8 Online Casino Mistakes That Rookies Make
At some point, we have all been new at something we are now good at. When I first started gambling, I made mistakes. I was excited and thought I knew more than I actually did. In this article, I will go over some of the rookie mistakes I made. Hopefully it will save you a few dollars and spare you from making the same mistakes I did.
Not Playing in a Safe Casino
I have said it a million times, I will say it again. Never play in an online casino that doesn’t have a valid license. This is one of the very simple gambling mistakes to avoid. There are many small casinos working in markets where gambling is either illegal or unregulated. This means they will not be able to pass the inspection process necessary to gain a legitimate license. It also means if they took your money and froze your account, or refused to pay you out after a big win, that you have no recourse.
Not Knowing the Games You Play
They all seem easy enough, right? Well not really. Not only are you often playing a game of luck, you are also playing against the casino! If you are playing a skill game, like poker or blackjack, the importance of knowing the game becomes that much higher. Most casinos allow for a practice/demo version. If you are unfamiliar, make sure you use that feature to avoid simple online casino mistakes.
Not Reading the Game Rules
While you may be familiar with the particular rules of the game you are playing, there may be some divergences between the various types of games available. I still remember the first time played Omaha, after having only played Texas Holdem. I thought it’s the same game just with twice as many cards, right? Sadly for me, in this case, two plus two does not equal to just four. It is the same rule with other games too. Always read the rules specific to the game you are playing and perhaps even specific to the casino you are playing in.
Not Reading the Casino Rules
This is similar to the above rule, only add the fact that each site has their own terms and conditions. While they all tend to cover the basics to protect themselves against fraud and other scams, some may have extra restrictions on payouts, turn overs or the use of bonuses. Always read the rules before you make your deposit so you don’t end up investing in a casino that has impossible payout rules or very low withdrawal limits.
Not Practicing
Skill takes time to build. Unless you are playing a purely luck-based game, most games require some amount of knowledge and skill. Before you feel confident in your skills to play a game, look up similar version on free gaming sites, where you just get to play with no wins or losses. After that, play with small amounts and always use the demo version if available.
Not Having Patience
Gambling in its very essence means you win some, and you lose some. If you let a losing streak, get to you, lose your patience and make rash decisions, you’re more likely to make poor decisions. Chasing a loss is never a good idea and one of the more common online casino mistakes. Just as you experience a losing streak, you will experience a winning on too. Be patient.
Not Managing Your Budget
Most new players want to know how much money is the right amount to spend. The amount you choose to play with depends on a variety of factors. You can learn more about that in my Online Casino Bankroll article. The most important factor however, is setting the budget and sticking to it. Not only is it a good idea to set a spending limit for yourself, it’s also very important to set a winning amount. This will be the amount you will be happy to walk away with, if you won. It’s tempting to keep playing when you are on a winning streak but all it takes is over confidence and lack of a limit and you’ll be back to square one.
Not Knowing About the Bonuses
When it comes to bonuses as a new player, make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to use the offer your casino of choice has. Most online gambling sites include very generous offers for as a welcome bonus, but of course, they don’t want to just give out money. Always find out what they give you on your first deposit, read the rules and contact their support if something wasn’t clear to you.
Conclusion
Online casino mistakes are easy to avoid and truthfully, as long as you are taking steps to protect your identity and finances, they don’t have to be that consequential and should not impact your online gambling experience. While I tried to go over gambling mistakes to avoid here, at the end of the day, most of these casino fails are easy to sidestep. As long as you are safely depositing and protecting your bank information, reading the site rules, practicing and honing your skills, and not chasing a loss, you can easily avoid these online casino mistakes. You can always learn more about online casino safety by reading my Beginner’s Guide to Gamble.
About The Author: John Duncan is a web operation executive at CannonBet. Born and raised in the cybersecurity world. He authors guides on cybersecurity and safety and loves sharing the best practices. You can contact the author via email.