Basics of Gambling | Things you should know | Rules of the Games

1. Know The Game:
Some games do give you better odds than others. There is a wealth of information both on the Internet and in print to inform you of the odds you face in any given game and the strategies that will help shave the house edge to a minimum. Spend a little time reading and you'll spend a lot less time wondering what happened to your money.

2. Know Your Budget:
Let's say you've got $1,000 and you expect to gamble five times a week for the next two weeks. Then your budget is $100 per session. If you are unfortunate and you spend your budget, then walk away. Enjoy the rest of the day knowing you kept your budget and prepare to win the next day. Do not touch any other days portion of the budget.

3. Keep Emotion Out Of The Game:
If you find yourself betting your rent money, your next car payment or if you have lost the last twenty bets in a row - stand up and walk away. You can not possibly think rationally and you can not keep your emotions from influencing your decisions. You must play the odds not play your emotions.

4. Don't Play While Under The Influence:
If you are stoned, drunk, or half asleep, you are a lesser player than you are straight.

5. Nothing Beats A Game Of Chance:
The numbers will always rule the outcome. If they do not, you got lucky. Do not fall for "systems" - they will always fail in the long run if they are not numbers based. You are playing to have fun and should expect to lose. If you win, great.

6. It is all Numbers:
If you're playing to win, know the odds and play accordingly. The numbers may be dull, but they are your roadmap to avoiding the losing plays. Hunches, ESP, clairvoyance, tea leaves, remote viewing and divination are all secondary choices to the mathematics of your game.

7. Take The Winnings And Run:
Have a plan for when to stop. Some folks call it quits when they're up by 50%. Some when they've doubled their session bankroll. Others bail when the tide turns and they lose 20% of their winnings. Whatever your break-point, it's important to have one and stick to it.

8. Expect To Lose:
Casinos do not depend on luck to stay in business. On virtually every bet you make in whatever game you play, the house's win is designed right into the rules of the game. And that edge generally means they'll be the winner a lot more often than you will be. Players can find and play games where the house edge is 1.5% or less but you'll have to do your homework.

9. Play The Game, Not The Gimmicks:
That "insurance" bet in Blackjack: house edge around 6%. The so-called "crapless craps": again, about 6%. Sure there's the occasional exception but in general the "add-ons" to the basic games are sucker bets.

10. Fun Is The Name Of The Game:
Unless you're a professional player with a proven track record, you're playing for the pleasure of it. For 98% of players casino gambling is recreation -- you're spending money to be entertained.