If there is one thing anyone who wants to engage in online gaming can’t complain about, it’s a lack of choice. Online casino operators provide their services in a highly competitive market. They know players can tire quickly of playing the same games. That is why they’ll constantly expand their offering, hoping to keep the player engaged and from switching to a competing operator, of which there are no small few in the industry.

If you are going to start online gaming, remember, when choosing your operator, to check they’re licensed and regulated; that the site is secure; and that they offer responsive customer service. Bonuses and promotions may also be a factor in your decision, but above all, you must make sure the operator is trustworthy so you can play safely. There are a wide range of online casino operators to choose from, however, once you have chosen the right site for you, you can set about choosing a game. Below is a look at why people play different online casino games, plus some of the main games you can play.

Why people play online casino games

Online casinos create a wide variety of opportunities to enjoy gaming. Some people like to play the free games. Some like the freebies that come through the bonuses and other promotions. Others appreciate the general accessibility of games such as slots or blackjack. Then there are those who love the different themes of slots and the high probability of finding a game they like, maybe even their favourite game, and spending long, happy hours playing. Here are some of the top online casino games for beginners:

Roulette

As far as online casino games go, it doesn’t get simpler than roulette. Basically, you place the roulette ball on a spinning wheel with numbers from 0 to 36 (in the US, the wheel has an additional “00”) and see where it lands. Before doing this, you place a bet that it will land in a certain area of the wheel. That could be on either a red or black number, an odd or even number, a range of numbers, a specific number or something else. Obviously, if you predict correctly, you win.

Roulette is popular precisely because it’s so easy to play. It’s also highly unpredictable which makes it incredibly engaging. Combine this with the comfort of being able to play in your own home and you can understand why so many people love online roulette.

Blackjack

Blackjack is another straightforward game. It’s the player versus the dealer and the object is to get as close as 21 without going over it. An ace can be worth 1 or 11 as the player chooses. Face cards are worth 10 and everything else is worth the value on the card.

Blackjack is popular for several reasons. Ease of play is one, but this game is also one of the better ones when it comes to the chances of winning. The lower house edge means that if you get your strategy right, you stand a better chance of walking away better off from the game than when playing on a slot, for instance. The static nature of the game is also a major reason: whereas the rules of many casino games change a lot, those of blackjack have remained relatively consistent.

Slots

Slots need barely any explanation to play. You choose how much you want to bet, how many paylines you want to play and then hit the ‘Spin’ button. If you win, the slot will display how much you’ve won. You can either gamble and keep on playing or just hang onto your winnings.

Slots really are popular. Their design, the music, the themes, the potential jackpots and the general easy of play all make them extremely engaging. You don’t need practice sessions or to form any strategies, although you may wish to try demo versions and understand how a particular slot works before playing for cash. Playing on slots is also affordable, as there are lots of games out there which allow you to make only small bets if you wish to.

Poker

Poker is popular regardless of the variation, but as a beginner it’s best to start with the basic five card draw. The object of the game is to achieve a higher hand than the rest of the players at the table, the highest being a straight flush (unless you use joker cards, in which case it’s ‘five of a kind’), which consists of cards all of the same suit all in sequence e.g. 6-7-8-9-10.

Each round, players will post a blind, which players can match (call), increase (raise) or decline to match (called “folding” and in doing so the player go out of the game, losing their money). The players receive five cards, one at a time and, in the next round, can discard cards and request new ones to form a better hand. Then in the showdown, those players who have remained in the game display their cards to see who wins.

Poker is a highly competitive game, which makes it hugely engaging. It’s also more a game of strategy than of luck. Players know the better they understand the game and develop their strategies, the more they can win.

Online casinos offer plenty of variety and have become popular for a host of reasons. As well as a large offering, bonuses, promotions, ease of play and the general design of some games are all reasons that people like to play the games.