You need to know before you start.
Finally, you’re in a bright and noisy casino. After a filling meal at the casino buffet, you are eager to play the dice and find out if Lady Luck is on your side. Hold on, buckaroo. It’s unlikely that you will retire on your private island after winning the jackpot. It’s a great time to gamble, and it can be a rush when you win, but the reality is not as glamorous as it appears in movies.
- No matter which game you play, the casino (where you are gambling) always has an advantage. You don’t need to be lucky to make money. They need you. Math is on their side. Never assume that you will win these games. The house’s thousands of wins dwarf the big win someone has.
- Luck plays a major role in winning. Unlike the casino, you don’t need to depend on luck all the time to win money. You can reduce the advantage of the house by playing intelligently, thereby extending your playtime, but luck will still be the most important factor in your success.
- Set aside a certain amount of money that you are willing to lose. Gambling is not an easy way to earn money. This is strictly entertainment. Decide how much you are willing to lose (i.e., to gamble forever) before you enter the casino. Leave your ATM card at your hotel and withdraw some cash. You should never withdraw more cash to make up for what you lost. Set boundaries for yourself. You shouldn’t gamble if you can’t afford to lose the money. Sorry. The gambling industry is not designed to help people who are down on their luck.
- Hot streaks do not last. If you are winning and you have more money in your account than when you began, you should stop. Your hot streak will eventually end, and you’ll be left wondering where your winnings have gone.
You should also look at any player incentives and rewards offered by the casino where you are gambling. You can join these programs for free, and you may be able to earn free swag or gambling credits or even get free meals. Some casinos will also offer free suites. These programs are free to join, and you’re spending money on gambling anyway. Ask at the customer service counter or someone in the cashier’s cage.
Choose the Best Games to Play
Some games are more enjoyable than others, depending on your interests. You want to be able to earn money by using your skills. Do you want to relax and drink free cocktails, or do you prefer to laze around? Do you want to hold casino chips? Would you like to watch a machine that has flashy sounds and effects?
You should choose games that require some level of skill but won’t make you bankrupt and naked too quickly. These games have the best odds (or a lower house edge) for players who know how to play.
- Blackjack (single deck, if available)
- Video Poker (I recommend “Double Bonus” or “Double Double Bonus”)
- Craps (some wagers)
- Baccarat
These are the games I recommend if you want to play and learn something easy.
- Slots (note that penny slots are not free to play).
- Roulette (European Roulette has slightly better odds).
- Keno
You can get free drinks from servers who are roaming the casino (always tip). Roulette is one of the easiest table games to play. You place your bets on the numbers you believe the white ball will fall on. This could include odd or even numbers, black or red, as well as specific numbers. When playing reds, blacks, odds and evens, you have a nearly 50/50 chance. Keno can be played when you watch TV, smoke cigarettes, drink a cocktail, or play another game. You choose some numbers from a grid and place your bet. Then you wait to see if they come up. Imagine it as a small lottery.
Learn the rules and learn basic strategies.
Start with the simple games and learn how to place bets. When you are ready, you can move on to the more complex games. Take some time to get familiar with the game before you start playing at high-stakes tables.
Online gambling tutorials are available, such as this craps or blackjack tutorial. You can easily find a lot of information on how to play, including advanced strategies for increasing your odds. Sites like Wizard of Odds are a great place to start. It’s fine if you don’t want to spend time researching before you play. Find a table that has a small minimum wager, such as a $5 per hand blackjack table. (Depending on the casino and the time of the night, you may be able to find a table for $10).
Tell the dealer you want to play but don’t know the rules. If you ask, they’ll be happy to teach you and may even show you the right way to play your cards. Dealers make most of their income from player tips. It’s therefore in their interest that you do well. They want to see you win so they can get money from you! You should do this when there are no other players at the table. Most people will understand or move to another table.
Follow Casino Etiquette
Even if you are losing a lot, being a kind, positive and upright patron will benefit you. You’ll be treated better by dealers, cocktail servers, and fellow players. I have had dealers give me tips on how to win every hand, cocktail servers brought me doubles rather than single pours, and I had many great laughs with players because I was not a jerk. You shouldn’t gamble if you’re not willing to lose some money while still being a good person.
There are some basic rules that you should adhere to:
- Sit at the table only if you are going to play. Do not chill out and watch your friend play.
- Wait until the hand has ended before sitting down at a table.
- You should never use your phone at a dining table. You will be yelled at.
- Once you have placed your bet and the hand/spin/etc, has been dealt with, do not touch it. Once the hand/spin/etc. Has been dealt with; don’t touch your bet.
- Touch your cards only with one hand.
- Please do not touch your winnings before the dealer counts them out and pushes them towards you.
- Do not stall the game by acting like a hotshot. (No blowing dice, jumping, or otherwise acting as if you are doing something important).
- You should tip your dealer on a regular basis. Either give them a chip with the words “This is for you” or place a bet in their name. Do not tip your dealer in cash. Use only chips.
- Always tip cocktail servers. Every time I see them, I give them between $1 and $5.
If you follow these guidelines, you may not win money, but you will have a better time.
Stop when you know it’s time.
Gambling is addictive. You need to be aware of this and know when to stop. Free cocktails, for example, are a great perk, but the casino has a good reason to give them away. Do not drink too much, and be reckless when betting.
Never chase your losses. The “gamblers’ fallacy” is when you think you will suddenly win and recover your lost money. You begin to believe that you are entitled to a big payout and can get your money back by simply adding more money. This is not the case. Stop immediately as soon as you start thinking, “If only I could play …” for a bit longer.”
Avoid “gamblers’ conceit,” a tendency that occurs when you are winning, on a streak, or up. It’s easy to start thinking, “Maybe I ought to bet more, since I am doing so well,” or “Sure, if I win, I will have more money than when I began, but I might want see this through …”. Stop while you are ahead. Once I am 50% ahead of what I started with, I put the chips in my pocket and don’t play with them again. Then, I use up any remaining winnings. If I continue to win, I will keep taking 50% of my winnings until I run out of luck. If I’m lucky, I can always walk away with more money than I started with.
You’re now ready to roll the dice, say some cool things, like “hit me,” have fun, and enjoy yourself. Good luck!
