Why play casino games online?
You might wonder why you’d choose to play online casino games, rather than heading to your local casino. Here are a few reasons that online casino games are such a hit:
Play whenever, wherever
Online casino games give you the freedom to play wherever and whenever you want. Night or day, at home or on your commute into work, you can try your luck on the top titles when you feel like it- no opening times to contend with.
Boost your play with a bonus
The bonuses on offer at casino sites are often more impressive than deals at bricks-and-mortar casinos. Whether you’re after a handful of free spins, or a heft matched deposit bonus, there’s bound to be an online casino that has a bonus to suit you.
Choose from a wide variety of games
No matter which games you’re looking to play, there’s bound to be an online casino that fits the bill. And you won’t have to settle for just classic variations of each, the best casino sites have branded slots and offer exciting twists on games like roulette, blackjack and poker.
Games for all budgets
Online casinos cater for players of all budgets, whether you’re a high roller placing big money stakes, or a casual bettor looking to play casino games for free, there’s something for everyone.
Play these casino games online
Slots
Slots are so easy to get to grips with, which makes them such a hit at online casinos. All you need to do is place your bets and hit the spin button to set the reels into motion, then wait to see if you’ve scored a winning combination. On top of their simplicity, there’s an online slot game for everyone to enjoy, from classic three-reel slots to branded video slots with multiple playlines and progressive jackpots. The best slot sites offer slots for all budgets, ranging from free slots to penny slots and high stakes slot games. The RTP of slot games will vary between titles and software providers, but we’d recommend sticking to games with an RTP of at least 96% to give yourself the best chances of winning. Check out our guide to online slots to understand everything there is to know about this online casino favourite.
Blackjack
Blackjack is a casino classic and, while there are a number of different variations of this card game, the main aim remains the same: get a hand value as close to 21 without exceeding it. You can try your luck with your favourite blackjack variation at top blackjack sites, be that Blackjack Switch, Multi-hand Blackjack or Double Exposure. The house edge of blackjack will differ between blackjack variations, so keep this in mind when you’re selecting the game you want to play. Take a look at our online blackjack guide to get to grips with playing this casino classic online.
Roulette
What would an online casino be without a roulette wheel? Well, the best roulette sites have many, featuring not just American and European roulette, but more obscure variations like multi-wheel roulette. The roulette house edge depends on the variation you choose, as each have their own betting variations. While European roulette offers the best chances of winning with a house edge of around 2.7%, American roulette gives the house a 5.26% advantage, so keep an eye out for this when you’re comparing and choosing roulette games. Our online roulette guide is the perfect place to start if you want to learn more.
Poker
Poker is a staple at many land-based casinos, and the same goes for online casino sites. The most common variation of this card game is Texas Hold’em, but there are plenty of other poker game variations at casino sites and online poker rooms. While the exact rules of each poker game vary slightly, the aim— to get the best poker hand— doesn’t change. Whether you want to try your hand with Omaha poker, Seven-Card Stud, or any other poker variation, the sites on our list are bound to have a poker game for you. Keep an eye out though, the poker house edge isn’t the same across every variation- some swing much more in favour of the casino. Want to know more about playing online poker? Our poker page is the answer.
Baccarat
Known as James Bond’s casino game of choice, you can play online baccarat at top UK casino sites. In this game you’ll need to get your hand as close to nine as possible, beating the dealer’s. We’ve covered everything there is to know about online baccarat to get you started.
Sic Bo
This ancient Chinese gambling game involves players betting on the outcome of the roll of three dice, and it’s Lady Luck that decides your success in this game. While there aren’t a wide range of sic bo variations, minimum and maximum bet limits could vary, depending on the casino you choose. Our list of the best sic bo sites, and guide to this game of chance will help you on your way to playing sic bo online.
Craps
Another dice game, but in craps you’re betting on the outcome of just two. It gets more interesting than just placing bets on the numbers you think will appear, with a range of different betting options, including hard ways, proposition and field to name just a few. Check out our page on craps to find the best sites and get to grips with the basics.
