How to Win in a Casino with Tips to Beat the Odds

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A guide to winning big when you play at the casino
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Twinkling lights, a surreal atmosphere, and a chance to win some money—gambling in a casino is really fun! This article covers a list of things to help you have a more successful casino trip and hopefully leave with more money than you brought. For example, setting a budget for yourself, leaving while you’re ahead, and carefully choosing which games to play are all things that bolster your winnings. Read on to learn more strategies for winning during your next trip to the casino!

Strategies to Win at the Casino

  1. Avoid flashy games with the lowest odds, like slot machines.
  2. Get better odds by sticking with table games like blackjack.
  3. Play at calmer craps tables for better focus…and smarter bets.
  4. Watch for sloppy blackjack dealers who accidentally flash cards.
  5. Win Baccarat by betting with the banker until they start losing.
  6. Play “surrender” or “en prison” roulette.
  7. Make max bets on slot machines for larger payouts.
Section 1 of 3:

Best Games & Strategies to Win Money

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  1. The games with the brightest lights, loudest sounds, and boldest colors – like slot machines and the Wheel of Fortune game – are meant to catch your eye and draw you in. They’re also the ones you’re least likely to win. Instead, focus your attention on the dimmer, calmer games with better odds. [1]
  2. Slots are fun, but they statistically have much lower odds than any of the table games. Head to the blackjack, baccarat, or craps tables for better chances at winning some money. [2]
    • If you love playing slots, set aside a smaller, specific amount of money for them. Use the rest of your money on the table games while still enjoying everything you like.
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  3. Craps tables get loud. People like to crowd around to watch the games. They get excited, and there’s a lot going on that’s very distracting while you play. If you can’t find a quiet table, try to keep your wits about you and bet on craps with a “pass line.” [3]
    • Look up some online tutorials and virtual games to get some experience before stepping into the fast-paced atmosphere of the craps table at a casino.
  4. For better chances of winning at blackjack , try to spot a dealer who looks less experienced and handles the cards with a little less expertise than a more seasoned dealer. The chances of an inexperienced dealer accidentally flashing a card are much higher, which gives you a huge edge. [4]
    • Seeing the face of a card dealt by a clumsy dealer is different than counting cards , which casinos frown on.
  5. There are 2 sides to a baccarat game : the banker’s side and the player’s side. The banker has the highest odds of winning—it does so a little over 50% of the time. If you bet the banker and it wins, continue betting the banker until it starts to lose. [5]
    • Baccarat is a really fast-paced game! Sometimes, the dealers get anywhere from 150-200 decisions per game, so practice playing ahead of time!
  6. “Surrender” and “en prison” both mean if you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on “0,” your bet moves on to the next spin rather than being lost. These options cut the house’s odds in half, so you have a greater chance of winning some money. Some roulette tables won’t offer these options, so check around for the ones that do before you start playing. [6]
    • Choose a table with only a single-zero slot rather than both single- and double-zero slots to win at roulette . This lowers the house’s odds by about half because the percentage of the house’s edge goes from about 5.25% to 2.7%.
  7. You’ll go from about an 86% return to a 98% return when you place the highest bet possible. So rather than playing the penny slots, choose a machine with $5, $10, or even $20 bets. [7]
  8. A side bet is placed in addition to regular blackjack betting. They usually involve trying to predict which cards the player or dealer will receive. Side bets have much higher payouts than the regular 2:1 on most blackjack games. However, the house edge is significantly higher at 10-20% versus a house edge of 2% or lower on regular blackjack bets. [8]
    • Conventional blackjack strategies don’t work with side bets, which are mostly a game of chance.
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Section 2 of 3:

