The advantage of using software on your home computer to learn various casino games is that you can set your own pace for learning. Virtually every casino CD includes an overview of the game, the “house” rules, a description of your options, and a help menu if you get stuck. Many even have “virtual advisers,” a small window that appears in the corner of your monitor and suggests your next move.

Learning games on your computer at home is an especially good strategy if you've never played a particular game before and are unsure of the rules or betting options. Craps, for example, can be very confusing to the novice gambler, mainly because there are so many betting options. By practicing with a computer game at home, you can get a feel for the game without worrying about keeping up with the real-life action.

Of course, many casino computer games allow you to immerse yourself in the traditional casino atmosphere — or a reasonable facsimile of it — with high-quality graphics and sounds. At the virtual blackjack table, you can listen to the dealer shuffle the cards while the “crowd” ebbs and flows around you; you can hear your hand tap the table as you ask for another card; you can even hear the bells and whistles of off-screen slot machines. And if you get tired of the noise, you can always hit the mute button.

You can find computer casino games that are as specific or as varied as you like. Some focus on a particular game and its variations, like poker; the menu for a casino poker CD might include everything from draw, stud, and Texas Hold'em to Boston 5, three-card poker, and jacks or better. Others offer a range of different games, covering roulette, baccarat, blackjack, craps, slots, and even keno and bingo.