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The Best Casino Games for Beginners

Jane ShawBy Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 06/16/2023
Jane Shaw Jane Shaw Senior Editor See Full Bio

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

A male croupier at a Texas Hold'em poker table. Casino Games for Beginners

Welcome to today’s blog where we look at the best casino games for beginners. This is your one-stop-shop for all things related to learning the basics of playing casino games, where we’ll show you some of the best casino games to play for beginners, as well as provide you with tips and tricks to maximize profit and ensure you behave correctly in the casino.

Best Casino Games to Play for Beginners

On this page, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to introduce you to the world of casino gaming. We aim to show you the best casino games for beginners, as well as tips on how to play them, plus strategies to use. We’ve also included sections on managing your bankroll responsibly and how to adhere to casino etiquette.

Video Poker: Easiest Game for Beginners

Video poker is often neglected, especially in the online gambling world. However, unlike player vs player games like Five Card Draw Poker and Razz poker online, this is one of the top easy casino games for beginners. Why? Well, it’s a game of minimal skill and chance that pits you against a machine rather than other players.

It’s less intimidating and allows you to play at your own pace, and you don’t need to actually learn the rules of poker to begin playing, although having a basic understanding of hand rankings will be beneficial.

Video poker is played electronically, and you begin by selecting your stake. As a rule of thumb, you should always play video poker machines at the maximum bet, as this offers the highest payout percentages. Of course, only bet what you can afford.

Once you’ve made your bet, you’re dealt five cards. You choose which cards to keep and which to discard. The discarded cards are replaced, and if your hand matches one of the winning combinations, you score a payout.

The payouts in video poker are based on the rank of your hand, from a pair of jacks or better, all the way up to a royal flush. The better your hand, the higher the payout. However, some video poker machines have slightly different rules; for example, some pay for a pair of tens or better, while others use special wild cards and jokers to liven up the action.

Some video poker machines also offer progressive jackpots for added excitement. These progressive jackpots are usually awarded when a player hits a royal flush, and they can be worth hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars.

Master the Slot Machines

Video slots and slot machines are, in our opinion, one of the best online casino games for beginners. There’s a good reason why they dominate the homepage of most online casinos, as well as the floors in land-based casinos. They’re easy to play, entertaining, and offer the chance of huge payouts.

Slots come in various types, including classic 3-reel slots, 5-reel video slots, progressive slots, and more. The basic gameplay is the same – you make a bet, spin the reels, and hope for a winning combination. You can enjoy hundreds of popular slots at the online casinos that accept American Express and any other reputable operator in the US.

Classic 3-reel slots are reminiscent of old-school fruit machines, with simple gameplay and fewer paylines. They don’t usually offer as much payout potential, but they’re well-suited to those who are new to online gambling, or for players looking for a retro gaming experience.

It’s modern video slots that offer the most entertainment, however. These games use state-of-the-art graphics and math models to deliver an incredibly exciting experience to players, and they’re often crammed with bonuses and features, special modifiers, and more.

Playing online slots is incredibly simple, regardless of the type of machine. When you’re playing online, you simply load up the game, select how much you’d like to bet, and click the “Spin” button. The reels will then begin to spin, and if you form a winning combination, your winnings are automatically credited to your balance.

However, you should remember that slots are games of pure chance. There’s no strategy to guarantee a win, and with a few exceptions, upping your stake doesn’t improve your chances of winning. However, it can be a good idea to have a quick read of the paytable to understand the game’s rules and how it works.

Blackjack Basics and Tips

If you want to learn how to play blackjack online, you’ll be pleased to hear that it’s one of the best casino games to play for beginners. Why? Well, this card game is simple to understand, and you play directly against the dealer. The goal is to form a hand that adds up to closer to 21 than the dealer’s, without going over. If you go over 21, it’s called a “bust” and you lose. If your cards are closer to 21 than the dealer’s, you win!

What makes online blackjack one of the best casino games to play for beginners is its balance of luck and skill. Yes, you need a bit of luck, but you also make decisions that can help you win. You can choose to get more cards (hit) or stick with what you have (stand). This makes the game more interactive and fun, and a strategy guide called basic strategy can be used to show you exactly what move to make and when while playing.

Another major benefit of blackjack for beginners is that the rules are straightforward. Once you get the hang of adding up different card values, you’re pretty much good to go. You don’t need to know complex strategies or be an experienced player to have fun or win.

Plus, if you’re playing blackjack in a land-based casino, you’ll benefit from the social aspect of the game. Blackjack tables are usually busy and packed with energy, making it an enjoyable experience, perfect for those new to gambling.

