If you’re new to gambling, the odds are you won’t win money unless you stick to legit sites, pick the right games, and set limits on how much you can afford to lose. These dos and don’ts of gambling are relevant whether you’re playing slots online or trying to beat brick-and-mortar casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Our list of the most useful gambling tips will give you that much-needed edge and help you define the laws of probability.
Online Gambling
Online gambling is a booming industry. But with so many venues to choose from, it’s hard to pick the right one. The best online casinos share a few common characteristics; they are licensed, offer a great user experience, and facilitate secure transactions. A knowledgeable and polite customer support team that can be reached through multiple channels is also a must, while lucrative bonuses are there to boost the winnings of both new and existing players.
DO pick legit sites
While online gambling enables you to enjoy your favourite games from the comfort of your home, it comes with inherent risks. One of the most important online gambling tips is to make sure that the venue is safe, fair, and perhaps most importantly, capable of paying your winnings.
In Great Britain, all legal gambling sites are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which is the only body tasked with regulating operators. The sites undergo a rigorous inspection to ensure they comply with local laws.
DON’T play on sites with a confusing UX
The user experience is crucial for maintaining existing players and attracting new ones. The industry’s top operators are perfectly familiar with these gambling tricks and tips, which is why their lobbies don’t have any excess content, making it easy for punters to get around. When you’re picking a site, make sure you’re comfortable with the level of navigational efficiency and that you can reach all the desired functions with ease.
DO pick sites with superior customer support
Ideally, customer support agents should be available around the clock and accessible by email, live chat, and phone. Their responses should be timely, and the service they offer has to be attentive and informative. The best operators also offer an effective FAQ section that covers a broad range of topics and provides players with valuable insights.
DO play online
One of the best casino gambling tips that anyone can give you is to bet on the virtual world. Many players have already migrated from traditional brick-and-mortar casinos to online operators, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. The gaming sites are a great place to get acquainted with the rules while developing your gambling strategy and gaining experience.
By taking advantage of demo versions of the games, you can work on your skills without risking any losses.
DON’T give your personal data to rouge casinos
We’ve all heard at least one or two stories about players being cheated on rogue sites or, even worse, having their personal data misused. Online gambling tips warn us against divulging our personal details on sites that aren’t licensed or have a history of data leaks. When you decide to create an account, make sure you don’t share your password with anyone and keep your antivirus software on while playing.
DO play on sites with SSL/TLS certificates
One of the main rules in online gambling is to play on sites that use cryptographic protocols to ensure secure communications and transactions. The SSL/TLS security protocols protect your privacy while encrypting and decrypting data being exchanged between you and the online gambling venue. The safest online casinos are protected by a 128-bit SSL encryption.
Tips for gambling on slot machines
Slot machines are all about luck and don’t require any particular experience or set of skills. When you sit down to play, your future is in the hands of a random number generator. And even though the odds on slots always favour the house, the game remains highly popular. For that reason, most casinos devote a sizable chunk of their lobbies to slots. But how do you pick the one that’s going to pay out?
DO play low limit slots
No one can offer you tips for gambling on slot machines that guarantee payouts. But there are a few things you can do regarding your money management. Low-limit slots are one of the safest gambles at a casino. You get to enjoy the thrills of gambling without having to risk fortunes.
Although progressive jackpot slots offer bigger payouts, these games are more expensive and often require the maximum bet if you want to be eligible for the biggest payout.
DON’T play on tight slots
Some slots are definitely looser than others, and that’s no myth. Slot gambling tips tell us not to expect certain results from random machines but to search for slots that offer large payouts and do so often. A loose slot should also have low volatility.
DO keep an eye on winners
Keep your eye on players who are hitting jackpots and winning regularly. Many times, winners leave their machine while it’s still hot. Some players think that a slot machine will turn cold after a big payout, but the truth is that a winning streak can last for a while.
Las Vegas gambling tips
For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when you say gambling and casinos is Las Vegas. Today, some Vegas-based heavyweights offer their services online and can now be enjoyed by punters in the UK.
DO choose the casino where you feel most comfortable
Las Vegas operators tend to have the best game selection and some of the most favourable odds. But you should always familiarize yourself with what’s on offer and pick a venue that is tailored to your unique tastes and needs. When it comes to Vegas gambling tips, some of the best advice is to relax and have a good time.
DON’T play casino games without knowing the rules
Never sit at a table if you aren’t familiar with the most basic rules of the game. The winners are always well versed in strategy and rely on tactics they’ve developed over time to beat their opponents. In other words, not knowing the basics can cost you your entire bankroll.
Never be too lazy to check out the online guides before making your next bet because the most valuable Las Vegas gambling tips put a great deal of emphasis on learning the rules.
DON’T get drunk
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Nevertheless, it’s one thing to have a good time and another to lose all your money because you got carried away by the atmosphere and allowed the booze to cloud your judgment. Try sticking to water and staying hydrated, which will improve your decision-making abilities. This shouldn’t make your experience any less fun, especially when you consider the fact that a lot of casino games like blackjack and even poker aren’t games of chance but skill.
