Demoing games vs. playing for real.

You know how you can try free online casino games before playing them for real money? Have you ever wondered if the risk-free gameplay you experience in the demo version will be true to the one you have when you switch to real money mode? I have! 🙋‍♀️

Worrying that game demos could be rigged was one of my biggest concerns when I first started online gambling. I was concerned that since they could be played without betting actual money, that the demo would be programmed to pay out more frequently at bigger amounts and/or special symbols and features would be easier to trigger, which would lead me to have false expectations about the game when I played with cash.

Thankfully, the reality I’ve discovered is that this isn’t true (at least not at the legitimate Ontario online casinos where I’ve played). Results are still 100% random in a game’s demo version. The only major difference between playing free online casino games and real money casino games is that in the demo version, you play with virtual credits, and in the real money version, you play with funds that count as real money in the casino which can result in real money wins.💰

The good and bad about playing free online casino games in Ontario.

When possible, I always demo the games I want to play first before betting on them with my actual cash. As such, I’ve demoed all types of free online casino games, including slots, slingo and blackjack games, prior to playing their exact counterparts for real money.

The following has been the pros and cons of my experience trying games for free at Ontario online casinos.

Free online casino games pros ✅

• Most RNG-based games have a free-play option – The majority of online slots, RNG (Random Number Generator) software-controlled table and card games, video poker, slingo, scratch cards, and arcade games can be played for free.
• Learn the game rules risk free – The game’s information and paytable is available in the free-play mode. This is a convenient and comfortable way for you to study the ins and outs of how the game works (e.g., symbols, features, paylines, payouts, bet size, etc.) at your own pace and without risking your money.
• Practice strategies with a big bankroll – Since you’re not limited to your budget and don’t have to worry about losing money, you can experiment with different strategies you might not be comfortable trying with your actual bankroll. For instance, playing the maximum bet on all paylines for as many times in a row as you want to see if this influences what happens during or after a slots spin compared to making only the minimum bet per spin, etc.  
• See if you like the game enough to play it for real money – Let’s be honest, most of us aren’t high rollers. 🤑 Our budgets are modest and we’re spending our hard-earned cash on this entertainment. Playing free online casino games is the best way to discover if you like a game enough to play it for real money.

Free online casino games cons ❌

• You might need to have an account – If free online casino games are available, some casinos require you to log in to your account (which means you’ll need to sign up and create one if you’re not already a player) to access them.
• Not always an option – Not all games have a free-play mode. Certain software providers or online casinos do not make demo versions available. Also, there is no free play option for live casino games (that’s not just an Ontario thing, either).
• Not all demos are created equally – If you demo the game from a third-party site, it might have different features or rules than those offered at the online casino where you play or that are allowed by Ontario gaming regulations (e.g. different RTP, autoplay, gamble feature, etc.)

Mia’s free online casino games playing tips

Due to still pretty much being an online casino newbie and believing that how a player enjoys online gambling is a personal choice, I try not to make too many suggestions or provide online gambling advice in my blog. But, as I’ve had my fair share of experiences playing free online casino games before playing them with my money, I have a few tips that you might find useful if you also like to try before you buy.

• Play the demo for the exact game you want to play – Although I know this is not always possible, when it is, avoid playing a similar game or the same type of game from a different provider. For instance, if you’re going to play American Blackjack from GVG for real money, don’t demo American Blackjack from Microgaming. The gameplay will likely be similar, but the features and RTP can be quite different.   

• Play the demo in the same location where you intend to play for real money – When possible, play the demo version that is available at the online casino where you plan to play the game for real money. This helps to ensure that the game you demo is the exact replica (in terms of RTP and available features) of the game you’ll play for real money.

• Play the demo how you intend to play the game with your money – Sure, it’s fun to bet and play however you want when it’s risk-free, but to get a solid idea of what the real money experience will be like, play the demo game using the same bet sizes and with the same choices you’d make if you were betting with your own money.

• Watch live dealer games in action before you play – You might not be able to play free live casino games in a demo mode, but you can get an idea of how they work by accessing the games without joining the table. Once you’re in, you’ll be able to view all info and rules about the game, view the live chat, change camera angles, and watch the dealer interact with the players as games unfold in real-time. In essence, you can become familiar with the live casino environment before placing a bet.

What do you think? Are you the type of player who likes to try free online casino games first? If so, what’s your experience been like? Do you have any recommendations you’d like to share? Comment with your thoughts below or on social. 😊   

Until next time, good luck and have fun!

Mia 👩‍💻

*All links and images in this post are for information purposes only.