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Ever since the first casino opened its doors to the public, casinos have been places of excitement and mystery, gleaming with promise and chance, where anyone can strike it rich, or go home with nothing. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a casual player, casinos are an experience that everyone should have at least once in their lives.
With games of chance and skill intertwined with alcohol, nightlife, and entertainment, it’s a recipe that’s hard to beat.
If you’re planning a trip to a casino or planning to gamble online, you’ll want to be prepared for the plethora of games and rules you’ll encounter.
Sure, you can give every game a shot without knowing what you’re doing, but you’re not going to have much fun or enjoy much success that way.
If you want to get the most out of your casino experience, you’ll need to know what to expect and have a plan for each game you intend to play.
To that end, here’s an overview of some of the most popular casino games, along with a few tips to help you navigate them like a pro.
Casino Games
There are hundreds of different casino games in circulation today, but they all fall under three primary categories: table games, electronic gaming machines, and random number ticket games.
Table Games
Table games are games played with a dealer or croupier who oversees the game at a physical table, like in the movie Vegas.
These are the types of games that have been played in casinos since their inception and remain some of the most popular games today.
Some table games require skill and strategy, while others rely solely on luck. Here are some of the most common table games you’ll find in a casino:
Poker
Poker is a game of cards that has grown in popularity exponentially in recent years due to the success of blockbuster movies and major tournaments that are broadcast worldwide.
The versions of poker you’ll find in a casino are unlike what you might play casually with friends.
These games are usually played against other players, not the house, and winners are determined by who has the best poker hand according to established rules.
There are several types of poker games, like Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Pineapple, all with slightly different rules but the same goal.
Whether you’re playing against other players or competing against the house, it’s essential to know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em.
Taking calculated risks and understanding when you have a good chance of winning is all part of the game.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a game of chance that doesn’t require any skill or strategy, making it ideal for beginners.
This game is played against the house, and the person whose hand comes closest to nine wins.
It’s also a high-stakes game, with plenty of room for experienced players to employ strategies and tricks for reducing the house edge and increasing their chances of winning.
Blackjack
Blackjack, also known as 21, is one of the most popular casino table games ever.
Players compete against the house to reach a score of 21 without going over.
It’s a game of chance and skill that rewards players who can master its strategies and calculate their chances of success.
Roulette
Roulette is a game where a small ball is thrown onto a spinning wheel with numbered compartments.
Players can bet on a specific number, a color, a column, or several other combinations.
A marker is placed on the winning number once the wheel stops, and all winning bets are paid out.
Slots
Slots are fun, colorful, and easy to play, which is why they’re a perennial favorite in both physical and online casinos.
Players feed the machine a certain amount of money, place their bets, and spin the reels.
If the symbols match up, winnings are paid out according to a predefined pay scale.
The original slot machines featured three mechanical reels, but today’s versions are entirely digital, giving developers plenty of flexibility and room for creativity when it comes to themes, bonuses, and features.
While the underlying concept is the same across all slot machines, the devil’s in the details, so you should always read the rules and paytable before you start playing so you understand what you’re dealing with.
Electronic Gaming Machines
Electronic gaming machines are the most prominent games found in casinos today, both in terms of quantity and revenue generated.
They are also referred to as EGMs or Las Vegas-style slot machines.
While these games are often lumped together with traditional slot machines due to their similarity, they offer much more in terms of gameplay, rules, and strategies, offering an experience that’s closer to desk games.
Some of the most popular electronic gaming machines include:
Video Poker
Video poker machines resemble slot machines but offer a faster and more intense poker experience than traditional table poker.
Gameplay follows the standard poker rules but doesn’t involve any competition against other players.
Instead, the goal is to achieve the highest-ranked poker hand possible.
Modern video poker is played on an LCD screen with buttons that allow players to make their wagers and hold cards.
Roulette Machines
Roulette machines are a hybrid between electronic gaming machines and traditional table roulette.
Players place their bets on a touchscreen, and the results are determined by a physical roulette wheel.
The winning number is determined by a computer, which communicates with the wheel’s internal sensors, making the results instantaneous and allowing for more bets to be placed in a shorter amount of time.
Key Strategy Takeaways
Know the games inside and out. You can’t expect to do well if you don’t know the rules and strategies for each game.
Casino games are designed with a house edge that gives the casino a predetermined advantage over players, so the longer you play, the more likely it is that you’ll lose.
Keep your wagers small. Casino games can be very addictive and are designed to keep you in your seat for as long as possible, but resisting the urge to bet big can help you conserve your bankroll so you can keep playing.
Casino games are all about risk versus reward, so while big wagers can lead to substantial winnings, they can also lead to significant losses.
Don’t drink and gamble. Gambling and alcohol often go hand in hand, but drinking can impair your judgment and make it easier to give in to the addictive nature of these games.
Keep a clear head when gambling, and you’ll find yourself winning (and losing) much less.
Pick your spots and know when to quit. If you’re ahead, don’t hesitate to take your winnings and run.
Knowing when to quit is crucial to winning at gambling because the games are designed to take your money.
If you walk away with some winnings in your pocket, that’s a successful day at the casino.
Online Casino Games
Playing in a physical casino can be a thrilling experience, but online casinos are a more convenient and accessible option for those who prefer not to venture out.
Online casinos are designed to replicate the experience of physical casinos as closely as possible, with the added benefit of convenience.
You can find all of the same games in an online casino as you can in a physical one, and you can play them directly from your browser or through a dedicated app.
Everything is digital and automated, from placing your wagers to collecting your winnings, and it’s all done with the click of a button.
Online casinos also offer incentives to lure new customers in the form of bonuses and promotions that can help boost your bankroll.
These bonuses come with terms and conditions, so be sure to read the fine print before taking advantage of any offers.
Whether you prefer physical or online casinos, both provide endless entertainment and opportunities to strike it big.
Now that you know more about how they work, you can head to the tables (or laptops) with confidence.
Who knows? Lady Luck might just be waiting for you.
