How To Choose the Right Online Casino Game

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Player winning chip with betting baccarat with banker hand
BetMGM Dec 25, 2019, 8:11 AM

How would you feel about living in a world where pizza always had to be served with pineapple on it? Choice is a beautiful thing when you know how to make the right one. With an ever-growing list of casino games online, how does one decide which are the best casino games to play? Read on to make sure you make the right decisions.

A reasonable starting point

Given the sheer multitude of casino games available online today, a great starting point in the journey to discovering what casino games might be right for you is to gain an understanding of what’s on the table (pun very much intended.)

Generally speaking, there are three main categories of the best online casino games you should explore:

To play free casino games or not?

The three categories of casino games will feature both free casino games and real money games. While we know that many of you are interested in winning real money games, free slot games do exist. The major benefit of these games is that losses are very much inconsequential. Moreover, they allow you to sharpen your skills as well as gain a greater understanding of the games before you wager real money.

As a rule of thumb and for your financial wellbeing, we strongly advise against the use of money that is reserved for your financial commitments. Resorting to the use of such funds could very well be an indication of a gambling problem or the beginnings of one.

Read on to learn about the best games to play at a casino so that you can make a more informed decision when you decide to play casino games online.

Slots

Online casino slots require you to spin a series of reels; their simplicity makes them one of the best games for beginners. As these reels spin, each one will come to a halt. The objective is to ensure a series of symbols line up. When they do, you win jackpots, free opportunities to play again or a series of other benefits. Those who play casino games online or at brick-and-mortar casinos will recognize that the majority of machines have between 3-reel and 5-reel slots. Developers have also begun experimenting with 6-reel and 7-reel slots.

Casino game developers are constantly innovating new ways for you to play, which means that there is always a multitude of different slot games coming out. Here’s a rundown of things you should consider to make sure you choose the right online slot game for you.3 casino slot machines, each displaying different jackpot and number combinations on reels.

Bankroll budgeting

It’s always a great idea to allow your budget and bankroll to help you determine where you play. The smaller your budget, the more likely that smaller bets will be in your best interests. This is because you will be able to afford to play longer without eating into your budget.

Conversely, if you have a large budget, slots that require higher wagers might be more attractive, as they will deliver maximum returns.

Simplicity of structure

When choosing what slot game to play, consider the structure of bonuses and payouts. Do you prefer simple and straightforward? Or do variety, additional rounds and special features appeal to you more? Simpler slot game variations, like classic fruit or candy slots, offer quick and easy winning combinations. However, those with a more complex structure and special features, such as wilds, scatters, free spins and multipliers, can increase the possible payouts.

Whether you enjoy simplicity or variety, you can rest assured that leading online casinos offer the best slot games for either preference.

Aesthetics

While most slot games may be variations on a theme, a simple change in aesthetics can help breathe new life into your casino game experience. Slots with virtually any theme the imagination can conjure up are now available and need only to be found, helping you keep captivated and engaged during your online gambling experience.

Regular vs. jackpot slots: Spot the difference

The primary distinction between regular slots and jackpot slots is rooted in the winnings.

Regular slots (often referred to as “non-progressive jackpot slots”) have a payout that always remains the same. Regardless of how many times you win, or how often you choose to play, the maximum payout will not change.Big gold lettering spells out ‘JACKPOT’ with three 7 numbers on the slot reels, on a blue background.

On the other hand, jackpot slots (or progressive jackpot slots) vary. While these slots do start with a base value, the jackpot increases by the player’s wager each time they play. These increases happen in real-time, which creates the opportunity for colossal winnings. However, when the jackpot is won, the jackpot returns to its base value. It will rise again as new wagers are made and added. Jackpot slots can be either local or connected to multiple online casinos via a network. This means that the winner of a particular jackpot might not even be playing at the same casino. It also means that the winnings can be astronomical, due to the sheer number of participants and wagers being included.

Paylines, ways to win and win both ways

Paylines are the line of adjacent symbols needed to secure a payout. It’s important to be wary of the complexity of paylines because some games have fewer paylines while others have significantly more.

