Gambling has been an ever-present fixture throughout history, but the emergence of official casino establishments took far longer to come about. Historians generally consider the Casinò di Venezia to be the first true casino establishment. It opened in 1638, paving the way for the standardization of popular casino classics like blackjack, craps and poker.
Roulette was the next casino game to become immensely popular in the 1800s, leading to the widespread availability of bona fide casino establishments across Europe and beyond. Slot machines were the last massively popular games to be invented, with Charles D. Fey creating his famous Liberty Bell in the 1890s.
This very brief run through the history of different casino games exemplifies the number of quality options available. Nowadays, online platforms such as Casino Wildz offer the creme-de-la-creme of online casino gaming, with an extensive number of options available. Unless you’re a true casino expert, you won’t know how to play them all – but don’t worry, we’re here to help. Keep reading for a breakdown of some of the most popular types of casino games and how to play them.
How to choose the right casino game
Before explaining the gameplay fundamentals behind each type of casino game, let’s break down the best way to choose the right casino game for your preferences. You should actively consider what you want out of a casino game before pressing ahead. For example, would you rather play together with real people or on your own against a computer?
Another thing to consider is your playing budget. You can typically play things like slots for less money overall, while other games like live dealer roulette can have larger buy-in amounts. Think about your potential bankroll and factor this into any decision-making.
Popular casino games and quick gameplay breakdowns
We’ve listed the most popular casino games below and explained the gameplay so you can get an idea of how to play them:
Slots
Online slots are arguably the most popular modern gambling games. Players must place a bet and spin the reels, hoping for at least three identical symbols to match across a payline. Some modern slots, like Big Time Gaming’s Megaways games, use a different mechanic, only requiring players to match symbols across adjacent reels or in clusters. These games can have 117,649 ways or more to win, significantly boosting the excitement. Additionally, most online slots have bonuses like wild symbols that can swap with other icons, free spins and various other special features.
Roulette
Roulette is undeniably one of the most exciting classic casino games. Players must place bets to predict where the ball will land on a spinning wheel. There are typically 37 or 38 pockets, split into reds and blacks. You can place bets on individual numbers for the highest potential payout, or play it slightly safer and go for odds/evens or several other outside bets.
Blackjack
Blackjack is widely considered the oldest casino game, with written evidence from a 16th-century Miguel de Cervantes novel and recent archaeological discoveries suggesting it was played as far back as 4000BC. The rules are very simple: players must try and form a hand as close as possible to 21 without going over. You win if you beat the dealer’s tally, but if you have a lower hand value or go over 21 (known as busting), you lose.
Live dealer game shows
Live dealer game shows aren’t quite the same as modern phenomena like dating reality shows, but they can offer the same kind of real-world excitement. Pioneered by software developers like Evolution and Pragmatic Play, these next-gen gambling games are brilliant fun. The rules differ depending on the game, but they usually require players to place a stake and then watch as a real-life croupier spins a prize wheel.
Online poker
Poker is one of the most exciting and difficult casino games to play, but the rewards can be incredible. Typically played around a table with other gamblers, there are several popular variants. Texas Hold’em is the most famous, requiring players to form the highest-ranking hand out of their two personal cards and the five community cards on the table. Online poker has enjoyed a huge popularity surge over the past two decades as new technology has made it easier than ever to play online with friends.
