
Casino Gambling Strategy and Tips to Help You Win
Whether you are new to casino games or an experienced player, there are tips and strategies that you should know before hitting the casino floor. Knowing these strategies can make your gaming experience more enjoyable, increase your chances of winning money and, perhaps most importantly, help you save money.
Tips and Strategies to Increase Your Chances of Winning
Follow these strategies and tips to improve your chances of having fun and winning at the casino.
Know which casino games have the best odds
Not all casino games are created equal. Some casino games are simply more likely to reward you with more substantial payouts and better odds.
Blackjack, for example, offers some of the best odds in the casino. Typically, the house edge for blackjack is only 1% or 2%. Meanwhile, the house edge for slot machines can be 10% or more. Of course, this depends on the type of game you’re playing, with penny slots typically having the worst odds.
The reason blackjack has better odds is that players can use strategy to alter the odds, unlike slot machines. At the same time, blackjack players are not guaranteed a win every time they play. Ultimately, it comes down to individual players using their skills and strategies to reduce the odds in favour of the house.
While these are the most common odds makers, it’s important to remember that these can vary from casino to casino. Some casinos may offer different odds on games like blackjack, or deal with different rules, so players always want to check the house rules before they start playing.
Pick your slot machines carefully
While slot machines are some of the most popular games in the casino, and many of the most exciting, they can also be the most costly.
The fact that many online and land-based casinos tend to stuff these floors with slots often leads inexperienced players to believe that these games are more likely to pay out than other table games. That said, there are a few things you should know about how these games work and some strategies you can use to increase your chances of winning cash prizes:
First, check the RTP or “return to player” percentage. As mentioned, slots are inherently programmed to have specific odds, much like all other casino games. You typically want to look for slots that have an RTP of 95% or higher. This tells you how much of your money the casino will theoretically pay back to you over time. The RTP can usually be found in the game rules.
Secondly, always review the pay table. Look at the ‘help’ section on the slot machine for the detailed pay table. This will show you each of the symbol combinations and odds and how they relate to the theme of the game. Knowing the symbol combinations will help you understand if you’re closer to winning or not after each spin.
Finally, stick to games with fewer paylines. Slot machines with more paylines tend to be more expensive to play. While there is a higher risk involved in playing games with fewer paylines, you have a better chance of winning on these slots more often. With fewer paylines, you’re only betting on a few combinations, so you have a better chance of landing on the right symbols to win.
Manage your money wisely
One of the most important tips to remember is to always play within your budget. While it can be tempting to bet big and try to cash in on a single spin or hand, this is a surefire way to run through your money quickly.
Set a budget and stick to it. Only take a predetermined amount of cash with you to the casino and leave all other cards, especially credit cards, at home. Whether you win or lose, this is the amount you’re willing to risk without any regrets.
A good way to ensure you stick to a budget is to divide your casino money into smaller increments. For example, if you plan to gamble for three hours and you’ve budgeted $100, you’ll want to divide that money into three 50-dollar increments, or six 30-dollar increments.
Once you’ve spent one of these predetermined amounts, force yourself to stop playing. If you reach your time limit and you’re ahead, consider withdrawing your winnings and adding them to your budget for future gambling sessions.
Take advantage of bonuses and rewards
Online and land-based casinos alike offer players rewards and bonuses to attract new customers and to keep them coming back. These offers can be a great way to increase your budget and give you more money to play with on top of your baseline budget.
While every casino has a different bonus structure, here are some of the most common bonuses you’ll find:
Welcome or signup bonus: This is typically offered to new players who sign up and make an initial deposit. For example, a casino may match your deposit amount or reward you with a set percentage of your deposit amount. Always read the fine print on these bonuses, as there are often restrictions on how you can withdraw your winnings down the line.
No-deposit bonus: This is a risk-free bonus for players who want to try out some of the casino games without committing any money. The casino will give you a small amount of money to wager on games like blackjack, roulette, or slots. You can win and withdraw the money, but there are often strict terms and conditions on these bonuses.
Free spins: With this bonus, the casino will give you free spins on slot machines. Much like the no-deposit bonus, these spins allow you to test out a specific slot machine or the slots on a particular online casino. The winnings from these spins are often subject to wagering requirements.
Loyalty or VIP club: Many land-based casinos offer players rewards cards that they can use to track their spending habits. These cards typically entitle the player to complimentary points or other small rewards to keep them coming back.
Similarly, online casinos often have loyalty programs where players can earn points for their spending. These points can then be exchanged for cash or other rewards.
Pick the right games
Not all casino games are created equal. As already noted, some offer better odds to players, but there are other factors to consider when choosing which games to spend your money on.
If you’re looking for consistent, smaller wins, then games like blackjack, baccarat, and even roulette may be right for you.
These games provide more opportunities for you to win with each hand or spin, and they often have better odds. Online slots, on the other hand, are more unpredictable. While they do offer the potential for big wins, these wins are rarely as significant as the ones you’ll find in person.
However, this is ultimately a personal preference. If you prefer a slower-paced and more strategic game, opt for the traditional table games. If you’re more interested in a fast-paced game with stunning visuals and immersive sounds, online slots could be the better option.
Develop (and stick to) a strategy
No matter which game you choose to play, develop a strategy and stick to it. As mentioned, blackjack players can use strategy cards to decide when to hit, stand, split, or double down.
These strategy cards let players know the best possible move based on their cards and the dealer’s exposed card.
Of course, these strategies don’t guarantee a win, but they can significantly improve your odds of winning.
For table games like roulette, there are also strategies you can follow. These won’t affect your odds of winning, but they can help you manage your bets and ensure you stick to your budget.
For example, the Martingale system involves players doubling their bets after every loss. The idea is that when you finally win, you’ll be able to recover any losses and win an equal amount to the amount of your initial bet.
Similarly, the Fibonacci system involves betting on a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. For example, if you bet $1 and lose, you would bet $2. If you lose again, you would bet $3. You would then win and revert back to your starting amount for your next bet.
Ultimately, these strategies can help you manage your bets and give you a more structured approach to your betting.
Summary and Key takeaways
Casino gambling can be a fun and exciting hobby, but it’s important to remember that these games are designed to be profitable for the house. However, following tips like knowing the odds of the games, picking your slot machines carefully, managing your money wisely, taking advantage of bonuses and rewards, picking the right games, and developing (and sticking to) a strategy can help you reduce the house edge and have a more enjoyable experience.
Remember to prioritize having fun, pacing yourself, and always playing responsibly.