Appearances can be deceiving, and there are some things inside of casinos that are not as they appear. With that in mind, here are four secret tips to help give you the edge over the house at your next casino visit.
Casino Tips to Keep More of Your Chips
The moment you arrive at the casino, the game begins, whether you realize it or not. Once you enter, remember that the casino orchestrates everything carefully. Even the placement of the games is meticulously mapped out to lead you in specific directions. Recognizing this fact is the first step in giving yourself an advantage.
The casino or “the house” often has the advantage, most people know this. However, the house’s edge is not because the games are unfair, but because players aren’t aware of particular information.
Casinos have a financial motive for keeping these secrets under wraps. But if you can remember a few simple things here, you can begin to tilt the house advantage to your favor.
- BYOC (Bring Your Own Clock)
Most people never notice this because of all the other distractions, but two essential time-keeping items are absent from casinos: clocks and windows. It is advisable to wear a trustworthy watch when visiting a casino because it is very easy to lose track of time.
It’s no accident that clocks and windows do not exist inside casino walls. The absence of “time” encourages people to continue playing the games. Removing clocks and windows is a calculated move relying on the mathematical odds of turning a winning streak into a losing streak. The longer you play, the more likely you are to lose in gambling, even if you are on a winning streak.
- Older Mechanical Games May Be Better
As you walk the casino floor, pay close attention to the type of games available and their condition. While a broken game obviously can’t be played, a slightly worn mechanical game may give you an edge in a specific way.
The two best places to see this are roulette and slots. It may be challenging to find a mechanical slot machine today as nearly all are digital, but roulette wheels are still quite popular. Notice the condition of the wheel itself. If you see wear along the spokes, you may be able to guess where the ball will land easier. While this won’t guarantee you a win every time, it can tip the odds in your favor. Casinos have been more attentive to the condition of their roulette wheels for this reason. Still, if there were ever a place to get lucky, a casino would be it!
- Not Everyone is Who They Appear to Be
This one is a bit weird, but it happens occasionally. Not every player is created equal; some are undercover plants from the casino itself. These plants are often called shills or props.
These players’ purpose is to create a welcoming environment for regular players and encourage more betting. By recognizing that such shills or prop players exist, you can steel yourself against their tactics.
Most shills are playing with the house’s money, and so they have no limit to their budget. They will bet high to try and influence others to do the same. Of course, this doesn’t mean every high better is a shill; most probably aren’t. Just stay alert, and know that such players do exist.
- Online Play is the Best Way
The most obvious way to avoid most of the casino’s “tricks” is to play virtually online. Playing online is safer from a house advantage standpoint and safer from a disease standpoint. In fact, online casino gaming has risen in popularity steadily due to both of these factors.
Just because the location is virtual, it doesn’t mean that your winnings aren’t real. Many online casinos allow you to play anything from poker and blackjack to roulette and a slot game for real money. And being in your home, you are in a safe and familiar environment playing your favorite games without pressure.
Let the Games Begin!
With these tips, you can give yourself an edge in your next gaming session, and court Lady Luck a bit closer. Above all, have fun and good luck!