Play live dealer casino games
Fancy something a little more authentic? The best UK casino sites have a vast array of live dealer casino games, which means you can get a real feel for the casino, without even having to leave the house. Whether you’re playing live roulette, live blackjack or any other live casino game, you’ll be able to see the dealer in action. These games are streamed from casinos or custom-built studios and you can interact with the dealer, typing through the live chat as they respond over audio. Live dealer games aren’t for everyone, however. These games are almost always exclusive to real money players and, even then, tend to have higher minimum bet limits than most animated casino games.
Play casino games on your mobile
You don’t have to be restricted to playing casino games at home. Virtually every online casino has either a mobile-optimised version of its site, or a native mobile app for Android and iPhone. You’ll have access to the same games library and fast payment methods when playing on your mobile as you would on desktop, so you needn’t compromise on a thing. In fact, many software developers are creating games specifically designed for mobile, making for a more seamless mobile casino experience than before. Of course, you will need a stable internet connect to play mobile casino games— most sites do simply continue the round or spin as normal if the connection drops, crediting your account with any winnings, it’s always best to see the results come in for yourself.
Play free online casino games
The good news is that, even if you just want to play casino games for fun, you can do just that at most online casinos. You’ll be able to play pretty much every game for free— with the exception of live dealer— thanks to demo games. These games are ideal if you’re new to casinos and want to test the waters before you put real money on the line, or if you simply want to play for fun. You might not get to access all bonus rounds and extra features, and you certainly won’t win the big bucks, but you’ll still get to catch a glimpse of the casino action- even if you want to play on your mobile.
Casino games software
Want to know a little more about the software houses behind your favourite casino games?
Microgaming
As one of the biggest names in casino software, it’s hardly surprising that Microgaming has picked up plenty of rewards along the way. Having received rewards for its contribution to online poker and mobile gaming options, and with games of pretty much every variation in its library, you can count on Microgaming casino games to meet your expectations.
Playtech
Playtech prides itself on its portfolio of omni-channel games, giving casino players the freedom to enjoy their favourite titles on whichever device they choose. This software giant has games for everyone, with both live dealer options and movie-themed slots and just about everything in between. But Playtech’s contribution to online gaming hasn’t gone unnoticed; it was awarded the Platform of the Year award at the 2018 eGR B2B Awards.
NetEnt
Known for its innovation in mobile, thanks to the NetEnt Touch platform, NetEnt is another big name when it comes to casino software. Having received awards for its innovation in mobile software, as well as slot games, NetEnt casino games certainly won’t disappoint when it comes to providing a top-notch online casino experience.
Keep these factors in mind when you’re playing casino games
It’s not as simple as picking a casino game that takes your fancy. There are a couple of things that you should bear in mind.
RTP
The return to player (RTP) percentage of a game gives you an indication as to how much you might expect to earn from your wagers over an extended period of play. It’s important to remember that this percentage is theoretical, and is based on an infinite number of hands, rounds or spins. This means you could be winning much more, or much less, than the RTP suggests at any given point in time
RTP percentages vary depending on the game you’re playing, but we’d say the higher the better. Of course, a high RTP won’t guarantee you a win, but it does increase your chances slightly.
House Edge
A game’s house edge is the opposite of the RTP, and indicates the casino’s advantage over players. It’s pretty simple to understand: the higher the house edge, the bigger the casino’s advantage. While some games, like blackjack, have a pretty low house edge, side bets and different game variations can increase it.
Bet limits
No matter your online casino budget, you’ll need to take notice of a games’ minimum and maximum bet limits. It’s important that the minimum bet limit is within your means for casual players and, if you’re a high roller, you’ll want to make sure that the maximum bet limit doesn’t restrict you. The best UK casino sites have both games for players betting with high and low stakes, so you needn’t miss out on casino action, no matter the size of your bankroll.
Good to go?
Now that you’re a genius when it comes to online casino games, you’re probably ready to start playing for yourself. Use our list of the UK’s top online casinos and expert casino reviews to compare sites and find the best place to play online casino games for you.
