Slot machines, Blackjack, Roulette and Craps are some of the more popular examples of the many games that can be played at an online casino. In order to maximize you're your profits and your entertainment value, it is important to fully understand how to play the game. The following is a quick review on how these popular games are played.

Slots

Slot machines are the most popular of all casino games. Probably due to the fact they are the simplest of all games. To play, you simply enter an amount of coins into the machine, hit the spin button and await your fate. Every slot machine is accompanied by its own payout schedule. The payout schedule outlines to the player what the winning combinations are and if hit, what the payout amount is. It is very important for you, the player, to read and understand this schedule, as certain combinations may only pay out if a particular number of coins are inserted. It's an awful feeling when you think you've hit a big combination and you receive nothing (because you haven't played enough coins to activate the payline).

Blackjack

If you are a beginner in the casino world, then Blackjack is a great game for you. Blackjack (or 21) is an easy game to learn that can offer countless hours of entertainment. The object of the game is to hold a higher point value than the dealer without going over 21. The point value of the cards 2-10 are at face value, all the face cards are valued at 10 and the Ace can be a 1 or a value of 11, depending on which values suits your hand best.

To begin, the dealer deals 2 cards, face up, to every player and 2 cards to himself, 1 face up and the other face down. Next, each player has a choice to either stand or hit. If you choose to stand, you are happy with the total of your two cards and believe that you can beat the dealer with this total. If you would like a higher total, you hit. A hit means that you will receive a new card and add its value to your total. Remember that a total over 21 is called a 'bust' and you automatically lose. So hit wisely. Once all the players have either hit, stand or bust, the dealer reveals his cards. The dealer must now, in most cases, hit if his total is 16 or less and stand if his total is 17 or higher. If the dealer busts, you win. If the dealers total is less than yours, you win. If you bust or the dealer's card total is higher than yours, you lose. In Blackjack, winners are paid out 2-1.

Roulette

If you are interested in a game with high entertainment value and excitement then roulette is your game. There is no real strategy associated with this game, it is a game of chance. Roulette consists of a large wheel, slotted with the numbers 1-38 (and depending on the game a 0 and/or 00) alternating in black or red colors and a corresponding table. The table is where the player places his/her bet. The table has the same 38 numbers organized in specific pattern. Your goal is to bet on the number, color or series that you believe the dealer will spin on the wheel. Payouts differ depending on the odds of hitting your particular bet. This game is greatly increasing in popularity and proves be a lot of fun, so if you haven't yet played roulette, give it a spin.

Craps

If you've never played this dice game before, you may feel a little intimidated, but in reality, like all the other casino games, it's actually quite easy. Basically, the object is to roll the dice and a hit a specific number. In craps you are either the shooter (the person rolling the dice) or just a bettor. The game begins with the shooter rolling the dice. On this first roll, if the shooter throws a 7 or an 11, they automatically win. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12 (a craps) they lose. If the shooter however, throws any other number the game is said to be 'on'. Now in order for the shooter to win, they must roll that number again, in any combination, before they roll a 7. If you are not the shooter and are betting on craps, you have two choices. You can bet with the shooter, and you win or lose as the shooter does, or you can choose to bet against the shooter. So in the latter case, at first roll, if a 7 or 11 come up, you lose or if a 2, 3 or 12 comes up, you win. When betting against the shooter and the game is 'on', basically you are betting that a 7 will come up before the 'on' number. This game has other betting options that are outlined at every table and is a great game to join as the odds of winning at craps are some of the highest of any casino game.

As mentioned earlier, it is very important to fully understand the game you are playing to increase your potential as a player. There are a lot of anxious players out there who don't bother to fully understand before they put there money down, so by you understanding, you may be one step ahead of your potential competitors. To learn more about the odds and payouts associated with these games, check out the section on online casino odds.