How to Become a Better Gambler Outside of the Casino

For many gamblers, the optimal place to do the thing they love best is inside the confines of their favorite casino. The occasional poker nights with your pals might be fun, but there’s nothing quite like being surrounded by gambling action.

Some of those same gamblers who love everything about casinos are also those who can’t figure out why they keep losing money. In their eyes, they’ve spent far too much time gambling to continue to bleed money at the tables.

The problem is that the only time they devote to gambling is when they’re at the casino. Once they walk through those doors and return home, no gambling will be done until their inevitable return.

This creates an endless cycle of consistent losses with a few minor victories sprinkled into the mix. Simply put, the average gambler is mediocre because they make a minimal effort to improve.

If you feel like the description above matches your experience with gambling, then it’s time to switch things up and put an end to losing. Here are several ways to become a better gambler outside of the casino.

1 ‒ Decide What Kind of Gambler You Want to Be

The gambling world is full of different types of gamblers, with varying levels of skill and interest.

Some look at real money gambling as a fun side hobby and don’t mind losing money when they occasionally gamble. Others think they’re serious about making money but don’t want to put in the work to make that a reality.

Then, there are those few gamblers who are both skilled and disciplined enough to win money consistently. The main thing separating these types of gamblers is a decent work ethic.

Nobody lucks into consistently winning money at the casino. Sure, someone with no skill might occasionally get lucky and hit it big at a random slot machine. But those types of wins are infrequent.

Becoming a sharp gambler is challenging, as it should be. That’s because the odds don’t typically favor gamblers. The best in the business find a way to flip the odds into their favor by any means necessary.

Having said that, the first thing you have to do is decide what you want to get out of gambling. If you’re satisfied with your current level of play, then there’s little reason to invest time and energy into improvement.

But if you’re tired of getting pushed around by the house, there’s work to be done.

2 ‒ Practice Like You Play

Even the best professional athletes in the world have to get their practice reps in. Allen Iverson might disagree, but his well-documented disdain for practice might explain his lack of championship rings.

Winning money doesn’t require you to be a world-class athlete, of course, but practicing away from the casino will serve you well.


The best method of practice depends on the gambler and the game in question. If you prefer blackjack or poker, then an online gambling platform or free internet game can assist in your development.

Other, more obscure games might provide more of a challenge for players. But most popular games are offered for free in some form on the internet.

When practicing, it’s essential to take the games seriously. There might not be any financial implications attached to the game, but that shouldn’t impact how you approach it.

3 ‒ Consume as Much Content as Possible

A method for improvement that flies under the radar involves consulting information that’s readily available to gamblers. Once again, the internet is a fantastic resource for any gambler who wants to get better.

When researching gambling topics, it’s important to remember that there are several schools of thought. What works for one gambler might not work for another.

In other words, take everything you read with a grain of salt, and try to cross-check information frequently.

Reading about gambling is not as entertaining as playing the games. But it’s important to open yourself up to thinking about games differently.

Many gamblers are creatures of habit. They often fall victim to developing poor practices in their early stages of gambling without even realizing it.

These habits are ingrained in their strategic approach to games, bankroll management, and other aspects. To recognize specific errors, it’s necessary to consult various trusted sources and consider different approaches.

4 ‒ Play With Friends and Family

A majority of gamblers don’t have the luxury of living next to a casino. For many, a gambling trip is a rare treat rather than a regular occurrence.

That infrequency might lead to a lack of preparation and practice in the first place.

While nothing matches the gambling experience a casino can offer, casual games with friends and family can be an adequate substitute.

Several casino games are quite entertaining when played away from the casino. Unfortunately, playing others might be out of the realm of possibility.

The best gamblers must always remain calm and collected. One of the better ways to acquire said skill is by playing popular table games with no low stakes in a relaxed environment.

Additionally, these casual games are the perfect time to apply what you’ve learned without much risk.

5 ‒ Explore Games You’re Unfamiliar With

It’s been established that gamblers are creatures of habit. When first learning to gamble, it’s common to gravitate towards one game and stick with it.

While that game might not be the best option for you, at least you know how to play it.

Gamblers should play the games they enjoy the most and are comfortable playing. But if you have the opportunity, it’s worth branching out and exploring options.

Many gamblers back themselves into a corner when they play one game and one game only. Sometimes, a particular game of choice might not be the best bet.

Some casino games are inferior to others. They might be less entertaining, or more importantly, less profitable than other games around the casino.

It’s inadvisable to learn games and gambling strategy at the casino if you want to win money. For that reason, it’s important to explore other options in your spare time outside the casino.

6 ‒ Take Your Development Seriously

If you want to be taken seriously as a gambler, then you need to take gambling seriously.

As I said earlier, people differ in both their skill levels and desire to improve. Gambling might just be a fun thing to do once or twice a year, and that’s perfectly fine.

Just don’t be surprised if and when you continue to lose money at casino tables.

I’m not saying you need to treat this like a job, but it’s worth setting aside time each week to learn and improve.

Gambling should be fun, and nothing is more fun than winning money. If it’s possible, start making your development a priority as soon as possible.

7 ‒ Test Out Online Casinos

While many don’t have the opportunity to gamble as often as they would like, other options do exist.

The online gambling industry continues to grow and expand. Countless websites now offer aspiring gamblers easy access to their favorite games, provided they live in certain states.

Gambling online is something any gambler should try at some point. Both the ease of access and variety of games is second to none.

You might find that gambling online doesn’t compare to gambling in person. That might initially be true, but give it some time. If you genuinely love to gamble, you’ll be surprised to see how quickly it grows on you.

Conclusion

If you’re tired of losing money consistently, why wouldn’t you want to put an end to the misery?

Luckily, becoming a better gambler isn’t complicated. For those who decide to take gambling seriously, there’s a clear path forward.

The most drastic improvements won’t take place inside a casino. Instead, they will most likely take place at your home in your spare time.

Reading about the games you love to play but can’t seem to win will help you figure out the error of your ways. Once you have a solid base of information to lean on, apply that knowledge in casual games.

Remember, just because there isn’t any money on the line doesn’t mean you should approach it differently.

A common issue with gamblers that are stuck in a rut is that they’re playing the wrong games. Instead of wasting money by learning new games at the casino, play them for free online or with friends.

If you notice improvements but can’t find the time to schedule a casino trip, consider an online casino. It might seem foreign at first, but that novelty will wear off eventually.