This online gambling guide covers everything a casino player should know in 2024. Get familiar with different types of casino games, discover betting strategy and learn about bankroll management. But best of all learn which casinos are the most reliable, and how to enjoy gambling in a safe way.
Our veteran gambling expert Michael Kaplan gives you a unique insight into all aspects of your favorite pastime. Let’s get to it.
Online Poker Tips – Shuffle Up and Deal
Poker is one of the most popular games you can play online and for good reason. The stakes range from pennies to thousands of dollars, tournaments run around the clock and online poker is the perfect way to get good at the game. Because hands move so quickly, you get in way more play per hour than you do in a brick-and-mortar casino. Without being waylaid by the shuffling of cards and the pokiness of live play, serious players can learn a lot very quickly. It was the proving ground for reigning superstars like Tom “Durrrr” Dwan and Andrew Roble. They both set themselves up to become two of the most fearsome players on the circuit by cutting their teeth online — winning millions in the process. Talk about earn while you learn!
Once the game gets more expensive, it pays to be aggressive and to steal antes and blinds whenever possible.
If you like playing tournaments, here is a simple piece of advice: Play tight in the early stages before the antes kick in. Once the game gets more expensive, it pays to be aggressive and to steal antes and blinds whenever possible. Target players who will think, say, three times before calling a shove (and don’t be one of those players). If you get knocked out online, no sweat There’s likely to be another tournament loading up at that very moment. Once you get good and are playing at a positive expectation, you can compete at more than one table at a time. This allows you to increase potential winnings without going up against tougher players.
One thing that online poker does not allow for is the recognizing of tells and the hiding of your own. Depending on your style, this can be a good thing or a bad thing. There is also the opportunity to play every poker variant imaginable. The online world is not only about Texas hold’em and Omaha high/low. (Low stakes Paduki, anyone?) Additionally, if you are new to the game and awkward about handling cards or pitching chips into the pot, those factors will not come up when you play online. Finally, if you’re just figuring things out, you can keep a playing guide or software right alongside you to see correct moves under various circumstances when you play online. Do not try that in a land-based casino.
Our Poker Guides
Before we let you go into the online poker wilderness, we thought we’d arm you with some essential guides. You don’t need to read through it all right now, just bookmark it and come back if you get stuck somewhere.
- How to Play Poker – All the basic rules of poker in one place, whether you’re just starting out or need to refresh your memory.
- Poker Terms – Did someone say something at the poker table and you just smiled and nodded? Check the meaning in our poker terminology.
- Poker Hands – Does Royal Flush beat four of a kind? Do you need a handy chart that you can check at any time?
- Poker Positions – If you want to minimize your losses or get the best start possible, you need to keep an eye out for poker positions at the table.
How to Win Online Roulette? Spin the Wheel
Roulette is a fun game to play in the casino for the simple fact that you’re in there with a bunch of other people and it comes with a social component. There is also something cool about the traditions of the game, seeing the ball dropping into the spinning wheel, sitting tight as you hope for your numbers to come up, high-fiving the guy next to you when they do. An advantage of playing live is that you might occasionally find a biased roulette wheel. Since the physical wheels are mechanical devices, they have been known to favor certain numbers. Keep your eyes open and you can win lots of money playing them. Super sharp Billy Walters did that in one of Steve Wynn’s casinos and totally cleaned up.
Some online casinos offer multi-wheel games in which you can bet on several different wheels at the same time.
On the other hand, when you play online, you can get various bonuses, such as free spins, just for playing the game. You’d be hard pressed to find that in a regular casino. Also, you can take as long as you want to make a decision on where you want to place or for how much. In a casino, you’ve got to get your bet up quickly, before the next spin. Additionally, if you play in an American casino, there will be a double zero, which reduces the odds of your number hitting. Online, you can play European roulette, which presents a better deal for players. Some online casinos offer multi-wheel games in which you can bet on several different wheels at the same time or else play mini-roulette where there fewer numbers to contend with. Though it looks like a favorable deal, the betting odds will be no better than standard roulette. But you might find it to be more entertaining.
Our Roulette Guides
We understand you’re eager to place all your money on black and hope for the best but maybe you could first learn a bit more about the game? For example, here are a couple of guides that might spark your interest.
- How to Play Roulette – Let’s just cover the basics: the main rules, how to play, black, red, green, hi, lo, and the rest.
- Roulette Odds and Payouts – You’ll need to acquaint yourself with roulette odds and potential payouts, so you’d know what to expect.
- Martingale in Roulette – You’ve heard people talk about using Martingale strategy in roulette but you have no idea what it is. We’ve got you.
