Common Gambling Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

These common gambling mistakes can absolutely ruin your casino experience. The thrill and excitement of playing games with the chance of winning real money is best appreciated by players with the right approach. Learning how to gamble in moderation takes practice though. Everyone makes mistakes and this is how we learn the hard lessons. There is no fool-proof way to walk away a winner, but there are some errors that can be dodged to enjoy a more successful gambling experience. So, to help you stay on top of your game, we have put together some of the most common mistakes that players make to help you avoid them.
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Introduction to the Commonly Made Gambling Mistakes

It’s a fact of life that human beings, being flawed, are prone to making mistakes, some more serious than others but all of them, ultimately, causing due hurt. Don’t worry, we are not getting philosophical and we have a good reason to be this descriptive. Gambling mistakes are something that can hit you like nobody’s business and you will never see it coming.

It’s a good practice to run through the listed below mistakes every time before indulging in genuine gambling activities or even the leisure types like bingo. But let’s get straight to the point. This is our first tip.

Not Playing Within Your Bankroll

This comes first as it is one of the most frequently made gambling mistakes. It also has the potential to cause the most damage of all the mistakes listed on this page. There are certain bankroll management strategies that should be used when you gamble. For starters, it is important to set yourself a budget. Consider how much you are willing to spend for the entertainment of gambling and that you are prepared to lose. Stick within your budget and do not be tempted to spend any more than that amount. Do not gamble with money that is set aside for another purpose, like the rent money. It is also important not to borrow money to gamble. You should never chase losses, as it is a sure-fire way to overspend. Without careful and effective bankroll management, you open the door to problem gambling and addiction.

Gambling Whilst Intoxicated

Gambling Whilst Intoxicated is Not AdvisableWe all know that drinking before driving is a big no-no. Alcohol limits your ability to think clearly and therefore negatively impacts your ability to pay attention and to make sound choices. Yet gamblers think nothing of throwing back the drinks as they play. Drinking also provides a distraction and can take your focus away from the game. In the casino, the croupier usually deals very fast, so if you dull down your reflexes you might miss a vital move or place the wrong bet. Alcohol can be very fatal in games like poker; some people believe that it will make them bolder in their bluffs, but the truth is that you usually become easier to read.

Newbies, in particular, may think they are getting great value for money by knocking back the free drinks that are on offer at casinos. Yet, you have to ask yourself, why do they ply you with free booze? With impaired judgement, you could reduce your ability to make rational decisions and even fall prey to more common gambling mistakes. You may be more likely to spend more than you can afford and be lured into making decisions that negatively affect your play. Steer clear of alcohol when playing casino games to keep your mind clearly focussed.

Believing in the Gambler’s Fallacy

The basic Gambler’s Fallacy is a mistaken belief that because a certain outcome has happened frequently, the opposite outcome is more likely to occur in the future. It also works the other way round, in that, if something has not happened for a while, it is more likely to take place soon. So, for instance, if the roulette ball has landed on red for 7 rounds in a row, this would mean that a black result is more likely to happen on upcoming spins. The truth is, however, that each spin of the roulette wheel is an independent event that is in no way related to the spins that come before or after it. Gamblers can fall into the belief that they are due a win if they have not won for several rounds in a row, and this can encourage them to place certain bets with a greater expectation of success. Yet this is a misconception. All modern gambling games rely on mathematics, and results are in no way linked to previous or future outcomes.

Not Understanding Game Rules

It is Vital to Understand Game Rules when GamblingNew players can make gambling mistakes by jumping into games without an understanding of the rules. In one such case, poor decisions can be made that directly impact on your chances of winning. Yet, whilst you might think that this is a faux pas that is reserved for newbies, it is actually a mistake which can easily be made by any player. You may be surprised to know that there are various twists to classic game rules across different variants of games. They can vary from country to country or even between different casinos. Many online players are searching for rule systems from big US casinos where they have enjoyed playing – or simply won big.

Blackjack is a prime example. Whilst you may have played a classic version and feel au fait with the rules, if you were to play a variant such as Blackjack Switch or Double Attack Blackjack, the traditional rules vary significantly. Before you place real money wagers on any games, you should familiarise yourself with the rules to ensure you are playing from a fully informed and therefore advantageous position.

