Anyone who enjoys a spin on the reels or a game of cards in the casino will know the old axiom that the house always wins. Logically, it makes sense. After all, a casino is a business, with overheads to meet, salaries to pay and shareholders to satisfy, just like any other. To make all that happen, it has to take in more money than it pays out.
However, all that comes down to averages. If a casino game has a house edge of five percent, it means that for every $100 wagered, $95 will be paid out in winnings. But that doesn’t mean everyone who wagers $100 will end up $5 down. Some might have a bad day and end up $30 down, while others walk away $25 richer. Here are some ways to improve your chances of positioning yourself in the latter category.
Choose your venue with care
Before you think about the what or how of casino gaming, you need to take care of the where. When you play in the real world, you are constrained to your local area, but with online casinos, there are dozens of platforms to choose from. Look carefully at the promotions on offer – for example, you can find free spins for Canadians here. Any extra spins that cost you nothing will naturally shave a little off the overall house edge and could put you that crucial step closer to a big jackpot win.
Focus on what you know
In the slots arena in particular, there are new games being released all the time. It’s always tempting to try them out and explore the latest gaming innovations, but doing so can hamper your chances of coming out on top. Pick one or two games that you like, and work on understanding them completely. With table games like blackjack, this means getting your head around basic strategy so that you optimize your splits and double downs. But experience and expertise also comes into play in slot games, particularly in bonus rounds. Read up on the games and hone your own strategy for the best rewards.
Know when to stop
This is arguably the most important rule to follow if you have any hope of beating the house consistently. Walk in through the virtual doors with a clear strategy in mind of how much you aim to win and how much you are prepared to lose – and don’t deviate from it. That’s easily said right now, but can be a real challenge in the heat of the moment. Just remember what we said earlier – it is all about averages, and if you are having a bad day, don’t chase the loss to try and turn it around, just walk away before it gets worse. Similarly, if Lady Luck is shining on you, have the strength to quit while you’re ahead.
There are no guaranteed ways to beat the house, but follow the above tips and you’ll dramatically improve your chances of doing so. Good luck, and have fun!