10 Things to Know Before Gambling at a Casino for the First Time

Blackjack has the best odds of winning, with a house edge of just 1 percent in most casinos, Bean said. Plus, you are playing against only the dealer, not hooded poker champions. “Blackjack is one of our easiest games to play,” Bean said.

7 Best Methods to Beat Slot Machines

1. Choose slots with the highest payouts.
2. Bet enough to trigger the jackpot.
3. Play within your budget.
4. Consider the volatility of the game.
5. Avoid branded slots.
6. Take advantage of free spins.
7. Avoid progressive slots.

• The Wide Area Progressive (WAP) Slot Machines Are Some of the Worst Bets in the Casino.
• Payback Percentage Is How You Measure the Odds for Gambling Machines.
• Video Poker Machines Have Transparent Payback Percentages that Are Superior to Slot Machines.

Mitchell states that the best time to play the slots is from 2 to 6 a.m. Mondays, just after a busy weekend. Most venues in the entertainment and hospitality industries experience more traffic during the weekend than at any other time of the week.

The true reason you never win at gambling isn’t because you haven’t discovered the next super-secret betting system or because you have NO luck. The reason is simple: You never win at gambling because you only stop when you run out of money. The key to winning money in gambling is to stop when you’re ahead.

If you are a low roller, betting small amounts and playing strictly for fun, I’d say bring at least $50 cash money. If you want to bet like a high roller and hope to make a big score, I’d bring at least $200 cash money. If you fall somewhere in between, I would show up at the casino with at least $50-$100 cash money.

SLOT TIPS: THE DO’S

1. Higher denomination slots have higher payback percentages.
2. Make sure you bet enough to be eligible for the jackpots.
3. Choose games that fit your goals and playing personality.
4. Always play within your budget.
5. Start small to win big, or “prime the pump”
6. Play machines at the ends of rows.

Generally speaking, it is always best to play the maximum bet when you play slots, whether it’s online or in real world casinos. Wins normally pay out at higher multiples and many progressive jackpots can only be won via a max bet.

Your timing in stopping the reels doesn’t really make any difference. There are a couple of games that involve actual skill in IGT’s Reel Edge series, including Blood Life and Triple Red White and Blue. In those, you touch each reel to stop it individually, and you can affect the outcome.

Keep in mind that land-based slot machines aren’t the best in terms of payback anyway. They have higher house edges and can cause greater losses. A fast play rate can also lead to larger losses. Most players spin the reels somewhere between 500 and 700 times per hour.

8 Helpful Tips for Playing Slot Machines

1. Play Higher Denominations.
2. Bet the Maximum.
3. The More Complicated the Game, the Lower Your Odds.
4. Test the Games You Play.
5. Don’t Worry About ‘Due’ Payouts.
6. Tight Machines do Exist.
7. Cash over Card.
8. Know When to Stop.