Table of Contents

How to play online casino games: rules and strategy

Author: americangambler | Last Updated: May 7, 2019

Online casino games can generally be divided into four categories: video slots, table games, video poker, and scratches. Most legal casinos in the US will offer games from all four categories. Some will even offer jackpot games where you can win millions of dollars.
Let’s have a closer look at the differences between the games, and how you can get on the winning path.

Online slots work in a similar way to land-based video slots. Reels of symbols spin to form winning combinations. If you match symbols, you win a prize according to the pay table. Stakes can be adjusted before playing. And some games feature linked progressive jackpots that increase after every bet.

The best strategy when playing slots

The best strategy when playing slots is picking the right games. Each slot has its own RTP (Return to Player percentage). The higher the RTP, the better your long-term profits, theoretically.

Volatility is another important factor when picking a slot. High-volatility slots will pay big prizes infrequently, while lower-volatility games pay lots of small and frequent prizes. Practicing games for play money is essential before risking real money.
The optimal strategy is important in table games like roulette and blackjack.

Statistically, blackjack is the most favorable game for casino players

Statistically, blackjack is the most favorable game for casino players. It’s important to use an optimal strategy when playing to maximize your profits. Use a cheat sheet to work out what the best moves are depending on both yours and the dealer’s cards. Avoid Insurance, and double down and split in the right spots.

Roulette and bankroll

In roulette, sensible bankroll management is essential. Avoid too many Straight Up bets on single numbers and save your big bets for the Outside areas like Red/Black that pay 1/1. The house edge in American Roulette is 5.26% compared to 2.7% in European Roulette. If you can find European Roulette online at legal casinos, save your bankroll for that variant.

Video Poker

In video poker, you must make the best 5-card poker hand after a single redraw of 1-5 cards. Knowing what to hold and what to discard is important. Betting the maximum number of coins also gives you access to the game’s top jackpot for a royal flush.
With so many variants of video poker online, choosing the best game is essential. All games will display the paytable on the game screen. Pick the best paytable with the highest minimum payouts and find a progressive video poker machine which awards bigger jackpots than usual.