A Beginner’s Guide to Casino Game Strategies

beginner casino strategy

If you’re new to playing online casino games, this guide to casino game strategy is for you. We go through the most common strategies for much-loved casino games that you can implement to help improve your chances of winning.

Not all casino games are built the same, so what works for one isn’t necessarily going to work for the other. Give yourself a fighting chance with our guide to casino game strategies only at EVO.io.

Key Takeaways

We have put together this article to help you on your online casino games journey and ensure you get the most out of your experience when playing your favorite games here at EVO.io.

It’s important to remember that online casino games are supposed to be a form of entertainment and not a viable way to generate income, so always bet only what you can afford to lose.

This article will help you get the most out of your gaming session by sharpening your skills. You’ll learn basic strategies for each of the games you love that could help improve your gaming experience.

Having completed this guide, your key takeaways should be the following:

  • Manage your expectations – remember the difference between chance and skill and adapt your expectations accordingly.
  • Understand the odds – if you know your chances of winning, you can pick different games with the best odds.
  • Gamble responsibly – keeping responsible gambling in mind is key to protecting yourself while gambling online.
  • Pick the right games and strategies to suit your playing style and budget – not all games are created equal, nor are all online casino game players. Stick to playing games that suit your own particular needs.

Understanding the Basics Of Casino Game Strategy

The first thing we should look at is the difference between games of chance and games of skill, as this will have the largest impact on how to approach the game.

The key difference lies in the ability to influence the result: while games of chance are dictated by luck, games of skill reward strategic planning and expertise.

Games of chance are primarily governed by luck and random events, meaning the outcome is unpredictable and not influenced by your actions. These games offer equal opportunities for all players, regardless of their experience or strategy.

Popular games in this category include roulette, slot machines, bingo, and lottery-type games. The randomness inherent in these games ensures complete fairness, making them exciting and unpredictable.

By contrast, games of skill rely on your knowledge, abilities, and strategic thinking. Success in these games is determined by your understanding of the game and how your actions and decisions influence the outcome.

When it comes to games of skill, having a good understanding of probability and mathematics can help you form your game strategy—the likelihood of certain outcomes occurring and the influence house edge has on your gameplay.

The final aspect to consider is your bankroll management and knowing which strategies suit your gameplay style and funds. If you don’t have a decent buffer in your account, some strategies may be too risky an option.

Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is one of the most popular games in casino history, and unlike casino games relying entirely on chance, some blackjack strategies can give you the best chance of winning.

Blackjack Hand Chart

When it comes to playing blackjack, one great strategy can really help improve your games, and that’s making use of a blackjack hand chart.

These charts, freely available to view online, offer a visual representation of all the possible hand combinations, so when you play blackjack, you can refer to this chart to determine the most likely next card to be drawn from the shoe and, therefore, whether you should hit, stand, or make a different play.

The blackjack hand chart presents the optimal move for every combination of the dealer’s up card and what’s in your hand. It is derived using a mathematical algorithm that determines the best play in each situation based on the cards on the table.

Card Counting

Card counting has long been an issue for casino operators. In blackjack, it involves keeping track of the number of high and low cards remaining in the dealer’s deck and making play decisions accordingly.

The number of decks in blackjack significantly impacts card-counting strategies. Operators implement multiple decks to help prevent card counting, although some skilled players can still track the cards, which is significantly easier with fewer decks.

Some operators use continuous shuffling machines in conjunction with the dealing shoe, making card counting nearly impossible.

Betting Systems

Some players also believe betting strategies, such as the Martingale Strategy, Fibonacci Strategy, and D’Alembert Strategy, can help improve their chances of winning blackjack and other table games. We will look at these strategies in more detail below.

Roulette Strategy

Betting strategies are commonly used when playing roulette, as it is entirely a game of chance that you cannot influence in any way.

While there is no guarantee that these strategies will work, they can improve your chances of leaving your gaming session up.

The Martingale System

The Martingale System involves doubling your bet amount following each losing hand. The theory is that you will recoup your losses when you hit a winning hand, although it takes a large starting bankroll to use this system, so that it won’t be appropriate for all players.

