The Key Differences Between Online Casino Games

Huynh NguyenDecember 6, 2022

The Key Differences Between Online Casino Games

The average online casino these days has a library of games that stretches at least into the hundreds, if not breaking 1,000 separate titles. The biggest issue is, between all the different themes, styles and names, how can a new player know where to start?

For anyone looking at online casinos as a new activity, this guide will break down all the most common kinds of gambling games that can be found, as well as which type of game may work best for each type of player.

Live Games

For those who are most familiar with the casinos of Vegas or Atlantic City, live casino games will likely fit best. These are played with a live host, and while many of them are produced by a single company, Evolution, larger casinos like Paddy Power can also operate their own games.

These own-brand games tend to be classics like roulette, which are what most people play live casino for, whereas Evolution tends to produce much more elaborate titles. Games like Crazy Time are big ‘game show’ style productions, which are reminiscent again of real casinos that have big prize wheel games.

These games also do have a social aspect to them with a live chat feature, and they run at most times around the clock. For anyone who wants a casino experience but can’t get to Vegas, this is a good substitute.

Slot Games

Probably the most classic example on this list, with a history that goes back over 100 years, slots now take on hundreds of forms, from the traditional fruit machine to innovative grid and cluster versions. The fundamental concepts are usually the same across them all: choose a wager level, hit a spin button and see what comes out.

In a standard slot, there would be pay lines, or lines across the reels where symbols can be matched for wins, with different symbols being worth more. Grid and cluster slots work roughly the same way, except there are no real pay lines with symbols winning if enough are collected on the board all at the same time.

Slots will usually feature bonus rounds which have various triggers, although matching three bonus symbols is the standard. These bonus games usually pay out a lot better than the regular game so it’s always a target.

Table Games

Even when they aren’t live, every kind of casino and table game is represented. It not only includes the game of blackjack and the Vegas favorite of poker but also card games from across Europe and Asia, plus roulette and dice games.

These are all played solo in the non-live versions, with an invisible virtual ‘dealer’. It’s much closer to slot games in that respect, as you’re not competing with other players in most cases. There are also dozens of varieties of each game, so there are plenty of options to try out.

The online gambling world is much deeper than this, and there are plenty more niche types not mentioned here. This should be more than enough to get any new player started though!