7 Things Every Beginner Needs to Do at a Casino

Without the proper guidance, casinos can be a brutal place for new gamblers. Many popular table games punish players who don’t use an effective strategy or practice proper table etiquette.

Additionally, many beginners wander into a casino with all sorts of heightened expectations. Sadly, many leave disappointed when casinos fail to live up to that hype.

While this guidance is necessary and important, the internet and other resources are often full of lackluster advice. Even if beginners want to have a fun and successful gambling excursion, they can be led astray by worthless tips and tricks.

The truth is that there isn’t one recipe for success when it comes to casinos. What might work for someone won’t work for another person.

Gambling is personal and advice should be tailored towards specific people. Still, there are a few things that every beginner should consider doing at a casino.

1 ‒ Don’t Obsess Over Making Money

The first thing many people associate with gambling and casinos is money.

That’s not abnormal, but it’s rather unfortunate. If your goal is to make money, there are a multitude of other activities you should consider doing instead of playing cards.

To make money at a casino, you either need to be skilled and lucky. The best gamblers alive can still struggle to win money on a consistent basis and beginner’s luck can only get you so far.

While it’s certainly possible for anyone to win at a real money casino, it’s not probable. That’s simply due to the fact that casinos can be tough to figure out.

There are several games to learn how to play, and there are rules you must follow if you want to succeed in a casino. If you’re unfamiliar with the casino environment, you could stick out like a sore thumb.

For these reasons, you should expect to win money the first time you gamble. If you do, you’ll likely be disappointed and can risk ruining your experience.

2 ‒ Explore Before You Gamble

Before you sit down at a slot machine, a blackjack table, or even the casino bar, make a point to explore the entire casino.

I’ve been gambling for far too long, and every time I step inside a casino, I like to walk through every part of it. Not only does this help me get familiar with the casino, I find it comforting and enjoyable to explore places I’ve never been before.

Plus, you will be able to find the best games that fit your budget and playing experience.

You should never feel rushed when you’re gambling in a casino. As a beginner, you’re already going to struggle so there’s no need to put yourself into an even more uncomfortable position.

Most casinos are rather interesting places, and many feature other attractions besides gambling. Casinos are an entertainment destination before anything else.

Gambling is often a casino’s biggest draw, but other parts of them are worth exploring.

3 ‒ Start at the Cheapest Tables

When you fail to look around an entire casino, you’re depriving yourself of a few things.

First of all, you might feel rushed, uncomfortable, and forced to play a game you don’t know or enjoy. But most importantly, you might gamble at a table that is outside your price range.

Casinos often host an assortment of different table games and machines at varying price points or table minimums. Lower table minimums are enticing for gamblers on a budget.

However, one of the lesser-known benefits is the comfort that comes from gambling for less money per hand. In my experience, gamblers at more expensive tables are intense and very invested in the games.

They have no time for beginners.

But cheaper tables offer a more care-free vibe and typically appeal to newer, less experienced gamblers who want to have fun. As I mentioned earlier, profit should not be your goal when you’re first starting.

Instead, you should focus on having the most fun possible.

4 ‒ Experiment With Different Casino Games

As a beginner, you’re in a perfect position to experiment with all types of games casinos offer.

If you have some sort of gambling experience you might have some sort of idea of what games you’ll like. But if you haven’t even played a casual game of poker or blackjack, then your mind and gambling preferences are a blank slate.

To fill that slate, it’s your job to avoid fixating on one particular game. You’ll never find what you’re passionate about if you don’t give different games a shot.

To knock off some of the early nerves that come with being new to gambling, I recommend starting with slots. Real money slot machines are easy to use; most being self-explanatory.

Also, slots are often single-player games, meaning you can learn at your own pace. Even if you settle into a nice groove, make sure you don’t get stuck at a machine all day.

Slots can be very comfortable for new players, but there’s so much more in store elsewhere around the casino.

5 ‒ Find the Game You Love

There’s a good chance you become enamored by a casino game the first few times you gamble.

Instead, you might struggle with somewhat complex rules and all the different aspects of casino culture. In fact, it might take a while to find a game that you prefer to others.

To help expedite this process, it’s worth trying to play some games on your own at home. Not only are there several great online casinos available, but many platforms and websites offer free casino games like blackjack, craps, roulette, and slots.

Those four games are the perfect starting point for all beginners, and you’ll likely find yourself hooked by one of them.

Even if you think you’ve found the game for you, don’t deprive yourself of the opportunity to try other games.

6 ‒ Sign Up for Players Club Cards

Most casinos offer players club cards to all of their patrons.

These cards allow casino-goers to earn rewards and perks every time they go gamble. These perks can include drink vouchers, free meals, discounted rounds of golf, and even a free night at the casino resort.

Casinos love to reward their gamblers because it can lead to customer loyalty.

Signing up for these cards is simple, and it can be done in a matter of minutes. Most casinos have desks at every entrance where you can sign up with a phone number or email.

Even if you don’t think you’ll gamble frequently, it never hurts to sign up for a free rewards program.

7 ‒ Always Bring Someone to Gamble With

One of the biggest mistakes I see new gamblers make is not bringing a friend to gamble with.

In a perfect world, your gambling buddy would be somewhat knowledgeable and experienced. They can help steer you in the right direction and offer more personal advice.

Even if your friend has very little experience, something is better than nothing.

Sharing that experience with someone you know will likely improve the quality of your casino trip. Gambling on your own is unnerving and can be awkward, especially if you have no idea what to do or where to go.

But if you don’t have someone to bring, don’t let that stop you from giving gambling a try. Most gamblers and casino employees will offer advice and assistance, whether you ask for it or not.

Conclusion

There isn’t a perfect roadmap for a beginner’s first trip to the casino. In all likelihood, you’ll discover everything you need to know on your own.

Experiencing it for yourself and making mistakes is the best way to learn how to gamble. But there are still some things everyone should do when they first start going to casinos.

If you obsess over the prospect of making money, you’re going to be disappointed in the long run. Focus on learning how to play games, improving, and enjoying yourself.

Make sure to walk through the entire casino before you put your money on the table. Casinos are often fun places, full of entertainment waiting to be discovered.

Try to play as many games as possible until you find the ones you enjoy the most. Everyone has their personal preference and biases, so don’t avoid certain games because of things you hear or read.

Finally, if you can, try to bring someone to the casino with you. It’s always more fun and relaxing if you are playing with someone you know and trust.