Gone are the days when playing slots merely involved putting a coin into the ‘one arm bandit’, pulling a lever and waiting to see if you’d won. Modern technology has completely revolutionized the game. High definition graphics, bright colours, exciting sounds and many new variations of play make online slots a must try.  

Playing slots does not require any skill, experience or strategy, but delivers plenty of fun and could potentially win you big jackpots. If you’ve ever wanted to get into online slots, but don’t know how to, this article will run you through the basics of online slots to help you get started. 

The History of Online Slots 

Slot machines have been around since the late 19th century. The first slot machine as we know it today was invented by Charles Fay between 1887-1895. It was called the Liberty Bell. It was capable of automatic payouts and become very popular in bars and restaurants. 

Despite an official ban on slot machines in 1902, the Liberty Bell evolved into the ‘fruit machines’ that featured fruit symbols in place of playing card symbols and paid out prizes in the form of sweets and chewing gum of corresponding flavour. These fruit machines were updated with video screens and the pulling lever was replaced by a button.  

The rise of online slots came in the mid 90s with the development of the first online casinos. Early versions of the game were similar to real-life slot machines, using the same symbols and number of reels. Thanks to computer technology and creative developers, this quickly changed and now there are many new types of online slots games emerging, with captivating themes and imaginative layouts.  

Playing Online Slots 

The main objective of slots is to spin reels and have the symbols on the reels line up along Paylines. Slots differ in the numbers of reels, but the mode of play is basically always the same – players bet money before each spin and win money if they match up 3 or more of the same symbols. The amount of money won depends on a player’s initial bet and the value of the symbols. 

Online Slots Terms Explained 

• Paylines: These refers to winning lines that run across slots screens. Winning combinations must land on paylines in order to win the payout amount. You can bet on one or multiple paylines. The more paylines you bet on, the more chances you have at winning. 
• Bonus Features: Slot machines may include extra features that enhance gameplay and give players additional ways to win more money. Bonus features often include extra spins, scatter symbols, wild symbols or bonus games. 
• Free Spins: As the name suggests these are extra spins usually triggered by a bonus round. You don’t have to bet any money on free spins.  
• Jackpot: The highest amount of winnings that a player can get. 
• Paytable: A table or page showing payout amounts for different winning combinations. Here you will find information about the value of each symbol and the paylines available.  
• Scatter: A symbol that can appear anywhere on the reels and activates a winning combination even if it’s not aligned on a payline. Scatter symbols often activate bonus features.  
• Wild: A wild symbol allows you to substitute it for any other symbol (except the Scatter) to make a winning combination. 
• Random Number Generator: Random Number Generators or RNG for short, are built into all online casinos. RNG ensures fair play by making sure slot spin results are completely random. 

Variations of Online Slots 

• 5 Reel Slots: These are also known as Video Slots and are the most common of online slots. They feature 5 reels and between 1-100 paylines.  
• 3 Reel Slots: This type of slots is based on the classic Fruit Machine slots. They are the simplest form of slots with only 3 reels.  
• Free Slots: Players will not need real money wagers on free slots. They’re a great way to familiarize yourself with online slots. 
• MegaSpin Slots: This variation of slots takes the game to a whole new level. You can play up to 9 slots games simultaneously. Most mega spin slots use 3-reel slots. 
• Progressive slots: Unlike normal slots which have a fixed jackpot, progressive slots have a progressive jackpot that grows as players within a region play that specific progressive slots game. Payouts here are huge. 
• 3D slots: 3D slots are one of the newest forms of online slots. During play you interact with 3D animated characters. The game also has a narrative feel with a setting and storyline. . 
• i-Slots: If you enjoy online MMO games, you might like to try i-slots. This new type of online slots allows players to develop their own storyline taking part in an adventure and spinning reels to advance in the game.  

