The smartest way to gamble is to quit or stop playing while ahead of the casino. However, that is not the only smart way to gamble…
Gambling can be a fun and exciting activity, but it’s important to remember that it’s also a form of entertainment that can come with significant risks. Here are essential tips for gambling smartly:
1- Understand the Betting Odds and House Edge of Various Casino Games
The first thing smart gamblers do is to calculate how much they will potentially lose at the many different games at their disposal in a casino.
The house edge determines the betting odds or chances of winning at a casino game.
For example, in American roulette, the house edge is built into the fact that there are 38 possible outcomes, but the payout is only 35 to 1 for a winning bet on a single number. This means that, even though a player might win in the short term, the casino will consistently profit over a long time due to the built-in house edge.
The size of the house edge can vary depending on the game being played and the specific rules in use. Some games, like blackjack, can have a relatively small house edge, while others, like slot machines, can have a much larger house edge.
Here’s what you can lose in an hour playing some popular casino games:
- Slots – A Las Vegas favorite slot machine like Megabucks has a house edge of 22% without the progressive jackpot. If you play 700 rounds per hour and spend 75¢ per spin, you will potentially lose $116 hourly playing this slot game.
- Roulette – You can theoretically lose $22 per hour playing a European single-zero roulette game while betting $5 per spin.
- Baccarat – Betting $15 on the banker’s hand at the rate of 70 hands per hour, you can potentially lose $11 an hour playing baccarat at a casino. The banker bet has the lowest house edge of 1.06% in baccarat.
- Craps – If you always place Pass Line bets in Craps at $15 per roll, you will likely lose $9 in an hour of playing. The assumption is that you will play an average of 144 rolls per hour.
- Blackjack – The classic game of Vegas blackjack has an average house edge of 0.48%. If you play 70 hands an hour, betting $15 per hand, you will likely lose $5 per hour playing blackjack.
- Video Poker – If you want some of the highest betting odds, opt for video poker. A video poker variant like 9/5 Jacks or Better has a low house edge of 0.46%. That means you can potentially only lose $3 an hour, betting $1.25 per hand on Jacks or Better at the rate of 500 hands per hour.
From the betting odds and house edge, you’ll likely lose a lot of money playing slot games. The smarter way to bet is to play table games and video poker.
2- Don’t Play Slots at Land-Based Casinos
Slots are a popular casino game, but they can also be some of the worst games to play in terms of the odds and potential losses. Slots typically have a very high house edge, which means that the odds are stacked against the player, and the casino has a built-in advantage. This can lead to significant losses over time, even if you win in the short term.
3- Understand the Odds
Not all casino games, poker games, or sports betting options are created the same. When it comes to smart gambling, it is super important to understand the math behind the game, the odds of winning, or the probability of each outcome. Gambling is a numbers game and odds will tell you your chances of walking away with wins.
Don’t focus on just the eye-catching themes, sound effects, and graphics – your attention will serve you better if you study the odds. The math behind casino games will help you zero in on the best bets and releases with better odds for the player. It’s all about being smart player.
Understanding the odds of a game is important but going deeper gives you the advantage you need to become a smarter gambler. Take your time to understand probabilities of the games you intend to play and learn the strategies you require to win. You will soon realize the rewards with an expanding bankroll.
4- Play More by Spending Less
Gambling smart is always about playing smart with your money. You should not play $20-per-spin slot machines if your betting budget is just $100 since you will deplete your bankroll before you can even win once. Instead play penny slots or $1 spins to ensure your gambling sessions are more enjoyable and longer. Remember, playing $0.50 per spin gives you 100 chances to win with $50, whereas you will only have five chances at winning if you play $10 per spin.
5- Choose the Right Casino to Play At
The rule number one of smart gambling is to always play a trusted, legitimate, and credible casino. Winning a lot of money at a casino is only good if you will be able to withdraw and enjoy your winnings. That is why you should take your time to choose the perfect casino for you.
Here is how:
Do a background check of the casino’s security and safety standards – A good casino uses the latest encryption technology to keep you and your money safe online.
Check the casino’s customer support quality – You should be able to reach their support team 24/7 via numerous channels, including live chat, phone, and email. The best, most legitimate casinos can also be reached on social media.
Inspect its software providers – Legitimate casinos use authentic and fair games and gaming software from trustworthy providers like Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech, Yggdrasil Gaming, NextGen Gaming, and Evolution Gaming. Make sure that the casino does not use rigged clones of popular games. For this reason, ensure the games are duly tested and validated by third-party agencies like eCOGRA, TST, NMi, and UKGC.
