A Beginner’s Guide to Casino Gambling

The first thing I did on my 21st birthday was to play a few hands of blackjack and I have been playing ever since. I am not a high roller, but I know how to understand a casino. If you are unsure where to start, let me help.

What you need to know before getting started

You are finally in a shimmering, noisy casino. You are overcrowded at the buffet, and you can’t wait to roll the dice and see if luck is on your side. Well, hold on there bukaru. You may have big dreams of hitting the jackpot and retirement on your own private island, but that won’t happen here. Gambling is a good pastime, and when things turn out in your favor, it can be a good thing, but in movies it isn’t.

• The casino always has an edge : no matter what game you play, the establishment (the casino you play at) has an edge. They don’t have to rely on luck to win and make money, they just need players like you. Mathematics is always on their side. Keep this in mind and never assume that you have an edge in these games. Someone’s big victories are dwarfs compared to the thousands of victories claimed by the house.
• Luck is the most important factor in winning : unlike casinos, in most cases you really need to rely on luck to make money. There are ways to slightly reduce the house edge over you by playing smart, thereby increasing your playing time, but luck is still the most important factor in your success.
• Start with a fixed amount of money that you are willing to lose : gambling is not a lucrative way to make money. This is strictly for fun. Before you enter a casino, decide how much money you can afford to play (which means: lose forever) and then stick with it. Get some cash and then leave your ATM card in your hotel room. Never take more money to get back what you have lost. Create boundaries for yourself. If you can’t afford to lose it, don’t gamble. Sorry. Gambling is not meant to save people from their luck.
• Hot streaks don’t last long : If you are winning and have more money than you started, consider stopping. Eventually, your hot streak will end and you will stare at your chips wondering where all those winnings have gone.

Finally, I recommend that you look into the rewards and perks offered to players at the casino you play at. These programs often cost nothing to join, but they can earn you rewards, free game credit, free meals, and even free accommodation in really good apartments. You are already spending money on the game, so you can use these programs. Find a customer service counter or ask someone at the cashier.

Choose the right games to play

Depending on the experience you’re interested in, some games are better to play than others. Do you really want to use your skills to try and win some money? Or do you want to relax and sip on complimentary cocktails? Want to feel the weight of casino chips in your hands? Or would you rather see a car showcasing vibrant effects and sounds?

If you want to win, you should choose games that require a certain level of skill and will not leave you without a livelihood too quickly. Games with the best odds for players who really know how to play ( or with less house edge ):

• Blackjack (single deck, if available)
• Video Poker (I suggest Double Bonus or Double Double Bonus)
• Craps (some bets)
• Baccarat

However, if you just want to have some fun with an easy-to-learn game, I recommend the following:

• Slots (note: playing penny slots is not worth just one cent)
• Roulette (European roulette has slightly higher odds)
• Keno

By playing the slot machines, you can get free cocktails from the roaming waitresses (always tip). Roulette is the simplest of the board games – just place a bet on what you think the little white ball will hit, such as odd numbers, even numbers, red, black, or certain numbers (37: 1 odds). You have almost 50/50 odds when you play with odds equal to red and black, so it’s pretty relaxed. Finally, keno can be played while you are drinking a cocktail, watching TV, smoking a cigarette, or playing other games. You pick multiple numbers from the grid, place your bet and wait to see if your numbers come up. Think of it as a very small lottery.

Know the rules and learn basic strategies

If you’re nervous about a board game like blackjack, start with the simple things mentioned above and get a feel for how to bet. Then, when you’re ready, move on to more challenging games. However, before you sit down at the high stakes table, first take some time to study the game.

You can easily find online gamblingtutorials like this blackjacktutorial orthisdicetutorial . A quick Google search will easily find you tons of how-to guides as well as advanced strategies to maximize your chances – sites like Wizard of Odds . If you don’t have time to research before you hit the floor, that’s okay too. Look for a table with low stakes and small minimum bets, such as a $ 5 blackjack table per hand (depending on the casino and the night, $ 10 might be the lowest possible).

Go to the table and tell the dealer that you want to play, but you are not sure how to do it. They will happily teach you and may even show you how to play the cards correctly if you ask them. You see, the dealers make a lot of money from the players’ tips, so it’s in their best interest for you to succeed. They want you to win so you can give them money! It’s best to do this when the table is empty so you don’t slow down the game for others, but most people will figure it out or move to another table.

Follow casino etiquette

During the game, it will only be useful for you to be a positive, kind and decent patron, even if you lose a lot. You will be treated with dealers, waitresses will come to your table more often, and other players will appreciate it. I had dealers giving me advice to help me win, waitresses brought me double liqueurs instead of singles, and laughed a lot with other players because I wasn’t a jerk. If you can’t lose some money and still be a decent person, don’t gamble.

Apart from this, there are a few basic casino rules that you must follow:

• Never sit down at a table unless you intend to play (don’t relax and watch your buddy play).
• And wait for the hand to run out before you sit down at the table.
• Never take your phone out while sitting at a desk. They will scream at you.
• Do not touch your bet after you have placed it and the hand / spin / etc. has been dealt.
• Only touch the cards with one hand.
• Don’t touch your winnings until the dealer counts it in front of you and pushes it towards you.
• Never stop the game to act like a joker (don’t blow dice, jump, or act like you are doing something even remotely important).
• Always tip your dealer regularly by handing over the chip and clearly saying, “This is for you,” or by placing a bet for him. Never try to tip them in cash, only in chips.
• Always tip the waitresses. I give them a $ 1 to $ 5 chip every time they come.

You may still not win money if you follow these rules, but you will have no problems and you will be much better off.

Know when to stop

Gambling can be addictive, so you need to take precautions and know when to quit. For example, free cocktails are great, but the casino is offering them to you for a reason. Don’t omit too much and don’t risk placing bets.

Also, never chase your losses. Thinking that you can get lucky again and get your lost money back is a “gambler’s fallacy.” You start to believe that you are entitled to a big win and that you can get all your money back if you just put in some more money. Unfortunately, this is not how it works. As soon as you start thinking, “If I just play a little more …”, stop immediately.

Finally, avoid the “player vanity” that happens when you get up, play with a win, or are in a hard hitting streak. You start thinking, “Maybe I should bet more, since I’m fine” and “Of course, I could have left with more money than I started, but maybe I should see it through … ” Bad idea. Get out while you’re ahead. My personal rule is that as soon as I win 50% of where I started, I take these chips and put them in my pocket so that they won’t be played with anymore. Then I play the remaining winnings. If I continue to do well, I will save every 50% until my luck runs out. With this setup, I always get away with a little more than I started out – if I’m lucky.

Now you’re ready to hit the floor, roll the dice, say cool things like hit me, and have a good time. Good luck!

More…