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Getting Started as a New Gambler
By NonStopBonus Editorial
Collaborative Insights, Trusted Expertise
If you are reading this gambling for beginners guide it means you are ready to make your first steps into the thrilling and exciting world of online gambling. Before you rush in to roll the dice, play a couple of hands or spin some reels, read our guide to learn how to play at the casino and how to gamble like a pro.
What you Should Know Before you Start Gambling
Gambling can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be but to keep losses at a minimum and actually have a good time it’s a good idea to never lose sight of a couple of things.
Luck is Important
When it comes to online gambling luck is an important factor. If you wouldn’t need luck it wouldn’t be called gambling. Even if over time you will meet a lot of myths over the internet and guide that teach you how to gamble successfully for sure know that they are all fake.
The truth is that even with skill-based games like Poker and Blackjack, luck is a very important factor and no matter how well you play the game or how good your strategy is, you will never be able to fully control the outcome. You can learn this in detail from our RNG guide.
Even if you manage to cheat for a while at a casino game, even if that nowadays it’s impossible due to the state-of-the-art technology and security systems use, it won’t last long. All casinos have strict policies against cheating and verify all the wins before sending them to their clients. If you are caught cheating, your account will be canceled and all the wins are void.
When gambling, stick to fixed amounts of cash
Gambling addiction is a severe problem and it’s very easy to lose track when you are having fun. Keep in mind that gambling is not an easy and miraculous way to make money but instead a simple way to have fun, a hobby if you would like.
Establish an amount of cash that you feel comfortable about losing (forever) and stick to it by any means.
There is always sunshine after rain
If you like the classic saying “there is always sunshine after rain” know that this does not apply to online casinos. One of the first things you need to remember when you learn how to play at the casino is to never chase a losing steak and that hot streaks don’t last long.
Perhaps you played a couple of hands, you invested a small amount of cash and you are winning big-time. It seems like you’re simply on fire and that all the gods in the universe are smiling upon you. Just stop. It is the best thing you can do.
Retrieve the money you won and go celebrate. If you stick around, the luck will eventually leave you and you will be wondering quite soon where did all those huge wins go.
Closely related to this advice is to never chase a losing streak. Sometimes a bad day is just a bad day. There is no sunshine coming after this rain and no matter how much money you sink in, you don’t seem to recover. It’s better to call it a day and cut your losses. Come back another day when you are playing for fun and not to recover from a loss.
Choose the Right Casino
To gamble, you need to firstly find a casino to play at. Seems simple right? Well, it’s not at all because there are literally thousands of online casinos out there with new gambling websites emerging each year. For a new player, this wide pool of choices quickly gets confusing and the worst thing is that not all of them encourage good practices.
In our opinion, everyone should stick to good principles and promote fairness, transparency, and responsible gambling. Unfortunately, that is not always the case and even if their number dropped dramatically, there are still some rogue casino operators that try to take advantage of their customers.
Because of all of this, choosing just the right online casino to play at is very important and can make your break your gambling experience.
Play only at casinos that are properly licensed and regulated by at least one local or international authority like those we display on our website on our online casinos page. Being under the strict regulation of a reputable authority like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission or Malta Gambling Authority means that the specific casino operator needs to meet some high conditions and spotless practices.
Never play games from shady software providers. Just like casino operators, casino software development companies are also licensed and their games are being verified by independent testing labs like eCOGRA or iTECH LABS.
A very important aspect often overlooked when answering to the players that ask around “how do casinos work” is how important it is to read the Terms & Conditions, both the general ones and the bonus specific ones.
These T&Cs are a set of guidelines, procedures and limitations, and rules for gambling at a specific casino. In this section, you will also find the specific conditions for claiming bonuses and their completion, the player verification protocol, different rules for payment methods, and other sorts of legal information.
The Terms&Conditions will greatly vary from one casino to another and it’s important never to skip them even if you find them boring to read. Basically, once you click on the “I agree to the Terms&Conditions” when you register an account, you will agree with the operator’s terms no matter how fair or unfair they may be.
Choose the Right Game for you
With thousands of online casinos worldwide and tens of software providers, the selection of casino games offered to players is simply stunning. There is no answer to which one is the best because it all depends on what experience do you want to have.
Some casino games are based on pure luck, functioning on a complex algorithm called an RNG which deals with the fair randomization of the result while others require some sort of skill and strategy.
Even if luck-based games like slot machines and roulette tend to be the go-to choices for beginners, you don’t need to fear skill games. If you really want to learn them and that’s what really sparks your interest they are not that hard.
As mentioned above, there is a stunning amount of casino games on the market, each coming with its versions accord do the developing software provider, however, we will only stop to mention the most popular ones.
Online Slots
Slots are by far the most popular casino games on the market and typically the first choice for beginners and that’s because they are very easy to play and they come in a huge range of shapes and sizes.
