Many first time players and even veterans can make mistakes while playing online.
It is all too easy to forget that you are playing with real money and often against real people and lose focus.
You can burn through your bankroll very quickly if you don’t follow some basic rules.
So how can you be a smarter player when you are in an online casino?
Firstly let’s forget about making millions and breaking the bank.
There is no winning formula that guarantees wins.
All you can do is try to play in a way that will minimise your losses and increase your chances of winning.
Set your bankroll and financial limits
You might be a casual player or perhaps you regularly login a few times a week but whichever you are set your bankroll and stick to it.
Work out a realistic budget that you can afford for gambling.
Never go over that limit and never borrow money.
Many online sites let you set your own deposit limits making it impossible for you to put more cash in than you have set.
This doesn’t stop you going to another online casino however so if you feel your gambling is out of control then you can contact one of the many organisations that can help.
Magical systems
There is no such thing as a perfect system that gives you the edge over a casino.
If anyone tells you they have a foolproof system then ask them how much their profits and losses have been over the time of using it.
Silence will probably follow. Strategies are something different though.
You may have a strategy to place a certain amount on each bet and then decrease if losses happen until your bankroll starts to increase again.
Perhaps you have a target to hit and if you manage it then you stop playing for that day.
Instead of systems try learning basic strategies for the games you are playing. For blackjack learning basic strategy is a must.
If you learn when it is best to split, when to double down and when to hit or stand you can give yourself a slight edge that may help to increase profits.
Picking the best games
There are so many games available online that it could be quite bewildering.
It may be tempting to pick the flashiest looking slot machine game or maybe one that you have seen in a movie.
Just because poker looks great in the films and the prizes can be big does not mean you should choose it.
Those players have been doing this for years and can eat a newcomer for breakfast.
Look for RTP and the house edge on the games before you choose one. RTP is the Return To Player.
If for instance you find a game that has an RTP of 80% then if you gambled $1 one hundred times then you would expect to receive $80 back.
That doesn’t mean to say you will always lose $20. It is the amount expected to be returned to all players over a period of time.
Anything can happen in a short space of time. Similarly the house edge is the percentage or advantage that the casino has over the player.
If the house edge is 2% then over an extended period the house would expect that percentage to return to them as an assured profit.
Games with low house edge are blackjack, baccarat, craps and 3 card poker.
The only reason the house has an edge on blackjack is because the player has to draw first and if they bust then the house wins.
Chasing losses
This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
If you are on a losing streak then do not start making rash bets hoping to win your money back in one big win. Stick to your strategy.
If your bankroll is getting low then reduce your bets until your luck changes and slowly build your cash back up.
If you reach the end of your bankroll then stop. You set the bankroll at the beginning and you need to know when to stop.
This is supposed to be fun and enjoyable and losing all your money and getting into debt is anything but.
If you are playing a slot machine waiting for a lucky fire joker while watching dollars disappearing then it is time to stop for the day or at least switch games.
Misplaying your hands
This can be a common mistake caused by a couple of reasons. One is that you are not focusing properly.
If you are finding yourself distracted by background noise like the TV then either move to a quieter place or logout for a while.
Tiredness or alcohol can play a part too but quite often people play the wrong hand due to a lack of knowledge about the rules or lack of experience.
Learning the rules
Many players just jump in and don’t bother fully acquainting themselves with the rules but it is essential you know what you are doing before depositing your cash into a casino.
Remember this is real money you are playing with and not just numbers on the screen.
Not all games online play exactly like they do in the real world, bingo for instance might have different bonuses and other features than you would find in a regular bingo game.
Not practicing
Not only do you need to learn all the rules you must practice too. A lot.
Try out free to play games to get used to playing online. There are slots, poker, blackjack and more freely available to try.
You could try out your strategy on blackjack and keep notes on your winnings and losses while only playing with virtual money.
When you are ready to go into a real game then find a casino site that offers a sign up bonus so you can use the casinos cash first.
Picking the right casino
There are thankfully many respectable, legitimate online casinos but there are still some nefarious businesses popping up online and trying to take your cash.
Check on Google for reviews, look up the name of the casino to see if you can find anything good or negative online.
Brand names are going to be a safe bet.
Virgin, 888 and MGM all have online presences but smaller companies may suit your needs more.
So, to summarise; learn the rules and practice. Set your cash limits, pick the right casino and the best game for you and then stay alert and sober.
When you are losing, feeling tired or it is no longer fun then switch off and take a rest.