Gambling has been a form of entertainment for years but has drastically changed as technology advanced. Many players have signed up for online casino sites to experience the hype for themselves, and if you’re one of them, here are some online gambling tips.
1. SET LIMITS
You may find casino floors without a clock, as casino managers often want to keep players gambling for as long as possible. When players can’t easily see how long they’ve been gambling for, they can end up playing all night.
Don’t lose track of time like these players, as you can end up dealing with significant losses this way. It’s also not a good idea to spend the vast majority of your time on gambling. Because of this, it is important to limit your gambling time. Set a money limit that will help you keep your spending in check, and set a time limit that will help you balance gambling with other activities in your life. Let’s delve into these in detail:
SET A TIME LIMIT
Think about all the other activities in your life that are important to you. These can include your job, family, other hobbies, etc. Then, figure out how much time you can spend on gambling that won’t interfere with these other activities. This amount of time will be your time limit.
When you go to gamble, bring some type of alarm device. This can be your phone, but it can also be a stopwatch, clock, etc. Set a time limit on your alarm before you begin your first game. Then stick to your time limit. When the alarm goes off, you need to stop gambling as soon as possible. Finish what you’re playing, collect any winnings, and leave the area.
If you’re wagering at an online casino, you can also take advantage of the operator’s Responsible Gaming tools to help keep your habits in check.
SET MONEY LIMITS
Limiting how much money you spend is probably the most crucial aspect of gaming online and at land-based casinos, especially if you want to gamble as responsibly as possible. But we’ll get into this in the next section.
2. MANAGE YOUR BANKROLL
As we briefly discussed in our previous point, having a good bankroll management strategy is the fundamental tip of all gambling tips in this list. A bankroll management strategy helps you allocate your funds as efficiently as possible while also setting a spending limit. You’ll know it would be time to take a break once your funds are run dry — and you won’t lose track, either!
GAMBLING BUDGET
Find out all the things that you have to pay for each month and tally up how much they cost. For example, you probably need to settle bills, rent, debt, etc. This is your monthly budget.
Set aside some of the money you don’t need to spend each month. But make sure that you still have some money left over for emergencies. This will be your monthly money limit for gambling. Expect to lose all of this money on bets. You can win, but don’t put so much money in your gambling budget that you can’t afford to lose. Your winnings should just be a bonus rather than money that you need to survive. In short, do not put any expected winnings in your budget, as gambling should not be used as a way to make money.
When you gamble, only bring the money in your bankroll with you. Cash the amount out in the form of coins and bills and leave your credit cards at home. Stop gambling when you’ve run out of money, and also, don’t continue gambling if you win more money. Remember to set a time limit while also sticking to your money limit. You’ll quickly see that many of these gambling tips often go hand-in-hand.
Build your bankroll (the money you use to gamble) in a way that reduces your risks. You can find some tips for doing this in the list below:
PAY BILLS FIRST
Too often, gamblers are left unable to settle bills and rent when they gamble to excess. Limits can help you avoid this situation, but they may not be enough. Try paying your bills before you gamble as well. This should physically limit the amount of money you can spend on bets. When your card gets declined, you will be forced to stop gambling. Try to not drain your bank account while playing gambling games, though.
USE CASH
Experts have found that people tend to spend less when they have physical money on hand. Try using this trick to your advantage. Turn some of the money in your bank account into cash. Bring it to whatever place you go to gamble. Then only spend that cash when you’re gambling.
AVOID DEBT
There is no reason for you to go into debt when you gamble. Leave your credit cards at home when you play. If you play online games, enter the information for debit cards rather than credit cards. Never overspend!
AFFORDABLE LOSSES
Play as if the odds are always against you when you gamble. Never bet more money than you can afford to lose. Your losses won’t be devastating and you’ll get a far greater amount of enjoyment from the game.
GET SUPPORT
Do not trust yourself? Get an accountability partner. This person can check to make sure you’re wagering within your means. Make sure that this partner is someone you trust. They could be a close friend, family member, or so on. You may even gamble with this person and support their boundaries as well.
As we’ve said, and probably would say a few more times, gambling is not a good way to make money. It is meant to be a form of fun entertainment, so as long as you manage your money wisely, it should remain that way.
3. TAKE BREAKS
What starts as a bad gambling habit can lead to a gambling addiction before you know it. But gambling habits can only take shape when you’re chasing those wins at regular intervals. Taking frequent breaks from gambling can help you keep your mind in control. Here are some gambling tips that you can use to make it easier to take breaks once in a while.
