Reviews can be a huge help in finding the right online casino games to play. You get loads of trusted sites covering new and old releases to give you a better understanding of all the options you can play from. But what about more obscure games that don’t necessarily fall under the more popular game categories?
Well, you’ll find reviews for these speciality games too and they can go a long way in guiding you towards the ideal title for you to enjoy.
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What Are Speciality Games?
For most players, online casino games can be categorised as video slots, table games and live casino titles. While these categories encapsulate the majority of games sites have to offer, they don’t quite capture everything you can play online.
Speciality games are titles that don’t quite fit under any of these labels. They offer unique experiences that fit outside of common niches and generally get grouped under the speciality or miscellaneous tag.
You get a mix of titles from both renowned and more obscure providers, including the likes of NetEnt, IGT and Real Time Gaming, as well as Rival, Distance Gaming and Visionary iGaming. They’re a fantastic way to break off from more traditional casino games, giving you the chance to expand your horizons and come up with new and exciting strategies to play.
Top Speciality Games to Look Out For
The Speciality category at online casinos puts together a mix of very different games together. Some of these have established gameplay loops like Keno, Lotto and Bingo, while others have come up with completely new ways to play. We’ll be walking you through the most popular of the lot, helping you familiarise yourself with these titles and who knows, you might just find one that you fancy playing.
Keno
Dating back to ancient China, Keno is a lottery-style game that has found a massive following at online casinos around the net. It’s a pretty simple setup, where you take your pick from a selection of numbers and hope that they get drawn from a random number generator. If you’re successful, you bag a lovely payout.
You’ll find loads of different versions of online Keno, including some iterations from industry giants such as NetEnt, Microgaming and Playtech. For a classic experience, be sure to check out Microgaming’s Keno, which gives you customisable betting options and a smooth gameplay experience. If you’re looking for a more innovative take on the game, then check out Playtech’s Keno Xperiment which adds in more advanced mechanics, as well as eye-popping visuals and fluid animations. NetEnt’s Bonus Keno even adds in bonus rounds, creating a sense of progression and the chance to score enhanced payouts.
When playing the game, understanding the odds and managing your bankroll is essential. Always pick a mix of both high and low numbers, creating more board coverage and potentially increasing your chances of success. Have a look at the paytable too and target different payout values to maximise your potential profits.
Lotto
Lotto is one of the most popular gambling activities around the world, with all kinds of national and international pots popping up around the world. That one ticket might be a long shot, but you stand to win huge sums of money if it turns out to be the lucky one. Online casinos have become yet another home to Lotto games, catering for different play styles and preferences.
Betsoft, NetEnt and Playtech have all come up with their versions of the game. Betsoft’s Instant Lotto gives you a quick and easy way to enjoy lotto-style gameplay with instant results for your tickets. On the other hand, Playtech’s Lotto Madness injects more excitement into the game thanks to a handful of advanced mechanics and colourful graphics. But it’s NetEnt’s Mega Millions that draws most players to it. The game sports massive jackpot prizes, as well as simple mechanics that you can easily familiarise yourself with.
Just like regular games of Lotto, these online versions are all based on chance, so there’s no guaranteed strategy to get you a winning ticket. Your best bet is to choose numbers wisely and keep your expectations in check. Pick a mix of both high and low numbers to get more coverage and add in a few personal favourites to spice things up. You can even play together with friends in group plays, increasing your chances of success and sharing the excitement with fellow players.
Scratch Card Games
Scratch card games have always sat side by side alongside lotto games as one of the most popular betting activities in the world. Even the tiniest of convenience stores in small towns tend to sell these cards, and one lucky scratch could turn into a life-changing win. The game has found a new home in online casinos, where you can virtually scratch through cards to claim instant wins.
All the leading online casino providers have taken a shot at creating fun and engaging online scratch card games, including usual suspects like Microgaming, NetEnt and Playtech. NetEnt’s Scratchcard goes for the classic experience, with a straightforward scratch-and-win gameplay loop that doesn’t beat around the bush. Microgaming’s Lucky Leprechaun Scratch pushes for a more interesting theme, with a couple of nifty features that can help you bag big instant prizes. You’ll also find loads of licensed titles, such as Playtech’s Iron Man 2, which places you right in the middle of the superhero’s exciting universe thanks to stunning visuals and excellent functions.
Once again, scratch card games are purely based on chance, so you cannot develop any sort of skill to improve your chances of success. The best approach you can have is to set yourself a budget and manage it efficiently to avoid overspending. You should also spread out your budget across several cards and games that offer varying prize levels. The outcomes are always random, but it might help not to put all of your eggs in one basket.
Bingo
Some might consider Bingo to be a game of past generations, but that view couldn’t be further away from the truth. The game has enjoyed a massive rise in popularity since its jump to online casinos, with loads of players from around the world competing from the comfort of their own homes. The online version builds on the excitement and social interaction of traditional Bingo halls, with the addition of a few customisable functions and advanced mechanics.
For the most traditional version of the game possible, you can check out NetEnt’s Bingo Classic. It’s a very straightforward experience that players of all skill levels can enjoy. On the other hand, Microgaming’s Immortal Romance Bingo and Playtech’s Deal or No Deal Bingo add some exciting themes that build upon the success of the popular video slot and TV show, respectively. They remain faithful to the basic gameplay, with the addition of a few nifty mechanics that will entice both fanbases.
Be sure to familiarise yourself with the rules and variations of Bingo before you start playing. You can find versions with 75 balls, 80 balls or even 90 balls, each bringing a different experience to the table. Be sure to buy several cards to spread out your budget and increase your chances of success. Sure, Bingo is ultimately a game of chance and the outcome is determined by random number generators, but these steps will help you potentially score more prizes.
Parlour Games
Parlour games are a collection of games within the speciality games section. This puts together a range of both classic and lesser-known games that can be enjoyed online.
Take Microgaming’s Sudoku for instance. It presents the game with high-quality visuals and several difficulty levels, giving you challenging and engaging puzzles to solve. On the other hand, Playtech’s virtual horse racing games simulate the excitement and unpredictability of the racetrack thanks to wonderful graphics and realistic betting options.
Of course, strategies for parlour games will largely depend on the sort of game you’re playing. In the case of games like Sudoku, you’ll need to switch on your logical reasoning and strategic thinking to solve the presented circumstances and claim a prize. On the other hand, games like virtual horse racing will have you studying odds and setting well-placed bets which can potentially lead to more consistent wins.
What To Look Out For In Speciality Game Reviews
As with other online casino games, reviews will give you a better understanding of all the game has to offer. This covers graphics, features and win potential, so you have a much better idea of what these games offer before you even fire them up for yourself.
Reviews will tell you all about a game’s legitimacy too, so you can avoid potentially fraudulent titles and stick to the ones that genuinely offer a fair and enjoyable experience. In some cases, reviews can also give you tips and tricks that are specific to that particular iteration of the game. Find out the latest game reviews to see what the latest speciality games have to offer.
Finding the Best Speciality Games Online
Speciality games can be great fun and online reviews can help you find the ones that fit your preferred play style. Always be sure to read unbiased reviews that offer unadulterated views on the games they cover to get an honest and informative overview of these unique titles.