Therefore, our responsible gambling tip is: don’t consume too much alcohol while playing.
Sports betting
DO check the football betting odds
There is no room for loyalty when you’re trying to place those winning bets. You simply can’t afford to limit yourself to a single bookmaker because the odds can vary significantly from one bookie to another. So whether you’re betting on the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, the Europa League, or any other top football competition, make sure you shop around.
When choosing between two different sportsbooks, football gambling tips tell us to go with the one that has the lower vig. Most books make you bet £110 in order to win £100 when betting on point spreads. These are set by the oddsmakers who are hoping to get action on both sides.
A lot of websites offer forecasts and a place where you can follow live scores, results, standings, lineups, and match details. These hot football tips can often help you pick winning bets.
DON’T bet on your favourite team
Successful football bettors don’t have favourite teams. Why? Because fans make irrational decisions that are based on their emotional attachment to a particular squad. These errors in judgement can often be costly. If you’re serious about winning at sports betting, you can’t afford to bet on your favourite players and teams. This brings us to an obvious question: who to bet on?
When you gain more experience, you’ll learn when to bet against the majority of the public. On some occasions, you’ll be able to see when the majority made a bad decision. If you see a line surprisingly move before the start of the game, it might be because most bets are on one side of the game. If that’s the case, betting on the opposite side might be profitable. Of course, betting isn’t as simple as that, and you’ll need some time to develop that winning strategy.
DO become an expert in one sport
There is no shortage of websites offering both sports betting and gambling tips in the UK. The trick is finding and sticking to trustworthy ones.
Those sites will always tell you that it’s easier to become an expert in one sport than possess superficial knowledge of many different ones. Although there are only a few books written on this subject, there is quite a knowledgeable online sports betting community that shares tips, betting strategies, guides, and other materials you need to beat the bookies.
DO try different popular sports betting options
Aside from football, horse racing is another highly popular spectator sport in the UK. One of the best horse racing gambling tips is to stay up to date with the busy racing calendar, which includes The Grand National and the Royal Ascot, and to use all those websites to pick winners in the sport of kings. Although it’s considered posh and old-fashioned in some circles, it can still be a lot of fun.
After football and horse racing, tennis is another popular sport to bet on. Boxing, UFC, and WWE are also growing in popularity, and the big fighters attract the most bettors.
DON’T avoid unpopular sports if you feel passionate about them
One of the gambling tips for betting on lesser-known sports is to stick to one that you’re already familiar with or passionate about. This is a better option than learning about a popular sport from scratch. Sports like golf, cricket, and snooker may have a smaller market share compared to previously mentioned sports but still enjoy a solid fan base.
DO get familiar with US sports if you plan to bet on them
US sports are also in the game, but you should probably get bet advice from expert tipsters before you start betting on an unknown market. More bettors are looking across the pond to place their bets on a range of sports, including baseball, American football, basketball, and hockey. Even though these don’t dominate the UK betting market, American sports are becoming more popular.
If you’re considering betting on US sports, it’s advisable to get informed about the rules, teams, players, and leagues so you don’t get into unfamiliar waters. And even though this is a different market, some websites with soccer gambling tips offer valuable advice about how to bet on everything from the NBA to the NFL.
When and how to quit gambling?
Last but not least, there are some measures of self-discipline that will keep your gambling habit under control. Remember that safe gambling is responsible gambling. Deciding to quit something you enjoy is not easy, but if you notice that you’re spending more than you can afford and feel like you’re falling into a vicious circle, you might be developing a serious gambling addiction. If any of this sounds familiar, here are some tips on how to stop gambling.
DON’T borrow money
If you keep losing and borrowing money, you’ll only make a bad situation even worse by alienating those who love and trust you. As a result, your gambling will gradually ruin all of your relationships.
DO be aware of your addiction and seek professional help
The first step is admitting you have a problem. Don’t keep denying and hiding the fact that you are hooked on gambling. If it makes you feel miserable, you are supposed to find professional help and read how to stop gambling addiction tips.
DON’T ignore gambling triggers
First of all, try not to let yourself get into situations that make you think of gambling. Try to overcome the urge by relaxing and doing something else. Distract yourself, find a different hobby, and do something useful instead. Physical exercise is always a good alternative because it reduces the body’s stress hormones and stimulates the production of endorphins.
DO find a reliable person you can talk to
One of the key quitting gambling tips is communication. Always talk about how you feel. Perhaps your loved ones haven’t even noticed that you have a gambling problem. You’ll feel a weight off your shoulders when you open up about your problem with gambling, and your appeals for help will be well received. Seek support from someone you can lean on and avoid those who are likely to judge you.
DO set a goal
Quitting gambling should be your number one objective. Make your family proud and invest the money that you would otherwise spend on betting in something useful. You can even treat yourself and your loved ones to a holiday.
DON’T hang out with people who encourage you to gamble
Another tip to stop gambling and treat your addiction is to stay away from other gamblers. If you’ve already started the recovery process, avoid mates who encourage you to gamble.
