Most people love to play at casinos. The excitement, the noise, the lights – everything is exciting and new. But what happens when you’ve played enough? Does the rush disappear and is there only a dull feeling of emptiness? Is there more to seeking excitement than having fun? Is there a way to play longer without getting bored?
With some strategies, you can increase your odds of winning considerably and keep the excitement of the game. But what exactly are the strategies? And how do they work? Let’s delve into how to play longer at casinos without losing your shirt.
Try A Fewer Slot Machines
There’s only so much you can say about slots and how they work. You know the drill; red, yellow, blue, and sometimes green lights are displayed on an LCD screen, predicting what card or combination of cards you might get if you press the buttons. But that’s about it. The fundamentals of slot play are very simple and they don’t rely on any kind of complex strategy. Nevertheless, the truth is that there are ways to increase your winnings and lower your losses – ways that require you to bend a little bit of the rules and rely on a bit of strategy.
Betting More Does Not Always Mean You’ll Win More
When you walk up to the counter at a casino to place your bet, you’ll often hear the dealer or one of the other attendants say something like, “Raise the limit!” When they say that, they are essentially telling you to put more money on the table. But what does that mean for your actual chances of winning? It means you’ll need to calculate how much you should wager based on the strength of the machine, the amount you want to wager, and how long you think you’ll need to play. (Keep in mind: the faster the machine, the sooner you’ll reach your betting limit and have to stop playing.)
For example, if you’re playing on a 10-payline machine and you have a stake of $100, you might want to bet $10 or $20 each time. If you’re playing for less than an hour, you’re probably safe wagering $10; if you’re playing for a bit more than an hour, you might want to wager $20. That’s the minimum amount you should bet to stay in the game; if you’re winning, you can always bet more. (And if you’re not winning, you should probably take some of that money off the table.)
Pay Attention To Signage
Signage is everywhere at casinos, warning gamblers of the consequences of alcohol or drug abuse, advising them to visit the casino’s website for any updates, and sometimes even displaying the current winning streaks and other useful information. Most casinos post rules and regulations online so that everyone knows what’s acceptable and not acceptable behavior while at the casino. (For instance, it’s usually against the rules to drink alcohol while playing, to carry packages or wear hats in the casino, and so on.)
Being aware of these rules is important because, even though there are safeguards in place to protect your money, there’s also a risk of being “had” by the casino. For instance, a casino might display signs that they’re short-staffed and can’t ensure your safety if you have a problem with alcohol or other drugs. If you observe illegal or inappropriate activity, you have the right to ask for help from the casino’s security personnel or the police. (It is always against the rules for casinos to confiscate money or bar patrons who are trying to play fairly.)
Reduce Your Losses
There are several ways you can reduce your losses at a casino, even when you’re winning. For example, if you have very high rolling losses, the casino might ask you to leave. (They’ll usually give you some time to put your money in a safer place before they ask you to leave.) Or, if you meet with some other gamblers at the table and end up making a big bet, the casino manager might call you over to the counter and ask you to lower your bet. (They don’t like seeing big wagers made en masse because it makes the gamblers feel powerful and it can lead to fights breaking out between rival groups of players.)
These examples go to show that, though there’s no substitute for experience, knowing how to play smart at casinos can help you have more fun while playing – and make more money when you do win. Just remember to keep those tips and tricks in mind, and before you know it, you’ll be playing for hours and having the time of your life. Just make sure you’re not breaking any rules along the way!