Casinos are among the most fun places on earth. They’re like giant adult playgrounds where money reigns and Lady Luck is the elusive goddess of the night.
Given the allure and vast appeal of casino gambling, it doesn’t surprise anyone that the number of first-time casino goers grows by the day. Casinos may be a bit intimidating to some newbies. Still, there are some games that will help ease you into the casino gambling experience.
Let’s look at nine casino games that are perfect for newbies. Remember, the casino isn’t going to do the work for you. So, you’ll need to learn the best practices on your own.
1 – Slot Machines
Slot machines are the most comfortable choice for picking a casino game. You don’t necessarily need to know anything about the game at all.
You only need to feed money into the buzzing machine and press spin. This simplicity isn’t the only draw to slot machines.
These machines are frequently associated with large progressive jackpots. These jackpots can grow into millions of dollars and change a lucky gambler’s life with a single pull.
It’s kind of like when a 25-year-old won nearly $40 million on the famous Megabucks slot in Nevada on a lucky spin. Still, the odds of being the lucky winner are astronomical.
You’ll have a better chance of winning the lottery than winning millions on a slot machine. However, there are still millions of gamblers that try their luck every year on these exciting machines.
As your knowledge of casino gaming grows, I encourage you to branch out from slot machines. There are several games that will ultimately be much softer on your gambling bankroll.
2 – Blackjack
Blackjack is among the best casino games on the planet regardless of your experience or lack thereof.
Almost anybody walking through the casino doors is familiar with the basic premise of blackjack. It would be best if you got as close to 21 as possible without going over.
The fellow blackjack players at the table are of little consequence; you must only beat the dealer.
What if I tried telling you there is a strategy for how to play every hand based on the dealer’s upcard?
You’d probably contest how that sounds great in theory. But who’s got the time to learn such a complex system?
Anyway, you don’t have to learn a thing. You can find the basic blackjack strategy on handy index cards that easily fit in the pocket.
You’ll be pleased to hear that the casinos allow players to use the cards at the tables. In fact, you can even purchase the cards in many casino gift shops.
It’s essential that you don’t slow down the game when using a chart. Doing so may result in a bit of chastising from the pit boss.
Why would the casino allow you to use a strategy chart at the table?
Because it keeps players at the table, you’re still going to lose. You’re just going to fail less often. The basic strategy for blackjack may reduce the house edge to as little as 0.5%.
I encourage any blackjack enthusiasts, new or old, to make the $3 investment and use the card for every hand.
3 – Casino War
Casino War is the type of game you could train an octopus to play. You place a wager, and if your card beats the dealer, you win.
There’s hardly a more straightforward card game on the planet. This game does come with a bit of risk and is the main reason many players avoid it altogether.
In the event of a tie, the player may surrender their original wager or double down and go to War. This gives players an opportunity to win, but only on the second wager.
That small distinction gives the casino a decided advantage. Still, there are far more dangerous games on the casino floor for the wide-eyed gambling newbie than Casino War.
4 – Baccarat
Baccarat is rapidly becoming the most famous casino game on the planet. It’s already charged into the lead in Macau, and Vegas will likely follow suit at some point.
Playing baccarat is perfect for newbies because the dealer does everything for you. All you need to do is place your wager next to the banker circle or player circle.
From there, the dealer will deal two cards to the banker and the player. Whichever hand is closest to a total of nine wins.
The elementary nature of the game isn’t what draws the whales to this game of chance. It’s in part due to the incredibly low house edge.
Each of the bets has a house advantage below 1.5%. This makes baccarat among the most player-friendly games in the casino.
Regardless of your bankroll limitations, I recommend ignoring previous results in the casino. The odds of the banker bet winning 14 hands in a row are slim but not out of the question.
If you begin doubling down because you think the next hand’s result is a certainty, you’re doomed to fail.
5 – Craps
Craps is another game that is extremely easy on the player. Unfortunately, far too few casino gamblers understand this.
New players especially are hesitant to stroll confidently up to the craps table and begin placing bets. The craps table is littered with hundreds of possible bets.
Some of these bets are quite good, while others remain decidedly poor. The trick is knowing where to place your wagers for maximum effectiveness.
It all comes down to the pass line and don’t pass line bets. These are the only two bets newbie gamblers need to get started on their craps journey.
At their most essential point, the pass line is a bet for the shooter to win, and the don’t pass bet is wagering against the shooter. Most casino gamblers will bet the pass line and cheer on the shooter.
However, it’s the don’t pass bet that offers the best odds for the player. The edge is slim, and you’ll likely draw some dirty looks as you collect your win and others see their chips vanish.
Either way, betting will get you away from the slot machines and into the heart of the Vegas casino action.
6 – Roulette
One of the single most popular casino games of all time is roulette. Roulette is played in casinos around the world, and the game can make lucky players a substantial amount of money.
First-time casino guests are usually familiar with real money roulette, but there are a few key things to know.
The difference amongst the house edge on a single zero wheel and a double zero wheel are significant. Many players will opt for sticking with the even-money wagers. The introduction of a second green space on the wheel is terrible for the player.
Stick to only playing on a single zero or European Roulette wheel.
7 – Three-Card Poker
Three-Card Poker is a fun and simple game that has made a home for itself on the floor of most casinos around the world.
Players find the game exciting for a good reason. Three-Card Poker pays on a scale which means the better your hand, the more money you win.
The casino’s edge isn’t much better than many slot machines, but the use of strategy makes the game a lot more fun for the player.
8 – Keno
For casino newbies that are fans of playing the lottery, keno is going to fit like a sock.
This casino staple closely resembles most state lotteries. Fortunately, keno offers several ways to win.
These include not getting a single number correct. If my previous lottery experiences are any indication, I’d likely clean house on keno.
Regardless of how well you pick the numbers, keno is only a few dollars on each drawing. So, players may spend all day in the keno room and only lose a small amount.
This game isn’t the most exciting casino game around, but it’s a great way to stretch a bankroll. Don’t be surprised if your gambling is interrupted by the sound of snoring.
9 – Video Poker
Video poker falls under the same umbrella of electronic gaming machines as slots. However, that’s where the similarities end.
Video poker incorporates some fundamental strategies and gives the player an opportunity to keep their money.
Slots enthusiasts should consider ditching the spinning reels for the electronic card deck.
The newbie casino gambler would also be well served to head straight for the video poker games.
Research the variants available at the casino you’ll be visiting and learn the best strategy before you go. Practicing the game online before you ever leave for the casino is a great way to become familiar with the game and process.
Conclusion
Rookie casino gamblers shouldn’t hesitate to wade into the gambling waters. After all, casinos are built to entertain us, and that’s precisely what they do to an excellent degree.
These nine casino games that are perfect for newbies are a great start as you begin your new gambling career. They are also excellent choices for the veteran casino gambler who may be finding that their current routines are becoming a little stale.
Michael Stevens
Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …