Understanding Slot Games

The popularity of slots has scaled up immensely in recent years. Today, slots are the most common type of games played in both land-based and online casinos the world over. Software developers design slots in varied ways incorporating exciting gameplay styles. What’s more, slots are more often than not centered on different themes.

While slots may have different themes and gameplay styles, they all have common features such as a pay line, symbols, reels, and a spin button. You can make the most of the features when playing your favorite game and win big depending on the RTP (return to player) rating.

Slot Types

There are different types of slots available on the market. They can be 3-reel, 5-reel, 6-reel, or higher. Here are the common types of slots you are likely to find at most casinos around the world:

1. Progressive Slots

This type of Slots revolves around a jackpot and has a huge payout. The more you spin the reels, the more the jackpot increases until the lucky player wins it.

2. Fruit Slots

These classic slots are popularly known as fruities from the use of fruit symbols like cherries and lemons. They are easy to play, and you will notice most casinos allow you to play them for free.

2. Multi-Payline Slots

As the name suggests, these slots have multiple pay lines, thereby increasing your odds of winning. The most advanced options have 100 pay lines or even more.

4. Mobile Slots

Mobile Slots are specially designed for mobile devices. You can play them on your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.

Popular Themes for Slots

Themes are one of the dynamics we use to distinguish between slots. It is hard to find a slot without a theme presently. Let’s look at some of the common slot themes in the gaming industry.

1. Horror themes

These are popular themes with mystical creatures like vampires and freaks. The Halloween slot is a good example of a horror-themed slot.

2. Movie themes

Slots with a movie theme are also popular among gaming fans. They incorporate soundtracks and characters from movies. Terminator 2 is one of the many slots built on a movie theme.

3. Historical themes

Nearly all software providers have developed slots with historical themes. The storyline in these themes mostly revolves around the ancient world, as demonstrated in Book of Dead from Play’ n Go.

4. Musical themes

Slots with musical themes are common. Some even have playlists from which you can choose your favorite song. Most of the songs are classic hits from different genres.

Slots to Play

Your experience level and maximum payout are crucial factors determining the Slots you choose to play. Classic slots are perfect for newbies because you can play for fun and learn. An expert gaming enthusiast will go for progressive or multi-pay-line slots with a lower house edge and a higher payout.   Slots are the most popular games you can find in most casinos. Both land-based and online slots will give you a stimulating gaming experience. Try out as many types of slot games as you can.

Online Blackjack and How to Play it

Blackjack is a popular game in most online casinos worldwide. It is fun playing the game, but you have to learn how to play it lest you blow your cash. Besides, there are various unique Blackjack variants, each with its rules. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the rules of the specific variant you would like to play before committing your funds to it.

Even though there are numerous Blackjack variations, there are popular ones you will find at most online casinos. They include the following:

  • European Blackjack: You, the player, are allowed to decide how to play the cards you are dealt before the dealer gets their hole card
  • American Blackjack: The dealer receives their hole card before you decide how to play your cards
  • Blackjack Switch: In Blackjack Switch, players receive two hands to play independently. After that, you can switch the second cards the dealer deals to the two hands, hence the name Blackjack Switch

Common Differences between Blackjack Variants

Blackjack games may differ in various aspects. However, there are common differences across different types of the game. Here they are:

Splitting the Cards

Different Blackjack games will allow you to split your cards up to a specific number of times. For instance, European Blackjack allows you to split your cards once per hand. On the other hand, American Blackjack will let you split your cards up to a maximum of three times.

Soft 17 for the Dealer

In some Blackjack variants, the dealer stands on soft 17. There are others where the dealer must hit on soft 17.

Rules to Follow When Playing Blackjack

Yes, we said every Blackjack game has its rules. However, there are rules that apply to most variants of the game. Here are some of them:

  1. Place your bets before you are dealt your cards
  2. Your score shouldn’t exceed 21
  3. You only hit when you want more cards
  4. Stand if you are satisfied with your cards
  5. You must be dealt two face-up cards

How to Play Online Blackjack

It is easy to play Blackjack once you have the rules on your fingertips. The basic moves include hitting and standing. Here are the steps involved in playing the game:

1. You choose the Blackjack game you want to play.

2. Place your wager and wait to be dealt your cards.

3. After dealing you two cards, the dealer will show you their cards.

4. You can double your bet if you want before hitting.

5. Ask for more cards if you want. This is known as hitting.

6. Stand when you are happy with your cards, and you are ready to play your hand.

7. If the combination of your cards exceeds the dealer’s, you win. On the other hand, you lose when the sum of your cards is beyond 21 or lower than that of the dealer’s cards. Blackjack is a game you can learn and enjoy playing with ease. For beginners, it is wise to start with smaller wagers when playing for real money. So, learn the game and play like a pro.

Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is a popular table game played at casinos the world over. This is due to, among other factors, how simple it is to learn the game. While Blackjack comes in numerous variants, there are specific types that are popular at most gaming houses. They include:

  • Classic Blackjack
  • Blackjack Switch
  • European Blackjack
  • Blackjack Perfect Pairs
  • Spanish 21

Basic Blackjack Playing Strategy for Beginners

Playing Blackjack is fun, and it gets even more exciting when you are on a winning streak. However, you can equally blow your cash when you are on a bad run of cards. And it can be worse for a beginner. Therefore, you need a strategy to learn the game and minimize loses the best you can. Here are invaluable tips to include in the strategy:

1. Understand the rules of the Blackjack variant you want to try out.

2. Always hit when you are dealt 8 or less.

3. You should also know when to stand. Stand when the dealer has 2-6, and your hand is 12-16.

4. Avoid insurance at all costs because it often favors the dealer. Only expert players know how to manoeuvre their way when offered insurance.

5. Study the dealers face-up card before making your next move. The value of the card should give you a clue of whether to stand or hit. If it is between 2 and 6, hitting has higher odds of resulting in a bust on your end.

6. Start small and avoid the temptation of staking like a high roller. Only stake what you can manage to lose.

7. Buy a basic Blackjack strategy chart to help you along the learning curve.

Advanced Strategy for Playing Blackjack

Once you’ve mastered the basic Blackjack strategy chart and known the moves, you want to drop the newbie tag and upgrade to a seasoned Blackjack player. Here are crucial tips to help you hone your skills even more:

1. Master the counting of cards.

As the cards are dealt, figure out the card options that are remaining in the deck. When cards with smaller values are left in the deck, the dealer has higher odds of winning, and the opposite is true.

2. Take insurance

Once you are a veteran at counting cards, your accuracy improves, and you know when to take insurance. The perfect time to do it is when you are sure there are several aces left in the deck.

3. Split your cards

There are instances where you will get, for example, a pair of 10s. Splitting the 10s when there are still several high-value cards in the deck places the dealer on the brink of busting. And that plays to your advantage as a player.

4. Learn betting systems

There are numerous betting systems which come in handy when implementing your advanced Blackjack strategy. For instance, you can use the Paroli betting system, the Labouchere, the Reverse D’Alembert, and many more. You can learn and blend them in your strategy for better results.

We hope that inspires you to learn and play online Blackjack like a pro. Sign up at a trustworthy casino and have some fun!