If you can’t hop on the next plane to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or Monte Carlo, online gaming is an option, but it’s a tricky one. Not legal in every country, the first thing you must do is ensure you can game online legally. If you can, it’s much easier to go broke online than in an actual casino, so heed the following to protect your money and you.
Research the Casino
Don’t simply open an account with the first online casino that shows up in your search results. Rather, research all casinos to see which ones are legitimate and offer the best deals for their players. For example, online casino Cashino.com offers new players a welcome bonus. This is free money with which you can play. You can also get free stuff, including coins, when you join a casino’s VIP club just as you do at brick-and-mortar casinos, so check out the bonuses attached to memberships.
Research the Games
Don’t jump onto the first table, either. If you are an inexperienced gambler, it’s best to play practice games until you find the game you love and at which you are good. Nothing will help you lose your money more quickly than ignorant gambling. Know the odds of each game or machine, and then assess how much it will take to swing those odds in your favour. Learn the strategies and probabilities of the games you want to play and always know you will lose some of the time.
This includes slot machines. Although mostly chance, there are ways you can gamble smartly while playing the slots. The first mistake most players make is they sit down – literally and virtually – to a machine that has a high maximum bet and then only plays the minimum bet. This prevents your ability to turn the winning odds in your favour. Play the slots you can afford to bet maximum, and then work your way up to the high-roller machines with your winnings.
Gamble at the Right Time
Because online gaming is software driven, machines and tables have a tendency to pay out at the same time within a 24-hour period. If you can figure out when that time is, you can play at that time to increase your odds. Check out the chat rooms to see what other people say about their winnings. You might notice a trend and be able to jump on a winning machine or table just when the programming is about to favour the player instead of the house.
Only Gamble What You Can Afford to Lose
If you think this is obvious, think again. Many people set aside the amount of money they plan to play, only to take out more once they’ve lost it all. This is a sure sign you have a gambling problem, so sit back and think for a moment about your playing style. Do you push your budget to gamble or push back paying bills once you’ve lost your play money? If you do, get help so you only gamble the money you set aside for fun.
Don’t Drink and Play
Finally, have you ever wondered why alcohol is free in most casinos? The reason why is because the more you drink the more you play. Even if it’s tempting to knock back a few beers or cocktails while you online gamble, the same effect holds true. The more you drink the more careless you will become with your money. It’s also important to take into account that it’s less embarrassing to lose big in the privacy of your own home than in a public place.
You can have fun online gambling as long as you’re wise with it and don’t go crazy just because you’re in the privacy of your own home. Find a legit casino, become a member, and play smart.