Top 10 Effective Gambling Strategies

Gambling is a game of chance as much as it is a game of skill. Many among us, however, go in guns blazing without a strategy or game plan. Whether you gamble for fun or if you gamble for money, it’s always a good idea to follow a set of principles that help you get the best odds. 

The house already has a needless edge and you don’t want them taking your hard-earned cash, do you? Back in the day, we didn’t have much when it came to strategy but with the internet, many tried-and-true practices have been passed down from one gambler to another. 

From bankroll management to betting strategy, here are the top 10 effective gambling strategies. 

10. Bankroll and time management

Money and time are one of the most important factors when going into gambling. Managing both of these ensures you have fun and come out with a feeling of joy no matter the outcome. 

Setting a budget and sticking to it has a lot of benefits. You should only gamble with the money you can afford to lose and overspending should be mitigated at all times. 

Gambling for real money is thrilling and exciting but can drain your resources when things go south. Similarly, setting a time limit is also a good idea. This ensures you don’t overindulge as many of us have gotten lost in the moment. 

A disciplined gambler can have his cake and eat it too! Bucket budgeting can be an adequate solution for both of these issues if they come up. This also helps you come back for more when you want and have fun.

9. Evaluate house edge

This is one of the most common beginner mistakes. The flashy lights can blind you into going up against unfavorable odds. Understanding the odds helps you make informed betting decisions and avoid unnecessary risks. 

Many of us get inside a casino and go straight for the slots. Now, we can’t judge, they are flashy and have beautiful animations reassuring you after each bet. However, they also have a house edge of 5% to 10% and some even go as high as 15%.

You cannot win on these in the long run. Want to reduce that edge? Try your hands at blackjack, baccarat, and craps. These have the lowest house edge and are available in most casinos.

In general, games that need skill will almost always pay more than games that don’t. Learning these odds and reading the fine print could be the difference between you winning and losing long term. 

8. Play for smaller jackpots and bet conservatively

Going off of the last tip, smaller jackpots give you far better odds and less competition when compared to extreme jackpot games. The lower variance and smaller bets are also a blessing in disguise. We have heard it a million times over. Conservative betting beats aggressive betting. 

Back in the day, bigger jackpots were all the rage with players ogling them from all parts of the world. Today, smaller and more frequent jackpots can be found hourly or daily, especially in games like slots and roulette. Conservative betting is also a good gambling strategy as it helps you maximize your playtime and reduce risks.

However, there’s a catch. Some games won’t let you activate their bonuses unless you bet the maximum amount. In that case, you can use both of these casino tips together.

Switch to a game with a smaller jackpot as it will also have a smaller bet and start betting.

7. Play at tables with favorable rules

Not all tables are created the same. Just as gambling systems vary from place to place, rules do too. Many players don’t check the rules before we sign up for a game but that is not advantageous to you. The smallest of changes can make the house’s odds ever so slightly higher. 

Starting off with roulette, single zero tables have a house edge of 2.7%. Double zero tables can bump that up to a whopping 5.2% and triple zero tables take it up to 7.7%. 

These figures show just slight changes in the game can make it incredibly unfair to the player. Similarly, for blackjack, 3:2 tables have a house edge of 0.5% whereas the new 6:5 method gets the house edge up to 1.45%.

This is why everybody should look closer into the rules and only select tables that give you favorable odds. Casinos will try and trick you by bringing in these variations but be aware that as fun as they might seem, your odds of winning are slim. 

6. Don’t pass in Craps

Craps is a complex game to learn and extremely rewarding when mastered. The layout can often be intimidating for players and the high minimum bets make it an elite club only frequented by a daring few. Betting against the shooter can be thrilling but it also has some downsides. 

Craps can have an unfavorable house edge when starting. The Pass Line is one of the most popular bets with a house edge of 1.41%. However, statistically speaking, the opposite Don’t Pass bet has a much lower house edge of 1.36%. Although it has a slightly lower payout than the Pass bet, your odds of winning are also higher. 

