The evolution of casinos over the decades has been nothing short of staggering. From lavish land-based establishments that were incredibly popular in the past to the digital behemoths we know and love today, casinos continue to entertain millions of people around the world. Although casinos have had to adapt to changing times and technological advances, some things simply don’t change, and that is certainly the case when it comes to classic casino games. Of course, some games have been updated with modern touches, but the rules and play style remain timeless and continue to captivate players daily.
In this post, we’ll provide a guide to some of the most popular games at online casinos, including the likes of Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, and Sic Bo. Whether you’re a beginner or someone simply looking to brush up on the ins and outs of these classic games, these guides will provide you with the basics you need to enjoy playing.
Blackjack
Game Premise
Blackjack is a card game that is often also known as 21 and can be found a most online casinos in the UK. The goal of the game is to beat the dealer. To do this, players aim to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.
How to Play
- The game starts with players being dealt two face-up cards each.
- The dealer also receives two cards – one face-up card and one face-down card.
- Players then need to decide how they want to play. They can choose to ‘hit’ (take another card), ‘stand’ (stick with their current hand), ‘double down’ (double their bet value and receive one more card), or ‘split’ (divide pairs into two separate hands and then receive one more card for each hand).
- If a player’s hand goes over 21, they ‘bust’, which means lose, and the hand is then over.
- Once players have made their choices, the dealer reveals the hole card (face-down card) and must continue to hit until their hand is worth 17 or more.
- If the dealer busts, all players still in the game win. If the dealer is closer to 21 than a player without going over, the dealer wins. If the player is closer to 21 than the dealer without going over, the player wins.
Tips
- The best possible hand is a blackjack (two cards totalling 21). If a player wins with blackjack, payouts are worth more than standard hands.
- Understanding the best next move in any situation is a good strategy.
Roulette
Game Premise
Roulette is a game of chance where players bet on the outcomes of a spinning wheel and ball. The wheel has numbered pockets (alternating red and black) for the ball to land in, which are numbered from 0 (00 in American roulette) to 36. It’s a game that has continued to thrive, with some thanks to the continued growth of online casinos.
How to Play
- Players make bets about where the ball will land and can choose individual numbers, number groupings, red or black, odd or even, and so on.
- The dealer (also called a croupier) then spins the wheel in one direction and the ball in the opposite direction. The wheel then slows down, which allows the ball to land in a pocket.
- Once the ball has landed securely in a pocket, winning and losing bets are determined.
Tips
- Beginners may prefer to start by betting on red or black, as well as odd or even, as these options are likelier to win than individual numbers, and so on. However, they do have lower payouts because of this.
Craps
Game Premise
Craps is a game where players place bets on the outcome of the roll of two six-sided dice. The game starts with something called a ‘come-out’ roll, which determines the round’s objective. Players can either win, lose, or continue depending on the result of dice rolls.
How to Play
- The game starts with one player (the ‘shooter’) rolling the dice (known as a ‘come-out’ roll). Players can bet on the outcome beforehand.
- Players can place something called a ‘pass line’ bet, which is a prediction that the shooter will roll a winning combination. A 7 or 11 means the pass line bet wins. A 2, 3, or 12 (‘craps’) means the pass line bet loses.
- If the shooter rolls any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number then becomes something called the ‘point’.
- If a point is established, the shooter continues to roll the dice. If the shooter rolls the point number again before a 7, pass line bets win. If a 7 is rolled before the point number, pass line bets lose.
Tips
- Learning the table layout and different bet types will help new players understand what is going on more quickly.
Sic Bo
Game Premise
Sic Bo is a Chinese game that involves betting on the outcome of three rolled dice. The table contains several betting options, with each predicting different dice outcomes.
How to Play
- The game starts with players placing bets on the table. Choices include the likes of specific numbers appearing or the total sum of the three dice.
- The dealer (also known as a croupier) shakes the dice in a sealed container.
- The dealer then reveals the outcome of the dice roll once they have all settled.
- Players either win or lose depending on the combination of the dice. For example, players can win bets based on specific numbers appearing on one, two, or even all three dice, as well as total sums and combinations.
- The dealer then pays out any winning bets.
Tips
- Although Sic Bo is a game of chance, learning the different betting options and their payouts can add to the fun.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – some beginner guides to the most common games at online casinos. Although some of them may seem more complicated than others, it’s simply a case of needing to play a few hands to understand how they work. Don’t forget to gamble responsibly if you are playing for real money.