Table of content
Set Spending Limits
Firstly, never gamble more than you can afford to lose. This piece of advice has been passed down from generation to generation for as long as time itself, but in the heat of the moment we can still sometimes become consumed by the red mist and refuse to be beaten by a slot machine. This isn’t wise, as no amount of determination on your part is going to tips the odds of winning in your favour. There are practical ways to make it easier to resist, with the best being setting yourself a strict monetary budget before playing that will create a line that you know you mustn’t cross. That takes any doubt out of the equation, making it easy to know when you’ve reached the end of your session.
Use Your Casino’s Built-In Help Facilities
It’s also in your casino’s interest to keep you from overspending, as that way you’re more likely to become a regular customer – but many players are unaware that in addition to any tips for responsible gambling you pick up, there are often settings you can use within your casino’s software that are very useful. Most reputable gaming sites sign up to responsible gambling schemes and will have a specific section offering advice. They will also let you place self-imposed limits over set periods of time, making it impossible to gamble too much and let you get your breath back when you’ve had a losing streak.
Avoid Excess Alcohol
The third of our strategies to gamble responsibly ought to be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many players ignore it: You need to remain reasonably sober when playing, or risk making silly mistakes. There’s a reason why the Vegas hotels of old used to serve free cocktails on the casino floor, and a fun, glitzy environment full of laughter and excitement is an easy place to enjoy some alcohol. The two seem to go nicely together, but when you play from home there’s no need to replicate the entire experience and suffer impaired judgement. It’s best to leave the heavy drinking to James Bond at the baccarat table and play with a clear head yourself, for superior results.
Remember: You’re Not Playing to Earn a Living
Another of our top tips for responsible gambling is to ensure you play with the right mindset. It’s best to think of gambling as an entertaining activity that may result in a win – not as a source of income. All entertainment costs money, and if you think of a night on the slots in the same category as a meal out or a trip to the theatre then you can expect to part with some money in return for plenty of enjoyment. Load up your favourite slot hell bent on making enough to buy a new car, and you’ll find yourself making bad decisions.
Take Time Out
Finally, just as you can restrict the amount of money you spend, you can also put a cap on the amount of time you spend playing. If you set yourself a limit of an hour or two and stick to that limit rigidly, you’ll get into a useful and valuable habit – which will become easier and easier to implement the more often you play.
Ultimately, restraining yourself is a skill – and it gets easier with practice. Add this ability to your portfolio of strategic playing skills and you’ll have an extra arrow in your quiver that means you’ll always be more likely to get the most from your casino experiences. Becoming proficient at slots is, in many ways, much like other enjoyable activities like learning to sail, ski or play golf: The real winner isn’t the person who’s most proficient, but instead always the person having the most fun…