Gambling 101

Are you a seasoned gambler or are you thinking about trying it for the first time? There are some rules you need to look at before you play your first 21 card, spin your first roulette wheel or pull the handle on your first slot machine.

First things first, decide on how much money you are willing to lose, and only take that amount with you into the casino. If you win, stick your winnings in your pocket and when your original amount is gone, walk away. You will either leave with no money or some lucky winnings in your pocket that you can save for another day.

Some gamblers play only the casino games that offer you the best odds of winning, and those are video poker, blackjack and craps. Study up on the games and learn the best strategy and use that when you play. Stay away from the games that favor the house, which is basically everything else. Slot machines have poor odds, but can be fun if you are intimidated by table games.

Choose the best game, bet conservatively and play slowly. You will have a better chance of winning this way. Keep in mind that the house always has the advantage, though sometimes on certain games it’s not as high as on others. Slots, for instance, have a 5 to 13 percent house advantage while blackjack is only 0.5 percent.

If you follow these simple gambling rules you can spend time at a casino and enjoy yourself, and not come away feeling like someone dropped a cement block on your head, especially as you try to figure out how to get home with no money.