Online Slots Tips for Beginners
Everyone in search of a quick gambling fix has dropped a couple of quarters into a slot machine and tried their luck. Back in the day, these machines were known as one-armed bandits. And the nickname was apt: over time, the devices were mathematically designed to take your money and a handle on the side, which got pulled down to activate the game, resembled an arm. These days, the machines are as animated as videogames, operate with the press of a button and pay off with slips of paper, which get converted to cash at the cage. So, there is no wonderful jangling of coins as they shower through the machine after a winning spin. Damn you, technology!
Take a shot on progressive slot machines. These are funded with a little takeaway from every win and pay big if you hit the jackpot.
Considering all that, the actual play of an online slot machine versus one in a brick-and-mortar casino is pretty much the same. One advantage of playing online: the payouts are usually a little bit better. The same machines – and more – tend to be available online and you don’t need to drive anywhere if you want to take fortune for a spin.
Online or in land-based casinos, if you are looking for the truly big score, take a shot on progressive slot machines. These are funded with a little takeaway from every win and pay big if you hit the jackpot. Yes, lucking into said jackpot is like winning the lottery. But who has a problem with winning the lottery?
Our Slots Guides
Online slots are not just about pulling a fictional lever and waiting for a payout. You need to know exactly what’s happening on the screen to make the most out of this experience. Our guides are there to help you out.
- How to Play Online Slots – What are reels, rows, paylines, and special symbols? Understanding exactly what’s happening is half the pleasure.
- How to Trigger a Bonus on Slot Machines – You can pretend that you don’t care about the payouts but a good bonus will have you jumping around your house like a kid.
- Slot Themes – Whether it’s your favorite movie, TV show, mythological setting or a colorful pattern, themes are important.
Online Blackjack Strategy – Counting to 21
Blackjack is a great game in that players can actually influence the outcome of each hand. You decide when to hit or stick, split or double down. The same cannot be said of roulette or craps. Learn to card count, play the game in a brick-and-mortar casino and you will be playing at a tiny advantage. Don’t bother learning to count and stick with scrupulously playing basic strategy and you play at a disadvantage of only .65 percent. But that means doing every basic strategy play, every time. So, you always split 8s and you always double down with 11, so long as the dealer is not showing an Ace. If you don’t know basic strategy, grab a blackjack chart and follow everything that’s on it.
One drawback of playing online is that you play way more hands per hour.
Playing online means that you will be gambling against what amounts to a continuous shuffle machine. That is fine, as it will essentially shuffle the cards after every hand. It’s a game killer if you want to card count. So, you won’t be able to do that online. But you can do it in a brick-and-mortar casino when you play games that do not used continuous shuffle machines. One drawback of playing online is that you play way more hands per hour. Since you are playing at a disadvantage, it will cost you more money. Sure, you can get on a heater and win like mad, but, long-term, you will be mathematically guaranteed to lose.
One way to minimize that, online or in the casino, is to find games that offer the best odds for you. That means you want games where blackjacks pay 3-2. Options with 6-5 payouts are rampant and a rip-off. You also want the dealer to stand on a soft 17, you want to be able to double down on any two cards and split non-Ace hands at least three times.
All that said, playing blackjack in a casino, with other players, all praying for the dealer to go bust, will be more fun. But playing online will have a convenience factor that can’t be beat. You can play multiple hands online, just like you can in the casino. Then there is live dealer blackjack in which you have a dealer dealing and sit with other players in the game. One cool feature there is the bet-behind opportunity in which you can bet on another player’s hand. Just hope he’s got a basic strategy card in front of him, or you might lose money due to his goofball plays.
Our Blackjack Guides
Blackjack is a simple, thrilling game but that doesn’t mean you should go in unprepared. Do you need a strategy chart? Want to learn some card counting? Our guides have it all.
- Blackjack Card Values – You don’t want to admit that you’ve never learned the basics of blackjack. You don’t have to, just quickly run through our guide.
- Blackjack Chart – If you want to be as efficient as possible without overthinking things, just use a simple blackjack chart.
- Advanced Blackjack Strategy – You know a thing or two about the game but want to take it to the next level? This is the guide for you.
- Card Counting – It’s high-time you became an AP and this card counting guide will help you get there.
Craps Tips and Tricks – Roll the Bones
Like blackjack, craps ranks among the most popular games in the brick-and-mortar world. That is hardly surprising. Walk through any busy casino and it’s a good bet that there will be a scrum of gamblers crowded around the dice table. When things go well, and the shooter is on a rush, it almost feels as if the table is levitating, such is the energy all around it. No wonder people are splashing chips across the felt, screaming for boxcars and field bets, and not really caring whether or not they get the best of it.