Tips for Improving Your Odds

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  1. There are many online programs that allow you to “gamble” without actually spending any money. Spend time practicing the different games you’d like to play when you get to the casino. Common casino games are: [9]
  2. Decide beforehand how much money you’re willing to spend, and assume you aren’t going to win anything. Then, bring that set amount of cash with you and leave the casino once it’s gone. [10]
    • This helps you win by reducing your chances of losing more and more money. Also, if you know you have a limited amount of funds, you’ll be more choosy when deciding which games to play and what bets to make.
    • If you’re going to the casino several days in a row, try putting your allotted gambling money into a separate envelope for each day. That way, you won’t accidentally start using money that’s meant for the end of the week on a Monday!
  3. Casinos are designed to be disorienting—there are no clocks or windows, and the games are set in a maze-like pattern. Casino owners do this because it makes it easier for you to lose track of time. The longer you play, the more likely the house will win all your money. Take a trip to the casino during the daytime and take a look around when you aren’t distracted by the hustle and bustle of nighttime gambling. [11]
    • Use this time to watch different games to help you decide which ones you’d like to play.
    • An added bonus of visiting when it’s less busy is the dealer has more time to give you a breakdown of the technical aspects as you watch the game.
  4. You’re likely to spend more money and pay less attention to the games when you drink too much alcohol, which is easy if the casino offers free drinks. If you’re going to imbibe, try to pace yourself by having a glass of water between each alcoholic drink. [12]
    • It’s tempting to drink a lot of free complementary beverages—but remember, casinos offer so much free alcohol because they’re calculating how much money they’re winning every day from tipsy people losing their games.
  5. The longer you stay at a casino, the higher the chances you’ll lose money. Remember, the odds are always in the house’s favor! So, set a time limit of 2-4 hours, then call it quits when your time is up. If you’ve won money, that’s great! If not, take a break and come back refreshed the next day. [13]
    • If you have a budget and still have money left when your timer goes off, transfer the money over to the next day’s budget.
  6. If you win big, cash out and leave the casino. The chances of you hitting a big winning streak are very, very low. However, casinos are designed to keep you there after you win, so they have a chance to win their money back. Experts suggest cashing out and walking away after you’ve won. [14]
    • However, don’t use losing as an excuse to keep playing. Once you hit your budget for the day, leave the casino.
    • Some casinos will even start offering you free things: a room for the night, meals, and gifts to convince you to stay and play. It’s okay to accept the gifts (because who doesn’t want a complimentary room for the night?)—just remember to leave the gambling area!
  7. If you’re hoping to win at poker, avoid playing at local casinos. The players at local casinos are often regulars who probably have a lot of experience. Instead, focus on casinos where there are a lot of tourists (hopefully slightly drunk!) for better odds. [15]
    • If you sit down at a table and the dealer greets everyone by name, get up and switch to another game—unless you’re a professional poker player !
  8. Always decide your budget before entering the casino and stick to it. Split your funds into smaller portions, such as for each hour or game, so you can play longer without overspending. Use the "50/30/20 rule": wager 50% on higher-odds games, reserve 30% for moderate-risk games, and keep 20% as backup.
    • The "50/30/20 rule" ensures you maximize playtime while safeguarding your bankroll for unforeseen situations.
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Section 3 of 3:

