Similar to how online shopping has partly supplanted shopping malls, online casino gaming has proven a popular alternative for traditional casinos and recreation. Granted, gaming has always been a widespread pastime for many people in a country like the Philippines, who have enjoyed such pursuits as cockfighting, lotteries, and card games for hundreds of years. With the rise of the online casino Philippines-based gamers now enjoy even more options and convenience.
However, a lot of individuals who are otherwise interested in online casino gaming hesitate to try these new games, for a few reasons. First, the vast array of unfamiliar-sounding game choices can feel overwhelming to newbies. Next, deep-seated misconceptions about gaming exert a strong social pressure to avoid online games, planting misguided ideas about the safety and fairness of these.
Fortunately, Philippine online casino platforms now prioritize user-friendly interfaces and state-of-the-art transaction security, with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other regulators ensuring full transparency over the experience. If you’re a newcomer interested in online casino gaming, you can be sure your first rounds will be both fair and trouble-free.
The next question is: with hundreds of legitimate choices out there, which ones should you try first? If you’re a total beginner, try these easy-to-play games to start. Once you get a feel for these casino classics and other popular starters, you should be able to try other game types with more confidence:
Table of Contents
1) Online Slots
Everyone instinctively understands how slots work, making online versions among the easiest games to start with. All you have to do is spin the reels and wait for winning combinations to appear. Just choose among the wide variety of themed games to begin playing.
2) Baccarat
Baccarat is a bit more complex than slots, but it’s still quite a straightforward game. All you have to do is to know the value of the cards and bet on either the player, banker, or a tie. The house doesn’t have much of an edge over players and the rules are quite simple, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Some gaming platforms offer zero-stakes games and interactive tutorials to help newbies learn the ropes.
3) Roulette
This classic game is a fixture of barrio fiestas and high-end casinos alike, involving wagering on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. While there are countless variants, the sheer simplicity makes all roulette games very beginner-friendly.
4) Blackjack
If you prefer a game that isn’t pure luck, blackjack offers a good deal of strategy. The goal is simple: beat the dealer by reaching 21 or getting as close to it as possible without going over. Like with other online games, no-stakes games and tutorials are often available to help you get your feet wet in the game.
5) Video Poker
Video poker is essentially the same as traditional poker, though you are pitted against a computer opponent. As with traditional poker, there are hundreds of variants, from Texas Hold ‘Em to the familiar Pusoy Dos. Just remember that, although the rules are usually identical to live poker, video poker does away with the social and psychological dimensions, making it quite a different game in practice.
6) Scratch Cards
If you enjoy instant-win games, digital scratch cards are very easy to get into. All you have to do is to “scratch” the virtual reveal potential prizes, making the game somewhat similar to slots in practice. If that seems too simple for you, hundreds of variants take the concept and add onto it with various themes and mechanics.
7) Keno
Keno is a lottery-style game that requires no complex strategies, making it perfect for beginners. Unlike traditional lotto where draws are taken every few days or weeks, the draw cycles for Keno are much faster. It’s essentially a game of chance, so all you have to do to start is pick whatever numbers you like.
8) Fish Shooting Games
In contrast to some of the games on this list, these arcade-style games involve a lot of skill, making them a good option if you aren’t into games of chance. The mechanics vary between games, but you generally have to compete with other players to “shoot” fish in a common pool. The fish vary in their size, speed, and the value they give up when they’re successfully hit. Many games feature “missions” that add to the challenge, offering unique rewards should you meet all of the goals.
Begin Your Online Gaming Journey Responsibly
When in doubt, simply choose games that are digital versions of what you already enjoy in real-world casinos. And speaking of real-world casinos, don’t forget to try out live games managed by professional dealers in real time. Depending on the setup, you’ll also get to interact with other online players as well as players who are right on the casino floor, heightening the social aspects of gaming that Filipinos have come to treasure.
Of course, like any good thing, it helps to understand your limits. Once you start exploring the dynamic world of online casino games, set a small budget and know when to quit. Most importantly, only keep playing the games that you find genuinely engaging. May Lady Luck be on your side in your online gaming journey!