How to find good Online Slots Sites 

With so many new slots casino sites in the UK today, choosing the right one for you can become overwhelming. Make sure to take these important factors into consideration before deciding on an online slots casino: 

• Do your Research: Check sites reviews to see what other players have to say about your chosen site. Don’t forget to check if their customer support has good reviews too. 
• Security: This is a key feature of any online casino. A good slots casino should have firewall protection and 128-bit SSL encryption to ensure maximum safety of your money and financial information.  
• Sign up bonuses: finding a site that offers players sign up bonuses is actually quite easy. Online slot site need you to visit, you do not need to visit their sites so remember that your custom is valuable. 
• Licensing & Regulation: Ensure that the online slots casino you are dealing with is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. Licensing and regulation ensure players get a fair chance of winning. Also check whether the casino site’s random number generator software has been certified by an independent certification body. 
• Slots Variety: Choose to play at a casino offering a large selection of the latest slots games.  
• Withdrawal/Deposit Options: Pick an online slots casino that provides all of the major withdrawal/deposit methods with quick processing times. Options should include credit cards, wire transfer, e-wallets and more. 
• Mobile performance: Even if you don’t usually play on mobile devices, make sure the casino is making good effort to stay current and relevant by providing mobile slots apps or a mobile responsive website.

Roulette is a classic casino game that easy to learn and fun to play. It is based purely on chance and does not require any type of skill or knowledge to play. The game is so popular in both online and real-world casinos that the word ‘casino’ evokes images of a spinning roulette table.  

Nowadays, casino lovers do not need to visit brick-and-mortar casinos to play roulette. Anyone can enjoy a game of roulette from home or on the go on a PC or mobile device. Online roulette offers more exciting variations of the game than you’d find in traditional casinos. In addition to European, French and American roulette, online casinos have multi-wheel, multi-player, mini table and progressive roulette.  

If you’re new to online roulette and want to quickly understand the basics of the game, this article will provide you with the necessary information you need. 

The history of Roulette 

The earliest roots of roulette are shrouded in mystery. The most widely accepted theory explaining the origin of the game is that the game was accidentally invented by French physicist and mathematician Blaise Pascal in mid 17th century while trying to create a perpetual motion machine. 

The actual game of roulette as we know it today was developed in the 1800s by French brothers Francois and Louis Blanc. The brothers introduced the black and red pockets numbered 1 to 36, the single green zero pocket, and roulette bets system. 

From the 1800s up until the early 2000s, the only way to play roulette was to visit a brick-and-mortar casino. All that changed with the introduction of roulette in online casinos. Today, no matter where in the world you live, all you need to do is go online to enjoy this classic game. 

Playing Online Roulette 

If you’ve never played roulette before, don’t let the colours and numbers intimidate you. One of the reasons playing roulette online is so popular is because the rules are very easy to understand. 

The objective of the game is to simply accurately predict in which numbered pocket the ball will rest when the wheel stops spinning. The game is played against the casino, players do not compete against each other. 

The game typically consists of a roulette ball and a wheel with coloured pockets numbered 1-36 and a zero. American roulette has an additional pocket numbered ’00’. To start a game, players place wagers on their chosen colours and numbers. Once all bets have been placed, the dealer spins the roulette wheel in one direction while the roulette ball in rolled in the opposite direction. The ball eventually falls into one of the wheel’s pockets and if your bet was placed on the ball pocket, you win!

Roulette bets explained 

There are various bets that can be placed during a game of roulette, some riskier than others. The two main types of bets are: 

• Outside bets: These bets cover larger groups of numbers and have a better chance of winning. For this reason, payouts on Outside bets are significantly lower. The range of outside bets is Odd or Even, Red or Black and 1-18 or 19-36. Players new to roulette are recommended to stick with outside bets as they learn the game.  
• Inside bets: This refers to wagers in the inner section of the roulette table. Inside bets are made on a single number, or two adjacent numbers. There are several variations of this bet which can be splitting a bet between three, four or six adjacent numbers. Inside bets always have bigger payouts but a fairly low chance of winning.

 Online Roulette tips & strategy 

• Study the game: You can either win big fewer times by making Inside bets or win small more frequently with Outside bets. Develop a practical and flexible strategy and understand the level of risk and reward before you start placing bets.  
• Don’t depend on a single betting system: Experiment the different types of roulette betting systems, there are literally hundreds if you search online. What works for one player might not work for you. 
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Start with free online games to gain experience and develop strategy. When you feel confident enough, you can start playing real money roulette. 
• Don’t drink while playing: While the thought of a glass of whisky while playing might seem like a good idea, you should know that even a small amount of alcohol could your judgement and cost you your bankroll. Always play sober and clear headed.  
• Bet only what you can afford to lose: Never forget this Golden Rule. Before every session of online roulette, set yourself a budget and choose a betting pattern that provides the best chance of seeing a return. 

