7 Casino Strategies for Beginner Gamblers – Many beginners walk into a casino without a game plan, which is exactly what the casino hopes for. Without a strategy, it’s easier for the house to win.
At the core, casino games rely on simple math, and they’re set up to give the house a long-term edge. If you’re not using a strategy, you’re basically playing into the casino’s hands.
That said, with the right approach, you can tip the odds a bit more in your favor. Advanced strategies like card counting may be out of reach for beginners, but a seasoned card counter can actually turn the tables on the casino.
Before diving into the more complex strategies, though, it’s crucial to get the basics down.
Remember, some of the best lessons in life come from making mistakes, and gambling is no exception. Don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go your way at first—it’s part of the learning curve. However, with the strategies in this guide, you’ll have a much better shot at success, whether you’re playing at an online casino or a brick-and-mortar one.
How to Win at the Casino
The reason we all gamble is pretty clear—to win. But for beginners, this can be a real challenge. The goal of this guide is to help you increase your chances by lowering the house’s edge, making better bets, and managing your money wisely.
But before you get started, make sure you’re in the right headspace. If you’re feeling angry, upset, sad, or you’ve had a few drinks, it’s best to step away and only gamble when you’re in a good mental state.
It’s also essential to gamble responsibly with money you can afford to lose. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive into the strategies you can use to improve your odds.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide:
- Bet a small portion of your bankroll on each wager.
- Choose games with the lowest house edge.
- Play at tables or machines with favorable rules.
- Use a basic blackjack strategy card.
- Avoid taking insurance or side bets in blackjack.
- Bet on the banker in Baccarat.
- Stick to the pass line and don’t pass bets in craps.
You can follow just one of these strategies or mix and match a few to find what works best for you.
1. Bet a Small Percentage of Your Bankroll
Managing your bankroll is the foundation of any successful casino strategy. If you don’t have a plan for your money, you’re just handing it over to the casino.
We suggest betting no more than 3% of your total bankroll on each bet. For example, if you want to play $5 blackjack, you should have around $170 in your bankroll.
By sticking to the 3% rule, you’ll be able to handle the ups and downs that come with gambling, without going broke too quickly.
2. Play Games With a Low House Edge
A common rookie mistake is sitting down at games with a high house edge. Flashy slots might be fun, but they’re not where you want to focus if you’re serious about winning. Some slots can have a house edge as high as 15%—definitely not ideal.
Other games to avoid include Keno, the Big Six Wheel, and Sic Bo. These all have unfavorable odds, and there’s no real strategy involved.
3. Choose Tables or Machines With the Best Rules
Once you’ve found games with a low house edge, your next step is to find tables or machines with the best rules.
This is particularly important for blackjack. Rules can vary a lot between tables, and as a beginner, you should always look for tables that pay 3:2 for a blackjack.
Also, fewer decks in the game mean a lower house edge, so single or double-deck blackjack is your best bet. Try to avoid tables that pay 6:5 for blackjack—those games usually involve more decks and worse odds for you.
If you can’t find a 3:2 blackjack table, consider games like Spanish 21 or Blackjack Switch. They have better odds than 6:5 blackjack.
4. Use a Basic Blackjack Strategy Card
Using a basic strategy card is totally legal in both online and physical casinos. If you’re feeling a little shy about using one at a live table, no worries—there’s no pressure at online casinos.
A strategy card won’t give you an edge over the house, but it’ll help you play as close to the house edge as possible. Without following a basic strategy, the odds shift dramatically in favor of the casino.
5. Avoid Insurance and Side Bets in Blackjack
Taking insurance or making side bets in blackjack might seem tempting, but they’re bad news for your wallet. The odds are usually stacked heavily against you.
Casinos offer these side bets because they increase the house’s edge. Jackpot side bets, in particular, often have a house edge of over 2%. Insurance is even worse, with an edge of about 7.5% in an eight-deck game.
In short, your best bet is to avoid them altogether.
