Online casino game strategies that work

No matter what your online gambling skill level, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced level casino player, there are always benefits to improving your gaming strategy. By applying added focus to your betting decisions and moving away from any bad habits you might have picked up, you’ll be able to make smarter choices and hopefully improve your chances of winning at the same time.

So what kind of gambling strategies should you be focusing on? Here we’ll break down the most effective gaming tactics for three of the most popular online casino games – slots, blackjack and roulette. Come with us as we explore new ways to play, and learn how to make your gambling experience that much more rewarding.

Winning at online slots: the best strategies and tips

We love online slots because they’re by far the easiest casino game to play. Even if you’ve never played an online casino game before in your life, you’ll be able to pick up online slots quickly, and enjoy some instant winnings too if you’re lucky.

That’s the magic word behind slots after all – luck. Thanks to the nature of online slots play and the Random Number Generator controlling the outcome of every game, slots are based purely on luck and chance, with the result of each spin being completely random and independent from the one before.

Of course, just because slots are a luck-based game doesn’t mean you can’t make use of certain strategies to help improve your odds. Take a look at our top tips to smart slots play, and see if any help boost your bankroll as you roll the reels.

1. Understand RTP (Return to Player) and volatility

We’re throwing a few advanced gaming concepts at you, but understanding them is vital to improving your slots outcomes. Here’s how:

·         RTP (Return to Player): This is the theoretical percentage of money that a game will return to you when you play it for an extended period of time. The higher the RTP, the better for your bankroll. Look out for games with an RTP of 96% or higher, as these should return a higher percentage of your money back to you over time.

·         Volatility (also known as variance): High volatility slots will offer you big wins, less frequently. Low volatility slots will offer you smaller wins, more frequently. And medium volatility slots will offer you a mix of both. It’s all up to your risk tolerance as to which type of game you choose. If you’re a more cautious player, stick with low volatility slots – but if you like a challenge, high volatility slots might be a better fit.

2. Maximise bonuses and promotions

The only thing better than winning money at an online casino is winning free money – and that’s where bonuses and promotions come in!

Look out for any regular promotions your casino might be running, from free spins and deposit bonuses to loyalty rewards, happy hour promos and prize giveaways too. The more bonuses you’re able to claim successfully, the more you’ll be able to play without risking your own account balance. Just make sure to check the terms and conditions of every bonus you claim to make sure the requirements are reasonable, and enjoy the excitement that follows!

3. Pay attention to bankroll management

Looking after your finances is crucial no matter what online casino game you’re playing, but it becomes even more important with the fast-paced nature of slots. With every bet more exhilarating than the last, you need to keep careful track of each wager you place – because if you’re not careful, it could end up impacting your bankroll significantly.

So how do you enjoy the thrill of the reels while keeping an eye on your budget? Before you start playing, set yourself a strict limit as to how much you can bet during your gaming session. Keep an eye on your wins and losses, track your betting spend, and stick to your preset budget as closely as possible. You’ll still enjoy all the excitement of slots gaming, while managing your finances effectively at the same time. That’s the real win!

4. Play progressive jackpots wisely

We know how just how adrenaline-fuelled playing progressive slots can be. It’s here where you’ll find the multi-million jackpot payouts you read so much about, and if that’s your ultimate goal as a slots player, you’ll want to give your all to the progressives every time you play.

While we can’t deny how captivating progressive slots are, we do urge you to approach them with caution. Although they offer huge six-figure payouts, they have lower odds than regular slots, making them a riskier proposition. Not only that, in order to win the max jackpots on offer, you have to bet max to qualify, which could end up costing your bankroll a considerable amount after only just a few wagers. Of course, if you’re a fan of progressives, by all means play them – just make sure you’re aware of all the risk factors involved before you place your bets.

5. Avoid common mistakes

Don’t chase your losses. We’ll say it with every online casino game, but again, it hits harder with online slots. Due to how fast the reels spin and how quickly bets are placed, if you find yourself on a losing streak, you could dig yourself in even deeper if you’re not careful. Don’t give into the temptation of trying to win your money back. Instead, save your bankroll and your sanity by walking away – there’s plenty of casino excitement to be had another day.

Similarly, don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because a slot hasn’t paid out in a while, it’s ‘due’ for a big win. With the RNG in play, every spin is completely random and independent, meaning there’s no guarantee that the slot will or won’t pay out. Don’t fall prey to superstition or fallacious thinking. Keep a clear head, manage your bankroll, and enjoy yourself no matter what the outcome – it’s the only way to play.

Winning at online roulette: the best strategies and tips

From a purely luck-based game to one that’s a mix of luck and strategy. It’s online roulette, and it’s a game that can be hugely rewarding once you start understanding the various bet types, and applying certain strategies to your online play. Let’s take a look!

1. Choose the right type of roulette

First things first, let’s make sure you’re playing the correct variant of the game. While the most popular varieties of European, French and American Roulette might look similar, in fact there’s one notable difference that could make an equally significant impact on your bankroll.

