All dressed up with nowhere to go: Playing casino games during a pandemic

I’m not the most demanding of people to be perfectly honest with you. Outside of working hours, give me a cup of coffee and a TV remote and I can happily ‘while away the time’ for a few hours without too much fuss. However, of course we all like to get out and about occasionally, either for a typical night out consisting of a couple of pints, or something more of an ‘occasion’ like going to a fancy(ish!) restaurant, a concert or a casino. We live in strange times though, and a global pandemic now stands in the way of such carefree nights on the town. I have considered many a time trying to gain permission and access to my local casino via smoke signals, or by whispering secret entry codes and passwords outside of the door, but to no avail. During this lockdown I don’t have a cat in hell’s chance of getting in!

In decades of old, that would’ve been a complete disaster, but thankfully in the modern era, there are viable alternatives that offer just the same if not an even better and more varied casino experience than exists ‘offline’. So often, the problem with a local casino is that it’s something of a captive market; the only show in town, and they just know it. The online world is a completely different environment though. There are a considerable number of online casinos all vying for your custom and so they up the ante in terms of what they offer casino goers. They do so by offering incentives that make them stand out from the crowd. It becomes necessary to read trusted assessments of the top 10 online casinos and the like to really separate the best from the rest. This really is the only way to ensure that you get the most bang for your buck as well as an authentic online casino experience.

One important factor when assessing online casino sites is reputation. If comparison sites consistently declare a website to be trustworthy and standing out from the crowd, they likely do so for good reason. In this highly competitive environment, it’s also important to make sure that you have your eye on the best welcome bonuses for new customers, as this will ensure that you have more money to play with when you first join. Along the same line some casino sites offer free slots spins to their members and so there are numerous opportunities to gain ‘money for nothing’ (though there are sometimes wagering requirements and the like). Bet boosts and ongoing offers for existing members are also sometimes made available.

Casino review sites often also highlight the types of payment methods available with a particular online casino. This can really be a time saver. Other factors that differentiate casino sites can be the variety of games on offer. When you attend your average bricks and mortar casino, sure you’re going to find a few different slot machine options from time to time, but the change of pace may well be pretty glacial. In comparison it’s a different world online, there are hundreds of existing slots options, with new ones becoming available all of the time. If you have a favourite movie, or celebrity or slot theme you can bet there’s a slots game out there that ticks the box. So all in all, lockdown or not, if you love to play slots, roulette, poker or any of the other top casino games, a convenient and authentic casino experience is still available for you right now, and it’s only a click away.

Casino Games – Slot Machines

Traditionally, the term ‘slot machine’ was used to describe a gambling machine that was operated by inserting coins, or tokens, into a slot and pulling a handle, or pressing a button, to set in motion three or more, originally mechanical, reels. The final position of the reels or, in other words, how many winning symbols lined up on the payline, or paylines, determined the payout, which was released, again in coins, or tokens, into a receptacle at the bottom of the machine.

The principle of the modern slot machine remains the same but, in casinos in the United States and elsewhere, coins and tokens have been almost universally replaced by a system known as ‘Ticket-In/Ticket Out’, or TITO for short. TITO slot machines neither accept nor pay out in coins or tokens, but instead print barcoded tickets that can be transferred from one machine to another, or redeemed for cash at a cashier station or automated kiosk.

Similarly, in the modern incarnation of the slot machine, physical, mechanical reels have been with a graphical simulation on a video screen, which simply display the outcome of each spin, as determined by a microprocessor, known as a random number generator. In addition, while traditional slot machines had just a single payline, modern slot machines with two, three, five or more paylines have become commonplace. Nevertheless, for all their ‘bells and whistles’, in terms of complexity and features, modern slot machines typically offer a house edge between 5% and 10%.

Baccarat: Gameplay, Strategies, Tips, and Everything About This Card Game

Great hand for baccarat.

Among the various casino games available online and offline, baccarat is one of the most popular with a great history. This card is loved by the players at land-based casinos for many years and now its online providers are witnessing this game’s fame. Despite being so popular worldwide, there is always someone new to this game, who wants to learn some significant things about baccarat. Here, we are going to tell you vital things about baccarat.

Origin of the Game

The roots of this card game are attributed to Europe, in which country it originated is still not known. Many believe that France or Italy is the home country of baccarat. Before being named baccarat, this game had several other names such as Banque, punto banco, Chemin De Fer, and punto banco. Apparently, each country had different names and a little different gameplay. The changes were made throughout the years and we got the popular version of the game that we enjoy today.

How to Play Baccarat

At first glance, this game may seem a little confusing to some users, but it is indeed easy to learn. The objective of the game is to determine if the player or the dealer would have a winner’s hand or the result would be a tie. So, here, players can make bets on the banker’s hand, the hand of the player, or on the tie. However, you need to keep in mind that betting on the hand of the player doesn’t mean you bet on yourself. Bets must be placed prior to the dealer deals the cards.

The aim is to have a card as close to 9 as possible. Here, cards are calculated according to the – 10 value. For instance, 14 is considered 4. If the total of hand you placed bet is close to 9 then you collect the profit. The game is very simple and easy. You can play online bingo as it is fast and instant access to the game. Several online casinos offer free demo games of baccarat, where you can practice and improve your skills.

Where to Play Baccarat?

Playing live Baccarat.

Once you have learned the basic rules of the game and how it works, you would want to try a few hands, right? As we mentioned in the introduction that most land-based casinos offer baccarat tables. Players just need to pay the baccarat table fee, buy some tokens, and they are good to go.

