Offline and online gambling are super fun pastimes that can bring you both excitement and some extra cash (if you get lucky), but before you jump into it, there are several things you need to know.
It’s important that no matter what you do, you always know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. You should know what to expect and how to optimise every single experience and make the most of it.
It’s not just about knowing where you can get the best casino no deposit bonus, or “feeling” when a progressive jackpot is going to drop. It’s about much more than that. So let’s figure out what are the 10 things you need to know before you start gambling.
- Online Gambling Is Better Than Offline Gambling
If you’ve never gambled before, you probably think that this is counterintuitive. That’s because, in all the great movies you’ve seen people go to have fun at brick and mortar casinos in Las Vegas, you don’t see them playing at home.
But here’s the thing, since online casinos don’t have to pay for the location, for rent, for utilities, for so many employees, food, drinks and more, they can offer you better services. This means that the house edge will be smaller online, so you will have more chances of winning.
What is more, you also get a lot more options as they are not confined by space, and you never have to wait for someone to finish their game so you can take their place at the table.
- You Need to Understand the House Edge, RTPs and Volatility
Sure, gambling isn’t very hard. All the games are created in such a way that everyone (of legal age) can easily play them and understand the rules. But while you can just start playing, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be making the right choices by some cosmic truth that’s already ingrained in your brain.
Casino games are games of chance. This means that, in most cases, it’s all about luck. There is no way for you to cheat the system and improve your odds. But what you can do is pay attention to the information you have and make the best choices.
You’ve probably heard that the “casino always wins”. Well, that’s not necessarily true, but it has a part that’s real. The casino always has an edge. It’s called the house edge, and it’s the thing that guarantees that the casino (as a business) will be profitable. The house edge is connected to the RTP (return to player). While the house edge tells you the advantage of the casino, the RTP will show you what you can expect to get back from that game. So if you make 100 one dollar bets on a game that has a 98% RTP, you can expect to get back from it at least $98. If you have a large RTP, then the house edge will be smaller.
The volatility tells you how big and how often you can expect wins to come up. Low volatility means low prizes but often, while high volatility means high prizes but less frequently.
Use this knowledge, combine it and find the games that give you a starting advantage. You will have far fewer chances of winning on high volatility, low RTP, high casino edge games, so make the right call.
- Take Advantage of Casino Bonuses
This is something you need to think about before you start because most online casino sites offer exceptional bonuses for new players. You will need to know about them and be prepared before you make an account because if you don’t, you’ll be missing out on the best ones.
As soon as you make an account, some online casino sites offer sign up bonuses. They are usually either no deposit free cash bonuses or no deposit free spins offers. Virtually, what this means is that you get to test the casino and see if you like what they have to offer, and you will do this with no risks, no deposits and no problems.
Basically, you get to play for free on the casino’s funds. This way, you can play some games, see what you like, and get a feel of how the casino works and all this without risking your hard-earned money. What is more, it isn’t practice-play as you’re playing using real money, so you get to withdraw your winnings.
- Bigger Isn’t Always Better
When talking about bonuses, you should know that there are many types available. After you’ve claimed a signup bonus, you can get a welcome bonus (first deposit bonus), and then second, third etc. bonuses (reload bonuses), VIP bonuses, offers for high rollers, cashback and many other types of promotions.
For most of these offers, you will see that you have to make deposits. Most of them will be in percentages and will offer something like a 100% (more or less) match on your deposit up to a certain sum.
Take a look at different offers and find the one you like best. If that’s a 500% deposit bonus, that’s perfect, but remember that there are terms and conditions you need to keep in mind. And the bigger the bonus is, the more conditions will probably be attached to it.
- Read the Terms and Conditions Thoroughly
Connected to our previous point, and in general, you must always read the terms and conditions. You see, nothing is really free in this world, and neither are bonuses. The casino must ensure that it makes a profit, so it won’t offer anything that has 0 strings attached.
That’s why you need to make sure that you read the terms and conditions carefully. You will see that bonuses have wagering requirements that tell you how many times you need to rollover the bonus before making a withdrawal. Also, you will see that you can make bets of a specific value, that there is a max cashout cap, that only some games are available etc.
- Find Out What Your Favourite Casino Games Are
Before you go and play for real money, it’s a great idea that you play for free on affiliate sites in demo mode and see how the games work. You shouldn’t jump in right away; you should know precisely what you’re getting into. So test all different kinds of games. Figure out if you like online slots, if you prefer progressive jackpots, if you enjoy poker or other table games, if you want to play bingo or lotteries.
- Figure Out How to Pick the Best Online Casinos
Not all online casinos are equal. Each one brings something different to the table. Also, some are great; some might be scams. You need to protect yourself and only play at online casino sites that are licensed and regulated, completely safe and secured. Look for licenses (UKGC, MGA, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Curacao, Sweden and others) that work in your jurisdiction.
Look for SSL encryption that protects your data. Look for a wide range of games. Many exciting promotions. Exceptional and 24/7 customer support. A site that is mobile and user-friendly. Make sure that the casino you pick has everything you need to have the best online casino experience.
- You Need to Know Yourself
By this, we mean that you need to know that you are ready to make this step. That online gambling is something that you want to do for fun and not for profit. That you think you can handle it.
That you have no history of problem gambling or impulse control in your life or even in your immediate family. You need to know that you will see this as just entertainment and not something that takes over your entire life and becomes more important than anything else.
- Recognise Problem Gambling and Get Help
If at any point you realise you have a problem, you must immediately seek help. There are many specialised websites and professionals who have dealt with this before and can offer you all the support you need. Keep yourself in check and always look for the signs that you might have an issue. Use the options in place at casinos like self-exclusion and resolve your issue before playing again. If you can’t control it, it’s better to stop altogether than risk it.
- Where to Find All the Information You Need
You must always stay up to date on all gambling information. You should find out exactly how every game is played, where to find the best bonuses, which are the top-rated casinos and much more. Affiliate websites like SlotsCalendar offer you everything you need to know, and they are entirely free.
There is no deposit, no download and no stress involved. You just enter the website and find everything you need right away. You can play games for free in demo mode, grab the latest bonuses and read about how to play games to gain an advantage, what to play and where to play them.