To the newcomer, online casino games can seem complex, difficult to learn or even downright scary, at least at first glance. After all, once you decide to take the plunge, you’ll be putting your hard-earned cash on the line, so it’s crucial you know exactly how your game of choice is played.
Some games, like slots, are as simple as they come, requiring nothing more than the click of a button to play and enjoy. Others, like blackjack and craps, require a bit more study, but can easily be learned in a relatively short period of time.
We want all of our readers to know not just how to play the game, but how to win! Through our in-depth game guides, we explain not only the rules of the most popular casino games, but also equip you with the strategies you’ll need to take home as much money as possible!
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Slots
Slots make up the vast majority of all games available on New Jersey gambling sites, and also offer the most diversity. Unlike with most traditional table games, slot developers can have fun by mixing up overall game themes, payline structures and bonus rounds to create a unique experience for each title. You’ll find slots with dozens of paylines, sleek 3D graphics and innovative bonus rounds alongside classic, fruit machine-style slots which boast only a handful of lines.
In general, though, there are two types of slots which you should be aware of:
- Classic video slots: These are games which pay out wins based on a fixed paytable. Gameplay is simple, just choose how much you’d like to wager per payline, then click the spin button. If a string of identical symbols appear on an active payline starting from the left side, you’ll win money based on that game’s paytable.
- Jackpot slots (progressives): Gameplay in jackpot slots is nearly identical to that of regular video slots, but instead of rewarding all wins according to a fixed paytable, players aim to trigger a community jackpot, which grows each time a player fails to win it.
Table Games
While the selection of table games offered at NJ online casinos doesn’t come close to rivaling the abundance of slot machines available, players shouldn’t have too much trouble finding online versions of their favorite brick-and-mortar games.
Blackjack
Blackjack is arguably the most popular casino game in the world, and is available in some form at nearly all New Jersey online casinos.
The game begins with both the player and the dealer receiving two cards. To win the round, players must beat the dealer’s hand value without going over 21.
NJ gambling sites offer several variations of the game, which can differ in payout odds, dealer rules, number of decks used, bet maximums and more. Some variations also allow players to make various side bets in addition to their main wager.
Roulette
Roulette is another brick-and-mortar casino staple, and is also available widely at online casinos in New Jersey. In this easy-to-learn game, players first choose their bets by placing chips on the game’s betting layout. A ball is then spun around a rotating roulette wheel, and eventually loses momentum and falls into a numbered slot. Players who correctly predict where the ball will land win their bet.
There are two main types of roulette games available online in New Jersey:
- European roulette: This version features a wheel consisting of numbers 1 to 36, plus a single 0 pocket.
- American roulette: This version has both a 0 and a 00 slot. The existence of two 0 spaces gives players slightly worse odds of winning compared with European roulette.
Craps
While there are a wide variety of bets available in craps, the object of the game is to anticipate the outcome of a roll of the dice.
The camaraderie and excitement built between a crowd of brick-and-mortar craps players is difficult to match online, where the experience is more solitary. Therefore, it’s no surprise that only a handful of the state’s gambling sites offer the game. Craps lovers, however, can still enjoy a realistic and exciting playing experience in games with sleek designs, where offered.
Video Poker
Video poker is a great option for those who enjoy a game of cards, but aren’t interested in battling other real-life players in the poker room. Video poker games are based off of the classic five-card draw format, with wins determined by the hand values and bet sizes listed on the pay table.
A game of video poker begins with the player receiving five cards face up. They must then choose which cards they’d like to hold and which they’d like to discard. The discarded cards are then replaced by new ones, and the hand is evaluated against the game’s pay table. If the hand meets the requirements of the pay table, the player is paid out accordingly.
Several variations of the game are available online in New Jersey, most of which differ in payout structure, wild cards, and number of hands which can be played simultaneously.
90 Ball Bingo
Bingo games are widely popular in the UK, but are not quite as in demand online in New Jersey. The game is currently offered in the form of 90 Ball Bingo only at Tropicana/Virgin Casino and Pala Bingo. All patrons need to do to play is to buy bingo tickets, then stand by as the caller calls out random numbers. If those numbers also appear on your ticket in specific patterns, you’ll go home a winner.
Live Dealer games
Live dealer games, which employ real-life dealers beamed over the Internet, are extremely popular in New Jersey and are currently offered only at Golden Nugget Casino and FanDuel Casino. At Golden Nugget, you can take your pick of four blackjack tables, a roulette table and one baccarat table.
Conclusion
While experienced gamblers will have no trouble finding and playing their favorite games at NJ gambling sites, newcomers can feel a bit overwhelmed by all of the options. While casino games can seem complex at first, in reality, they are generally quite easy to learn. Once you do, be sure to make use of the “demo” feature available on most games and play for play chips before betting real money.