The principle is simple, you make a bet and you click on the spin button and the RNG will do the rest to determine if you win or not. Surely, slots have evolved a lot and nowadays they come with big grids, exquisite aesthetics, and intricate bonus features that make the whole gameplay more thrilling.
If you chose to become a slot spinner, it’s a good idea to test multiple titles for free, precisely because they come in so many shapes and sizes. Each title has its own RTP, Volatility, and minimum wagers along with a smaller or bigger mix of bonus features.
TIPS
To learn more about RTP and Volatility you can check our Slots’ RTP and Volatility Explained guide.
Roulette
Roulette is also a very popular casino game where you have to bet on a number or a color across a spinning wheel. A small ball is thrown on that wheel and if it lands on the color or the number you placed your wager on, you will be the winner.
Roulette doesn’t come in so many versions as online slots but there are a couple of variants that were developed over the years, the most common ones being the European Roulette and the American Roulette.
Between the two, for beginners that learn how to gamble at roulette, it’s recommended to start with the European version because it has slightly better odds.
If you think that roulette is the game for you, it’s advised to learn the different bet odds because for example, hitting a single number has are 37:1 odds since there are 38 numbers on the wheel give or take one while numbers have 1:1 odds because there is an equal amount of black and red spots on the wheel.
Video Poker
Poker is a game so popular that everyone heard about it, even people that don’t gamble. It’s mentioned in books, movies and it’s overall a very fun to play casino game because it requires a great amount of skill.
Most beginners that learn how to play casino games tend to avoid poker since it requires learning a lot of card combinations and strategies, however, those that manage to master it are rewarded with a truly exciting gambling experience.
Another reason why poker is not actually suited for beginners is the fact that the wagers are quite high compared to other games like slots.
If you are willing to put the time and work to learn this enhancing casino game, it’s advisable to first learn how to play. Spend some time learning all the rules and card combinations for the version you are trying to master.
The second piece of advice is to start small.
Don’t rush straight into the tournaments or live room poker tables. Instead, pick a video version and play versus the computer for a while until you get a hang of the game and build some confidence. Also, the online versions of this game will have far more budget-friendly wagers compared to live rooms or tournaments.
Blackjack
Pieces of advice for players that want to learn how to gamble at Blackjack are the same as for Poker. Start small, preferably with a couple of video versions due to the smaller wagers and advanced at higher tables once you start to master the game.
In terms of versions, try and pick the Single Deck Blackjack variation whenever possible. It has slightly better odds and it’s simpler to learn.
As we mentioned the most popular casino games, players that don’t want to spend a lot of time wondering how to play casino games can also turn their sight towards the other two very simple games of luck, Keno and Craps.
Learn the Rules and the Odds
If you want to have a decent chance of winning, you first need of course to learn how to play casino games. As you have already read in the previous section, some casino games come with intricate cards combinations and plenty of different possible wagers, each with its own odds.
While for some games it’s absolutely impossible to fully control the outcome, due to the luck element, learning how to gamble with the odds like a pro can greatly improve your winning chances or least minimize the losing ones.
Take into consideration that even if you like it or not, there will always be a house edge, no matter if we are talking about slots, roulette, or any other sort of casino game. If you don’t have a big budget on your hands, it’s better to do some digging and pick the casino games that have a smaller house edge.
Play the Casino Games for Free
It’s perfectly understandable, especially for a new player to be excited to start gambling, however, it’s better to hold your horses for a bit longer and just test the waters a bit for free.
Casino software development companies design their games with a demo version to show their customers what they have to offer and promote full transparency. You can use this opportunity to test out different games like the ones shown above or different strategies.
Surely, playing for free will not bring you any sort of real cash wins and it’s not as thrilling as gambling for real money, however, it comes with plenty of benefits, especially for new players.
For starters, gambling is not for everyone and you might find out by playing for free that you don’t actually like it. It will spare you time, money, and the effort of closing an account at an online casino.
Because we mentioned a gambling website account, gambling for free also lets you test out the waters before committing to a certain casino. You have more time to learn what you want and what is the best online casino for you before actually opening an account and starting gambling.
PLEASE NOTE
There is no actual time limit on how much you can play free casino games. You can just test out the same game over and over again by just reloading it until you feel comfortable enough to play it for real cash.
Finally, the ability to see how the game acts, what is the actual hitting chance, or the volatility is invaluable because you can’t find them out otherwise. There is a myth online that these demo versions are rigged and the actual real cash versions have a much lower hit rate.
There is nothing true in that because a casino always has a tiny wedge, so it makes a profit no matter what. It doesn’t need to rig games and risk its reputation. The second reason why this myth is fake is that the software providers are the ones providing the demo version to partner up with the casinos and show players what they can do, not the casino operator.