Baccarat is a card game that is played in many online casinos. Although not in demand as Blackjack or Roulette, it’s still a very popular game with ‘high-rollers’- casino lingo for players who can afford to gamble large amounts of money.  

The game has been featured in numerous James Bond movies adding to the air of elegance and sophistication. Most brick and mortar casinos host baccarat games in roped off private rooms where hundreds of thousands of pounds change hands in just a single round of play. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a millionaire in a swanky Monte Carlo casino to enjoy this classic card game. All you need to do is sign up to an online casino, select a Baccarat game, and feel like James Bond as you wager as little as £1 per hand. 

Read on to learn more about online Baccarat.  

The History of Baccarat 

Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games. It can be traced back to the late 15th century when it was introduced to France from Italy by Felix Falguiere and played with tarot cards. The name ‘baccarat’ comes from an Italian word meaning ‘zero’.  

There is a logical explanation behind the name. 

The name refers to the fact that 10s, and face cards (jacks, kings and queens) all have a value of zero. This also applies to any hand that amounts to 10, such as is the case when it comes to a hand of 6 and 4 amounting to zero.  

Thanks to modern technology, Baccarat is quickly becoming a very popular game in online casinos. This is because the game has been developed to become much better when played over the internet. With baccarat banque, punto banco, chemin de fir, ez baccarat, mini baccarat, and other variations at your disposal, you are now able to pick the terms and style of play you are most comfortable with. 

Playing Baccarat Online 

Baccarat is played at a table for 14 players. Sitting positions are marked on the table from player 1-15, 13 is skipped for superstitious reasons. Three bet boxes are placed in front of each player. One for Player bets, one for Banker bets, and the third for Tie bets. Cards are dealt on the Player and Banker bet boxes.  

Baccarat is played with decks of six, eight or nine cards depending on the casino, which are shuffled after each hand.  

Baccarat Rules 

The rules of Baccarat are simple. The aim of the game is to get to as close to a total of 9 points as possible. There are very few decisions to make during play as the rules of the game are pre-determined. All you have to do is choose whether to place your bet on the player (Punto) or the banker (Banco) or bet on a tie between the two.  

Hands in Baccarat can only total up to 9 as the cards are valued as: 

• Ace: Valued at 1 
• King, Queen & Jack: Valued at 10 
• Number cards: Valued at their face value 

When a hand is dealt, the value of the cards is added together. If the total exceeds 10, the ten is deducted from the total.  

Example: If you are dealt a seven and an eight, the total is 15. Ten is deducted from the hand, leaving a total of 5. 

The best possible hand you can get in Baccarat is known as a ‘Natural‘. A Natural is where the two cards you are dealt add up to a 9. Unless another player also has a Natural, this hand wins automatically. 

In instances where there’s a tie, the player and the dealer are given an extra card each.  

Baccarat Tips & Strategy 

These tips and strategies can help you have a more enjoyable time playing Baccarat and even improve your chances of winning. Keep in mind however, that no number of tips is going to overcome the inevitable house edge. 

• Take time to learn the Rules: A sure fire way of losing your money is sitting in a Baccarat session without a proper understanding of the game’s rules. Luckily, a tutorial is only a click away for online Baccarat players. 
• Bet on the Banker: Wagering on the banker to win always gives the casino a minimum advantage. 
• Don’t track trends: Don’t be the player who obsessively tracks the results for each hand. Looking for pattern in Baccarat is often misleading. Your best bet is to wager on the banker on every hand and hope for the best. 
• Manage Your Bankroll: This tip applies to all casino games. Try and stretch your bankroll as much as possible in order to maximize the gaming experience. Before entering an online baccarat room, you should always determine how long you wish to play. Next, look at your bankroll and calculate the wager size that allows you play the entire session. 
• Enjoy the Experience: Although you don’t need to wear a tuxedo at home, you can still recreate the elegant Baccarat experience at your computer by having some classical music playing in the background and imagining that you’re a wealthy spy agent. Always remember that baccarat is purely based on luck. Since you have no control over the outcome of your hand, the best you can do is savor every minute of play. 

