How to Choose the Best Online Casino

October 20, 2009

With so many different casinos available online today, one would think that choosing just one to play at would be a simple task.

However, this isn’t the case. Each online casino is different its own way in terms of the games they have, the bonuses they offer, whether or not they offer a VIP program and ultimately if they are a reputable room that has a happy fan base. Furthermore, since each player is different and has different needs or wants, one room might be perfect for one player but horrible for the next.

So, how does a player go about choosing the best online casino for them?

Well, a player should factor in what he or she absolutely wants and then go about finding a room that will meet the wants as closely as possible. To help make the decision-making process that much easier for you, we have listed some factors to consider before signing up to a room.

Online Casino Factors to Consider

Casino Bonuses

Bonuses can be an important factor for some people while for others it will not make a difference. The amount of the bonuses and the clearing rates should also be factored in as well.

For example, if you are a player who only plays on the weekends or maybe one day a week, a deposit bonus may not mean as much to you. Playing so infrequently will take a player longer to clear his or her bonus and will keep a player from being able to make a withdrawal for just as long.

On the other hand, if you were someone who plays regularly, then a deposit bonus would probably then be desired. By playing regularly, you are sure to see more value out of a bonus and will be able to clear it at a much quicker rate allowing you to withdraw any winnings that were accrued.

Lastly, if you are a regular player and are considering a bonus, then it is important to also consider what games you like to play. Some online rooms do not let card or table games such as Blackjack or Craps contribute to the completion of a bonus while other rooms do, but only at small increments.

So in short, when looking for a room be sure to consider if you are going to take a room up on their deposit bonus or not. If so, be sure to factor in the size of the bonus you would like along with the requirements it will take to clear them, both the number of times it will take to clear the bonus and what game contribute to the bonus.

Casino VIP Program

VIP programs are going to be similar to bonuses; you play enough to where it is a necessity or you don’t and don’t care if you have it or not.

For the most part, all rooms offer some kind of VIP or reward program. A large majority of these programs just offer a comp points system that gives players points based on how much he or she has wagered. Once a player has earned enough points, then those points can be exchanged for cash. This type of reward system is generally found at 99% of the online casinos available and if you are just an occasional player then this will probably do just fine.

If you happen to play more often, then you will want to look at rooms that offer a more extensive VIP program. Many are on an invitation only basis with the criteria being based on a player’s activity while other casinos use points and have several different VIP statuses to work towards with each level up offering better incentives.

So, again, a VIP program and whether or not you should be looking for a room that has one will be dependent on how much you play; the more you play, the more you will want to consider signing up to a room that has an extensive program.

PC / MAC Casinos

Although it’s increasingly becoming less and less of an issue, players will want to be sure if they have a Mac that the room they’re considering has a Mac version of their software or that they have an instant play/flash version available somewhere on their site.

Also, another important factor to keep in mind is that if you are looking for tons and tons of games, most Mac instant play programs have pretty close to half or so of the available games that are available in the full download. So what this means, is that you will only get 60 or 70 games on average from a room that generally offers 100 plus in their full download.

On a side note, Ladbrokes offers tons of games in both their versions of their software. If you can play there from where you live, that would be a suggested site to check out.

Casino Games

There won’t be any huge differences in games from one site to the next besides who the software developer is. Most sites will offer all the basic slots, table games and card games.

Something to consider however, would be the limits that players can wager on each game. Two sites with identical software can have differences of upwards of $200 or more in what they allow players to bet; so be sure to check that out prior to signing up.

Other than that, players will just want to know what games they enjoy and try to find a room that offers as much of that one game or variation as possible. Some rooms focus heavily on slot machines offering hundreds of variations in number of reels and themes while other rooms prioritize table and card games and offer 10 or more variations of blackjack.

Online Casinos & US Residents

Due to various laws and the difficulty in terms of getting money on and off line, many rooms do not accept US players. So, if you are a US player this will be the first thing to check on because some rooms will not even allow you to browse their site let alone play free on their software if they’re a room that does not allow players from the States.

But don’t worry; there are still several good rooms to choose from for player from the US. They just may have to do more research to find the right one for them.

Casino Banking Options

Players will want to be sure that they have a depositing method and a withdrawal method that the casino they’re considering accepts. If not, then it may become very difficult when and if the time comes to make a withdrawal.

For the most part, many rooms offer the basic methods such as debit cards/credit cards, bank transfers and some even take checks. So a majority of players should be ok in this department but be sure to check just to be on the safe side.

Choosing the Best Online Casino

What choosing the best online casino ultimately comes down to is a player knowing him or herself and what they want, need and are looking for when they sit down to play. Do they need bonuses, a VIP program or an abundance of games ? What about the table limits; do these fit your needs?

These are all questions a player should ask and once a player has an answer to each of these questions, than comes the fun part; finding a casino that best fits the player’s needs.

Written by Rob · Filed Under Online Casino Guide