for an evening of fun can feel a little lost when it comes to playing their favorite games online. If you consider yourself something of a poker professional, then it’s still possible that the move from real life to online can be a little confusing. Of course, it’s not always possible to make it to your neighborhood casino, so getting acquainted with online play can be a good idea.
Here are some tips to ensure that you feel just as confident logging into a casino website as you do when walking through the doors of a brick and mortar one.
How do Online Slots Work?
Slot machines are a good option for beginners, as they’re simple to use. Although there are plenty of flashing lights and different buttons, once you play a few rounds, you’ll find your groove and feel more confident. It’s hard to say how to win at slots every time, although there are a few tips you can use to better your chances.
A good rule of thumb to bear in mind if you’re a beginner is to look for online slots with good RTP percentages. RTP stands for return to player, so a game with a 96% RTP is going to give more money back per play than a game with 87%. Of course, it’s worth remembering that the RTP is an average across all players, so some will win money overall, and others will lose.
Slot machines should never be seen as a failsafe way to make money, but rather a fun way of spending some time. Choosing a machine with a high RTP means that you’re likely to get more spins on the slot machine for your money, which can only be a good thing if getting comfortable with an online slot machine is your ultimate goal.
What About Online Poker?
When online poker first came onto the scene, it certainly divided players. Some immediately moved online, and others vowed never to play on anything but a good solid card table. The play style was wildly different, and it really did polarize people.
Nowadays though, online poker has become infinitely more sophisticated than it used to be and as such, most top poker players will play both online and off. If you understand the basics of poker, then you’ll be just fine playing online, but there are still some differences that are worth noting.
The first is the speed of play. A live game will take much longer than an online one. Generally, in a live tournament, you’ll be dealt around 30 hands per hour, whereas online, you’ll see 60 hands at least. This is in part because the online play does run more quickly, but also because you’re able to sit on multiple tables at once, which is obviously not possible in a traditional setup!
If you’ve only ever played poker in person before, then be prepared for more dynamic gameplay. You’ll quickly realize that everything running that bit faster just serves to amplify your winning and losing streaks. Stick with it, and you’ll be playing with confidence in no time.
And Does Roulette Differ Much?
Roulette is another table game that is very popular with those who are new to casino. The rules are incredibly simple, and it’s exciting to watch the wheel spin. This game has perhaps the smoothest transition from real life to online in that the rules are exactly the same, and the only changes are positive ones.
In a brick and mortar casino, the running costs are considerably higher than an online site; there are staff to pay, a building to rent, and bills to account for. Therefore, online sites can offer better payouts at the roulette wheel, as they have fewer costs to cover. If you’re looking to get maximum bang for your buck, then online is the place to play roulette.
One big change from real-life roulette to online is in the variance of the available games. Even at the biggest casinos, it’s very unusual to find more than three varieties of roulette to play, usually American, European Roulette, and House are the variations you’ll find. However, online you can find up to thirteen different varieties, which is a great way to keep things fresh and exciting.