Preparing for Your First Ever Trip to a Casino
Casinos, while simultaneously a riot of color, hedonism and big money, can also be daunting places to step into for the uninitiated. If you're planning your first ever trip to a casino you want to make sure you've taken a few moments to prepare, to guarantee you get the most from your experience. We've put together a handy guide to get you confidently placing your bets with the best of them.
Learn the rules of the game
Each of the casino's many and varied games come with a series of written rules and sometimes unwritten etiquette that can prove perilous if it's your first visit. So top of your list has to be to gain some understanding of how your chosen game works.
Roulette requires bets to be placed at certain times, blackjack has a number of advanced rules like splitting pairs and doubling down, and snake eyes at the craps table isn't always a bad roll, but why? One of the best places to learn the ins and outs of the games doesn't require you to leave your house at all, the online casino.
Online casinos will always have an abridged version of the rules alongside the game for you to study and they have the advantage of letting you dictate your own pace of play. You might also be able to participate without making a real money bet so there's nothing on the line if you make a mistake. Once you've got the hang of it, your next stop should be the live casino section of the website, which is one step closer to the real thing.
When you do finally arrive at your casino in the real world, there might be some differences to your online experience. Don't worry if you're not totally sure about a venue's individual requirements, the croupiers and dealers are there to help make your time there proceed as smoothly as possible, so do ask them if you have any questions at all.
Check the dress code
Casinos come in all shapes and sizes — from the in-your-face neon explosions of downtown Las Vegas to the altogether more refined tables of Monte Carlo. You want to be sure that if there is a dress code, you've brought the appropriate wardrobe to adhere to it. After all you wouldn't see James Bond at the baccarat table in a pair of board shorts and an undershirt.
There are very few casinos that require a full black-tie tuxedo, but venues at the more exclusive end can demand semi-formal or business formal attire. The world famous Ritz Club in London, that recently announced it would remain permanently closed, required men to wear a collared shirt and jacket, and women to wear a cocktail dress, blouse and slacks or an elegant skirt. Interestingly, Casino Monte Carlo only asks that you not wear shorts or flip flops—the VIP rooms, however, are stricter.
Establish your spending limits
It can be all too easy to get swept away with the occasion and let your spending run away from you, especially on your first visit. Therefore, it is crucial to your enjoyment that you set sensible limits for your gaming session — and stick to them.
This way, gambling at the casino can be a positive and enjoyable experience that you can enjoy time and time again. If you view your spending limit as what you can afford to pay for the evening's entertainment, then any money won can be seen as a bonus to a great night out.
Take advantage of offers
Competition is rife in the casino world and each establishment is keen to get you through their doors and seated at their tables. Offers and promotions are common to help attract your custom, so look out for the deals.
You should be able to acquire free drinks at the very least for the duration of your gaming time but try to make sure you remain in full possession of your faculties, or you could start making some regrettable and expensive decisions.
High-rollers are known to be on the receiving end of luxury suites, VIP bonuses and extended lines of credit. Remember, though, that those perks don't come for free and only exist because these customers are the casinos' big spenders. Similarly, online casinos are known to offer free spins and deposit matching to new customers which you will also want to take advantage of.
Stick to the games with the best odds
If you are keen to turn a profit from your trip, the odds of some games are notoriously stacked against you compared to others. Blackjack is known for having the smallest house edge — a term that is given to the statistical advantage a casino has over the player at each game.
You will usually find a "blackjack pays 3 to 2" sign somewhere on the table. This means that you will receive $3 back for every $2 wagered. There are occasions that you might encounter "blackjack pays 6 to 5"—if you see this, it's best not to pay as the house edge has been significantly amplified.
Roulette is not as favorable to the punter and the American version of the game, with the additional double zero, has an even higher house edge than the European version with a single zero.
When approached with some forethought, gaming at a casino can be a captivating hobby enjoyed by most adults. With the help of some of the advice from within this article, we hope your introductory trip to the table is the first of many.