Pick the right Payment Method
It’s not always enough to learn how to play casino games because a big portion of learning how to gamble is to also take care of your money, no matter if we are talking about casino deposits or withdrawing your wins.
There is a wide variety of payment methods on the market, some available only in some regions of the world and others that can be used in almost every country. Because there are so many casino transaction options, not all casinos will include all of them, that’s why it is important to check what payment systems you have available before actually registering an account.
KEEP IN MIND
Payment methods are very sensitive to the gambling legal state in a country or region. If gambling is legal in a country, there are usually no restrictions with the exception of bonuses. For example, Skrill and Neteller users are unable to claim no deposit bonuses at some online casinos.
In areas where online gambling is illegal, banking operators block all transfers from and to online casinos, this makes the most popular transactions like credit and debit cards or wire transfers useless.
In these regions, where gambling is either illegal or under a grey zone, players tend to use cryptocurrencies, e-wallets, and other “middleman” payment options that can guarantee their privacy.
Also, casino transaction options can be free or they can come with a set of fees, either monthly, yearly, or for each transaction. Even if these fees are usually incredibly small with very few exceptions, for some casual players on a tighter budget they can count enough, in the long run, to not be desired.
Check what payment services suit your needs the best and what is available both in your region and at the gambling site you want to play at before committing and opening an account.
Start With a No Deposit Bonus
There is a way to continue playing for free but still retain the potential to win real money prizes with a special casino promotion. This promotion is called a no deposit bonus and as you probably already figured it out, it requires no sort of initial deposit or investment.
Basically, the casino gives a free amount of cash or free spins to attract new players and you can use it to test new casino games, new strategies or potentially bag some quick wins. You are able to retrieve those wins once you complete the wagering requirements in place.
A no deposit bonus can come in a fixed amount of cash that you can use to enjoy whatever games the casino made eligible or, it can come in the form of free spins dedicated specifically for slot users.
This sort of bonus is the most sought-after on the market, however, given its rareness, it’s not always reliable to search for one.
Of course, you can take the alternative route and pick a match-up welcome bonus which is available at almost every single casino operator, but, if you are a casual player, you might want to go with the next best things after the no deposit bonus which would be either a no wagering bonus or a low wagering offer.
A no wagering bonus is a promotion where no wagering requirements apply. Usually, you can’t claim the bonus directly, but you can claim the potential wins without having to worry about playthrough requirements.
The second one that would be the low wagering bonus is a promotion where the rollover requirements stay relatively small, under 15x or 20x making it ideal for players on a tighter budget.
Gamble Responsibly
Unfortunately, new players must also be warned about the less pleasant aspect of gambling and that’s gambling addiction, and the damage it can cause to those affected and their close ones.
According to the statistic published by gamblingcomission.gov.uk, the gambling industry has grown by 18,4% and will most likely continue to do so. Luckily, gambling addiction has dropped considerably to 0,3% from 0,6% in one year, to September 2020, however, the numbers are still worrying.
That’s why it is very important to always gamble responsibly and never forget that gambling should be casual fun and not seen as a way to make an income.
As you are making your first steps into this industry, you should always keep in mind a couple of rules.
- Make a budget and stick to it. It’s important never to gamble more than you can afford to lose. Firstly because it’s counterproductive. A big loss will take you out of the game for a good amount of time so that means no gambling. Secondly, a big loss will also bring unnecessary stress and debts which are two of the main triggers of compulsive gambling.
- Never gamble just to pass time or to get over a pad period in your life. There are better ways to pass time and surely much better to get over a bad period. If you are passing through a difficult time, you can try counseling.
- Never let gambling interfere in your personal or professional life. What at first may not seem like much can quickly escalate taking over everything.
- Enforce a couple of breaks. From time to time it’s better to do a reality check and walk away from gambling, even for short periods of time. It will help you clear your mind.
- It’s a good idea to have other hobbies or areas of interest and not see gambling as your only source of fun and thrills.
- Keep a record of how much time you gamble and how much you spend either in a gambling session or over a period of time. When you see behavior changes and an increase in either of them, it’s time to step back a little. If you are having trouble doing so, please seek help.
Lastly, keep in mind that we are by no means specialists in gambling addiction and we can only mention a couple of general things and a couple of advice like those that can be found on our responsible gambling page.
Don’t treat things lightly and if you ever notice a problem in your gambling sessions or if you think someone close is dealing with gambling addiction, it’s very important to address to specialists like those from Be Gamble Aware.
Final thoughts
Gambling can be truly fun and exciting but only when done right. If you follow the simple pieces of advice we have shown you, you will know how to play at a casino and how to pick the right one, how to play casino games and which are the best ones, and what to always keep an eye out for to have a safe gambling experience.
Here on NonStopBonus, we have a big collection of detailed guides that will help you become a better and most responsible game and you can see them all on our gambling resources page.
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