Paylines can either be fixed or adjustable. In the case of fixed paylines, the number of lines to bet on cannot be changed. WIth adjustable paylines, however, you can activate any number of lines up to a designated amount.

Win both ways (as the name implies) ensures a win for a payline whether the symbols run from left to right or vice versa.

There are no paylines in ways to win, but you do win when there is a combination of symbols on adjacent reels. These usually run from the right to left.

Return to Player

Return to Player or RTP is the percentage of the money you wager that will be paid back to players on average.

Variance is also a vital consideration to make when choosing what game is right for you. It describes the risk involved in playing a slot, which generally ranges from a high chance of winning small and a low chance of winning big.

Both are important considerations to make when deciding on what game to play, as they are indicators of how likely you are to win. The average RTP for online slots is 96%, which means you should be careful about choosing a game with a lower percentage.

Table casino games

If playing table casino games or casino dice games seems more your speed then you’ll be glad to know that there are fewer options, with most games being variants of casino classics. This does make deciding much easier, but the key is to know what each casino game entails.

Roulette

Roulette is a simple game, which makes it easy to play but more challenging to win. However, the challenge is more about patience than anything, because it is a game that requires no skill and all the luck you can hope for.Light up roulette table, with blue lights and black background.

In this game, a ball is thrown onto a spinning wheel. Your challenge is to guess where it will land. Each section is numbered and is either red or black. To win, your guess simply has to be correct. Your guess can be on one particular number, a combination of different numbers, or the color the ball will land on. Online casinos have replicated this experience well, with the social aspect, perhaps, being the only part that lacks the luster of the live experience.

Blackjack

Part skill, part luck but always fun, blackjack is a classic and favorite game among gamblers. It is an easy game to pick up with simple rules to grasp. The challenge comes when deciding what tactics and strategies to employ.

Each player begins with two cards, and at each turn, you’ll choose to hit or stand. To “Hit” is to ask for another card to add to your total while choosing to “Stand” is ending your turn without acquiring a new card. The goal is to score a total of 21 or as close to it as possible. Exceeding 21 results in an automatic loss.

Keep in mind that while the basic gameplay stays the same in most variations of blackjack games, there are some ways in which they can be tweaked. 

Some of the different adaptations to keep an eye out for in blackjack games include:

  • House Rules: The basic rules of the game usually stay the same, but tweaks could include things like limits on splitting, doubling, etc. It’s important to look out for games that have advantageous rules that can lower the house edge.
  • Side Bets: There are certain blackjack games that will allow you to make bets on the cards that you think are going to appear, in addition to the usual goal of trying to beat the dealer. These side bets offer an opportunity for extra winnings.
  • Deck Amount: You might have noticed a few games with “double deck” or “single deck” betting. The fewer decks that are in play, the higher your chances are of winning. Sometimes, however, the house rules will be tweaked in order to balance out the fewer decks with the house edge. The double and single deck betting options might also only be made available to players with higher betting limits.

Baccarat

Does a 1 in 3 chance of winning in a game that is completely predicated on luck sound like a gamble you would like to take? If so, then baccarat casino games are certainly for you. It’s fast and frantic, which makes baccarat an exciting game to play.Someone playing baccarat on a green table with red and green poker chip stacks.

When playing, you will face three possible outcomes:

  • You winning
  • A tie
  • The dealer winning

What does it take to be the winner? The winner has to have either eight or nine cards first. If neither you nor the dealer does, then it is declared a tie.

Take your seat at the table

Follow BetMGM’s hassle-free registration process and get access to more than 400 different casino games at no charge and with no obligation. You can look forward to a whole range of online slots, casino table games, live dealer casino games and much more. 

Your BetMGM account lets you manage your bets and update your personal details effortlessly, as well as play on the latest technology. If you want to play any of our online casino games for real money, simply deposit real money into your account. You’ll be set to place bets with real money, sending you well on your way to winning big.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens flipping casino chips next to the text "The King of Casinos"
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Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.