What are the most popular casino games for new players?
With online casino games, like with anything in life, you shouldn’t run before you can walk. And in fact, this is especially true of online casino games. Because unlike the cook who tries to go straight to making a Beef Wellington shortly after learning how to fry an egg, there are greater consequences to playing online casino than just a few unimpressed dinner guests.
Given that at online casinos you’re playing with real money, new players tend to enjoy casino games that are easy to play, have simple rules, don’t take too long, don’t eat into your bank too quickly and above all, are fun and enjoyable. Following those criteria, here are a few of the most popular ones.
#1 – Roulette
Having been featured in movies, TV shows and books more than just about any other casino game over the last century or so, you’d almost have to be living on another planet to not know the basic rules of the game. There are three main aspects of it that make it attractive to new players. The first is that players have a wide choice of bets to make. There are dozens of different options and combination of bets you can wager on, so plenty of choice for each player.
The second is that the odds at which winning bets pay out varies massively. The more conservative player may try to secure a wining streak on ‘even money’ (they’re not quite even money because of the Zero/Double Zero but it’s close) bets such as Red/Black or Odd/Even. While the more adventurous one may aim higher in the form of individual numbers at 35/1 or betting on two or more individual numbers at slightly shorter odds. The third is that to date, there’s no proven winning strategy to playing Roulette. So, the beginner pretty much has as good a chance of winning as the seasoned roulette player.
#2 – Blackjack
Another casino game that’s the darling of the showbiz world, ever keen to focus on the final showdown between player and Dealer that provides so much drama.
And that very drama is one of the things that appeals to new players about the game. Not all casino players think solely about odds and house edges when choosing what games to play and the turning over of the Dealer’s last card(s) is always exciting, which is why so many players like it.
And like Roulette, it’s a simple game. Most people will know how the game works anyway at a basic level and a half-hour read up about splitting, doubling and Insurance should get you up to speed with that side of things.
Unlike roulette, there is such a thing as strategy (basic Blackjack strategy) that revolves around when players should hit or stand, double up, or split, depending on what cards you and the dealer are holding. But even then, players can just check out the Basic Blackjack strategy table online while they’re playing, without having to learn it all off by heart.
#3 – Slots
Following the narrative that new players ae more likely to want to put their casino destiny in the hands of Lady luck than trying to outplay or out-think the House, then few casino games come more down to luck than slots. True, a few of the newer and more complex ones do possess an element of decision-making in some of the bonus features
But even then, that only applies to a few games and only in certain circumstances. Because for the most part, playing slots really is just a case of deciding on your stake per spin, spinning the reels, hoping for the best and enjoying the ride.
There are two other elements about slots that apply to the newbie casino player. The fact there’s more choice when it comes to them than any other casino game with some casinos offering thousands of different ones. And the fact that vast amounts of money can be won from small stakes, especially when it comes to playing Progressive Jackpot slots.
#4 – Casino War
If even Scatters, Wilds and Free Spins on slots seem like too much effort and complexity to the new casino player, then how about a bit of Casino War? One card for you, one for the Dealer, cards are worth their normal poker value and whoever has the highest card wins. If it’s you, you get paid out at even money. If it’s a tie, you can choose to double up on your bet and go again. Or surrender and lose half your stake. Tip: never surrender, it’s statistically a bad move.
The only other spanner in the works is that you can choose to bet on the Tie at 10:1; but you don’t have to. So, with no skill needed, no strategy, no decision-making and extremely basic rules, you can see why the casino beginner finds it such an appealing game to play before progressing to the more complicated and strategic stuff. Just bear in mind that not all digital casinos will offer this game, but some will.
