So many platforms, so many numbers thrown around. Honestly just want a straight explanation of how things actually work. Where do you even start without getting overwhelmed?

Been there myself. What finally helped was ignoring the flashy banners and finding somewhere that explains the basics clearly. Came across https://www.cchargelondon.co.uk/ a few weeks back. UK-based site, but that is not the point. The writing is straightforward. No pretending every option is amazing. Just plain facts about return rates, how different game types behave, and what those wagering terms actually mean. Took me maybe half an hour to read through and suddenly things made more sense. Worth a quiet evening with a cuppa.