There’s never been a better time to play games like roulette or slots. In the past, these games could only be found at brick-and-mortar casinos. Though the traditional casino lobby still offers a great experience today, these locations can often be difficult to access without a vehicle. They might also be pricier than their online counterparts.

However, a key side effect of the growing popularity of online casinos is that it can be difficult to select the one that’s right for you. For someone who’s spent time at a brick-and-mortar casino, it can be difficult to know which brand to go with – and even then, which sort of welcome deal will offer you the best value.

If you’re just getting started with gaming online, here are five simple tips to get you started on the right foot.

Tip #1: Select the Right Platform

Locals who aren’t sure how to take advantage of an online casino straight from their homes can keep a lookout for a few signifiers of a great platform. First and foremost, a quality provider should offer a diverse range of games. For example, in addition to titles like roulette and blackjack, a top casino would also offer these games in a live dealer format.

 A live dealer format means that a real-life dealer facilitates a live game using video streaming technology, bringing the casino straight into your living room. This brings together all the benefits of the live experience, including social interactions and certain elements of atmosphere, with the convenience of playing at home. It’s a great option for first-time players.

Tip #2: Know a Good Bonus from a Bad One

After narrowing down a list of quality providers, it’s important to weigh up what they’re offering. In order to attract newcomers, top brands offer welcome deals, but these can differ significantly. To get the most out of an online casino experience, it pays to do a bit of research.

For example, free spins are a common bonus that can be applied for certain slots. This closely resembles reward multipliers – except that a reward multiplier will be available for an even slimmer number of slot games. Always keep a lookout for a deposit match bonus, as this means a casino will match your deposit dollar for dollar—and it’s widely considered the sweetest deal in the industry.

Tip #3: Sign Up for a Loyalty Program

After selecting a good platform (or two) based on its welcome deal, many players consider whether to join a loyalty program. Just like leading casinos will offer a live dealer category, top platforms also lay out rewards programs for their most active players—just like a retailer would for returning customers.

Keep in mind that these programs are tacked onto the frequency of play and bankroll. The more money a player spends, the greater the offers in the loyalty program. For this reason, not all casual players opt into these types of services.

Tip #4: Keep Track of What Works for You

There’s a lot to consider when playing casino games—and it’s important to be mindful when playing games that require strategy, like blackjack, poker, and even roulette. For this reason, many players keep track of their progress, noting what works for them and what doesn’t.

It’s easy to have fun and get caught up in the excitement, but players who want to learn when to hit and when to split in blackjack, for example, should be taking notes. Luckily, when playing from home, benchmarking play is quite a bit easier than at a brick-and-mortar establishment.

Tip #5: Play Wisely

Some casinos offer free play. This means that players can access certain slot games, blackjack tables, and poker tournaments without depositing any money into their accounts. These platforms are ideal for players who just want to try something new or pass the time. In many cases however, players prefer to deposit funds.

This involves something called bankroll management, which is simply a way to manage finances in gaming and beyond. Most players develop a system that dictates their spending, which helps them stay focused on having fun.