The number of people who are choosing to play casino games has rocketed in recent years. Those games always had a core customer base, but now they are appealing to a much wider demographic.
It is not hard to pinpoint the reason for that change: it is mostly due to the shift from land-based to online gambling. That has made access to casino games easier and more convenient, while also eliminating the intimidation factor.
The result has been enormous growth in casino users, with women in particular being much keener to play online.
The Rise of Casino Beginners
What all of this means in practice is that there are more new players coming to casino sites every week. These are people who have seen their interest sparked, but who do not necessarily know all that much.
And there are things that really need to be known before you start playing. This article will provide a complete casino guide for beginners.
Choosing the right casino site
The first step is to choose an online casino to play at – and it is the most important step of all. The internet is chock full of casino sites, but they are not all reputable.
It is not difficult to spot the legitimate ones though; just look for a gambling license on the site. This should be visible on either the main page or the ‘about us’ page and it must be from a real regulatory body. Examples of those include the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission.
When you are sure that the site is properly licensed, there are other things to look out for. Check that it has a good choice of games and some attractive bonuses – Bonusfinder US can help you to find the sites with the best promotional offers.
The last two things that you should look for in a casino site are the payment methods and the customer contact options. Make sure there are secure methods for depositing and withdrawing cash and that the customer contact is responsive.
Choosing the right games to play
When you pick a casino site and create your account, you will be confronted by a vast array of games. They can be roughly divided into two categories: slot machines and table games.
The second of those categories includes card games like poker and blackjack, as well as roulette. So, what games should a beginner choose?
The most sensible path to follow is to play slot machines first and then graduate to roulette. That is because they are the games that feature the simplest rules and gameplay.
It would be a very bad idea for a new player to start with blackjack or poker. Both of those games are extremely complex and require real knowledge and experience to be played well.
You will find it pretty dispiriting if you keep losing every time you play – and that would also make casino gaming an expensive hobby. If you play slots and then roulette, you are all but guaranteed some wins alongside the losses.
Then you can study poker and blackjack rules and strategies for future reference.
Setting your playing budget before you start
Your playing budget should always be worked out before you begin. Calculate your monthly income and expenses before setting aside an affordable fund for gambling with.
At the heart of good budgeting and responsible gambling is to only ever bet what you can stand to lose. Make sure that all of your essential living costs are covered before you work out your playing budget.
You must never go beyond that budget once it has been set – even if you are having a great time. There will be plenty of other times when you can play, so it is vital to know when to stop for the night.
Studying any promotions before signing up
One thing that you are certain to find at casino sites is promotional offers. These are used by the sites to attract new players and hang on to existing ones.
There is nothing wrong with that and many of the offers will be worth taking up, but you should study them carefully before doing so. Most of the promotions will have wagering requirements attached to them, and you want to be sure that they are reasonable.
For a beginner player, the first promotion will usually be a welcome bonus. Before you commit to it, check that the minimum deposit needed to qualify is not beyond your financial reach.
You can always shop around for another casino with promotions that are better suited to your circumstances.
If you follow the tips in this casino guide, your first time playing the games should be an ideal experience.
