How to Gamble Sensibly

Jun 28

Some would argue that there is no such thing as gambling sensibly. Others would say that it can be a fun and potentially financially-rewarding pastime if, and only if, a gambler exercises restraint and follows certain rules. This could be especially apparent if gamblers were to look at utilizing the bonuses offered to them, such as welcome bonus offers, no deposit spins, and many other online incentives. For some, gambling can become a serious addiction that ruins their lives whether it’s through financial troubles, compulsive lying, stress or depression; so it’s not something to take lightly. Next time you place a bet, consider some of the following advice.

Know the games

An educated gambler, someone who knows the games well, is much less likely to lose as much money as someone who dives into a game without knowing the rules. When gambling online games that you’ve played before might have slight variations or different layouts that throw of your game. Play the games for fun first, without betting any money, like poker at Bet Safe; that way you can practice and then start betting if you want to. It’s a good thing to keep in mind that certain games like roulette and slot machines are completely based on chance; while poker and blackjack, if studied well, can be slightly more predictable. If you are a sports fanatic and have been following the games for a while, you can also try sports betting since you might have a better understanding of the sports and likewise increased winning odds. If you have opted for a bookie with pay per head service and other facilities, including live bets and sports streaming, easy bet transfers, and more, you can easily ace the game without encountering heavy losses. Keep in mind that there’s still a chance of losing, so calculate the odds in your favor.

Control your spending

It’s important to keep track of how much money you are really spending on gambling. Often players will win a jackpot and think they’ve made 50 without realising they’ve spent 100 already – so they’ve made a loss. Successful gamblers will set themselves a budget of how much they can spend on an evening; and when it’s gone they stop playing. The same rule works for winning too – quit while you’re ahead. If you’ve doubled your initial money then it’s time to stop. It’s also a good idea to leave any debit or credit cards at home to avoid the temptation of withdrawing more cash out.

Remember your priorities

Never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose. If you need to pay bills or buy food shopping, use your money for that and any leftover can be spend on leisure activities like gambling. Using money that’s not set aside for entertainment is the easiest way for gambling to lead to financial hardship. If you need help managing your finances to fit in with a desire to gamble, then there are budgeting apps or tools online that can prove useful.

Work out why you gamble

Figuring out what makes you want to gamble can help control the amount of time you spend gambling. Gambling can be a sociable activity, even online; winning a bet provides a buzz or a release of dopamine that many gamblers chase; it can relieve stress and provide an escape from ordinary life. If you’re spending more money than you can afford, think about whether you’re using gambling to replace something that’s missing in your life. If you need to relieve stress consider pursuits that don’t tend to lead to addiction or financial problems. If you have real trouble staying away from gambling or setting yourself sensible limits when you do, it’s worth seeking professional advice.