Look at the European and French Roulette wheels, and you’ll see that they have 37 numbered spaces, from 0 to 36. Now look at the American Roulette wheel and you’ll see that it has 38, due to an additional double zero (00). What this one extra number does is effectively double the house edge, increasing it from 2.7% for European and French Roulette to 5.26% for American Roulette, giving the house twice as much of an advantage over you in the same game.

Top tip: If the La Partage or En Prison rules are in effect during French Roulette, the house edge of 2.7% is halved to 1.35%, giving you an even bigger advantage! One game, three different varieties, so many ways to manage your bankroll.

2. Try a gambling strategy

While there’s no foolproof strategy out there that can help you win, there are a number that can help you manage your finances and reduce the impact that any losses might have on your bankroll. These include:

·         The Martingale Strategy: Double your bet after every loss, and reset your wager back to its original amount as soon as you win. Just make sure you have a decent bankroll first, as continued losses could prove expensive.

·         The Fibonacci Strategy: So named for the mathematical sequence where each number is the sum of the two before it, the gambling strategy follows the same process. Here you’ll increase your bet once you lose (e.g., 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13) and decrease it once you win. It’s a slower progression than the Martingale Strategy, but still one that needs to be approached with caution.

3. The 2-to-1 column bet strategy

Want to place an inside bet (a bet on one or more roulette numbers) but don’t want to incur too much risk? Try the 2-to-1 column bet – a wager that’ll see you betting on two of the three columns on the betting table, covering roughly 64% of the numbers as a result.

By covering more numbers, you’ll be spreading your risk and balancing your reward better than you would if you were wagering on a single number. The same thrills as the roulette ball spins around, but with less of an impact on your bankroll.

4. Set win and loss limits

In online slots, financial managements is all about budgeting. In roulette, it’s about setting limits on how much you win or lose. Again, before you place a single bet, calculate how much profit you’d like to make, and how much you can reasonably afford to lose. Keep a running tally so you know how much you’re making, and stop as soon as you hit your loss limit – make sure you don’t play past this, and never try to chase your losses back. You always want the wheel of fortune spinning in your favour, not against it.

Winning at online blackjack: the best strategies and tips

We’ve looked at luck-based slots, and a mix of luck and strategy in roulette. Now let’s look at a game that’s all about skill and strategy – online blackjack.

While blackjack is simple enough to learn for beginners, making it an ideal entryway into table games for first-timers, it’s also a game where experience can prove valuable. The more you’re able to use your skills to get ahead, the more you’ll be able to lower the house edge in your favour, with experts being able to reduce it down to 0.5%, giving you a huge advantage with every hand you play. Want to learn how? Let’s take a look!

1. Learn basic strategy

If you’re a complete beginner, using a blackjack strategy chart is the best way to go. You’ll learn the optimal move for every hand, and you’ll learn when to hit, stand, double down, or split pairs based on your cards and the dealer’s upcard.

Even if you’re an intermediate or an advanced player, refreshing your memory on basic strategy can also help improve your game too. The better your foundational skills, the more successful you’ll be in building on them.

2. Always split Aces and 8s

Not sure which pairs to split and when? A good rule of thumb is to always split Aces and 8s. Here’s why:

·         Starting your hand with two Aces (1 + 11) gives you 12, which isn’t the best hand. By splitting them, you’ll be starting each hand with an Ace, giving you a better chance of getting a strong hand or even blackjack, by being dealt a 10, J, Q or K card.

·         With two 8s to start out, you’ll have 16, which is one of the worst hands in blackjack. Rather split them – you’ll be in a much better position, even if the dealer has a strong upcard.

3. Never take insurance

It might seem like the logical move – taking out insurance if the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, giving you protection against them ultimately having blackjack. Here’s the thing though – blackjack insurance has a notoriously high house edge. In fact, the odds of the dealer having blackjack are less than the 2:1 payout your insurance offers, which gives your side bet a negative expected value – and that’s not what you want.

4. Use the 1-3-2-6 betting system

More financial management, more ways to protect your bankroll. Keep a close eye on your funds in blackjack by trying the 1-3-2-6 betting system, as follows:

·         Bet 1 unit to begin with.

·         If you win, bet 3 units.

·         If you win again, bet 2 units.

·         If you win a third time, bet 6 units.

·         If you win the fourth bet, restart the sequence with your original bet. Simple!

Applying this strategy will allow you to minimise your losses while capitalising on your winning streaks, helping to give you the edge.

5. Pay attention to table rules and deck variations

Blackjack rules and methods differ between casinos, and in order to stay ahead of the game, you’ll need to be aware of how each casino runs their blackjack tables.

For starters, fewer decks used means better odds for you. For this reason, it’s best to play at single-deck or double-deck tables. Also look out for casinos that offer favourable rules such as the dealer standing on soft 17, and doubling down after the split. If you’re able to combine these, you’ll be able to reduce the house edge by around 0.35%, which means more winnings over time. Every little bit counts!

The best strategy – have fun!

As you can see, improving your gambling outcomes is all about practice, smart decision-making, and effective bankroll management. But whether you’re playing a luck-based or a skill-based game, the most important part is always to have fun. Keep your gaming strategies in mind, protect your bankroll, and enjoy your gambling experience. Good luck!