5. Don’t use side bets in Blackjack

A similar story follows Blackjack. Side Bets can be an easy way to add some more excitement to the game but just like the 6:5 table, they sound much better than they actually are. Be it single-deck or multi-deck games, side bets are a bad idea. 

The three main side bets in Blackjack are Insurance, Perfect Pairs, and 21+3. The odds of the dealer having a 10-value card is around 31% and thus Insurance isn’t a good idea unless you are counting cards. 

Add to that the 2:1 payout and you will not be making as much money as you could be without it. Along with that, the house edge when making side bets can increase beyond 2% giving you an unfair deal.

The higher house edge, lower payouts, and distracting nature of the side bets make them unnecessary. 

Side betting on multi-deck games can increase the house edge considerably, even above 10% in some cases.  

4. Bet on Banker in Baccarat

Known to attract high-rollers, Baccarat is a game that is equal parts dependent on strategy and chance. It has a moderate house edge which makes it popular among many gamblers. 

Betting on the player has a higher house edge of 1.24% whereas betting on the banker lowers it to 1.06%. It is also worth noting that the banker has a slightly higher win rate as well which can add up over time.

Betting on the banker can also be an easy way to keep track of winning hands which is always useful. Don’t bother betting on the Tie as that will take the house edge to 10-14%. 

In conclusion, never bet on the Tie, betting on the player could be a viable option but it isn’t as good as betting on the banker. The odds will be more in your favor and you can easily spot trends and patterns to make your big money moves! 

3. Only play outside bets in Roulette

Although roulette has a bad reputation for being a game of pure luck, this largely comes from players who haven’t taken the time to study the game. Choosing the right table and making calculated bets can lower the house edge from over 5% to less than 2% in some case. 

One such case is players taking the inside bet. Now go back to point number 8, remember conservative betting? Placing outside bets may give you a lower payout but it also ensures you gain something rather than nothing. The odds of winning a single number bet is 35 to 1 with a bigger payoff, but guessing that number can be much harder. 

Outside bets also help you win more frequently and if you’re betting conservatively, it will result in you playing for longer and enjoying the game much more. You can also take your time to gauge the board and move to an inside bet when you feel certain. 

2. Betting systems aren’t foolproof

With the rise of the internet, every Tom, Dick, and Harry has created their own betting system. Many people swear by these systems but we all forget to account for chance, there are no ways to predict an outcome with 100% accuracy. 

Depending on your goals and preferences, a betting system can be a wonderful addition to your overall strategy. The problem comes when you rely on one to make you money. 

Strategies like the "Martingale" concept involve you doubling your bet after each loss which can drain your bankroll quickly. Betting systems also result in players hyper focussing on their losses and chasing them to no avail. 

Some betting strategies can be sound and help you win but most assume the odds can be predicted. They rarely stand the test of time and sticking to your wager amount and dividing the money that you’re willing to risk by the amount still remains the best strategy. 

1. Play for free before you bet your money

The age-old saying “try before you buy” still holds true when it comes to spending real money gambling. From promotional materials to bonuses, casinos do all they can to retain you as a customer. If you’re planning to go for a session anyways, why not make use of that? 

Casinos all around the world offer free spins on slot games be they online or offline. Same rings true for card games with free poker and blackjack being one of the most popular ways to experience gambling. 

If you’re on the fence about some games and questioning your odds, trying them out for free or through a promotion may be the best way to get into it.  

Free slot machines and other games can get you familiar with the basic concepts so you feel more comfortable taking on real money casino games with ease. With no money on the line, you can also perfect your playstyle and spot your mistakes without worrying about your bankroll. 

When approached with the right strategy and mindset, gambling can be full of thrill and excitement. With these 10 gambling strategies set, you are ready to take on all of your favorite games and have an enjoyable time all around. 

With patience and discipline, any game can be fun and a nice way to wind down after a stressful week. Now that you have lady luck on your side and these tips to back you up, which game would you try first?