However, we think that online gambling can be a feasible option to play this card game. These days, where digitalization has facilitated the users experience, playing baccarat online is way more convenient. They can come in two forms, digitally with the machine and live with real dealers. Both ways of playing are extremely popular and exciting for the players. We have found one well established online casino that recently added to their portfolio the popular Playtech games in addition to their Evolution gaming live offers, therefore we strongly recommend that you’ll try out their much fun eight Decks online baccarat card games.

Baccarat Strategies and Tips

Novice and old players always look for the top strategies for baccarat to guarantee a profit. However, first, we want to make a thing clear that there no certain strategies and tips in baccarat that ensure winning. Unlike blackjack, this casino game is purely a game of luck. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t use some tactics. Here are some tips and tricks that can be used to increase your chances of winning.

 

Don’t Bet on A Tie or Draw

Betting correctly.

Although there is no foolproof baccarat strategy, there is a small detail that you have to know. As we said there are three kinds of bets here: on the player’s hand, on the banker’s hand, and on the tie. Here, the third type of bet seems very attractive at first glance, since it is associated with a payout that makes you dream.

However, in baccarat, your best weapon is rationality. Betting on a tie has only one chance in thirty of making us win. It also offers the casino an advantage of 14.3%. So, opt for this bet as little as possible.

Betting on Banker’s Hand

Many novice players think that betting on the banker’s hand or betting on a player’s hand have similar chances of winning. But betting in a banker’s hand is a good strategy. Although this bet will get you 5% of the profits in the casino, the chances of winning with this bet are more. The bet on the hand of the bank offers us an opportunity to win up to 44.64%.

Be Responsible

Every person who plays in a casino needs to know that some you win and sometimes you lose. Although it can be a bit difficult to digest, you must accept this reality before even thinking about a strategy for baccarat. We should set a financial goal and set a limit on ourselves. Defining an objective will allow us to be satisfied with certain gains and not fall into excess. In terms of investment, sticking to a limited budget will prevent us from wasting our financial resources and falling into irrationality. Always play responsible to enjoy gambling.

Important Tips

  • Bet in favor of the best score from the dealer.
  • Don’t try to bet on a tie
  • Learn the basic rules of the game and know how it works
  • Use bonuses and other perks offered by the casino provider
  • Do not insist on a losing streak and play responsibly
  • Don’t trust any guaranteed strategy. It is pure luck but uses your instinct as well.

How to Choose the Right Online Casino

Casino games have never been so popular as they are today. The internet, smartphones and tablets have made it possible for people to enjoy their favourite slots and table games from the comfort of their own homes. Before the late 1990s, the only way to play them would have been by travelling to a physical casino. 

 

According to data recently published by TechJury, more than 2.5 billion people now play these types of games. To serve this vast market, thousands of online casino sites have popped up all around the world. 

 

With so many sites to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one to choose, especially if you’ve never played in an online casino before. 

 

Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to help you decide which one fits your needs the most. 

 

Step 1. Check if the Casino is Licensed

When you deposit money to and play games in an online casino, you want to be sure that your money and personal information are going to be kept safe. Thankfully, there are some really easy checks you can do to make sure. 

 

The first is to confirm that the casino is licensed. Here in the UK, all online casinos must be registered with the Gambling Commission. This is a government regulator that enforces the laws relating to betting and gaming and issues licenses to companies that want to serve customers from Great Britain. 

 

You can check that the casino has been issued a license as details of it should be displayed at the bottom of their website. You can also verify this yourself through the Gambling Commission website. Its public register can be searched by company name, domain name, or license number. 

 

For added peace of mind, you can ensure that the casino uses encryption on its website by checking for the padlock symbol in your web browser.

 

Step 2. Find Casinos Offering Generous Promotions

There is a lot of competition in the market, which means many online casinos offer promotions to encourage new customers to sign up with them rather than a competitor. 

The types of offers usually fall into a few categories:

  • No deposit bonus – this is where you get a small amount of bonus credit to play the casino’s games for free when you sign up

  • Deposit match bonus – where the casino matches your deposit amount (or a proportion of it), giving you more to play with

  • Free spins – these allow you to play slot games for free

 

Some casinos may also give you free spins for partaking in certain promotions or being loyal. Some slot games may also award you with free spins when you unlock certain bonus features or land on certain symbols. 

With so many bonuses on offer, shop around and find the one that will be most valuable to you by considering the types of games you will play and how much you intend to deposit.

Step 3. Find Casinos That Offer the Types of Games You Enjoy

There’s little point in registering with an online casino if it doesn’t offer your favourite game, so it’s best to check first. Thankfully, this is really easy to do since most sites allow you to see their catalogue of options before joining. Some even have search boxes so you can just type in the name of the game you want to play and see what comes up. 

 

For lovers of blackjack and roulette, you’ll find that they’re available at practically every casino. Most will even have several variants of each so you’ll have plenty of choice. 

 

Other table games like baccarat, pai gow, and Caribbean stud poker are less common, so you may have to check a few sites first. 

 

If slots are more your thing, then you’ll find hundreds (or even thousands) offered by most online casinos. However, if you have a particular title in mind, you may have to search a little harder as the games offered by a casino will depend on the software provider(s) it works with.

 

Step 4. Have Fun

Once you’ve found the online casino that works best for you, it’s time to sign up, make your deposit and have fun playing your favourite games.