Whether playing online or visiting a traditional bricks-and-mortar venue, visiting a casino for the first time can be a daunting experience. Especially in a land-based casino, everything can seem fast-paced and confusing, with little done to explain to new players what is where, how each game is played, where to make a deposit and how to order a drink - while online, the sheer number of games and betting options available can be rather overwhelming.
While it's likely at some point during your first visit that you make a simple mistake, be it finding yourself in the wrong poker room or mistaking your chips when betting on roulette, there are some steps you can take to give yourself the best chance of enjoying your first casino experience.
Get to know your casino
It doesn't matter whether you're joining a new online casino or visiting one of the Las Vegas Strip's most iconic names, it's crucial you do your research before making a decision. Luckily, there are a range of ways to find out just how reputable a casino is. A couple of Google searches and you can find out not only whether other visitors have enjoyed their experience but also what games a casino has on offer as well as any welcome offers available for new players. Rather than being attracted by all the bright lights, listen to what people who have visited a certain casino have to say to find out what it is actually like.
"Las Vegas Sign" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by daryl_mitchell
Learn the games
This is one area where the online market has it pegged. Before betting actual money, there are a variety of ways online where you can learn how a certain game works before playing it for real. Take roulette, for example, many people use different methods to make sure their winnings are more than their losses. Let's look at the Martingale example, for instance: it requires players to double their bets every time they lose, which ultimately means that they'll be able to break even soon. Going online to try such methods allow you to really get to know what technique works for you. And with so many new video slots now available, it's very useful if you know what a Wild and a Scatter are before finding yourself having to make an in-game decision that could prove costly.
Don't stick to one place
Just because you enjoy the roulette wheel or the blackjack table, it doesn't mean that you should spend your entire time at a casino on one game. While you'll always have a favourite, something you'll always come back to, there are now a huge array of casino games for you to choose from, especially online. From the different variations of traditional games to the massive strides being made by the likes of Microgaming and Playtech in the slots arena, you never know what you might end up discovering as you enhance your casino knowledge.
"Roulette(azhl)" (CC BY-ND 2.0) by Stuart-Buchanan
Stay in your lane
This is particularly relevant when it comes to playing poker in real tournaments, both online and real-life. Just because you usually beat your four friends whenever you play together or you've had a bit of success at sit-and-go tables, doesn't mean you're necessarily ready: playing in a tournament is a different world entirely. Before you start thinking of entering the World Series of Poker and donning your special poker sunglasses while challenging the world's best players, spend plenty of time learning the game at the low-stake tables, making sure you are well prepared when stepping up to the bigger tournaments and events.
