What the game lineup covers
The providers behind the games include NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Play'n GO, Evolution Gaming, Nolimit City, Games Global (Microgaming), Blueprint Gaming, IGT, Red Tiger Gaming, Big Time Gaming, Light & Wonder, ELK Studios, Push Gaming, Hacksaw Gaming, Relax Gaming, Thunderkick, Spribe, OnAir Entertainment and Octoplay. Some are known for slots, others for live dealer tables, and a few for fast instant-style games, so the provider name often tells you what kind of game to expect.
Slots are the largest group, and the slots page is the place to start if you want reels. Individual titles have their own pages, for example Book of Dead, Big Bass Splash and Reactoonz, where you can see how each one pays.
The live casino has real dealers streamed to your screen, and the live casino page covers what is on offer. If you prefer a specific table game, there are pages for blackjack, roulette and poker. The site also has pages on bingo and Slingo, and a page for Spaceman, a fast instant-style game that sits apart from the slots and tables.
If you are new, the welcome bonus page covers 75 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza. Its wagering is No wagering (winnings paid as cash), the minimum deposit is £20 and it is valid for 3 days. T&Cs apply.
How the game types differ
Slots and table games work in different ways. A slot is built around a paytable, features and a set return to player, so the most useful thing to check is how it pays: the symbols, the bonus rounds, the volatility and the maximum win. A table game follows the rules of the game itself, and the pace depends on the table.
Live games add a dealer and a stream, so rounds take as long as the dealer needs. Bingo and Slingo draw numbers, so the pace is set by the game, not by you. Slingo mixes a number grid with slot-style spins, which makes it a sensible bridge if you like both formats. In every case the outcome is random, and no approach changes it.
Instant-style games such as Spaceman are short rounds with a simple rule, which suits a quick session but gives you less to read up on beforehand. Poker pages are about the game itself, so they suit a different reader from the one looking for reels.
The apps and the mobile site matter too. The Grand Ivy has an iPhone app, an Android app and a mobile site, so you can use whichever suits your device. The app page explains the choice.
18+ · T&Cs apply
Where to start
Start with the kind of game you already enjoy. If you like reels and features, open the slots page. If you want a dealer and a table, open the live casino page. If you want something quick to learn, look at bingo or Slingo.
Before you play, check the rules and the paytable of the game you choose, and see how the stake works. Check the stake limits too: UK online slots have a maximum stake per spin, and it is lower for players aged under 25. If a game is new to you, read its page first so the features are not a surprise mid-round.
Think about attention as well as taste. A live table asks you to follow the dealer throughout, while a slot gives you a short round and a pause before the next one, so pick the format that fits the time you have.
Before you deposit
Look at the payment options first. The Grand Ivy accepts Visa/Mastercard debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Skrill, Trustly and Paysafecard, and the minimum deposit is £20. The deposits page covers each method, and the minimum withdrawal is £20.
Read the rules of any offer before you use it, including the time limit and the game it applies to. Use a deposit limit if you want one, and decide an amount you can afford to lose before you start. The safer gambling page explains the tools. Support is available 24/7 through live chat and email if a game or a payment is not working as expected.