The online minimum is $1 per roll. Good luck finding that in Vegas or Macau or wherever.
Play at home on your laptop or smartphone and you will not get the same kind of adrenalized experience. On the upside, however, consider the old saw about being able to play in your boxer shorts and order in a pie from your favorite pizza joint between rolls. It’s also a way to learn the game without the pressure of being in a crowd full of wise guys. Plus, you can generally play for less at home than you can in a brick-and-mortar casino. The online minimum is $1 per roll. Good luck finding that in Vegas or Macau or wherever.
As far as the actual play goes, my advice is to make craps into a simple game: Forget about splashing chips (digital or otherwise) around the table. Simply initiate a passline bet and take maximum odds. The odds bet has you playing even money against the casino. The house has no advantage on that bet, though you will get a little carved up on the passline bet. Going against the casino, without finding an advantage that the house frowns upon (if you find one, God bless, and please let me know what it is; we don’t care if the house frowns), even money is as good as it gets.
Our Craps Guides
Just because a game is simple doesn’t mean that you should go in blind and, thanks to our guides, you don’t have to. Here are the essential craps guides to get you started.
- How to Play Craps – As always, we start with the basics regardless of your previous knowledge or level.
- Craps Strategy – You’ve gone through the rules but now you need a bit more. Our craps strategy gives you invaluable tips and breaks down odds for you.
- Craps Terms– You can’t be anything above an amateur player without learning the craps lingo. Lucky for you, we’ve gathered it all into a handy list.
Video Poker Tips – Poker on the Screen
When we think of poker, we normally think of sitting down at a table and playing against a bunch of flinty eyed gamblers, hiding our tells and trying to read theirs. Video poker is a whole other animal. You play on a machine, with digitized cards being dealt onto a screen, and you play against a pay-table rather than against other players.
Without a pair of Jacks or better, hold all single Jacks or higher.
The classic video poker variant is Jacks or better, which is five card draw and you need at least a pair of Jacks to win anything. The payouts are based on the rarity of your hand. For example, a pair of Jacks pays even money, while four of a kind earns out at 25-1. Sounds like a good deal, until you realize that the true odds of hitting four deuces is 1 in 4,909. So, it’s not going to happen all that often. To give your yourself a fighting chance, online or in the casino, here are a few strategy tips: Without a pair of Jacks or better, hold all single Jacks or higher; hold three or four cards to a straight or flush; hold pairs of any kind.
An advantage of playing online is that you can usually find no-money versions of the game. You’ll kick yourself if you draw a royal flush – something that happens 1 out of 650,000 times – and receive no payout, but, on the upside, you can get a feel for the game before blowing any money at it. You also might be able to find better odds in an online casino than in a land-based casino. Either way, the best game for players, after you get a feel for Jacks or better, is the deuces wild variant. Play correctly and it’s pretty much even money. Here are a few things to keep in mind: four deuces is the best possible hand; if you don’t have any deuces keep all paying hands; if all you have is a non-paying pair, hold onto that and draw three fresh cards.
Armed with this knowledge, there is only one thing left to do: Go get ‘em, kid!
Our Video Poker Guides
Is video poker that much different from live poker? Yes, and we have a couple of detailed guides to prove it. They cover everything from basic rules and expected payouts, to poker variants and useful strategies.
- How to Play Video Poker – Here’s a quick tutorial so you can learn the basics and explore different game variants.
- Video Poker Strategy – We can’t guarantee a positive outcome but we can tell you what to keep an eye out for to improve your performance.
Betting Systems
Some people love it, others hate it but you can’t know until you’ve tried it. A betting system can bring order to your game or frustrate you with a slow grind. In any case, our guides give you something to think about.
- Betting Systems – Familiarize yourself with all the different betting systems before you choose the one that fits your playing style.
- 1-3-2-6 System – The name is somewhat self-explanatory but we do provide you with real examples and scenarios to hammer the point home.
- Progressive Betting – Most of the betting systems are progressive, which means you increase or decrease your stakes with every following bet.
- Martingale System – Definitely one of the best known betting systems out there. We lay it down for you so you can start using it today.
- Labouchere System – Some call this negative progression system a Split Martingale and you’ll see why.
- Paroli Betting System – Paroli is focused on small wins which add up over time. Whether you have the patience for it is another thing.
- Fibonacci System – The famous mathematical string of numbers also has its use in gambling.