Roulette: Spin Your Luck

Roulette is another one of the casino games to play for beginners that’s very popular. It’s very straightforward, and there is no skill element involved. The dealer spins the wheel, rolls the ball, and wherever it lands, that’s the winning number. If you’ve placed a bet that corresponds with the winning number, you win.

What makes roulette one of the best casino games to play for beginners is its simplicity and the variety of bets you can make. You can bet on a single number, a group of numbers, whether the number will be red or black, even or odd, and several other betting options.

Plus, just like blackjack, roulette has a fun social atmosphere. People gathered around the table, cheering, and having a good time, adds to the excitement of the game.

If you prefer to play casino games online, you’ll be pleased to learn there’s a huge variety of online roulette games, some of which even include progressive jackpots. Plus, many game developers now offer live variations of roulette online, where you play from home, but with a live dealer streamed to your computer via a webcam.

Managing Your Bankroll

Bankroll management is hugely important for new players, and if you fail to manage your bankroll effectively, you could find yourself spending a lot more money than you intended to when gambling. If you want to start with lower deposits, then, the best online scratchers will be an excellent choice, together with some low-stake slots.

Firstly, it’s important to set a budget before starting to play. This should be an amount that you can afford to lose without impacting your finances. In other words, you should be happy to lose this amount and not suffer any negative consequences as a result. It’s vital you stick to this budget, regardless of whether you’re winning or losing.

Secondly, it’s generally considered to be a good idea to set a win limit. This is a predetermined amount at which you’ll stop playing when you’re ahead. This prevents you from losing what you’ve already won and is something most experienced gamblers will tell you they wish they’d learned sooner.

There are lots of ways of managing your bankroll, but a general rule of thumb is never to risk more than 5% of your bankroll on a playing session. This way, you won’t feel under pressure, and a few losing rounds in a row won’t knock you out right away. Remember, the key is to play responsibly. Casino games should be viewed as a form of entertainment, not as a way to make money.

Casino Etiquette 101

If you’re playing at the best online casinos, you don’t need to worry about casino etiquette. However, if you’re heading to a land-based casino for the first time, you may be wondering what rules you need to follow, and how you should present yourself in the casino.

The most basic rule is that you should always show respect towards both the dealer and your fellow players. Regardless of whether you’re winning or losing, you should act with dignity, avoid annoying others, and be conscious that other players may be losing money.

Familiarize yourself with the game rules before joining a table; many players will get annoyed when a new player slows down the game due to lack of understanding. You should always place your bets on the table instead of handing them to the dealer, so the CCTV cameras can see, and once a game round has begun, avoid touching any chips or cards without the express permission of the dealer.

Here’s a short table summarizing some of the important points to remember.

Do Don’t
Respect everyone Be rude or boastful
Learn the rules of the casino games Join a game unprepared
Handle chips correctly Throw chips around on the table
Tip the dealer Ignore tipping etiquette
Maintain a strict budget Chase losses or bet more when losing

Frequently Asked Questions

Thankfully, easy casino games for beginners are found at all casinos, and the main thing to consider is really your personal preferences. Hopefully, this guide has given you some ideas of which games are most suited to beginners. In this final section, we'll address some common questions beginner players often have about casino games and casinos in general.

What are the best games for casino beginners?

For newbies, the best casino games are those that are easy to learn and require no or little skill. These games include slots, blackjack, and roulette. Video poker is probably the best, however, as it usually offers the lowest house edge, although very basic knowledge of poker hand rankings is needed, ideally.

How can I improve my chances of winning when playing slots?

To increase your odds of winning on slot machines, choose games with higher payout percentages and manage your bankroll properly. Unfortunately, there are no strategies when it comes to slots, as every spin is completely random.

What are some tips for playing blackjack effectively?

To maximize your chances of winning when playing blackjack, familiarize yourself with basic strategy charts and practice a bit on a free version of the game before playing for real. You'll be able to find many basic strategy guides online – have one to hand when you're playing and refer to it when unsure of the best move.

How do I manage my money while gambling?

Bankroll management is key to a successful casino experience. Set a budget, stick to it, and avoid chasing losses. Most people advise against risking more than 5% of your total bankroll per session, as this will ensure you can withstand a prolonged losing period.

What should I know about casino etiquette?

Casino etiquette is important to make sure gambling is fun for everyone. When you're playing in a land-based casino, try to follow these basic rules: respect the dealer and other players, know the game rules before playing, tip when appropriate, and never take out your frustrations on casino staff or other players at the table.
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