Looking to step into the exciting world of casino gaming but unsure where to start? Choosing the Top casino games for beginners is crucial for an enjoyable and successful experience. Whether you’re playing on popular online casino platforms or visiting a land-based casino for the first time, this article is tailored to help you make the right choices. We’ll highlight beginner-friendly options like slots, blackjack, and roulette, games known for their simple rules, low house edge, and high entertainment value. Get ready to explore the top games that make starting your casino adventure both fun and rewarding!
What are the Best Casino Games for Beginners to start?
Slots
Slot machines have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the late 19th century. The first true slot machine, the Liberty Bell, was invented by Charles Fey in San Francisco around 1895. This mechanical marvel featured three spinning reels adorned with symbols like horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and the eponymous Liberty Bell. Slots have evolved into a diverse array of gaming experiences, from electromechanical devices in the 1960s to video slots in the 1970s, and finally to the online and mobile platforms of today. Throughout their history, slots have maintained their core appeal: the thrill of pulling a lever (or pressing a button) and watching the reels align, hoping for that big win.
How to play
- Choose Your Slot Machine
- Select a machine based on your budget and preferences. Options range from penny slots to high-limit games.
- Insert Money or a Ticket
- Physical Slots: Insert cash or a ticket with a barcode.
- Online Slots: Fund your account first.
- Select Your Bet Amount
- Adjust the bet size and the number of paylines you want to play. Higher bets may increase chances but raise total costs.
- Spin the Reels
- Press the “Spin” button or pull the lever. The reels will stop randomly.
- Check for Winning Combinations
- Match symbols on active paylines to win according to the paytable. Look out for special symbols and bonus features.
Top Slots players
Elmer Sherwin
Elmer Sherwin is a legendary name in the slot world. At 80 years old, he won $4.6 million playing a Megabucks slot machine. Astonishingly, 12 years later, at the age of 92, he struck gold again in the same game, this time winning $21.1 million.
Cynthia Jay Brennan
In 2000, Cynthia Jay Brennan won nearly $35 million playing a Megabucks machine at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas. Her win is one of the most famous in slot machine history.
Brian Christopher
With over 708,000 YouTube subscribers, Brian Christopher is a major influencer in the slot-playing community. He’s known for his entertaining gameplay and casino tours.
Types of Slot Machines
- Classic 3-Reel Slots
Simple gameplay with limited paylines. - Video Slots
Includes multiple paylines, bonus rounds, and vibrant themes. - Progressive Jackpot Slots
Offers growing jackpots that can reach life-changing sums.
Roulette
Roulette, derived from the French word for “little wheel,” is a captivating casino game that has enthralled gamblers for centuries. Originating in 18th-century France, this game of chance combines elements of earlier games and was possibly inspired by Blaise Pascal’s quest for a perpetual motion machine. The game features a spinning wheel with numbered pockets and a small ball that determines the winning number. Players place bets on various outcomes, such as specific numbers, colors, or ranges, creating a thrilling mix of risk and reward. With its iconic wheel, the rhythmic sound of the bouncing ball, and the wide array of betting options, roulette has become a staple in casinos worldwide.
How to play
- Buy Chips
Players exchange cash for roulette chips at the table or cash desk. - Place Your Bets
The croupier announces, “Place your bets,” signaling players to position their chips on the betting areas. - Spin the Wheel
The croupier spins the wheel in one direction and the ball in the opposite direction. - No More Bets
Once the ball slows down, the croupier announces, “No more bets,” and players can no longer place or adjust bets. - Determine the Winner
The ball lands in a numbered pocket, and the croupier marks the winning number on the table layout. Losing bets are collected, and winners are paid according to the payout odds.
Top players
Charles Wells: Known as “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo,” Charles Wells won 23 out of 30 spins at Monte Carlo Casino in 1891, walking away with nearly 2 million francs. His streak was attributed entirely to luck.
Billy Walters: Walters and his team won $3.8 million by exploiting a biased wheel at the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel, betting for 38 hours straight in one of roulette’s most legendary exploits.
Blackjack
Blackjack, also known as “21,” is a popular casino card game that combines elements of skill and chance. Players compete against the dealer, aiming to achieve a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. The game is typically played with one to eight standard 52-card decks, where number cards retain their face value, face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10, and Aces can be counted as either 1 or 11. Blackjack’s appeal lies in its simple rules, fast-paced nature, and the strategic decisions players must make throughout the game, such as when to hit, stand, double down, or split pairs.
How to play
Place Bets: Players place their bets in the designated areas on the table.
Deal Cards: Each player receives two cards face-up, while the dealer gets one card face-up and one face-down.
Player Decisions:
- Hit: Request another card to increase hand value.
- Stand: Keep current hand and end turn.
