Which casino genres are best for new players?

Online casinos offer a wealth of games, each suited to different preferences, skill levels and interests. For new players, the huge selection can seem overwhelming. But some games are easier to understand, lower risk and more beginner-friendly.

Slots

Slots are an accessible genre for new casino players. Slots are simple - you press a button and the game takes care of the rest. Slot games are not skill-based; they are based on luck, but many players enjoy them for their simplicity and the opportunity to win. Slots also offer variety: there are themes based on ancient civilisations like Rome and Egypt, movies and TV shows, animals and many other designs. Modern slots, as you would expect, have been updated with more engaging graphics and visual effects. Most casinos offer demo versions of slot machines so that potential players can understand the mechanics of the game.

Roulette

Roulette is also pretty straightforward to learn. It's not as much about strategy or complex decisions as some other casino games. The pace is also quite friendly; you have time to place your bets and watch the wheel spin. The rules are easy to understand after a few rounds and there's no need to bet large amounts. If you prefer not to take too many chances, you may want to stick to bets like red/black and even/odd, which have almost a 50/50 chance of winning.

Blackjack

Blackjack requires more skill than slots and roulette, but it's still pretty beginner-friendly. The goal is simple: beat the dealer by having a hand closer to 21 - without going over 21. Just like roulette, after a few hands you get a feel for the game.

Blackjack's relatively low house edge (the advantage the house has over the players) is another reason why the game is quite beginner-friendly. You have a slightly better chance of winning. Some players further reduce the house edge by counting cards. However, most casinos don't look kindly on card counting and it's generally not advisable. Some casinos may even ban players who are caught counting cards.

Strategy is a big part of blackjack; you decide when to draw, stand or double down, and some casino sites offer tutorials to help new players.

Video poker

Some online casinos have used modern technology to update the classic game of poker. In video poker, you are dealt five cards and can choose which cards to keep or discard.

Discarded cards are replaced with new ones and your final hand consists of the kept and drawn cards (or 5 kept cards if you decide to keep all 5 original cards). You are trying to form the best possible poker hand. While professional poker tournaments and events require expert bluffing and advanced strategy, video poker is a simpler game without any bluffing (you are not playing against other people). Therefore, it's probably a better choice for new players.

Bingo

Bingo's rules are fairly simple and the slow pace makes it a less intimidating game than poker, for example. Numbers are drawn randomly and you mark the numbers found on your card or grid. Bingo is often enjoyed for its social aspects. Online, players get the social benefits in chat rooms and it's typically a fairly casual game (although of course there are very serious bingo players). The focus is typically more on entertainment than gambling, so bingo is a good choice if you're looking for a casual game.

Interestingly, a game called Le Lotto, a precursor to modern bingo, was used in Germany to teach children maths, spelling and history. Le Lotto is now the name of the Belgian national lottery.