The 7 Worst Mistakes to Make at a Casino

Gambling at casinos should be a pleasant experience, free from everyday stresses. Because of that, gamblers should always feel at ease inside casinos.

At least, before the adrenaline rush from betting kicks in, that is. But, if you find yourself committing common mistakes at casinos, you can ultimately ruin your experience.

Mistakes are part of the learning process, and virtually every gambler has committed one or two in their time. That doesn’t mean gamblers shouldn’t be on the lookout for potential pitfalls.

For those of you who are new to the world of casinos, or just need a refresher, here are 7 of the worst mistakes to make at casinos.

1 ‒ Entering Without a Game Plan

Some casual gamblers take trips to the casino too seriously. If you rarely bet and aren’t attempting to win money, your end goal should be to enjoy yourself.

It never hurts to have a plan of attack. Even if you aren’t concerned with winning, it’s good to have an idea of which games you would like to play. All that involves is doing the bare minimum in terms of research.

By spending 5-10 minutes reading about specific casino games, you’ll be doing your future self a huge favor.

On the other hand, serious gamblers should always approach trips to the casino with more thought. I don’t recommend having a minute-by-minute itinerary, but a loose plan is helpful.

It’s always a good idea to know which games you want to play and how much you intend to spend. Laying out a solid game plan will help your trip go smoothly, and you’ll avoid wasting any time.

2 ‒ Letting Expectations Get Out of Line

More experienced gamblers know how important it is to be realistic with your expectations. The fact is that you’re not going to become a millionaire in one night.

A good rule of thumb for new gamblers is to try to learn as much about casinos as possible while also enjoying yourself. Learning how to play a variety of table games will make subsequent trips even better.

Unfortunately, I find that new gamblers often deprive themselves of a good time due to heightened expectations. It’s always important to remind yourself that the odds are that you’ll lose money gambling.

Approaching your first few trips with that mindset will serve you will. Not only will it force you to be smarter with money, but it can help take some of the pressure off your shoulders.

There’s nothing wrong with aspiring to win real money gambling. But, if things go south, don’t let that ruin your experience.

3 ‒ Acting Like an Obnoxious Gambler

The first two mistakes I’ve discussed are somewhat harmless. If you commit one of those mistakes, you’re not hurting anyone but yourself.

However, acting obnoxious at the casino is deliberate, self-centered, and frustrating for other gamblers. Of all the mistakes to make, being overly obnoxious is arguably the most detrimental.

Annoying gamblers come in many forms, and some are slightly worse than others. Regardless there are certain things you should avoid doing at casinos.

The first thing is to be condescending towards other players and dealers. Playful smack talk is one thing, but cruel, demeaning remarks are rarely, if ever, warranted.

The world’s least popular gambler is the drunk, obnoxious type who blames the dealer for everything. If you can’t handle your alcohol, then you should avoid drinking while you gamble.

4 ‒ Making Several Trips to the ATM

Managing your bankroll is one of the most challenging parts of gambling. When you’re down, it’s easy to convince yourself you can win back your money.

Withdrawing money from ATMs at casinos can be one of the most demoralizing experiences. Typically it means your night has not gone according to plan.

Always consider bringing a fixed amount of cash with you and leaving your credit cards in your car or at home. You might think you’re disciplined enough to avoid the temptation to withdraw money. Trust me: it’s harder to resist than it seems.

Everyone loses money gambling at some point. If you’re new to gambling, it’s crucial that you limit those losses, so they don’t become catastrophic.

When you chase losses, you’re adding fuel to the fire and setting yourself up for disaster. So, when your money is gone, it’s probably a good time to call it a night.

5 ‒ Failing to Tip Casino Employees

A fair amount of casino employees rely on tips to make ends meet. Bartenders, cocktail waitresses, restaurant workers, and dealers live off of patrons’ tips.

It’s customary to tip people in the foodservice, but some new gamblers don’t know they should tip dealers. Don’t be that guy: always tip your dealers, even if you lose.

If you’re not convinced why you should tip dealers, here are several reasons to help steer you in the right direction:

• Dealers make a majority of their money off tips
• They can be great sources of information for new gamblers
• Tipping demonstrates that you’re thoughtful and sophisticated
• Dealers will be more inclined to help you and they’ll be more amicable
• Casino dealers have to put up with a lot; they should be rewarded


I always tip between 15-25% of my winnings, especially if the cards are good. You can either tip after each win or in one lump sum when you’re coloring up your chips at the end of the night.

Whichever method you choose, always tip casino employees.

6 ‒ Not Finding the Best Odds

Playing games or at certain tables with worse odds than others is an easily avoidable mistake. But, it’s also fairly common among new gamblers.

Table games with the best odds typically include blackjack, craps, and roulette. All 3 of those games are easy to learn and incredibly entertaining.

On the other hand, slot machines, a fan-favorite for new gamblers, have terrible odds in comparison. Playing slots might seem tempting, but if you want to win money, there are better ways to do it.

While table games like blackjack have pretty good odds compared to other games, some tables are better than others. Always be on the lookout for the amount wins pay out and whether dealers hit or stand on soft 17s.

Whichever games you play at the casino comes down to personal preference. As long as you’re enjoying yourself and not losing too much money, then you’re set up for a successful trip.

7 ‒ Wasting Money on Alcohol

This might seem like an unpopular opinion, but you should never drink heavily when you’re gambling. If you’re going to the casino to have fun and aren’t planning to gamble much, disregard this post.

Gamblers who walk into casinos expecting to win money shouldn’t compromise their sobriety. If you plan on drinking, stick to a couple, but don’t waste your money on booze.

Certain casinos will pay for their customer’s drinks as long as they’re gambling. Instead of spending a fortune at the bar, consider sitting down at a table and playing a few hands of blackjack.

Cocktail waitresses will routinely check in on each table to take drink orders. It can be incredibly challenging to turn down free alcohol, but it might be for the best.

When you drink excessively, you dull your senses and disrupt your decision-making processes. The best gamblers don’t make a habit of gambling while drunk.

If you insist on drinking, try to gamble at casinos that will foot your bill for alcohol. Drinking at casinos can be expensive, especially if you plan on having more than a couple.

Conclusion

If you’re concerned about committing some future mistakes after reading this post, don’t be. Every gambler messes up from time to time.

Learning from your mistakes will make you a better gambler. As long as you’re not impacting other people, most of the mistakes listed above are relatively harmless.

But, to make sure you’re ready for your next gambling trip, there are a few things to remember.

Always walk into a casino with some idea of which games you want to play and how much money you’ll spend. Knowing those 2 things will drastically improve the quality of your trip and assure you don’t lose the money you can’t afford.

You’re not going to bankrupt the casino, so keep your expectations in check. A positive mindset is crucial to effective gambling, but don’t let a few losses ruin your trip.

The worst mistakes you can make at casinos is to be obnoxious and refuse to tip your dealers. No one likes the drunk, loud guy who treats dealers like garbage.

Finally, always find the tables with the best odds, and avoid spending too much money on alcohol. If you want to drink, try to find casinos that pay for your booze while you gamble.