- Double Down: Double the original bet and receive one more card.
- Split: If dealt a pair, split them into two hands with an additional bet.
Gameplay Continuation: Players can continue to hit until they stand or bust (exceed 21).
Dealer’s Turn: After all players finish, the dealer reveals their face-down card and hits or stands according to set rules (usually must hit on 16 or below, stand on 17 or above).
Payout: The dealer pays out winning bets and collects losing ones.
Top Blackjack Players
Edward O. Thorp: Known as the father of card counting, Thorp revolutionized blackjack with his 1962 book Beat the Dealer, introducing the first card counting systems through computer simulations.
Stanford Wong: Inventor of the “wonging” technique, Wong (real name John Ferguson) developed blackjack analysis software and authored influential strategy books. He was inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame in 2002.
Keno
Keno is an exciting lottery-style game of chance that has captivated players for thousands of years, originating in ancient China and evolving into a popular casino staple worldwide. In this game, players select numbers from a grid of 1 to 80, hoping their chosen “spots” will match the 20 numbers randomly drawn by a machine or computer. Whether played in traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, online platforms, or as part of state lotteries, Keno continues to attract those seeking an easy-to-understand yet potentially rewarding gaming experience.
How to Play Keno
- Choose Your Spots: Pick between 1 and 10 numbers (called “spots”) on your Keno card.
- Decide Your Wager: Select your bet amount per draw, usually ranging from $1 to $20.
- Pick Your Numbers: Choose your own numbers or opt for a “Quick Pick” for random selection.
- Select Consecutive Draws: Decide how many games you want to play in a row, typically 1 to 20.
- Consider Bonus Options: Some games include “Bonus” or “Super Bonus” features that can multiply winnings.
- Place Your Bet: Submit your playslip to a retailer or use a self-service terminal.
Top Keno Players
Newcastle Man, Australia: A 43-year-old man won $7,898,799.30 at the Northumberland Hotel in Lambton, marking the largest Keno jackpot in Australian history.
Crows Nest Man, Australia: A Queensland resident won $5.5 million on a Keno Classic 10 Spot jackpot, one of Australia’s largest Keno wins
Craps
Craps is an exhilarating dice game that has captivated casino-goers for generations. Originating from the ancient English game of Hazard, this fast-paced game involves players betting on the outcome of rolls of a pair of dice. Played on a specially designed table with a complex layout of betting options, Craps stands out for its active player participation, as the “shooter” physically rolls the dice. This interactive element for both quick wins and strategic play, has solidified Craps as a staple in casinos worldwide.
How to Play Craps
- Come-Out Roll: The shooter rolls the dice to start the game.
- Players bet on the “Pass Line” (betting with the shooter) or “Don’t Pass Line” (betting against the shooter).
- Outcomes of the Come-Out Roll:
- If 7 or 11 is rolled: Pass Line bets win.
- If 2, 3, or 12 is rolled: Pass Line bets lose.
- Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the “point.”
- Rolling After the Point is Established:
- The shooter rolls until:
- The point number is rolled again (Pass Line bets win).
- Or a 7 is rolled (Pass Line bets lose).
- Don’t Pass Line bets have opposite outcomes.
- The shooter rolls until:
- Next Shooter: After a win or loss, the dice pass to the next player.
- Additional Bets: Players can make various other bets predicting specific numbers or dice combinations during the game.
Top Craps Players
Patricia Demauro: Known as “The Queen of Craps,” Demauro rolled the dice 154 times over 4 hours and 18 minutes without hitting a seven at the Borgata in Atlantic City in 2009. Her estimated winnings range from $500,000 to $5 million.
Archie Karas: During his legendary streak “The Run” in 1992, Karas turned $50 into $40 million in Las Vegas, with craps playing a key role in his success.
Video Poker
Video poker, a captivating blend of traditional poker and slot machines, has become a staple in both land-based and online casinos since its introduction in the 1970s. This single-player game combines elements of skill and chance. In video poker, players are dealt five cards and must decide which to hold and which to discard, aiming to create the best possible poker hand. With its relatively low house edge and various game variations like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Joker’s Wild, video poker appeals to a wide range of players, from beginners to seasoned poker enthusiasts.
How to Play Video Poker
- Insert Money or Ticket: Begin by inserting cash or a ticket into the machine.
- Set Your Bet: Choose the bet size and the number of credits to wager.
- Deal the Cards: Press the “Deal” button to receive five cards.
- Hold or Discard: Select which cards to keep by pressing the “Hold” button under each card.
- Draw New Cards: Press the “Draw” button to replace the discarded cards with new ones.
- Check for Wins: The machine evaluates your final hand and pays out based on the game’s paytable.
