Things You Need to Know Before You Start
They are finally in a winking, noisy casino. You’ve filled up at the buffet and you itch to roll the dice and see if lady is lucky on your side. Well keep buckaroo there. You may have big dreams of cracking the jackpot and retreating to your own private island, but that will not happen here. Gambling is a good time and can provide a nice rush when things are shaking in your favor, but it’s not what it looks like in the movies.
- The house always has an advantage: no matter what game you play, the house (the casino in which you play) has an advantage. You do not have to rely on luck to win and make money, you only need players like you. The math is on her side, always. You know, go in, and never assume that you have the upper hand with these games. Somebody’s big win dwarfs compared to the thousands of victories that the house has claimed.
- Luck is the biggest win factor: unlike the house, you have to rely on luck to earn money – mostly. There are ways in which you can easily reduce the house’s advantage over you by playing smart, which will extend your playing time, but luck is still the biggest deciding factor in your success.
- Begin with a fixed amount of money you’re ready to lose: Gambling surely is not a lucrative way to make money. It is for entertainment only. Before you go to the casino floor, decide how much money you can comfortably afford to play with (meaning lose forever), then stick to it. Take out some cash and then leave your bank card in your hotel room. Never take out more money to get back what you lost. Create boundaries for yourself. If you can not afford to lose it, do not gamble. I’m sorry. Gambling is not designed to save people from their luck.
- Hot streaks do not hold: if you win and have more money than you started, think about stopping. At some point, your hot series will end and you will wonder your chips where all these profits went.
Finally, I recommend you look into player rewards and incentives offered at the casino where you play. These programs often cost you nothing to attend, but they can earn you swag, free gambling credit, free meals and even free stays in really nice suites. You already spend the money to play, so you can use these programs as well. Look for a service desk or ask someone in the cashier cage.
Play the Right Games
Depending on what kind of experience you are interested in, some games are better to play than others. Do you really want to use skill to try to gain some money? Or would you like to relax and savor free cocktails? Would you rather look at a machine that shows eye-catching effects and sounds?
If you want to win, you should attend games that both require a certain amount of skill and do not let you get naked and penniless too fast. They are:
- Blackjack (single deck, if available)
- Video Poker (I beat “Double Bonus” or “Double Double Bonus”)
- Dice game (some bets)
- Baccarat
If you just want to have fun with an easy-to-learn game, I recommend the following:
- Slots (Note: penny slots do not cost just a dime to play)
- Roulette (European roulette has slightly better odds)
- Keno
When playing slots you can grab free cocktails from the waitresses who run around (always topping). Roulette is the simplest table game – just bet on what you think the little white ball will land on, such as odd numbers, even numbers, red, black or certain numbers (37: 1 odds). You have almost a 50/50 chance of playing odds, straights, red and black, so it’s pretty laid back. After all, Keno is designed to be played while having a cocktail, watching TV, smoking a cigarette or playing other games. Think of it as a very small lottery.
Know the Rules and Learn Basic Strategies
If you’re nervous about playing a table game like blackjack, start with the simple stuff above and get a feel for placing bets. Then, when you’re ready, go to the more complicated games. However, before sitting at a high stakes table, take some time to learn the game first.
You can easily find gambling tutorials online, like this blackjack tutorial, or this dice game tutorial. A quick Google search will easily find you tons of manuals, as well as advanced strategies to increase your chances – websites like Wizard of Odds. If you do not have time to research before you hit the ground, that’s fine too. Look for a low stakes table with a small minimum Casino Tips For Beginners, like a blackjack table of $ 5 per hand (depending on the casino and the night, $ 10 could be the lowest you can find).
Go to the table and tell the dealer that you want to play, but you do not know how. They will be glad to teach you and even show you how to play your cards properly, if you ask them. You see, traders earn a lot of their money through player tips, so it is in their best interests for them to do well. They want you to win so you can give them money! It’s best to do this when the table is empty, so you will not slow down the game for others, but most people will understand or switch to another table.
Follow Casino Etiquette
While you play, it can only help you to be a positive, friendly and upright patron – even if you lose a lot of time. Dealers will be nicer to you, cocktail waitresses will come to your table more, and other players will appreciate it. I’ve had dealers give me advice on every hand to help me win, cocktail waitresses bring me doubles instead of single pouring, and had a lot of great laughs with other players all because I was not a jerk. If you can not lose a little money and still be a decent person, do not play.
In addition, there are a few basic Big Fish Casino rules that you should follow:
- Never sit down at a table unless you are playing (no chilling and watching your buddy play).
- And wait until the hand is over before sitting at a table.
- Never remove your phone while sitting at a table. They will yell at you.
- Do not touch your bet once you have placed it and hand / spin / etc. was handed out.
- Only touch your cards with one hand.
- Do not touch your winnings until the dealer has counted them out before you and shoved them at you.
- Never stop the game to act like a hotshot (no bubbles on dice, jumping around, or generally pretending to do something, even remotely important).
- Always give your dealer regular tips, either by giving them a chip and saying clearly, “This is for you” or by placing a bet for them. Never try to give them cash, just chips.
- Always give your cocktail waitresses. I give them a chip of $ 1 to $ 5 each time they get around.
- You still can not win money if you follow these rules, but you will not get into trouble and you will have a much better time.
Know When to Stop
Gambling can be addictive, so you need to take precautions and know when it’s time to quit. For example, free cocktails are great, but there is a reason why the casino gives them to you. Do not let down too much and be reckless with your bets.
Also, never hunt your losses. To think that one can suddenly be lucky again and recover his lost money is the “player’s game”. You begin to believe that you are due for a big profit, and that you can get all your money back if you just put a little more money in it. Unfortunately that does not work that way. As soon as you start thinking, “If I just play a bit longer …” immediately stop.
Finally, avoid “player maceration” that happens when you’re up, playing with winnings, or on a hot track. They start to think, “Maybe I should bet more because I’m feeling so good” and “Sure, I could go away with more than I started, but maybe I should see through …” Bad idea. Finish while you are ahead. My personal rule is, if I get 50% of what I started, I take these chips and put them in my pocket will not be played again. Then I play, whatever I win. If I’m still fine, I’ll always scotch all 50% until my luck runs out. With this setup, I always go away with something more than I started – when I’m lucky.
Now you’re ready to hit the ground, roll a few dice, say cool things like “hit me” and have a good time. Good luck!
