This post is dedicated to basic online gambling tips that will help you have a fun, safe and hopefully profitable experience. Nothing is guaranteed in gambling, but you can at least take certain steps to give yourself the best chances possible of ending the night on a high note.
Some of these tips may be completely new to you; others are a matter of simple common sense. In any case, it won’t hurt to keep these concepts fresh in mind the next time you log in to your favorite gambling site.
1. Find a safe gambling site witch accept Canadian players
If you don’t already have a safe gambling site to call home, this tip is for you. The trick to finding a safe place to play real money games is to do your research. You can check out our reviews, ask your friends or search the web for recommendations.
There are hundreds of online casinos out there and they all make the same claims about being the best. Find a website or a friend that you trust and see what they have to say. What you want is a gambling site that has been online for at least 5 years and that has a positive reputation on the web.
2. Read the bonus terms before you deposit and check the country restriction.
All bonuses come with terms and conditions. You need to read these terms before you deposit! Make sure you’re OK with the terms, restricted games and clearing requirements. Not all casinos accept Canadian players. Here are some of the most common terms attached to bonuses:
- This bonus is not withdrawable; only the winnings from the bonus can be withdrawn
- You must place X number of bets before withdrawing the winnings associated with your bonus
- This bonus can only be cleared by playing slots and other high advantage casino games
3. Learn blackjack strategy online first
The internet is the best place to learn blackjack strategy. There are no human dealers or other players staring at you and waiting for you to act. You can take as long as you want to refer to your strategy card and make the best play every hand.
Take a look at this old post for more tips that will help you learn and memorize blackjack strategy. That post also has a printable strategy card that you can use as a quick reference guide.
4. Know when to pass on a bonus
All bonuses look good at first glance, but not all bonuses are worthwhile. Going back to tip number two on this list, make sure you read the terms and conditions before you claim a bonus. If you want to play a low house advantage game such as blackjack or roulette, you need to know if your bonus works with that game.
You always have the option to contact your casino and let them know that you’d like to deposit without getting a bonus. Yes, you miss out on a little free money, but you don’t have to worry about clearing the bonus with games you’re not interested in playing.
5. Check the cashout terms before you play any jackpot games
Large jackpot games such as progressive jackpot slots and Caribbean Stud offer massive payouts to lucky players. You need to make sure that your gambling site doesn’t have restrictions on how much money you can withdraw each week.
Many US-friendly gambling sites have limits in place for withdrawals. For example, some casinos have a $4,000 per week withdrawal limit. Some of those casinos waive those limits for progressive wins. Give the terms a quick read and make sure you’ll be able to withdraw everything if you win the big one.
6. Never play American roulette
Every online casino offers two different forms of roulette: American and European. The only difference between the two is that American roulette has an additional slot marked for double-zero. This extra slot increases the odds of losing every bet and results in twice the house advantage.
Always stick with European roulette. There are no other differences between the games. You will lose half as much money over the long term with European roulette.
7. Set a win limit, loss limit in CAD and a time limit
A win limit will help you pocket your winnings and end more sessions on a winning note. A loss limit prevents you from losing obscene amounts of money. A time limit helps you avoid gambling too long and making bad decisions late at night. Choose a number for all three limits and quit whenever you hit one.
8. Understand the house advantage
You should remember that the house always has an advantage over the long term. No matter how well you play, you will always eventually give your money to the house. Yes, you may get lucky and win a bunch of money, but that requires good luck. Most days will result in losses.
Some games have a higher house advantage than others. For example, the house advantage in a game of American roulette is 5.27% while the house advantage in European roulette is just 2.7%. Stick with the games with the lowest house advantage.
9. Keep it in perspective
This is a follow-up to tip number eight. Remember that gambling is all about having fun. The house advantage will come through over the long run and ensure that you are a profitable customer for the casino. Look at your gambling expenditures as the cost for a day of entertainment. Do not look at gambling as a way to pay the bills or dig yourself out of financial trouble.
If gambling ever consumes too much of your time or money, it’s time to take a break. If gambling is not fun, don’t do it. The best way to keep it in perspective is to remember that gambling always has a cost associated with it. If that cost becomes too great, it is no longer fun and has lost its value for you.
10. Practice bankroll management
Bankroll management keeps you in the game longer and develops good gambling habits. No matter how much money you have, make sure every wager that you place represents a small percentage of your overall bankroll. I like to keep my bets equal to or less than 1% of my total bankroll.
Bets that account for a large chunk of your bankroll will get you in trouble fast. All it takes is a minor streak of bad luck and you’ll bust out in no time. Then you’re left with the wonderful options of either making a new deposit or quitting.