Casinos are palaces of choice and opportunity, offering wide ranges of games and activities for all. Whether you’re looking to hit the big time and take home some big winnings, or simply have a great night out with your friends, a casino will have something to offer you.
However, if you are hitting the gambling tables, it doesn’t matter whether you’re an old hand or a total beginner; everyone can benefit from some tricks of the trade and insider knowledge, in order to make your trip both more enjoyable, and more profitable.
Remember: in the long run, the house always wins. The huge casinos of Las Vegas, with their multi-million dollar shows, glitz and glamour, weren’t built on the back of people winning lots of money… some people get lucky, most people don’t. But – and this is important – there are plenty of little strategic maneuvers you can add to your personal arsenal that can help you win more, and more often. Take a look at our list of beginner’s casino tips below.
Top tips for playing the slots
The slot machine is by far the most popular – and certainly the easiest – way to gamble in a casino. What could be simpler? You press a button, see whether you win or lose, and then try again.
Casinos make big money from slot machines. Indeed, it is said that up to seventy percent of a casino’s profits come from these machines… but that isn’t to say there aren’t some handy methods you can keep in mind when playing, to help you get a little extra.
How do they work?
Unlike skill games such as blackjack or poker, slot machines are powered purely by luck. The outcome of the machine, and the result it shows, is powered by an RNG – a ‘random number generator’, meaning that the number combination you are presented with is generated as soon as you hit that button… and there’s nothing you can do to change that.
There are plenty of rumours flying around about strategies and techniques to help you beat the machines, but these are simply untrue and based on wishful thinking. Despite this, however, there are some tips to bear in mind that will help you protect your stake a little better.
Slots Strategies
If you want to increase your chances of winning money on the slots, here are some simple strategies you can employ on your next trip to the casino.
1) Avoid machines which don’t have a fixed maximum payout
Always stick to the fixed maximum payout machines. Why? The alternatives – so-called ‘progressive slot’ machines have lower odds of paying out.
This is due to the fact that numerous people play on progressive slot machines, attracted by their huge jackpot amounts. But the bottom line is that you have less chance of winning both the jackpot, and the smaller prizes too with these machines.
2) Stay away from video reel machines
Again, these machines have a lower payout rate – supposedly around about 5% less of a return than a regular slot machine. That may not sound like much of a difference, but it really is!
3) Small is beautiful
The smaller the top prize, the simpler and quicker it is to win. Gamblers who consistently go for the lower jackpot machines win more, more often.
Top tips and techniques for classic casino table games
Nobody likes to focus on the negatives, but it is important to remember that when you step into a casino, you aren’t going to win them all. No matter how experienced or skilled you are, the odds are always going to favour the house.
The first piece of advice for anyone aiming for the gaming tables is to make a decision regarding your budget before you leave your house… and to stick to it. Take that amount in cash, and do not allow yourself to take out any more. Once the cash in your pocket has gone, just go home. This way, you will be able to wake up the next morning, looking back on a fun night out with no significant regrets, and being in no financial jeopardy.
Secondly, brush up on some top tips and techniques – such as those below – in order to improve your strategy, and further enjoy your experience.
1) Wear a watch
Sounds like strange advice? It really isn’t. Casinos tend to remove their clocks, and often have no windows, either. The reason for this is that they want you to lose track of time completely, get absorbed in the game, and keep playing and spending your money!
If you want to get ahead of their tricks, simply check the time regularly, and when you’re up on your money, cash in your chips and head home a little richer.
2) Keep Keno at arm’s length
Some games are more profitable than others, and Keno is near the bottom of the list. At some casinos, the house has a 35% edge on this particular game, and no gamber has ever managed to match all 20 numbers on their 20 spot card… simply put, it’s really hard to make money on this game.
3) Be aware of gimmicks
Some modern casinos have gone down the path of adding myriad distractions to their table games… most notoriously, skimpily dressed dealers, sometimes wearing nothing but a bikini.
These ‘party pits’ as they have become known often supply free alcohol, and seem to following Vegas’ example… but some of them will double the house edge and leave you with less money in the long run. Stick to the classics, and don’t take your eyes off the prize!
4] Top Roulette tips
Roulette is one of the most instantly recognisable table games in any casino. When playing this game, always stick to outside chance bets… whether you’re going for columns or dozens, high or low, odd or even, or red or black. The returns may be marginal, but a win’s a win.
The house will always have a 5% edge in roulette. As such, you may have a better chance of making a winning in the short term, but bear in mind that were you to keep playing, eventually the house would take all of your chips. When you’re ahead, stop and take the cash.
5) Stay away from the booze
Want to know why casinos are so keen to get you to drink? Because alcohol impairs your ability to make rational decisions, and affects your senses and reactions, too. Concentrate on winning, and say no to the free drinks.
6) Top tips for Texas Hold’em & Omaha
The key to playing these particular table games is to work on your poker face. Bluffing is the only way to get ahead and win your round, so you need to have complete control of your expressions in order to not give anything away. Practice with a friend at home, and then take your best poker face to the winner’s table!