D’Alembert Strategy

The D’Alembert Strategy is a negative progression system that is more conservative than Martingale. You start with a base bet value and place an even money bet, such as odds/evens or black/red.

Each time you lose a round, increase your bet by 1x and decrease your next bet by 1x each time you win.

Fibonacci System

The Fibonacci Sequence is a number sequence where each new number is the sum of the two preceding it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.). The Fibonacci Strategy is a negative progression betting system that follows this number sequence. It is less aggressive than Martingale but still a high-risk strategy.

Follow each losing bet with the sum of the previous two bets until you hit a winning round. For example, if your first losing bet is 2.00 and the second is 3.00, your next bet would be 5.00.

After a win, take two steps back in the sequence and proceed from there. So, if you hit a win on your 5.00 bet, your next bet will be 2.00 again.

Slot Machine Strategy

Slot machines are the most popular games in online casinos and fall into the category of games of chance.

While you cannot influence the outcome of slot machines, understanding the mechanisms behind them will help you understand the gameplay you can expect from a title and the likelihood of winning playing slots. This will ultimately help you make better-informed decisions regarding the games you play.

First, we look at the components of online slot games that you can review to determine if the game is right for your particular gameplay style.

Random Number Generator (RNG) Technology

Slot machines use random number generator technology to ensure random outcomes on every spin of the reels. This is done through complex computer algorithms that cannot be influenced or manipulated in any way.

These algorithms generate thousands of random numbers per second, and the player hitting the spin button determines which is used for the outcome of their spin when they hit the button. This is designed to ensure that the results of each spin are random and completely fair for each player.

Return to Player (RTP)

All slot machines will have their return to player (RTP) percentage published to indicate the payouts possible from a particular title. The industry average is 96%, which means that for every 100 wagered, 96 will eventually be returned to the player.

It is important to remember that the RTP is a theoretical amount based on playing the slot machine over an extended period and is not a guaranteed return on every session. However, it is good for an indication and worth comparing the RTPs from title to title.

While this figure is theoretical, it is indicative of the returns a title offers, especially if you are a regular player and plan to return to the game multiple times. One good strategy you can use to help you win at slots is to seek out games with as high an RTP as possible.

Volatility Levels

Volatility is a good indicator of a title’s gameplay. The higher the volatility, the less frequent the payouts in a gaming session, but if you do hit a winning spin, it will often be higher in value. Low-variance slot machines are the opposite, paying out more frequently but with lesser value prizes.

Your risk exposure is also a key element to successful gameplay. As higher volatility games tend to pay out less frequently, you will need a sizable starting balance to act as a buffer against the risk.

If you stick to games with low to medium volatility gameplay, you are likely to get more frequent, if smaller, payouts, which should help to extend your gameplay without blowing your budget too quickly.

Practice on Demo Slot Machines

Many slot developers will also release demo versions of their games, so you can practice playing in free-play mode to get a sense of the type of gameplay offered by the title.

Not only is this a great opportunity to ensure you fully understand the game and how to trigger bonuses and score payouts before spending any real money, but the ability to try before you buy means you can avoid wasting your balance on titles you would ordinarily avoid.

Poker Strategy

Poker is a game of skill, knowledge, and confidence. Knowing the hand rankings is essential to deciding what to keep and what to throw away and observing what your opponents are playing.

Two common strategies in poker are bluffing and position plays:

  •       Bluffing: Bluffing allows players to win pots without having the best hand. Effective bluffing involves convincing your opponents that you have a more substantial hand than you do.
  •       Position Play: This is the strategic advantage of acting last in a betting round. The later your position, the more information you have about your opponents’ actions, which can guide your decisions.

Read Your Opponents & Adapt Accordingly

Mastering poker involves a keen ability to read your opponents and adapt your strategies accordingly. By observing behavioral patterns, such as how opponents bet and react, you can gain insights into their strategies and tendencies.

Some players might bluff frequently, while others only bet big with strong hands. Physical or verbal cues, called ‘tells,’ can also reveal information about an opponent’s hand and are key to look out for.

It’s important to remain flexible in your approach. If you notice certain playing styles, adapt your methods accordingly.

