1dcde4Ever since the first casino opened its doors to the public, decades ago, casinos have been attracting countless gamblers. There’s just something exhilarating and enchanting about the idea of winning huge piles of cash, by just playing games. Or maybe it’s the allure of the numerous fascinating games that are exclusive to casinos. Regardless of the reason, casinos have become firmly established in our culture and have had a substantial amount of influence on our everyday lives. Even to this day, they continue to evolve and introduce innovative concepts, catering to an ever-increasing demand.
With the introduction of online casinos, gamblers from all around the world are now able to wager on their favourite casino games, without even having to leave the comfort of their homes. Online casinos have managed to replicate the charismatic appeal of their land-based counterparts, by creative interfaces, intuitive navigation, and accessibility. However, regardless of whether you’re playing online or at a land-based casino, it’s important to note that casino games are designed to favour the house. This is an inevitable part of the gambling world, and it is something you should be aware of.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean that you’re incapable of walking away with some impressive winnings in your pocket. In this article, we’ll be looking at the fundamental rules, strategies, and tips you’ll need to make the most out of your casino experience, whether you’re a beginner or a professional player. Let’s get started!
The House Edge & How It Works
One of the first things you need to understand about casinos, is that they ultimately strive to make a profit. Sometimes, this is quite obvious, such as with casino games that involve wagering against other players. A prime example of this is <a href="https://remycasino.com/tag/poker/”>Poker, where players compete against each other, with the casino merely acting as an intermediary. The casino charges a fee, known as a rake, as compensation for facilitating the game. This means that even if all players lose, the casino still makes a profit.
However, not all casino games are like this. There are numerous games where the players wager against the casino, such as <a href="https://remycasino.com/tag/blackjack/”>Blackjack or Roulette. In these cases, the casino has to find alternative ways to ensure they make a profit. This is where the concept of the house edge comes into play.
The house edge refers to the average amount of money the casino expects to profit from a player’s wager over a prolonged period. It is usually expressed as a percentage and is different for every casino game. The house edge can be calculated using the following formula:
House Edge = (Num. of Favourable Outcomes * Probability of Occurrence) – (Probability of Occurrence * House Payout)
It’s important to keep in mind that the house edge doesn’t represent the amount of cash you’re expected to lose per wager or even per session. Instead, it denotes the average amount the casino expects to profit from your wagers over an indefinite number of wagers. Nonetheless, the house edge shouldn’t be looked at as a theoretical concept, but rather as a realistic expectation. The higher the house edge, the more profit the casino expects to generate from a particular game, over time.
For example, let’s say you’re playing a game where the house edge is 5%. This means that the casino expects to make a 5% profit from your wagers, over time. If you were to place 100 $1 bets, the casino would statistically make an average profit of $5.00.
Rules to Follow When Playing at a Casino
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned gambler, adhering to certain guidelines will ensure you have a great time at the casino. Following these rules will help you avoid common pitfalls and maximise your chances of winning.
Set Your Budget and Stick to It
One of the most important things to do before you start playing at a casino is to set a budget and adhere to it. Gambling can be extremely enticing and often evokes emotions that hinder our ability to make rational decisions. Staying within your set budget will ensure you don’t lose more money than you can afford to. This is also closely linked with developing a gameplay strategy, which we’ll discuss further on.
Choose Games That Suit Your Proficiency Level
Casinos offer a wide array of different games, each with its own set of rules and strategic complexities. If you’re a beginner, it’s advisable to choose a game that has straightforward rules, such as Blackjack or Roulette. You can always explore more complex games once you’ve gained some experience and developed a strategy.
Do Your Research on the Casino
Different casinos tend to offer different perks to their customers, ranging from bonuses to loyalty programmes. Moreover, it’s also important to familiarise yourself with the rules and policies of the casino, to avoid any unwanted misunderstandings. Lastly, you should also research the casino games you intend to play. Develop a gameplay strategy that works for you and the game you’re playing.
Pay Close Attention to House Edge and RTP
As we’ve discussed above, the house edge is the amount of cash the casino expects to make from your wagers over time. It’s usually represented as a percentage and differs from one game to another. The Return To Player (RTP) is the flip side of the house edge and is the average amount a game will return to the player over time. Choosing games with a lower house edge will give you a better chance of winning.
Be Conscious of Your Behaviour and Attitude
Gambling can be an exhilarating experience, which can lead us to make rushed and unwise decisions. Staying level-headed will ensure you avoid costly mistakes. Moreover, casinos are designed to be relaxing environments, which is why you’ll usually find plenty of refreshments and amenities, like TV screens, to keep you entertained. Take regular breaks away from the tables or machines, to clear your head and stay focused.
Avoid Buying Chips with Pre-Paid Cards
If you’re playing at a traditional casino, one rule you should always abide by, is avoiding buying chips with pre-paid cards like Visa or MasterCard. Most casinos will require you to provide identification, in order to process your transaction. Moreover, they may place restrictions on the amount you can purchase with pre-paid cards. Casinos often offer their own prepaid cards, which may seem like a more convenient option, but these usually come with hefty fees.
Don’t Chase Your Losses
One of the most important rules to remember, is that you should never wager money you can’t afford to lose. Chasing your losses refers to betting on more in an attempt to recoup your cash, which can lead you to lose even more. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s usually an indication that it’s time to take a break or call it quits.
Playing Strategies for Popular Casino Games
Developing a gameplay strategy can significantly improve your chances of winning, or at least minimise your losses. However, it’s important to remember that these strategies are not always a sure thing. They can help you make the best decision in a given situation, but they don’t guarantee success. Nevertheless, here are some essential strategies for popular casino games.
Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, largely due to its relatively simple gameplay, as well as the fact that players are pitted against the dealer, rather than other players. The primary objective of the game is to achieve a score of 21, or as close to 21 as possible, without going over. The game utilizes a standard deck of 52 cards and requires skill, as well as a bit of luck.
Basic Blackjack Strategy
The basic gameplay strategy can vary depending on the specific rules of the game you’re playing. However, there are some general tips that can improve your chances of beating the dealer.
– Never surrender on hard 13 or more.
– Always stand on soft 19 or more.
– Always hit on soft 17 or less.
– Stand on hard 11.
– Hit on hard 12-16 against the dealer’s 2 or 3.
– Stand on hard 12-16 against the dealer’s 4-6.
– Hit on hard 17 against the dealer’s 2-6.
– Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 7 or more.
Roulette
Roulette is another popular casino game that’s extremely straightforward to learn. The game consists of a wheel with 36 numbers, where each number is alternately coloured in red or black, with the exception of the 0 and 00 slots, which are green. A small metal ball is thrown into the spinning wheel in the opposite direction. Players can choose to wager on a number, a series of numbers, the colour of the number, or whether the number will be odd or even.
Understanding Roulette Strategies
There are primarily two main strategies for playing Roulette: the Martingale Strategy and the Grand Martingale Strategy.
Martingale Strategy
This strategy is mainly used by players who wager on even-money bets, such as red or black. The concept is that you double your wager after each loss, in order to recoup all your losses and make a small profit once you eventually win. However, this strategy can be risky, since you may lose several times in a row, resulting in you reaching the table’s betting limit.
Grand Martingale Strategy
This strategy is similar to the regular Martingale strategy, but with one added twist. Instead of just doubling your wager, you double it and add an extra unit. This means that if you start with a $5 base bet, you would bet $10, $20, $40, $80, and so on. This strategy reduces the risk of losing yourself to the table betting limit
