Gambling online can be fun and exciting. You may think it’s impossible to lose all your money online, but you’d be wrong. Like in a casino, you can quickly lose everything. You don’t want that, do you? To keep gambling from costing you big bucks, here are 10 tips for gambling online without losing your shirt.
- Find a reputable online casino.
There’s absolutely nothing worse than racking up a good sum then realizing the casino is a huge scam. Like live casinos, you need to research before you play. If people lose more than they win, maybe it’s not the place for you. A simple search can give you an idea of some good places, but some sites we can recommend are Planet 7, Lincoln, Bovada, Drake Casino, Miami Club, LeoVegas, and Mr. Green. - Set a monetary limit.
Like with any spending, you need to set a limit for the day. The most important part of gambling is managing your money, and not doing so can cost you massive amounts before you realize it. Monitor your cash flow during your gameplay. Plus, forcing yourself to stick to a set amount will make you play more conservatively, which may help you play better in the long run. - Set a time limit.
Setting a monetary limit may keep you from losing everything, but you should also avoid playing for several hours at a time. Always set a time limit on how long you play. Playing an hour-and-a-half is optimal to avoid getting mentally exhausted. Set an alarm to keep track of how long you’ve been playing, so you’ll know exactly when to stop. - Watch other players.
Sure, you can’t see their faces, but watch the way they play. One of the best things about the internet is anonymity. Fortunately for you, there’s no way someone can be completely anonymous. Some players will bet light if they have a horrible hand. Use this knowledge to your advantage. Keep track of how people bet and their hands. Of course, this trick only works with cards—many of the other games are just luck. Be aware of what’s going on in the game at all times. - Enter lower-skill games.
Alright, maybe entering lower-skill games is a horrible practice and could be considered “card-sharking,” but you’re in it to win it, right? Going into low-skill games allows you to bet smaller amounts and increase your winnings long-term. High-skill games have higher betting, but they also have higher losses. It may be slow going, but to keep your shirt, hop in a low-skill game. - Stop playing when it’s time.
One of the biggest issues for a lot of gamblers is that they don’t know when to stop. They will just keep playing until they’ve lost everything and more. Setting limits can help, but you should know when to stop. If you’ve hit a losing streak, go over your finances and seriously decide if you should step away. And if you are tired, back away before you regret it. - Read the fine print.
Reputable online casinos will require you to sign up and create an account. By signing up, you’re agreeing to follow the terms of service. Most people fail to read terms of service, and skipping them usually doesn’t cause much damage, but you should always read the terms of service for online casinos. You’re dealing with real money, so investigate what you may lose. If you can’t find the terms of service easily, call customer service or move on. - Investigate how you’ll collect winnings.
There are several ways to collect your winnings, and each online casino will have its own preferred method. There are three common methods casinos use: checks by mail, checks by courier, and wire transfers. Collecting may also cost you fees depending on the method of payment. Checks will be mailed to you or sent by couriers such as UPS or FedEx. Wire transfers will put your money straight into your bank account, which is usually the preferred way to collect. - Learn the game strategies first.
While you may be familiar with poker, blackjack, or other games, each online casino may have different rules. Don’t assume everything will follow the basic rules that are familiar to you. The rules for each game are usually available online to read, so be sure to study them pre-game. Not knowing the game can cost you major cash. - Avoid websites that are too good to be true.
Don’t be sucked into games or online casinos that seem too good to be true. Chances are, if it sounds too good, then it’s probably a scam. There is always a catch that may be disguised behind a finely hidden veil. Be honest with yourself to avoid scams.
