Online casino rules for beginners

New to online casino gambling? Then welcome to the party! It’s a thrilling ride ahead and you’re guaranteed to enjoy every moment.

From action-packed games to generous bonuses, rewarding promotions and more, every minute spent with your online casino is sure to be filled with exhilaration. Before you set off on your journey to enjoy the best of world-class gaming entertainment though, take a minute to look through the rules – the top guidelines you should be following to get the most out of your gambling experience.

We’ve put the most important ones together in a beginner-friendly guide for you – let’s get you familiar with the basics right away so you can start your gaming journey armed with the knowledge and confidence you need to succeed.

1. Read the terms and conditions

We know that when it comes to terms and conditions, most of us simply check the ‘Agree’ box without actually reading them – or at best we skim through for the most important points. When you join an online casino though, it’s crucial that you actually take the time to read the terms and conditions, as it’s here where you’ll find some of the most important information you’ll need as a player.  

From casino operations to withdrawal limits, wagering requirements, bonus qualifications and more, the terms and conditions are a goldmine of information – and the more closely you follow the guidelines set out for you, the more value you’ll gain from your casino experience overall.

Top terms and conditions to look out for? Anything covering new player acceptance criteria, such as age restrictions and residency requirements, both of which impact your account verification. You’ll also need to check which kinds of payment methods are accepted, as some casinos may have certain restrictions on banking options or currencies, based on your location. Any and all information you can find to make sure your casino experience runs smoothly, the better. So grab a cup of coffee and get reading – your player journey depends on it!

2. Know the rules of the game

In fact, know the rules of any game you play, before you actually play it. Even if you think it’s a game you’re already familiar with, such as blackjack or slots, there’s no harm in going over the rules first – and you may even learn something new at the same time.

 For example, you may know that the point of blackjack is to get a card hand value as close as possible to 21 without going over – but do you know all the ins and outs of doubling down and splitting? Roulette is all about choosing a bet and watching the wheel spin, but do you know the difference between inside and outside bets, and how the odds can affect your payout? And slots involve placing a bet and spinning the reels – but do you know how RTP, variance and volatility play a role in the outcome as well? 

Most reputable online casinos will have a variety of resources available for new players, from tutorials and strategy guides to demo versions too, so make use of them whenever you can. You’ll become a better player, and you’ll elevate your gambling experience at the same time.

3. Understand betting limits

Did you know – when you’re placing a bet on a game, there’s always a minimum and maximum amount to each bet you can place. These are also known as ‘low stakes’ and ‘high stakes’ bets. 

When you’re just starting out as a beginner, it’s always a good idea to play it safe and stick with low stakes bets for a while. It’ll give you time to gain experience and hone your skills without risking too much of your bankroll at the same time. Then once you’re more confident in your abilities and you’ve been able to grow your bankroll, you can start investing in higher stakes bets, and playing for potentially higher winnings too. 

Want to go all in on the high stakes or VIP tables? You’ll need to have the bankroll to match, as in these games, even the minimum bets are significant. There’s nothing wrong with playing these games, you’ll just need to have a substantial bankroll to back you – and nerves of steel too. On the other hand if you’d prefer to start out slow, take our advice and stick to the penny slots and low-limit tables to begin with – your account balance will thank you! 

4. Take advantage of bonuses (wisely)

Part of the excitement of playing casino games online is the chance to claim huge bonuses too – but it’s always advisable to look for the best deals available first. Whether you’re claiming a welcome bonus, free spins bonus or a deposit bonus, every offer will have certain wagering requirements attached to it, and it’s best you know what these are before you commit to the claims process.

Why? Because while claiming a 100% deposit match bonus up to $200 might sound fantastic, but if the offer comes with a 50x wagering requirement, you’ll need to wager 50 times the bonus amount before you can request a cashout and withdraw your winnings. Some bonuses might look good when advertised, but the terms and conditions may tell a different story. Make sure you give yourself the best chance possible of getting the most value from your bonus – stick to offers with reasonable terms and your experience will be all the more rewarding!

5. Practice bankroll management

This is one of the most important rules you’ll ever learn as an online casino player – responsible financial management. It’s vital that you learn how to manage your funds and your bankroll right from the beginning of your casino player journey, so the sooner you can instil positive spending habits, the better. 

In order to make sure your bankroll is always safe and that you’re not playing with more than you can afford to spend, set yourself a strict gambling budget ahead of time. Divide this into daily or weekly amounts to help stay within your budget guidelines, and pace yourself as you go. Avoid the common trap of chasing your losses, end your session once you’ve reached your self-imposed financial limit, and you’ll be winning at financial management every time!

6. Understand RTP

Don’t be confused by the acronym! All RTP means is ‘Return To Player’ – the theoretical percentage that the casino returns to players over time. The higher the RTP, the better your chances of winning your money back – which is why this is such a crucial rule to learn and understand. 

Let’s say you choose a slot with an RTP of 96%. That means that in the long term, for every $100 you wager, you’ll receive $96 back. It’s important to understand that this is a theoretical number, not a guarantee – and it also helps to remember that RTP is calculated over the long term, so you won’t necessarily ‘win’ your $96 back in one, two or even three sessions. But carry on playing regularly, and you could see the effects of RTP come into play. 

Similar to RTP is the house edge – the number that represents the casino’s advantage in each game. A high house edge means the casino takes a lot; a low house edge means they take a little – such as in games of skill, like blackjack, where the more experience you have, the more you can influence the outcome of the game in your favour. So, two things to remember – high RTP, low house edge. It could be just the winning formula you need! 

Make your play at your online casino today

Feeling more confident about your online casino journey? There’s nothing to it – just follow our guidelines, have fun, spend your money wisely, and you’ll enjoy every second of the action-packed entertainment coming your way. Good luck!