FAQs on Winning in a Casino

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  1. Slots are really all about chance. Casino games are random by design, and just because a machine hasn’t paid out in a while doesn’t mean it’s “due” for a big win. They’re fun to play, but there’s no guarantee you’ll ever win! There are no strategies that give you a better mathematical edge without resorting to illegal activity. [16]
    • Many tips and tricks you see for winning at slots are either myths or no longer effective due to updated technology.
  2. When you gamble in a casino, the odds are heavily stacked against you. The games have a built-in “house edge” (the profit taken from each bet) that ranges from 1-2% up to 35%. The odds of losing go up for table games the more inexperienced you are.
    • Casinos also use psychology to keep you in the casino and playing. They go out of their way to make you comfortable and unaware of the passage of time. The longer you play, the better the odds the house will get any money you win back…and then some. [17]
    • In the end, a casino is a business. They exist to make money, or they wouldn’t be open.
  3. Table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette have the best odds at casinos. These types of games can be intimidating to beginners, which causes them to gravitate to the slot machines. However, blackjack is one of the easiest games in the casino to play, and the house edge is as low as 1% at most casinos. [18]
    • The game with the second-best odds of winning is craps, where you have about an even chance of winning. All you have to do is bet on a dice roll…and remember to avoid side bets.
    • The roulette wheel is another simple game with relatively good odds.
    • Just remember, even with these games, the house still has a slight edge.
  4. Tricks for winning at online casinos are much the same as the ones for brick-and-mortar gambling establishments. In addition to tips like practicing the games, sticking with a budget, and keeping a clear head, make sure you’re aware of any bonus requirements and VIP benefits the online casino offers. [19]
    • Avoid scammy or otherwise shady gambling websites by looking for an eCOGRA certificate. eCOGRA regulates and evaluates online casinos to ensure they’re secure for players.
    • Look for online casinos licensed by reputable organizations like the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, or the Gibraltar Gambling Commission.
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  • Question
    How do you pick a winning slot machine?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    In general, it’s best to pick the machines with the highest payouts. Search online to find specific machines that are known to have a high RTP (“return to player”). Pay attention to volatility, too. Low volatility slots have a higher chance of winning, but high volatility machines usually offer a bigger payout. Check out comments and reviews by other people who have used the slot as well.
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  • Question
    What casino game has the best chance of winning?
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    Most gambling experts agree that table games have better odds than slots, and Blackjack is the easiest of those to win. If you play Blackjack, spend some time observing the game before you join in. This will give you a better idea of the winning strategies. If you go at a time that’s not really busy, you might also be able to get a basic walkthrough of the game from the dealer.
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    What happens when you win at a casino?
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    If it’s a big win (over $25,000), you’ll likely get an option to receive regular payouts from a settlement, or sell your settlement in exchange for a lump sum of cash. Either way, you’ll need to pay taxes on the money you win. For lower prizes, you may simply be offered cash or a check. You’ll need to show your ID and fill out some tax forms in order to receive the money.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.news5cleveland.com/before-you-go-gambling-the-best-and-worst-casino-game-odds
      2. ↑ https://www.news5cleveland.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/before-you-go-gambling-the-best-and-worst-casino-game-odds
      3. ↑ https://www.888casino.com/blog/top-8-craps-tips
      4. ↑ https://playtoday.co/blog/improving-your-chances-of-winning-in-the-casino/
      5. ↑ https://www.888casino.com/blog/strategy-tips-on-how-to-play-baccarat
      6. ↑ https://www.888casino.com/blog/the-8-best-roulette-tips
      7. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/56376/10-tips-beat-odds-casino
      8. ↑ https://www.pinnacle.com/betting-resources/en/casino/blackjack-side-bets-explained/tsb25x5x3x5cg2py
      9. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20130919-what-las-vegas-casinos-wont-tell-you-about-gambling
      1. ↑ https://www.askgamblers.com/gambling-news/blog/gambling-budget/
      2. ↑ https://www.news5cleveland.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/before-you-go-gambling-the-best-and-worst-casino-game-odds
      3. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20130919-what-las-vegas-casinos-wont-tell-you-about-gambling
      4. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/casino-tricks-make-you-spend-money-2019-6
      5. ↑ https://goodcasinos.org/why-is-it-so-hard-to-quit-while-youre-ahead/
      6. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/nov/16/top-10-vegas-casino-secrets
      7. ↑ https://www.888casino.com/blog/slot-tips-dos-and-donts
      8. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20120816-travelwise-casino-design-and-why-the-house-always-wins
      9. ↑ https://www.news5cleveland.com/before-you-go-gambling-the-best-and-worst-casino-game-odds
      10. ↑ https://www.casino.org/features/tips/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To win in a casino, practice games online beforehand, like Blackjack or poker, so you know how they work. Before you go to the casino, set a budget for yourself, which will help you avoid losing more and more, and encourage you to be more choosy about which games you play. Take a watch with you to keep track of time, because the longer you stay in the casino, the more likely you are to lose, since the odds are always in the house’s favor. If you’ll be drinking alcohol, have a glass of water between each beverage, since you won’t be able to focus on your games if you’re drunk. Remember to leave if you’re lucky enough to hit a big win, since the casino will try to persuade you to stay so they can win their money back. For tips on how to pick games that give you a better chance of winning, keep reading!

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