Top Video Poker Players
Bob Dancer, a renowned video poker expert, turned a $6,000 bankroll into $1 million in 14 months in Las Vegas and won a $400,000 Royal Flush jackpot. He is celebrated for his books like Million Dollar Video Poker and his strategy cards and tutorials, emphasizing perfect play on high-return machines.
Baccarat
Baccarat is an elegant and straightforward casino card game that has captivated players for centuries. Originating in Italy and France, this game of chance pits the “player” against the “banker” in a battle to achieve a hand value closest to nine. With its simple rules and fast-paced gameplay, Baccarat has become a favorite among high-rollers and casual gamblers alike. The game typically uses six or eight decks of cards, with face cards and tens valued at zero, while other cards retain their numerical value.
How to Play Baccarat
Baccarat is played between two hands: the Player and the Banker. The objective is to bet on which hand will have a total closest to 9.
- Place your bet on the Player, Banker, or a Tie before the cards are dealt.
- Two cards are dealt to both the Player and Banker hands.
- Card values:
- Cards 2-9: Face value
- 10s and face cards: Worth 0
- Aces: Worth 1
- If a hand’s total exceeds 9, the first digit is dropped (e.g., 15 becomes 5).
- The hand closest to 9 wins.
Top Baccarat Players
Phil Ivey
While primarily known for poker, Ivey is also a skilled baccarat player. He famously won $9.6 million using an edge-sorting technique at Crockfords Casino in London, which led to a controversial legal battle.
Kerry Packer
The Australian media mogul was known for his extravagant baccarat sessions. In 1995, he won $26 million in a few hours at a Las Vegas casino, playing for up to $500,000 per hand.
Big 6 Wheel
The Big Six Wheel, also known as the Wheel of Fortune or Money Wheel, is a popular casino game where players bet on which segment the wheel will land on after being spun. The wheel is divided into segments marked with different numbers or symbols, and the odds correspond to those segments. Introduced to UK casinos in 2002 and later popularized in the USA, the game offers simplicity and the potential for significant payouts.
How to Play Big 6 Wheel
The Big Six Wheel consists of a large vertical wheel divided into 54 segments, each marked with a symbol or number. A table or layout in front of the wheel displays the betting options.
- Place your bets on the table, choosing one or more symbols that match those on the wheel.
- The dealer spins the wheel, which must complete at least three full rotations.
- A flexible pointer indicates the winning segment when the wheel comes to a stop.
- If you bet on the winning symbol, you win according to the payout odds.
Poker
Poker is a captivating card game that has enthralled players worldwide for centuries. Originating in the United States in the early 19th century, poker has evolved into a diverse family of games that combine skill, strategy, and chance. At its core, poker involves players wagering on the strength of their hand, with the objective of winning the pot—the collective bets made during a single deal. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck and typically includes multiple betting rounds.
How to Play Poker
Poker is typically played with a standard 52-card deck. The goal is to win chips either by having the best hand or by making other players fold. Here are the fundamental steps:
Basic Rules
- Deal: Players are dealt two private cards (also known as hole cards) face down.
- First Betting Round: A round of betting takes place, allowing players to check, raise, call, or fold.
- Flop: Three community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table.
- Second Betting Round: Another round of betting occurs.
- Turn: A fourth community card is dealt face up.
- Third Betting Round: Another round of betting follows.
- River: The final community card is dealt face up.
- Final Betting Round: A final round of betting takes place.
If more than one player remains after the final betting round, a showdown occurs, where players reveal their hands to determine the winner.
Top Poker Players
Bryn Kenney
Currently leads the all-time money list with over $65 million in tournament winnings.
Erik Seidel
A nine-time WSOP bracelet winner with over $42 million in tournament winnings.
Sic bo
Sic Bo, an ancient Chinese dice game with a history spanning over 2,000 years, has captivated players worldwide with its simple yet thrilling gameplay. Originally played with various objects like shells and small animal bones, the game evolved to use three dice, earning it the name “precious dice” in Cantonese. From its humble beginnings as a pastime for martial arts masters and villagers in ancient China, the game has traveled across continents, finding its way into casinos globally.
How to Play Sic Bo
Sic Bo uses three dice and is played on a table with various betting options. An electronic shaker or small chest is used to shake the dice. Recent outcomes may be displayed on a digital board, but each roll is independent. Two dealers manage the table, exchanging chips and monitoring bets.
- Set your budget before playing.
- Buy chips from the dealer by placing money on the table.
- Place your bets on the table, choosing from various combinations or totals.
- Wait for the dealer to activate the dice shaker.
- The dice are revealed, and winning bets are paid out according to the paytable.
- Collect your winnings if you’ve made a successful bet.
Disclaimer :- The information provided in this article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Gambling involves risk, and there is no guarantee of success or profit. Always gamble responsibly and within your financial means.