Developing counter strategies to keep opponents off balance is also essential; if they adjust to your play style, be ready to change your approach again and stay one step ahead of the game.

Understanding your opponents’ psychology can give you a significant edge when playing poker and help you manipulate the game to your advantage.

Baccarat Betting Strategy

To learn the basic strategy for baccarat, let’s first look at your betting options. While some titles may offer additional side bets, the three main bets you can place are as follows:

Banker Wins: Due to the order in which cards are played, the banker’s hand has the greatest chance of winning a round of baccarat. The Banker completes their hand last, giving them a better chance to win than the Player.

Additionally, the Banker’s decisions are determined by the cards drawn for the Player, which gives a competitive advantage.

Player Wins: Betting on the player position still offers decent odds of winning, but they are lower than the banker winning. This is due to the order of play and the third card rule, which states that the player always draws the third card first. Betting on the player offers a higher return.

Hands Tied: The likelihood of a tie is considerably less than one of the two positions winning a round, which means the return you will get if you bet on the tie and it comes in will be far greater. Betting on a tie can be exciting, as you need a far smaller wager to get a similar result.

Baccarat Betting Strategies

The two most popular baccarat strategies are as follows:

1-3-2-6 Betting System: The 1-3-2-6 system is a progressive betting strategy designed to maximize profits during winning streaks and minimize losses during losing streaks.

Start with a base-level bet. If you win, increase your next bet by 3x. If you win this one, too, reduce the following bet by 2x. If you win again, increase the next bet to 6x. Any time you hit a losing hand, reset to your base bet value. 

Paroli Betting System

Paroli is another progressive betting strategy that capitalizes on short winning streaks. Start with your base-level bet; if you win, double your next bet and again if you win the third bet. Paroli always dictates that you stop after three consecutive wins and reset. Any losses will also reset to your base bet.

Video Poker Strategies

The basic strategy for video poker is different because you are playing against the house rather than against fellow players. Knowing which cards to hold and which to discard is critical here, as you have one redraw to make your best poker hand.

Similar to blackjack, you can use strategy charts to help your video poker strategy, which assesses the cards drawn and the best play to make based on the chances of creating winning hands. You can also use the paytable published in the game rules to understand the expected outcomes better.

Understanding the Paytable

Find the best games to play: Different video poker machines have different pay tables. By comparing pay tables, you can identify which machines offer the best returns. For example, a “9/6 Jacks or Better” game (where a Full House pays 9 coins and a Flush pays 6 coins) offers better odds than an “8/5 Jacks or Better” video poker game.

Better informed betting decisions: Understanding the paytable helps you make informed decisions about how much to bet. For instance, betting the maximum number of coins often unlocks higher payouts for top hands like a Royal Flush.

Using Strategy Charts On Casino Games

Optimizes your decision-making: Strategy charts provide a guide on the best possible decisions for each hand. Following these charts can maximize your chances of forming winning hands and achieving the best possible returns.

Improves consistency: Strategy charts help you play consistently, avoiding emotional or impulsive decisions. This consistency is key to long-term success in video poker.

Understanding the pay table and using strategy charts can help you make more informed decisions, optimize your gameplay, and increase your chances of winning video poker.

Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling should be a key aspect of your slot strategy to ensure you keep yourself safe while playing online. Below are some tips to help you maintain safer gambling practices and get the most out of your gaming session:

Set Limits

  • Set a budget before playing and stick to it.
  • Never bet with more money than you can afford to lose.
  •  Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits to prevent overspending.
  • Allocate a specific amount of time for gambling, and don’t exceed it.

Recognize Signs of Problem Gambling

  • Regularly assess your gambling habits. Be honest with yourself about any signs of addiction, and take advantage of self-assessment tools.
  • Check our online resources for additional information.

Seek Help & Support

  • Don’t gamble to escape stress, anxiety, or depression.
  • Seek professional help if gambling becomes an issue.
  • Remember that gambling is supposed to be a fun experience and not cause any harm. If you ever feel overwhelmed, reach out to support services in your area. 

Playing Your Cards Right

Now, you are armed with the information you need to tackle your gaming session with the best possible chance of winning. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to log into your EVO.io account and hit our casino lobby to put your new skills to the test.

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