Essential Tips and Tricks Everyone Should Know Before Hitting the Casino

There are lots of games you can play at a casino. But whether you’re a beginner or a casino regular, you should follow these essential casino tips and tricks. Because they'll make your gaming much more profitable...

Find the Friendliest Dealer

Finding the friendliest dealer may be one of the most essential casino tricks on this list. You’ll enjoy yourself more. But avoid getting upset when you don’t win. It’s not the dealer’s fault the cards aren’t in your favor.

The House Always Has an Edge

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] The house wins most of the time no matter what you play. The odds are and always will be against you. So never go into a casino assuming you have an advantage. You don't.

Luck Is Required to Win

The house doesn’t need any luck, but you sure do. Remember that, because no matter how long you play, how much you tip the dealer or how much skill you have, winning still takes luck.

Start With a Fixed Money Limit

To avoid going broke, selling your home, your kidney and maybe even your kids, gamble with a fixed amount of money that you’re willing to lose. If you just lost $300 dollars and that was the most you were willing to spend, get up and go home. Don’t forget that gambling’s supposed to be fun, not a career choice.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] If your casino puts its dealers in bikinis, or if you notice a bunch of pole dancers on stage, the house is trying to distract you so you won't notice they trimmed the payouts. Stay alert.

Pick the Right Games

If you’re there to win, find games that require skills but won’t leave you in the poor house. The games that offer you the best chances for winning include blackjack, craps, baccarat and video poker.

Have Fun With Other Games

If you’re just there to have fun, check out the waitresses, sip on cocktails, and try playing easy-to-learn games like slots, keno and roulette. You have a fifty-fifty chance of winning at any of these games, and the whole thing is pretty relaxed and fun.

Follow Casino Etiquette

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Even if you just lost some cash, stay on your best behavior. Waitresses will frequent your table more, dealers will be kinder to you and you won’t rub other players the wrong way. You’re there to have fun, not turn other gamblers against you.

Tip Your Dealer

Remember to tip your dealer or hand them a chip every now and then to keep them happy. It won't increase your chances of winning, because dealers don’t have the kind of power, but it will increase your chances of having a better casino experience.

Know When to Quit

There’s a reason the casino offers free cocktails. They hope you’ll down a couple of drinks so you’ll gamble impulsively and lose. Remember that gambling is addictive, so you need to know when to quit, even if you’re on a roll.

Don’t Be a Conceited Gambler

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Gambler’s conceit happens when you’re on a winning streak and decide to bet more instead of just walking away with what you’ve got. Quit once you’re up 50 percent. That way, you can walk out with more money than you came in with.

Watch Your Watch

You don’t generally find clocks or windows on the house floor and there’s a good reason for that. Casinos want you to play as long as possible and the best way to do that is by making you lose track of time. So wear a watch or keep an eye on your cellphone.

Turn Away From the Light

Casinos will amp up their games with bright colors and flashing lights to lure you in. But the odds of you winning these games are not in your favor. So stay away from the light and choose games in areas that are drab.

Don’t Forget to Practice

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] In video poker, the house has a 0.46 percent advantage, which means the payoff is generally high. But you’ll need to play like a pro in order to cash out. Study and practice ahead of time so can walk out of the casino with your head held high and fat rolls of cash in your pockets.

Keno Won't Make You Rich

As far as Keno goes, the house has a 35 percent advantage at some casinos. That means your odds of winning are 1 in 3.5 quintillion. As far as we know, no gambler has managed to match all 20 numbers on a 20-spot ticket. That being said, Keno is a pretty fun game if you're looking to relax a bit and sip on a few cocktails.

Focus on Slots That Cost More

If you’re sticking to slot machines, make sure you crank the handle on the ones that cost $5 or more. While you’re at it, play the max bet. The slots that only cost pennies are designed to favor the house by up to 20 percent.

Be Careful With the Roulette Wheel

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Wear and tear on the equipment can affect your chances of roulette success. The more often the wheel is used, the more it may become unbalanced. You might even find that the frets that separate the numbers are worn down. This could lead to certain numbers landing in your favor.

They’re Watching You

Cameras are everywhere at the casino and catch every move you make. So don’t do anything you’ll regret. On the plus side, they can also work in your favor if there’s a dispute about a payout or a card shuffle.

Know How to Play the Game

Practice won’t do a thing if you don’t know the rules of the game. Knowing how to play is one of the most essential casino tricks in the book. It will increase your odds of winning. So brush up on the rules and you may not lose a lot of cash.

Avoid Losing the Tax Game

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Gambling earnings are taxable. In some cases, the casino will withhold 25 to 28 perecent in taxes before paying out, or you’ll have to report your winnings to the IRS. The casino will also give you a W-2G form that shows how much you won and what taxes were taken out. At the end of the year, you'll need to report your winnings, even if they're small, such as $25 here and $300 there. So keep a diary and write down how much you spend and how much you win.