The popularity of online casinos has grown and grown over the past couple of years. The fun and excitement of slots, poker, roulette and all the rest is an experience like no other, and the possibility of hitting the jackpot and winning big is an added incentive. However, in a pastime where the outcome is down to chance and losses can mount up, there are obvious risks, too.
Here, we look at some of the most common mistakes that inexperienced casino goers tend to make. Keep them in mind if you are a casino newbie and avoid falling into any elephant traps!
Choosing an unreliable casino
There are dozens of casino operators out there, from big name multinational companies to small independent operators. There’s nothing inherently wrong with choosing a new and unknown casino – these are often the ones that offer the best deals for new members.
However, it’s vital to do some research before you sign up. The big spin casino reviews are a logical place to start for useful information and impartial recommendations.
Chasing losses
The best advice you will ever get is “only bet what you can afford to lose.” That way, even the smallest win is a bonus. Inevitably, when you play casino games, you will have good sessions and bad ones.
If luck is not on your side, walk away when you’ve hit your limit. The worst thing you can do is gamble more to try to win back what you have lost. This is known as chasing the loss and it usually ends in disaster.
Applying false logic
If the ball has just landed on red for the last 10 successive spins of the roulette wheel, it’s sure to land on black this time, right? Of course, that is the worst kind of false logic. The ball and wheel neither know nor care what has happened in the past, and red or black are equally likely with each individual spin of the wheel.
That sounds obvious here and now, but the excitement of the casino can do strange things to the brain, so keep your wits about you and be careful not to apply false logic.
Ignoring the small print
There are some great promos and deals at several online casinos at the moment. There are also plenty that look great at first glance but have onerous conditions, such as a high wagering requirement or a low withdrawal limit.
Always read the conditions carefully, as there is nothing more disappointing than thinking you have a big win only to find out you can’t actually withdraw it.
Trying everything
There is a wider choice of games available than ever at today’s casinos. But dive in like a kid in a candy store and all you will do is blow you bankroll in 20 minutes flat. It’s always best to have a strategy from the outset of what games you are going to play. For example, some people decide to wager a certain amount on baccarat, and if at that point they are up, they will use their winnings for a few spins at the jackpot slots.
Stick to games you know when playing for real money. If you want to try something new, you’ll be able to find a “just for fun” version online or in a mobile app store, so you can practice without wasting bankroll.
Failing to check the RTP or house edge
Return to Player, or its flip side, the house edge, represents how much advantage the casino has in a given game. It’s vital information and it is available for every game, yet many new players dive in without even considering it. Here’s a simple example. In roulette, you get an even money pay out for black or red. However, the chance of it landing on either is slightly less than 50 percent due to the zero or zeroes.
With a single zero wheel, the likelihood of black or red is 18/37 or 48.6 percent. With two zeros, it is 18/38 or 47.4 percent. In other words, single zero roulette has a house edge of 2.7 percent, while for double zero it is 5.3 percent. If a casino offers both games with everything else equal, there is no logic in playing the double zero table, yet plenty of people do so.
Over-indulging on the hospitality
This one is specific to visiting physical casinos as opposed to online ones – at least, until somebody invents virtual martinis! Casinos often provide free drinks, but you will notice that they only do so if you keep gambling. They are not doing this out of generosity, but because it makes good business sense.
The last thing you need when gambling money is impaired judgement, so keep your wits about you and stick to your limits.
Also read: Look into the history of poker
