Beginner's Guide to Online Gaming

When starting out with online gaming, it’s important to understand the system before putting your entire mortgage on red. Usually, bets like those don’t work out so well. (See also: putting your child’s college fund on 7.) So before you get started, here are some tips that I myself learned as someone new to the scene.  (Thankfully, I still have college funds. My mortgage on the other hand…)

• Know what you want to play – Each online casino is different. Blackjack, roulette, slots and Video poker are found in most general casinos. However, if you’re in the mood to play bingo, make sure the casino you’re subscribing to has it. Same with poker.  In addition to general casino sites, those games can also be found in specialized sites, such as Party Bingo and Pacific Poker.
• Research the casinos – Does the casino you’re looking at have a good reputation? Does it reward members often? Are customers typically satisfied? There is a lot of consideration that goes into choosing the casino(s) that you will be playing in. Check out the banking section to see how often they payout their users. Look for reviews around the Web to ensure that players are mostly happy. Make sure all both banking and registration is done in a secure manner. Most importantly, make sure it accepts your currency and location (many casinos prohibit users living in the US.)
• Find promotions – Casinos are always looking for new users, so they offer incredible promotions and welcome packages to lure people in. