Casino Games Online

Are you an Australian gambler looking for the best online casino games? You’ve come to the right place. This article covers everything you need to know about playing casino games online, including the top casinos, game types, how to play for real money or free, and tips for finding the perfect games for you.

The Best Casinos to Play Games for Real Money

When it comes to playing online casino games for real money, choosing a reputable and trustworthy casino is crucial. Some of the top online casinos for Australian players include:

These casinos are licensed, secure, and offer fast payouts. They cater to Australian players and support AUD transactions.

Types of Casino Games

Online casinos offer a wide variety of games to suit every player’s preferences. Some of the most popular categories include:

Pokies (Slots)

Slots are the most popular online casino games, known for their simplicity, variety, and potential for big wins. The objective is to spin the reels and land matching symbols on paylines to win prizes. 

Some key things to know about slots:

• Slot games come in various themes, paylines, and features like wilds, scatters, and bonus rounds
• Slots have different volatility levels – low volatility slots pay out smaller wins more frequently, while high volatility slots offer bigger prizes but less often
• Progressive jackpot slots have a continuously growing prize pool funded by a portion of each bet, offering the chance to win life-changing sums

Beginner tips for pokies:

• Start with free play or low bet amounts to familiarize yourself with the game
• Look for slots with high Return to Player (RTP) percentages, which indicate better long-term payouts
• Set a budget and stick to it, never chasing losses

Blackjack

Blackjack is a classic card game where you compete against the dealer to get a hand value closest to 21 without going over. The game involves a mix of luck and skill, with several strategies to improve your odds. 

Key blackjack rules to know:

• Number cards are worth their face value, face cards are worth 10, and Aces can be 1 or 11
• The goal is to beat the dealer’s hand without busting (going over 21)
• You can hit (take another card), stand (keep your hand), double down (double your bet and take one more card), or split (create two hands from a pair)

Basic blackjack strategy involves making statistically optimal decisions based on your hand and the dealer’s up card. For example, always hit on hands of 11 or less, and stand on 17 or more.

Beginner blackjack tips:

• Learn and practice basic strategy to reduce the house edge
• Avoid insurance bets, which have a high house advantage
• Start with low stakes to build your skills and confidence

Roulette

Roulette is a game of chance where you bet on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. The wheel has numbered pockets colored red, black, and green. You can place various bets on single numbers, groups of numbers, colors, or odd/even. 

Key roulette rules:

• The European roulette wheel has 37 pockets (1-36 and 0), while the American version adds a double zero pocket, increasing the house edge
• Outside bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) have lower payouts but better odds
• Inside bets on specific numbers offer higher payouts but slimmer odds

Roulette is a game of pure chance, so there’s no skill-based strategy to beat the house long-term. However, you can use betting systems like the Martingale (doubling your bet after a loss) for a structured approach.

Beginner roulette tips:

• Stick to outside bets for longer playing time and lower risk
• Set a budget for your session and don’t exceed it
• Choose European roulette over American for a lower house edge

Video Poker

Video poker combines elements of slots and poker, where you aim to build strong 5-card poker hands. The game follows standard poker hand rankings, and payouts increase with hand strength. 

Key video poker rules:

• You’re dealt 5 cards and choose which to hold or discard
• Discarded cards are replaced with new ones to form your final hand
• Payouts start at a pair of Jacks or better, with a Royal Flush offering the top prize

Video poker has an element of skill, as your decisions impact the outcome. By learning optimal play for each hand, you can reduce the house edge to less than 1% in some variants.

Beginner video poker tips:

• Start with Jacks or Better, the most basic variant, to learn the ropes
• Consult a strategy chart to make the best play for each hand
• Look for games with high payback percentages (over 99%) for better value

Baccarat

Baccarat is an elegant card game where you bet on the player, banker, or tie. It has a low house edge, especially when betting on the banker. Many high rollers enjoy playing baccarat.

Craps

Craps is an exciting dice game with a variety of bets. You wager on the outcome of the roll, like the total, or specific numbers. Some bets have high RTP rates over 99%.

Ultimate Texas Hold’em

Ultimate Texas Hold’em is a popular poker-based table game. You compete against the dealer to make the best five-card hand, with the option to raise up to 4x your ante bet.

European Roulette

European Roulette is the most common version of roulette found at online casinos. It features a single zero pocket, which gives it a lower house edge compared to American Roulette.

Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker is a unique card game that combines elements of poker and Chinese dominoes. You arrange your seven cards into two hands – a five-card “high” hand and a two-card “low” hand, trying to beat the dealer on both.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is a blackjack variant that uses a 48-card Spanish deck (no 10s). It offers several player-friendly rules like late surrender, doubling down after splitting, and bonus payouts for certain hands.

3 Card Poker

In 3 Card Poker, you’re dealt three cards and have to decide whether to fold or raise to beat the dealer’s hand. There are also bonus side bets based on the strength of your hand.

Caribbean Poker

Caribbean Stud Poker is played against the house rather than other players. After placing an ante bet, you’re dealt five cards and choose to fold or raise. The dealer must qualify with Ace-King or better for your raise bet to win.

Sic bo

Sic bo is an ancient Chinese dice game that’s popular in Asian cultures. You place your bets on the table and three dice are rolled in a tumbler cage to determine the outcome.

Crypto games

Some online casinos specialize in cryptocurrency gambling, with games that use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other digital assets. Crypto games offer fast deposits and withdrawals, provable fairness, and anonymity.

Live dealer games

For the most authentic casino experience, try live dealer games. Real croupiers host games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat from studios, which you can play via video stream. Interact with the dealers and other players through live chat.

How to Play Online Casino Games for Real Money

Playing real money casino games online is simple:

1. Choose a reputable online casino
2. Create an account and claim any welcome bonuses
3. Deposit funds using a supported payment method
4. Browse the game selection and click to play
5. Place your bets, spin the reels or play your hand

Always gamble responsibly and within your means. Take advantage of casino bonuses and promotions to boost your bankroll.

How to Play Online Casino Games for Free

If you’re not ready to risk real cash, you can play many casino games for free. Most casinos offer demo or practice play modes that let you enjoy games with virtual credits. Free play is a great way to learn the rules, try out strategies, and find your favorite games before betting real money.

Real Money vs Free Games

Benefits of Real Money Gaming

• Chance to win actual cash prizes
• Qualify for bonuses and promotions
• Wider selection of games, including progressive jackpots
• More exciting and engaging with real stakes
• Earn loyalty points and climb VIP tiers

Benefits of Free Games

• No risk – ideal for beginners learning the ropes
• Try out games without spending money
• Play for fun and entertainment
• Practice strategies and discover what you like
• Never lose more than you can afford

How to Find the Best Casino Games for You

With thousands of online casino games available, how do you choose? Consider these factors:

Game providers

Look for online casinos that partner with leading software providers known for fair and high-quality games. Some of the top studios include:

• NetEnt
• Microgaming
• IGT
• Evolution Gaming
• Playtech
• Play’n GO

Game theme

Games come in every theme imaginable, from ancient Egypt and Norse mythology to branded titles based on popular movies and TV shows. Think about what interests you – maybe you love animals, adventure, or retro style games.

Other filters

Use the casino lobby filters to sort games by criteria like:

• Volatility (low, medium, high)
• RTP percentage
• Minimum/maximum bets
• Bonus features and jackpots

Responsible Gambling Practices

While online casino games are designed for entertainment, it’s crucial to approach them responsibly to avoid potential risks. Some key responsible gambling tips:

• Set a budget for your gambling activities and never exceed it
• View gambling as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money
• Don’t chase losses or gamble when stressed, depressed, or intoxicated
• Take regular breaks and balance gambling with other activities
• Use responsible gambling tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion if needed

Most reputable online casinos offer responsible gambling resources and tools to help you stay in control. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you feel your gambling is becoming problematic.

Free Slots and Casino Games FAQ