Playing the Wrong Games

Whilst understanding the game rules is important, it is also essential to pick the right gambling games to play. On one hand, this means only playing games that you find entertaining and enjoyable. After all, what is the point of playing games that you find either tedious or too complicated to appreciate? On the other hand, it means picking game variants which offer the best odds. Taking roulette as an example, it’s considered a gambling mistake to opt for the American version with its double zero pockets, as you increase the house edge by around 3% compared to playing French or European roulette, with their single zero. Playing Keno at a land-based casino can have an RTP as low as 65%. When you take into consideration that games such as blackjack can reach over 99.5%, it is clear that the choice of a game can directly impact your success.

Ignoring Optimum Strategy

All casino games have been studied over the years, to identify the best strategies for winning. Whilst undoubtedly, there are some games that rely completely on chance, such as scratch cards, there are others where mathematically based strategies can reduce the house edge to the bare minimum and directly impact your success rates. An obvious example is blackjack. By following basic blackjack strategy, you know the optimum move that is needed for every hand. It takes away any uncertainty and ensures that you are making the best possible decisions. Such strategies have been analysed and devised by mathematical experts, and it is unwise to ignore them and go it on your own.

Relying on Betting Systems

Avoid Betting SystemsWhilst playing according to optimum strategy is highly recommended, this is not to be confused with following a betting system. There are tons of betting systems which have been devised over the years with the aim of helping players to win.

Whilst the theory behind many may sound logical, in reality, all betting systems fail when it comes to using them in real-life situations. One of the most well-known roulette betting systems is the Martingale. Used on even money bets, the idea is that you double your bet after a loss, in order to recover any losses.

Yet the problem is that you could experience several losses in a row, and the stakes soon rise. You could deplete your bankroll or exceed the table limits before you recuperate your losses, leaving you significantly out of pocket. Avoid using such systems and stick to optimum strategies for playing casino games.

Failing to Practice for Free Before Playing with Real Money

Nowadays, pretty much all online casinos offer the chance to play games just for fun, as well as for real money. Yet many players make the common mistake of jumping straight into online gambling for real money. Whilst there is no doubt that playing with actual cash is far more entertaining and thrilling than free play, there are significant advantages to playing games for free. By trying out a demo version of a game, you can get to grips with the rules and the gameplay with absolutely no risk involved. Ignoring demo games is a foolish approach that should be avoided.

Playing at Unlicensed Casinos

Avoid Unlicensed CasinosIt may sound obvious to say that you should only play at safe and trusted casino sites, yet you would be surprised how many players make mistakes when choosing where to play casino games online.

In actual fact, it is really simple to ensure that you play only at licensed casino sites. In order to operate legally in the UK, operators must hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. Here’s what else to be on the lookout for.

  • UKGC logo somewhere in the footer section
  • Logos of responsible gambling organisations
  • Logos of third party auditors
  • Logos of software testing agencies

These stamps of approval verify that the operator protects players, with high-end technical security and fair games. Unlicensed casinos may leave you vulnerable to fraud and can use arbitrary reasons to not pay out your winnings. Do your research before signing up to ensure you only play at the best casino sites.

Registering an Online Casino Account with Fake Details

As a new player at an online casino, you may be concerned with protecting your anonymity. This leads some players to set up their accounts with a fake name or address. Yet this is a major blunder. You see, reputable online casinos will perform identity checks before paying out any winnings to their players. This is a licencing requirement that is in place to protect against money laundering and fraud. So, if you create an account in the name of Mickey Mouse, unless you can prove that is, in fact, your name, then you will not be able to withdraw your winnings.

Not Knowing How Online Casino Bonuses Work

This is one of the most common mistakes in gambling made by new players at online casinos. A major advantage of playing at online casinos is the generous welcome bonus deals that are up for grabs. Yet some players fail to understand that there are always conditions attached to casino bonuses.

These include a wagering requirement, a time limit, a minimum deposit, and different weightings for different types of games. If these conditions are not fulfilled, you may forfeit any winnings you make with the bonus. By taking time to understand the terms and conditions of casino bonuses, you can avoid any nasty surprises.

You Have No Excuse to Make These Gambling Mistakes

If you just recognised yourself as a victim of one or more of these mistakes which could even lead to the greatest loser punishments on DFS football, it’s high time you get your act together. First of all, gaming is something to be done in moderation and in good spirits. Never go after your losses and of course, don’t do the things from the list above. Let sink what the words ‘games of chance’ mean and how you’re not in control of the outcome of these games. In that sense, while you still find it fun to place bets, by all means, do so, but when the fun stops you ought to stop too. At the end of the day, you either win or lose, there’s no prize for second place. Well, there are ways to minimise the drama of course – like trying one of the £5 deposit casino sites that we reviewed. There, for sure, you won’t risk much.

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