How To Boost Your Bankroll
It happens to all of us. Just when we’re having a good time, just when you’re getting the hang of a game, or just when the company at the table is getting good and you’re relishing the great time you’re having with your friends – you run out of money!
The last thing you should do is borrow money or gamble money you can’t afford to lose. The game’s going to stop being fun when you’re desperately trying to win back your rent money, so the trick isn’t overspending, but managing the money you’ve safely allotted for that gambling night. You don’t go over your budget, but you aren’t forced to stop abruptly in the middle of a very good gambling experience.
This holds true even if you have a very small budget, or would like to minimize your spending while you get the hang of a game. Maybe you’re new to gambling, and just want to try things out. Maybe it’s that time of the year when you’ve got a lot of expenses and you can’t afford to spend that much. In this case, the easiest and simplest bankroll management tip is to bet low. You’re after the experience, or the recreation. You’re not there to get rich, but to enjoy the game. You’ll enjoy yourself far more when you think about it this way.
The next tip is to try online casinos instead of going to a land casino. You immediately cut back on any additional expenses, like food and drinks. Plus, with so many online gambling options, you’ll have no problems looking for games that are cheap to play. If you only have a hundred dollars, try out a few nickel or penny slot games. If you have a little more money to spend, say a thousand dollars, then try playing blackjack for a dollar or two per hand. One rule of thumb is to choose games where your bankroll, no matter how limited, is about 50 to a 100 times as much as one bet. Another option is to hold the card games at home, instead of going to a casino. Everyone brings beer or chips, and since it’s between friends, it’s fun. Instead of betting money, bet “favours” – mowing someone’s lawn, for example.
Another suggestion is to pay attention to your concentration levels. Let’s say you’re tired, you’re not up for a high-strategy game, but you’re not broke. Then don’t lose your money by playing something you’re not 100% ready to play. Instead, try Baccarat (bet on a player or banker, and never wager on a tie), or craps (wager only on pass/don’t pass, carefully considering odds bets). Slot machines are no-brainers, but look for those with 98% payout ratios, or higher.
Factor in, also, the length of a game. Find something that’s got a leisurely pace, like Keno, where you’re in charge of the pace of the game, or Pai Gow, where players tend to slow down and think about how to play its rather intricate rules and strategies. Multi player games also tend to be slower, since people tend to chat while they play. This is one reason why poker games between friends can last for hours.
