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Casino Gambling Tips
Whether you prefer roulette, blackjack, slots, or poker, successful gambling at a casino requires knowing what to do and what not to do.
If you’re a novice player anxious to get started, here are some top tips to help you improve your chances of winning at the casino.
Understand the Rules of the Games
Sound gambling strategy begins with understanding the rules of the game you’re playing. Knowing the rules helps you make smarter bets, and it gives you insight into what kinds of betting strategies and bankroll requirements are needed to improve your chances of winning.
For example, if you’re playing roulette, you should know that the house edge depends on the type of wheel you’re playing with. Smart roulette players search for a single-zero roulette wheel because the house edge is half that of a double-zero wheel. Understanding the rules also helps you make smarter bets. For instance, blackjack has a set of optimal plays that you can consult to decide what to do based on what you’ve been dealt.
The bottom line is that not understanding the rules is a good way to unnecessarily lose money at the casino.
Pick Games With the Lowest House Edge
The house edge is the average amount of money that you’ll lose over time at a casino game, expressed as a percentage of your action (bets).
Games with a low house edge include blackjack (generally 0.5% to 1%), baccarat (1.5%), some video poker machines (0.5%), and some forms of roulette (2.5% to 5%).
The house edge varies based on the gameplay and the bet that you make. Games with a high house edge include slots (3% to 20%), keno (30%), and big six wheel (10% to 31%).
Decide on a Budget and Stick to It
Most gambling experts agree that you shouldn’t gamble with any money that you need for everyday expenses such as rent, bills, or groceries. Gambling is a game of luck, so there is no guarantee that you’ll win, and it is possible to lose money. Make sure you only play with money you can afford to lose.
Before you walk into the casino, set a budget for yourself. Decide how much you can afford to lose, and in what denomination you will distribute this money across different games.
For example, perhaps you have $200 to spend on gambling during your vacation. You could decide to play three different sessions of $20 in slots, $20 in roulette, and $10 in blackjack. This budget should be money that you are okay with losing, and which won’t impact your life or livelihood if you do lose it all.
Take Advantage of Bonuses and Comps
Casinos want you to keep spending money with them. That’s why many casinos offer bonuses to players who are willing to make a deposit and play. These bonuses may include free plays, free spins, or extra money to play with. Comps, short for complimentary, refer to services and gifts the casino gives to its patrons free of charge.
For example, some casinos will give you a free stay in a hotel room, free meals at the resort, or free tickets to a show based on the amount of money you’ve spent at their gambling tables.
Make Sure You’re Competing With Other Players, Not the House
Some games give the casino a surprisingly low house edge, meaning that players have a pretty good chance of winning.
These include blackjack, some forms of video poker, and baccarat. These games can be very profitable if you’re a skilled player and if you’re familiar with optimal strategies.
The house edge is largely a reflection of how casinos make money on average from each game over a long period of time. It’s important to remember that individual players can and do win, and it’s these individual wins that result in the house edge being what it is.
Manage Your Bankroll
Bankroll management is a key part of a good gambling strategy. You should always bring a specific amount of money to the casino and prepare to lose it all.
Divide your bankroll into several parts, and don’t spend more than one part during any session. For example, if you bring $100 to the casino, plan on gambling in sessions of $10 each. This might mean you get to play 10 slots spins, or five hands of blackjack, or one roulette spin, etc.
If you lose the entire first part of your bankroll, it’s a good idea to walk away and find something else to do. If you win and get ahead in a session, set a win goal for yourself. For example, if you aim to win $50 during your $10 gambling session, once you hit that goal, stop playing and enjoy the victory.
If you lose all of your allotted session money, accept the loss, walk away, and find something else to do. Never chase your losses by dipping into money you had set aside for another session or for another purpose.
Know When to Walk Away and Count Your Wins
Walk away when you’re ahead rather than lose what you’ve won by gambling it all back. If you win $50 at the slots, pocket that money and continue playing with your initial bankroll amount.
If you don’t win, walk away and do something else. Remember, gambling is entertainment, not a source of income. Some players find it helpful to set a timer as well. If you gamble for an hour and don’t win, you move on to something else.
Don’t Fall for Scams
There are lots of scams out there that promise to improve your odds of winning at the casino. Most of these are bogus.
For example, some roulette players buy into the concept of a “balanced wheel” where they believe that the wheel is biased in some way, and that by charting results, they can discover a pattern of what numbers are likely to hit.
In reality, modern roulette wheels are so well designed that each spin is entirely random and independent of what happened in the past. The idea of a balanced wheel is a scam designed to sell you something that isn’t likely to work.
Play Within Your Comfort Zone
Almost every casino game has a social aspect to it, especially when playing with others. But focusing on the game and staying within your comfort zone can help you make smarter decisions and avoid pressure from other players.
For example, if you’re a shy person and hate the thought of facing a tough blackjack dealer and crowd, then roulette may be a better option for you.
Don’t Forget About Taxes
Gambling income (including winnings at casinos, bingo, and lotteries) is considered taxable income by the IRS. Gambling income includes but isn’t limited to winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse races, and casinos.
You should especially keep a record of any winnings from gambling that you plan to report on your tax return. It’s a good idea to set aside money to pay taxes on any winnings you earn from gambling. In general, you’ll pay taxes on gambling winnings at the same rate as you pay taxes on any other income.
Casinos are a business and want to make money. They offer games that give them an edge, though this doesn’t mean you can’t win.
Smart gamblers learn the rules of games, opt for those with a low house edge, set a budget and stick to it, and walk away when it’s time to leave. By following these tips, you’ll improve your chances of winning and have a more enjoyable time at the casino.
Disclaimer: This is a guest post by Ash Turner. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and do not necessarily represent the views of Valuewalk.com. Each contributor on Valuewalk is solely responsible for the content that he or she provides.
