Everything you need to know about online casino games
Whether you’re a diehard casino enthusiast looking for a new place to play your favourite online games or a newbie looking for your first taste of the virtual arena, our guide is the perfect starting point for you. We’ve got the lowdown on the most popular games, from pokies to baccarat – let’s take a closer look.
Pokies
It’s the pokies library which accounts for the majority of an online casinos games collection, and with good reason. Online pokies offer players the chance to turn tiny stakes into huge jackpot wins with just a spin of the reels! Multiplier games, such as NetEnt’s Drive Multiplier Mayhem, serve up big wins through its five different wild icons. Hugely popular progressive jackpot games such as Mega Fortune have paid out jaw dropping seven-figure jackpots on the smallest of stakes – that’s a return you simply won’t find anywhere else!
It’s not all about the huge prize pools and mega progressives when it comes to pokies. Modern online pokies provide far more than just an opportunity to win big – they’re great to play just for fun too! With the latest and greatest eye catching graphics and killer soundtracks, playing pokies is the most immersive and lifelike game away from the live dealer tables. Plus, there’s something for just about everyone, from film-themed pokies to games that take you on a journey in time to Ancient Egypt.
If all that isn’t enough to get you on board, the bonus features on offer ensure you’ll be having fun on the reels for hours. Landing certain combinations can trigger bonus rounds, where you’ll have the chance to get your hands on some free spins to keep you coming back. Other cool features include cascading wins, expanding wilds, exploding symbols and sticky wilds, all designed to enhance your online pokies experience and land you bigger winning spins.
Table Games
When you think of casino classics, traditional table games such as roulette and blackjack almost always spring to mind first. While pokies might be the flashier option, with new titles being added to the collection all the time, table games are a staple of any good online casino. Games like baccarat, craps and poker are some of the most exciting games to play, with a huge amount of betting options to keep you at the tables for hours on end. Plus, there are plenty of variants on offer for each title to ensure all players are catered to, whether you’re looking for a high stakes VIP blackjack table or the unique double ball roulette game.
Roulette aficionados have plenty of choice at online casinos. Penny roulette is a great option for beginners to kick things off with smaller stakes, while double ball roulette offers you with a better chance of landing a winning spin. For more experienced players, French roulette and high stakes VIP tables give you the chance to take advantage of better odds and higher table limits – great for players looking to employ a better strategy or simply bank some serious cash.
Blackjack is another game with a number of variants, ranging from the classic single deck to switch, double xposure and blackjack surrender.
If you’re looking to put your poker skills to the test, you’re spoiled for choice at the very best online casinos in New Zealand. As well as the classic Texas Hold’Em game, you’ll be able to choose from oasis, cyberstud, 3-card, Caribbean or tequila to name but a few. There’s also virtual bingo and lottery-based games such as keno that are both excellent for newcomers and players on a tight budget – these games are easy to play, the stakes are small and you can land some enormous wins.
Live Dealer
This innovative feature has bridged the gap between land-based casinos and virtual casino games. Live dealer casino games bring the sights and sounds of a real casino to your desktop or mobile device, providing you with the most realistic, authentic casino experience available online.
These games offer real time communication with the croupier, just like you’d expect at a brick and mortar casino. With high definition video streams, multiple cameras offering both panoramic and close up views, coupled with top-quality sound recording equipment, you’re truly getting an immersive casino game. Roulette is arguably the most popular live dealer game, but there are plenty of other options, including baccarat, blackjack and poker. While you won’t find these games available for free player, there’s still something to suit just about everyone – with tables starting from well under a dollar a play up to high limit games.
Video Poker
If you’re a fan of pokies, you’re sure to love video poker. This casino game is based on five-card draw poker and is played on a console that looks much like a slot machine. Video poker is wildly popular in US land-based casinos due to the games offering a fantastic theotherical return to player (RTP) percentage. All you need to get started on these is a basic understanding of poker hand ranks used in five-card draw and you’re ready to spin!
Software
While the bonuses and promotions on offer at a casino do a great job of attracting players, the software behind the online games is undoubtedly the most important ingredient. Simply put, top software providers ensure games look amazing and run smoothly. There are three heavyweight software developers which dominate the casino gaming scene – Playtech, NetEnt and Microgaming. These powerhouses boast individual catalogues of more than 1,000 games, covering pokies, table games, video poker and scratchcards. These are games that experienced players know and love – a great option if you want more of the same.
Still, there is room for plenty of other developers as well. Play’n Go is a fantastic provider that has always placed a focus on providing outstanding gameplay for mobile players, while Scientific Gaming has created its own ‘universe’ by purchasing several smaller developers such as Bally and WMS. IGT is another heavy-hitter, and its mega jackpot progressives are among the most played pokies in the world. Games from these developers are perfect for players looking to try something new.
Compare & Play
Now that you know exactly what to expect from the games collection at a top New Zealand online casino, you’re probably ready to take your pick and start playing! So, whether you have a penchant for million pound jackpot pokies or you fancy play some live dealer roulette, Compare.bet is your best bet for online casino comparison.
Use our carefully curated list to compare the best of the best. You can review brands side-by-side to check out their bonuses, promotions, banking options, mobile experience and of course, their games collection. Once you’ve picked out a favourite, simply click on the link provided to sign up and become eligible for an exclusive welcome bonus. You’ll be playing your favourite online casino games within minutes!
