In April, the popular act The Clairvoyants will take to the stage at the Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax.
The former America’s Got Talent finalists are known for their acts of mentalism, which is a hybrid of physical and physiological phenomena being brought to life before your very eyes.
The generally used definition of a clairvoyant refers to a person who claims to have a supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact, which if you think about it is a very handy skill to have in the casino!
Whether The Clairvoyants will be allowed to try their hand on the roulette wheel or at the blackjack table remains to be seen, but the great thing about casino gaming is that you don’t have to be able to see into the future to be successful.
‘Casino Nova Scotia‘ by Ben MacLeod (CC BY-SA 3.0)
But doesn’t the house always win?, you may ask.
It’s certainly a notion that gets bandied around, and yes there is a thing called the house edge, which is basically a profit margin built into all of the most popular casino games to ensure they make money – after all, a casino is a business like no other.
However, it doesn’t matter whether you are playing at Casino Nova Scotia or at the myriad of online casinos that are available. There are techniques you can use to turn the tables on the house.
So, if you want to maximize your chances of success – be it at blackjack, roulette, Casino Hold’em or anything else for that matter – make sure you follow these five golden rules to lessen your chances of having your bankroll blown.
#1 – Learn the Ropes
You might have a basic grasp of the rules of your chosen casino game, but how well do you truly know it?
The accusation from those who don’t know what they’re talking about is that casino games are simply about being lucky on the day.
Okay, fair enough, roulette ultimately is a game of chance. But there are staking methods you can use, such as the Kelly Criterion, that enable you to make the most of your winning runs while minimizing the carnage caused to your bankroll by a losing spree.
Blackjack, meanwhile, is a game that can utilize skill elements. Players can learn basic strategy, and these charts reveal the percentage plays for every scenario – no matter what hand you are dealt.
So doing your homework really does pay dividends. Next time you’re at the casino or playing online, enhance your chances of winning by taking care of some research beforehand.
#2 – Protect Your Investment
The very best poker players talk about managing their chip stack like a business, thinking about profit, loss, return on investment and suchlike.
Even the most casual of casino gamers can learn a thing or two from that approach. You work hard for your money, so why would you risk it all by going big on one high risk, low reward play at the blackjack table or by dumping your chips on a single number on the roulette wheel?
You see some players being profligate with their bankroll when playing online slots – the almost hypnotic sensation of hitting spin and watching the reels come to a halt as your heartbeat gets that bit quicker. But the more reckless you are with your money, the quicker you will max out your bankroll and the less fun you will have playing.
So consider the funds in your account to be like a business’s profit and loss account: protect your money by adopting the slow and steady approach.
#3 – Make the Most of Your Opportunities
Now, take everything you’ve learned in #2, and then throw it in the bin!
Okay, let’s not be hasty, but it is true: If you play progressive jackpot slots online, you do need to bet the max amount per spin to have a chance of winning the big payout.
‘Roulette Wheel‘ by Uutela (CC BY-SA 3.0)
If you are playing a progressive slot game and you aren’t doing the one thing that can help you to win a life-changing sum of money, then ask yourself what on earth are you thinking?
Progressive slots are high risk, high reward. Know your limits and treat them like any other lottery.
Also keep in mind that there are some progressive jackpot slots that do allow for the jackpot to be won regardless of the bet amount. In that case, go ahead! It pays to read up on the game’s rules first.
#4 – Free Fun is Still Good Fun
There’s that age-old saying in life that practice makes perfect.
There is more than a grain of truth to that, and by playing free slots and casino games you can learn the ropes, get comfortable with the controls and build your confidence before you try to play slots for real money online. So read up on sites that will let you play for free, and make sure you try out the strategies mentioned already in this article – trial and error is much more advisable when your own money isn’t at stake.
Oh, and remember, this only works online. Walk into your local casino and ask to play for free and you will be escorted from the premises!
#5 – Bonus Up
It’s frowned upon, but not illegal, for you to sign up for as many casino welcome bonuses as possible.
This will give you a cache of free funds to play with, which, if you can convert to real money by meeting the wagering requirements, can help you to build your real money bankroll considerably.
The vast majority of online casinos offer some kind of welcome package, but these aren’t all built equally, so do your research at reputable review and comparison sites before taking the plunge.
Follow these five tips closely, be it at Casino Nova Scotia or on your computer/mobile device, and you will go some way of increasing your chances of long term success.