TRACK YOUR GAMBLING
If you don’t analyse how much you’re gambling, you won’t know if you’re taking enough breaks. Consider using a mobile app to track the amount of time you spend at your regular gambling place. You can also use a physical calendar if that will be easier for you.
TRY OTHER ACTIVITIES
During your breaks, indulging in other activities that you find fun. For example, you may enjoy chasing butterflies on days when you aren’t gambling. You may also try to turn to activities that are close to your favourite gambling place. For example, if you’re in a casino, try seeing if there is any entertainment in the building you can enjoy. This can get you away for some time.
If you enjoy gambling online, try to switch to other online activities in between rounds. You can look at interesting social media posts, for instance, or watch your favourite show on a streaming service, watch a documentary, etc.
4. ONLY GAMBLE WHEN SANE
When we talk about being ‘sane’, we refer to any state of mind that is not a normal one. This includes times when you’re feeling upset and times when you’ve taken mind-altering substances. Don’t gamble when you’re in states such as this. Below you’ll find some advice on how to avoid gambling losses during these times.
AVOID ALCOHOL
When wagering at land-based casinos, you’ll often see waitresses giving gamblers free drinks while they bet. That’s because casino owners know that drinking alcohol causes people to lose their self-control.
People who drink alcohol may find it difficult to stop gambling. They can feel more confident and spend more money than they should. They can also get stuck going from table to table for a significant amount of time.
They will also be unable to judge their betting and odds of winning reasonably. This can lead to them experiencing significant losses. So, don’t drink alcohol while you gamble. Consider asking for a non-alcoholic drink from the bar instead. Thankfully, when wagering online, you won’t have to deal with this issue.
AVOID DRUGS
Certain drugs can have a similar effect to alcohol when a gambler is wagering. Cocaine, for instance, can give players an increased feeling of euphoria and make them feel good about the odds of a bet when they’re poor. Avoid gambling while taking illegal drugs or you’ll likely get yourself into a risky situation and experience significant losses.
AVOID GAMBLING WHEN DEPRESSED
Depression can make it difficult to sustain your feelings of self-preservation. You’ll likely bet money without carefully considering your chances of winning. You may not even attempt to manage how you gamble. In other situations, you may be more desperate for stimulation when you’re depressed. You can end up betting more than usual just to chase a feeling of excitement but then end up feeling worse when you look back on all of your losses.
Don’t gamble when depressed, and don’t use gambling to deal with depression. Use other coping mechanisms to deal with depression instead. Try the following tips:
TAKE A WALK
Experts have proven that exercise can lessen mental health issues. Even when you feel exhausted, try exercising a little bit. This can help you more than you may think.
CHANGE YOUR DIET
Experts have found that your diet can impact your mood. Try eating healthier foods and track your feelings. If you end up feeling better, keep eating this way.
SLEEP WELL
Sleep is not just important for your health. It can also affect your life enjoyment levels. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try to manage your sleep. You can find a lot of tips about sleep from online research.
AVOID GAMBLING WHEN STRESSED ABOUT MONEY
Again, gambling is not a way to make money. Only gamble when you have enough money to afford significant losses. This way, you won’t find yourself in a difficult situation. In addition, gambling while you feel money stressed can make you desperate. This can make you more likely to bet wildly. You can’t win easily in such a state as you won’t pay attention to your chances.
5. LEARN THE GAMES
Do you feel lost when trying to understand sports betting? Can’t wrap your head around slots? Then don’t bet money! Only gamble when you know how the games that you’re playing work. Take a look at the rules, mechanics and features, even the bonuses, if there are any. This will decrease your losses significantly.
DO SOME RESEARCH
Set aside some time to access tips for any gambling games that you want to play. You can find plenty of free tips on blackjack, poker, sports betting, etc., online. You may even find an online gambling course that can give you the knowledge that you need.
Besides that, you can research features, themes and mechanics you enjoy so that you can set up preferences and know what to go for when signing in to your account or stepping foot into a land-based casino. Knowing the rules and how to play is just as important as managing your bankroll if you want to avoid losses as much as possible.
WATCH GAME ROUNDS
Another way you can learn to bet on certain games is to watch other players. It will probably be easier to do this for some games than others. Looking around someone’s head while they make a bet is bound to make them upset and/or uncomfortable. Consider asking friends who gamble if you can watch them bet, play a table game, or gamble in several other ways. They may also give you some tips while they bet.
Also, some tables have televised entertainment versions — the World Poker Series is a great example. If you want to get better at poker, watch and study these players as they advance from level to level. You can also get a lot of enjoyment from watching the World Poker Series, so that definitely doesn’t hurt.
All that said, watching rounds is a little easier when wagering online. Slot machines come with a demo mode that offers the exact same gaming experience while allowing players to spin for free — a perfect way to get to grips with the gameplay. Live tables also do not require players to place a bet to enter, so they can watch other users go through rounds as they interact with the live dealer.
LEARN STRATEGIES
Do you feel that you know certain games well? Move on to strategies! Betting strategies help you make efficient moves and smart decisions as you bet. They also help you allocate your funds to potentially boost winnings in the short run.
Strategies can either be negative or positive progression systems or flat systems. For instance, the Martingale strategy is a negative progression system that requires you to double your bet after every loss. With this, the aim is to capitalise on previous losses with one big win. Conversely, the Paroli strategy is a positive progression system that requires you to double your bet after every win. It is important to remember that strategies do not guarantee success — losing is still a possibility. However, while your chances of winning are unaffected, you may be able to hit a substantial win!
CONSIDER REALITY
No matter how much you advance your gambling knowledge, your chances will never be 100%. Gambling has been and always will be based on luck and chance. Losing is always inevitable, especially with the house edge involved. Don’t chase knowledge with the expectation that you’ll win everything. You’ll only become more upset when you face your losses. The gambling world is all about entertainment, so with money limits in place, you’ll be able to soak in all the fun!
6. ACCESS SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED
Do you think that you’re struggling to balance gambling with your life? If so, you need to stop gambling and get yourself under control before you gamble again. You’ll get a lot more enjoyment out of gambling when you’re free from difficult problems. Read below for some tools that can help you deal with a gambling problem.
LEARN THE SYMPTOMS
The first step to winning against a gambling problem is to identify that you have a problem. Use the following list to discover if you have a gambling addiction.
KEEPING SECRETS
Gambling addicts will often lie about how often they gamble and how much money they bet. Sometimes they may excuse this secretiveness in various ways. For example, they may think they can surprise other people with a huge win.
SPENDING EVEN WHEN MONEY IS LOW
Even when they’ve suffered significant losses, addicts will continue to gamble. They will, despite risks, borrow money, sell things or even steal things.
NOT IN CONTROL OF GAMBLING HABITS
Do you consistently chase wins without stopping? Do you keep going until all of your winnings have turned into losses? At that point, your gambling has become far more than just a form of entertainment.
WORRIED LOVED ONES
Friends and family members often become worried about addicts when they see the risks that they’re taking. Even if you’re often winning, family members may see that you could have significant losses on the horizon. Make sure that you listen to them.
CHASE DOWN A PROFESSIONAL
If you can afford professional help, get that help and seek the right professional. Know that it may take some time to find one that can help you win this important battle.
GO TO REHAB
Are you still losing against your gambling addiction while you’re working with a professional? If so, you may want to consider a rehab programme. It should be near impossible to continue chasing that gambling money in a rehab facility.
FIND A SUPPORT GROUP
If you can’t afford professional help, find a support group. Experts agree that talking to people can be a great way to win against mental health issues.
TREAT OTHER ISSUES
You may be chasing one win after another to relieve the feelings of another mental health issue. You may have issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and/or other issues. Try deal with these issues before you try winning against your gambling addiction.
7. FIGHT GAMBLING CRAVINGS
Going off of our previous point. if you enjoy gambling, you should make sure it remains a form of entertainment. It may help to resist your gambling cravings for a while before getting back to it. Most experts say that it takes around a month to break a habit. Below you’ll find some important tools that can help you fight your cravings.
STAY WITH PEOPLE
It’s easy to get distracted when you’re spending time with important people in your life. Consider calling a family member to talk or going out with a friend when you’re craving to bet.
WAIT TO GAMBLE
Tell yourself you’ll wait for intervals of time before gambling. Wait five minutes, fifteen minutes, etc. If you wait long enough, the urge to gamble should pass.
PLAY AT ENERGYCASINO
You don’t need to take on significant losses when you bet, especially when playing online. As long as you take our advice and follow these gambling tips, gambling can remain fun. Set boundaries, gamble at the right times, take frequent breaks, and get help when you need it, and you’d be able to enjoy all the online gambling industry has to offer.
Also, if you’re interested in gambling online, begin your journey at EnergyCasino. We offer a wide variety of online slots as well as table games such as blackjack, poker, bingo, roulette, and more! You can even kick off your Energy adventure with a bang and claim a sparkling Welcome Bonus on your first deposit! With one walk around our collection, you’ll quickly realise that our gaming experience is one you won’t find anywhere else.