Make sure the casino is regulated and licensed – The best and most trusted online casinos bear gambling licenses from leading gaming commissions like UKGC, MGA, etc.
Consider the deposit methods and payout speeds – You should ensure the casino provides a decent range of payment methods for depositing and withdrawing funds from your wagering account. Expect to see VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, bank transfers, and online banking at legitimate casinos. Equally important, the casino should offer speedy and preferably fee-free payouts.
6- Manage Your Bankroll Properly
The smartest gamblers often pay the most attention to bankroll management. If you are not too careful you will run through your bankroll on questionable bets. The following tips can help manage your betting money properly…
- Set a betting budget and only bet what you can afford to lose
- Stick to your set budget
- Set the limits for your wins and losses – and stop gambling when you have reached these limits
- Do not chase losses or get carried away by a winning streak
- That may seem obvious to most gamblers, but gambling and intoxication don’t go well together. As a smart gambler, you should not drink alcohol or use any intoxicating substance before or during play.
7- Read Online Casino Reviews
If you are planning to play at an online casino, you are likely to wonder if their banking, games, and other aspects are other sites. That is why you should read honest, unbiased online casino reviews. They are the most credible source of info about the casinos, as well as tips on how to beat them.
8- Take Advantage of Casino Bonuses and Comps with Caution
Online casinos are a dime a dozen and they use rewards to stay competitive and attract especially new players. They offer an array of eye-catching bonuses, cashback/rebate programs, and other promos to catch the eye of customers. You must claim these promotions and bonuses to perk up your starting bankroll and be a smart gambler.
The most lucrative are welcome bonuses – a nice way of the casinos to usher you into their sites and appreciate your sign-up. Matchplay and deposit-match bonuses add more bang to your deposits. Be sure to keep an eye out for free spins on new slots, free credits, and free bets.
If you are a regular bettor gambling large sums of money, you may be entitled to cashback, big bonuses, and other high roller promotions. Most casinos run VIP clubs to reward loyal high rollers with cash and loyalty gifts like bonuses, electronics, giveaways, and even fully paid vacations.
9- Use Your Knowledge of RTPs to Beat the Casino
First, you should choose and play games with a high return to player (RTP) percentage. These include skill-based table games like baccarat, blackjack, and craps. At the same time, you should avoid slots, as they have a high house edge, ranging from 3% up to 33% or even higher.
Thankfully, sharpen and use your skills and strategies to reduce the house edge of table games further. For instance, you can use an excellent blackjack strategy to reduce the house edge from around 0.5% down to merely 0.05%. It is for this reason that you should opt for games where your skill can play in your favor over the casino.
10- Read the Fine Print
Smart gamblers know that most casino bonuses and promotions come with a catch. You should not pursue these free offers without looking at the terms and bonuses. Be sure to read the fine print and look out for the following:
Wagering requirements
This refers to the number of times that you need to wager the bonus cash before you can withdraw the resulting winnings. Sometimes this wagering condition can be so large that it does not make sense to claim the bonus.
Expiry date
Almost all casino bonuses and promotions come with a validity period that you should be aware of. The majority of no deposit bonuses and free spins are only valid for 24 hours to 7 days.
Applicable games
Some casino bonuses can only be used on certain games, most often slot machines, keno, scratch cards, and bingo. They are usually not usable for playing table games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette. As a smart player, you should read the terms to know which games are eligible.
How can I be smart in a casino?
To be smart in a casino, you must…
- Manage your bankroll – Set your betting budget before you visit the casino and stick to it while in there. Also set your betting win and loss limits; make sure to stop gambling when you have attained any of these thresholds. You can simply check out the things that the casino has to offer, including nightlife, food, and entertainment.
- Know your odds of winning – You can know your winning odds by checking the RTP and house edge of the game. You can also ask other players about their experience.
- Do due diligence – Read online reviews, inquire from fellow gamblers, and always dig deeper into the rules and gameplay of the games you plan to play.
- Avoid drinking and gambling – Alcohol is the perfect recipe for losses when gambling. You should not drink before and during play at a casino.
- Learn and use betting strategies – You don’t have to be a professional gambler to use betting systems. You can learn how to count cards, as well as use tried and true systems like d’alembert, martingale, anti-martingale, etc.
- Spend less to win more – You should reduce the amount you bet per hand, spin, or round of play in order to stretch your bankroll and make the play more enjoyable
- Use skills – Opt for skill-based games like poker, blackjack, and roulette so you can bet smart at a casino.
What is the easiest football bet to win?
The easiest football bet to win is a total (over/under) bet. Other easy sports bets include:
- Straight bet/money line
- Both teams to score
- Draw no bet (DNB)
- Double chance bet
- First half totals