- D’Alembert System – Simple but effective strategy for a lot of gamblers, D’Alembert system has its fair share of pros and cons.
- Oscar’s Grind – If you want to grind your way slowly to success, consider Oscar’s strategy.
- James Bond Roulette Strategy – Can you even play roulette without a tuxedo? This simple but interesting strategy will get people talking about you.
- Kelly Betting – Are you looking for a more mathematical approach to gambling? Kelly Betting might just be the perfect option for you.
Casino Bankroll Management
Whatever game you’re playing, remain cognizant of the cash you are willing to lose in a session and what your winning threshold will be. If you are somehow playing at an advantage – say, counting cards at blackjack or sitting at a poker table that is 100-percent loaded with fish – then you want to play for as long as you possibly can. Playing at a disadvantage, even if it’s .5 percent, keep in mind that you are lucky if you win and likely to lose. In the former case, quit while you are ahead rather than hanging in there until you lose your winnings and then some, and find yourself chasing to get back in the black. Don’t risk more in a single session than you are willing to drop.
Find a range that you are comfortable playing at, put up your bets and have fun.
People will tout various betting systems or brag about playing with house money (if you win money, it’s your money; it is no longer the house’s money; and you should treat it as such). Don’t listen to them. Find a range that you are comfortable playing at, put up your bets and have fun. If you hit your win or lose threshold, cash out or call it a day and have a nice dinner or watch a movie or spend time doing whatever it is that makes you happy.
Bankroll Management
If you want to read up more on bankroll management in general, for your favorite casino game, or even how it works in sports betting, you can go through our guides below.
Online Casino Reviews
The very heart of our website lies in our unbiased casino reviews. The goal is to provide you with the best gambling options on the web and here’s how we do it.
- Online Casino Reviews – Browse through our reviews if you’re looking for something specific or want to get inspired through a random casino.
- How We Rate – We talk a lot about being thorough and unbiased but what does that mean in practice? Take a look at our mechanisms.
- Responsible Gambling – Everything we do, we do for our readers so it makes sense that your safety is our number one priority. This is why we put so much emphasis on responsible gambling all the time.
Online Gambling Safety
One advantage of playing in a brick-and-mortar casino is that there is generally no question as to whether or not you will be able to cash in your chips and exit with a pocket full of money. You have your chips, you go to the cage, you get your cash – unless you’ve pulled off some mega play and pissed off the casino-bosses mightily (but we’re probably not dealing with that here). Online can be a little more complicated. You need to rely on the site to actually be above board and pay you. If they don’t pay you, your recourses are limited.
Play on a legit site and getting paid should be quick and not tricky at all.
One way to keep from getting completely hosed is to make deposits with baby steps. Initially, put in $100 instead of $1,000, play for a bit and make a withdrawal. That will give you an idea of the wait times for receiving money and how tricky it will be to collect. Play on a legit site and getting paid should be quick and not tricky at all. If it is affiliated with a known company or casino, that is one way to minimize the likelihood of being disappointed when it is time to collect.
Fly by night sites are worth avoiding – even if they offer bonuses or odds that are too good to be true (they are!) – and you should stick with operations that get good reviews online and have no grumbling from players. It’s also worth limiting the hours you play. Since you literally have a casino in your pocket, on your smartphone, keep in mind that you don’t want to spend every spare minute of your time gambling. It can become an expensive hobby.
Guides on Online Safety
Want to read up more on gambling safely online and all of its aspects? Take a look at our guides below.
- Online Gambling Safety – This is your first stop if you want to learn more about online safety. We encourage you to read it carefully.
- Online Gambling Licenses – You keep reading in (our) reviews that online casinos have certain licenses but what does that mean and who gives them out?
- Gambling Fairness Bodies – Who controls the casinos to ensure they are fair and secure?
- Casino Compliance – What does the aforementioned casino have to do to stay compliant? What are the fines if not?
- KYC Gambling – You want to start gambling but the casino asks for documents to verify your personal information. Why is that important?
- RNG in a Casino – RNG stands for Random Number Generator and is often one of the most important elements of a casino.
- Provably Fair Gambling – You’ve probably heard of provably fair games but what does this term actually mean?
- Gambler’s Fallacy – Another term that you might be familiar with but can’t really put your finger on its meaning. We break it down for you so you can learn to avoid it.
- Gambling Addiction – One of the most important topics in the whole of online gambling – addiction. The more you know about it, the better.
Whatever site you play on, whatever game you choose to play, remember that this is all about having fun at a leisure activity. So, ante up and enjoy!
Additional Resources: