One of the important considerations in selecting an online casino is evaluating the software that runs the casino. There are about half a dozen reputed online gaming software providers. These are Microgaming, Cryptologic, Real Time Gaming, Vegas Technology, Playtech and Rival Gaming. Each of these software providers has distinctive characteristics and features. Players have to make a selection based on which of these software providers best matches their requirements.
Not all online gaming software providers allow their casinos to accept players from the United States. Therefore if the player is from America then he has a limited choice. Microgaming, Cryptologic and Playtech are automatically ruled out. The player has to choose from Real Time Gaming, Vegas Technology and Rival Gaming.
The choice of games offered by the software provider is one of the critical criteria for selection. Online slot games are very popular and each software provider has a niche offering. Players who want to wager on the progressive jackpots with large payouts should opt for Microgaming. American players can select Real Time Gaming. On the other hand players who prefer progressive jackpots that pay out more frequently, even though in smaller amounts, can check out Cryptologic. Cryptologic is also well known for its Marvel Comics branded slot games. Players who love superheroes like Spiderman or the Hulk will enjoy Cryptologic online casinos. There are still many players who love the old-fashioned 3-reel online slot games. All software providers offer a fine collection of such games, but Vegas Technology has some excellent 3-reel progressive jackpot slots. I-slots, which are skill-based interactive slot games, can be found only in Rival Gaming online casinos.
As far as the other online casino games go, there is not as much difference between the different online gaming software providers. However, Microgaming does offer a better blackjack selection. Playtech is perhaps the only software provider that offers arcade games in its online casinos. Playtech also offers more Asian online casino games than other software providers.
Novelty is as important in online casinos as in any other field of entertainment. Those players who want new games month after month would do well to select a Microgaming online casino. Microgaming has been adding four new games per month for a long time and its total portfolio now exceeds more than 400 games. The other online gaming software providers also add new games but not with the same frequency.
There are many players who thrive on online tournaments. Online tournaments allow players to win reasonable sized prizes with nominal entry fees. Vegas Technology online casinos offer the best scheduled online tournaments with guaranteed prize pools. The schedules are usually set out at the beginning of the month so that players can plan out their wagering programs. Also different Vegas Technology online casino groups offer different sets of tournaments. Real Time Gaming offers head to head blackjack tournaments. Such tournaments are not offered by other online gaming software providers.
Software features are also an important criterion. Microgaming has the best customization options. Microgaming also offers the most detailed game statistics. Therefore players who value these features would prefer Microgaming online casinos. However, a basic level of features is offered by all online gaming software providers and those who choose software providers other than Microgaming will not lose out very much.
One final factor that online players have to take into account is the system requirements and whether their own computer system fits the bill. For example, though Microgaming offers the best games and features it also imposes more stringent system requirements and takes up more of the hard disk space than other online gaming software providers. Therefore players have to make the balance between the different advantages and disadvantages and then arrive at a considered selection.
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I start by selecting and trying casinos where I know I can play. There's nothing more frustrating to start playing at an online casino only to later find out after you've download and installed and are now at the point where you're trying to create an account that they won't let you play there as they don't accept players from the country you live in!