Blackjack is certainly one of the most popular casino games in the internet casino world. Most people know what blackjack is, even if they have never been in a real casino or played card games on the internet. 

Blackjack’s popularity is largely due to the relatively low house edge, simple rules and the opportunity to use both chance and skill to succeed at the game.  

Read on to learn more about online Blackjack.  

The history of Blackjack 

The first written account of the game can be traced back to 1601 in a book by Miguel de Cervantes entitled “Ronconete and Cortadillo”. The book narrates the exploits of two characters cheating in a card game called “ventiuna” which is Spanish for 21. It didn’t have the rules of blackjack, but there were clear similarities, where the goal is to reach 21 points without going over 21. 

The game appeared in 18th century French casinos before being introduced in the US, and later to the rest of the world. To make the game more appealing to new players, casinos once offered to pay 10 times the bet when a player received the Jack and Ace of spades, hence the name ‘Blackjack’. 

This bonus offer is no longer used but the name ‘Blackjack’ remained. 

Blackjack Basics

Blackjack is one of the easiest casino games to play. The aim of the game is to draw a hand whose value is higher than that of the dealer’s, but without going over 21. If you go over 21, you lose, more commonly referred to as a ‘bust’. 

In blackjack, the ace is unique as it is worth either 1 or 11. Cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value, and the face cards – Jack, Queen and King are worth 10.  

Below is a glossary of the basic terms used in Blackjack: 

• Hit: Draw another card. 
• Stand: A player’s decision to stop drawing cards. 
• Double down: A player’s option to double their original bet in exchange for receiving only one more card. 

• Split: If a player’s initial two cards are the same value, they have the option to double their initial bet and split the two cards into two separate hands. Players often split when dealt two 8s. 
• Soft hand: A hand containing an Ace that is counted as 11. 
• Hard hand: A hand with either an Ace valued at 1, or without an Ace. 
• “T“: Signifies ten and represents all the cards worth 10 points, a 10, Jack, Queen, or King. 

Playing Online Blackjack 

To start a game of online blackjack, you place a bet and receive two cards face up. The dealer receives one card face up and another face down. If your two cards make a total of 21, you immediately have “blackjack” and you win. If the dealer also has blackjack you will tie or ‘push’ your stake to the next hand. 

If your cards don’t make a total of 21, you have the option to hit more cards one by one. You can hit as many cards as you want but be careful not to exceed a total of 21 or you will ‘bust’ and lose your bet. If you decide you don’t want any more cards, tell the dealer that you ‘stand’. 

Once everyone has played, the dealer turns his facedown card to reveal his score. If the house has a blackjack, all players lose, except those who also had a blackjack.  

If the house has a total of 16 or less, the dealer must hit, until reaching a total of at least 17. If the dealer hits and exceeds 21, this means the house busts and all remaining players win their bets. However, If the house has between 17 and 21, then the dealer must stand. The dealer will now compare the house’s score with the score of the remaining players. Players with a score lower than the house lose their bets, while those with a better score win their bets.

How to find Good Online Blackjack Casinos

How do you choose from the many online blackjack casino websites operating in the UK today? Choosing a reputable online Blackjack casino should not be difficult. Take these important factors into consideration before signing up to any online Blackjack casino: 

• Licensing & Regulation: Verify that the Blackjack casino website is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. Regulation ensures every player has a fair chance of winning.   
• Security: Check that your chosen casino is independently audited and implements the latest security features such as firewalls and 128bit SSL encryption. This ensures your personal and financial data are safe.  
• Welcome Bonus: This is often the main reason new players will sign up to an online Blackjack casino. You want to make sure that you are getting a generous welcome bonus. Keep in mind that you will often have complete ‘playthrough’ requirements before you can withdraw winnings earned from your welcome bonus. Choose a welcome bonus with playthrough requirements you can complete.  
• Mobile performance: Thanks to advancements in modern technology, you can now enjoy real money online blackjack on your tablet or smartphone. For the best online Blackjack experience, pick a casino that offers either a stand-alone mobile app, or a fully mobile-optimised site.