'Handy' Casino Betting Tips

I don’t care if you are a complete rookie or if you have years of hardcore gambling under your belt; my mission at Max Jordan Casinos is to lend you a hand.  I want you to meet success or increased success in your casino experiences whether gambling online or at a physical casino.  However, if you are looking for the latest casino scam techniques or ways to exploit computer glitches you have come to the wrong place; and good luck finding success in that adventure. 

It takes five fingers to make a complete hand, so I have broken up my “handy” advice into five, memorable parts.  These guidelines, along with patience and experience, will take you into every gambling situation with an edge slightly more reliable than luck.  

Set Limits/The Thumb

Every gambling game is about stakes.  What makes casino games so exciting is that in each roll, spin, or hand can be a new fortune or a new debt.  Only at a casino can a person start with pocket change and leave with a new savings.  That has always been what makes gambling so alluring and dangerous at the same time.  To protect yourself from yourself the first thing you must do is set limits. 

Before sitting down to any gambling session, take some time to make a few clear and definite decisions.  The choice is up to you, either set a cash or time limit. 

Cash Limit

If you decide to play by cash limit, you must know two things every time you sit down to gamble: how much do you want to win today and how much are you willing to lose.  Set realistic, modest profit goals.  Doubling a $200 bankroll is reasonable.  Turning $200 into $2,000 is a little further from reason. 

On the other side, you must know your limits.  Figure out how much money you are willing to lose in one session.  Now for the hard part: no matter which limit you reach first you must give up gambling for the day.  Just walk away.  If you reach your positive goal and you are on a luck streak, STOP GAMBLING.  If you hit your loss limit and you feel more luck I just around the corner, STOP GAMBLING. 

Time Limit

Figure out how much time you are willing to dedicate to playing in one day.  Make the time limit reasonable.  Don’t go for something a ridiculous as 6 hours, a lot of good and even more bad can happen over the course of 6 hours.  Make it an hour or two.  Then walk away from the game as soon as you reach your time limit. 

Much of successful gambling is about self-discipline.  None of these limits will do you any good if you don’t stick to them.  Be very strict with yourself.  Decide which limit works best for you, don’t mix and match them.  Then as soon as you meet them find something else to do.  Watch all the shows you digitally recorded.  Do something, just stop gambling for the day!

Know Where You are Playing /The Index Finger

Thanks to state law enforcement, this tip is less for physical casinos and more for online casinos.  However, the idea can apply to any gambling facility or situation.  You have to do your research before betting your hard earned money.  Don’t just jump aboard any old online casino.  At least peruse the website first.  Find out where they got their gaming license.  Test out customer support and see how quick they respond and how much help the actually provide. 

Another important item to research is the casino payout percentage.  The payout percentage is the percent of each dollar played in a video or slot machine that the machine is programmed to return to the player.  Do not accept anything less than a 95% payout. 

On a less serious note, find out if they even have the type of games you want to play.  Many casinos have virtual money practice versions.  See if the casino graphics, sound, and atmosphere meet your satisfaction and has the ability to keep you entertained. 

If anything, anything at all, does not feel right about the casino…go someplace else.  There are thousands of casinos, whether we are talking about real world or internet.  If you find a game that you love at a shady casino, odds are you can easily find a more trustworthy casino that either has the exact same game or something very similar.  Games are not restricted to the casino; they are usually restricted to the software provider.  For example, if you find a Playtech game that you like, but just can not tolerate the shoddy customer service at a particular casino, you can most likely find that game at another casino that operates on Playtech software. 

In my casino review page, I have compiled information on some of the best and most reliable casinos on the net.  Be sure to check it out.  It will at least give you a place to start your search. 

Know What You are Playing/The Middle Finger

Just as important as knowing where you are playing, you have to know what you are playing.  Be sure that you are absolutely comfortable with all of the rules of any casino game that you play.  Even if it is a traditional game that you assume you have a great handle on, read instruction or observe game play so that there are not any fancy house rules that catch you off guard. 

Many online casinos offer a guest mode for new players.  If your casino offers this, take advantage of it.  Get a firm hold on the game so that when you play for real money you are as sharp as you want to be.  Losing from bad luck is one thing.  Losing from ignorance is another.  At least you can control how much you have chosen to learn about the game.  Some casinos will allow players to choose between expert and novice mode.  Take advantage of any learning opportunity until you feel comfortable enough to play for real stakes.  Don’t worry, casinos are not going anywhere.  Take as much preparation time as you need, you will always find a place to try your luck. 
 
Always Bet the Max/The Ring Finger

This is the kind tip that applies to slot machines.  Many games will allow you to bet by coin denomination.  Always, always, always, bet the maximum.  Betting the maximum coin neither increases nor diminishes your chances at hitting the jackpot, as a matter of fact at a reputable casino with randomized software, it won’t have any effect on your luck whatsoever.  What it does affect is your winnings.  You can only win the full jackpot if you bet the maximum coinage.  Few things in the world are more miserable than winning a jackpot and discovering it could have been three time sweeter if you had only bet more money. 

It can be okay to bet less than the maximum coinage, but only if you are playing to kill time.  If gambling is just a past time and jackpots an added bonus, betting the minimum coin will definitely stretch your purse and allow you more playing time.   If this is not the case, the only thing that make sense is betting the maximum. 

Good Games and Bad Games/The Pinky

Just because two games look the same, does not mean they are the same.  Heck in slots machines and video poker, just because two games are the same, doesn’t mean they are the same.  You have to look for details like each games payout percentage.  This once again falls back into the category of simple research.  If one video poker game offers a 9/6 payout and the game right next to it offers an 8/5 payout.  The first machine pays more per hand.  Why waste your time and money playing the same game that pays you less money?  After all, we play to win.  Slot machines will also post their payout schedule.  Table games, though not posted, have very particular odds.  Research them and play them to your advantage.  Good old Max can help you learn many of those odds.  Though it is an unavoidable truth that the house always maintains the edge, educating yourself as a player can significantly increase your odds.