A Guide to Smarter Casino Bets

Online casinos are an enjoyable and thrilling means to potentially see some winning action. And, as it stands, the odds are always favored towards the house. That’s why making smart bets is best for giving yourself the best chance of coming out ahead. This article will provide tips and strategies to help you make informed betting decisions when playing popular casino games online.

Managing Your Bankroll

A strategic bankroll approach is one of the important factors in becoming a smart bettor. This includes creating a gambling budget and giving yourself room to stick to it. As a general rule of thumb in casino games, gambling should only be done with money that you are not going to lose.

Here are some of our top bankroll management tips:

Set yourself a session budget and do not spend more than the allocated amount.
Only gamble with disposable income or money.
Determine your specific win and loss limits. This means that you should stop playing if you lose your predetermined amount, and vice versa if you happen to win.
Avoid chasing losses by spending more after a bad run.
Make sure to take frequent pauses to prevent playing “on tilt,” which is a state where emotions get out of control and negatively impact your gameplay.

Understanding The House Edge

If you’re unsure what the house edge means, it’s simply the mathematical advantage the casino has over players in each game. The larger the house edge, the less likely there is to be a victory in the long run. Common online casino games have the following typical house edges:

Slots range from 2% to 10%.
Blackjack runs from 0.5% to 2%.
Roulette is 2.7% (European) to 5.26% (American).
Craps changes from 1.4% up to 16%.
Video Poker can range from 0.46% (Jacks or Better) to 8% (Deuces Wild).

Making Inside Bets

Inside bets are placed on the likely outcome of a spin or hand in table games like roulette, craps, and baccarat. By betting on higher probability events, you can gain an edge over the house.

For example, in roulette, betting on red or black has a 48.65% probability. In craps, betting the pass line has a 49.29% probability. In baccarat, betting on the player hand has a 44.62% probability.

Though the house still maintains an advantage, inside bets give you nearly 50/50 odds and are smarter than outside proposition bets.

Using Proper Strategy

Just about all casino games require some degree of skill and strategic thinking in order to be played for optimal performance. In blackjack, for instance, the game is enhanced by learning basic strategy charts, where you are provided with optimal ways to decide whether to hit, stand, split, or double down.

In video poker, the strategy charts tell you the optimal way to play each hand to achieve the highest return. Pot odds are used by poker players to decide if a call, raise, or fold makes sense from a mathematical point of view.

Craps players can decrease the house edge by using odds behind pass and come bets. And baccarat enthusiasts can steer clear of sucker bets, such as the tie, as well as a bet on the banker.

Becoming proficient at the strategic aspects of any gambling game, however, requires a significant time commitment — but it allows you to gain an edge over casual players.

Leveraging Bonuses and Promotions

One of the best ways to gain an advantage at online casinos is by taking advantage of bonuses, promotions, and loyalty programs. Some common include welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, comp points, and VIP programs.

Welcome bonuses instantly double your bankroll by matching your initial deposit up to a certain amount. You may also get free spins to use on featured slot titles. Reload bonuses encourage future deposits by offering a bonus each time you add more funds. Comp points can be exchanged for free play credits or other perks. And VIP programs provide exclusive benefits to loyal players such as personal casino hosts, special events, and luxurious awards.

The additional funds, free play, and perks you can earn from these promos extend your gambling budget. Just be sure to read the fine print first so you understand playthrough requirements before accepting any bonus. Savvy players can maximize these incentives to their advantage.

Consider Slot Volatility

Slots have different volatility levels (also called variance), which refer to how frequently and by how much they pay out. High-volatility slots deliver bigger but less frequent payouts, while low-volatility slots provide smaller but more consistent wins.

High-volatility games seem more exciting with their higher top jackpots, but they can also quickly drain your bankroll during cold streaks. Slots with lower volatility may not offer as much jackpot potential, but their steadier payout pace extends gameplay.

You can identify a slot’s volatility by checking stats on its paytable and return-to-player percentage. Armed with this knowledge, you can better manage your bankroll. For example, match larger bets with lower variance slots to maximize playtime. Meanwhile, use smaller bets on high-volatility games to offset their boom-and-bust nature.

Make Your Bets Smart

While casino games favor the house, making smart betting decisions gives you the best chance to win and have fun. Manage your bankroll wisely, learn about house percentages, use higher probability inner bets, employ the correct strategy, and exploit casino bonuses.

Players who gamble on slots are advised to establish loss limits and to select slot machines whose bet level and level of risk suit their bankroll and degree of risk. Ultimately, you should gamble sensibly and treat online casinos as just a form of leisure and not a way to earn money. Following these tips won’t guarantee wins, but can lead to smarter bets and more enjoyment at online casinos.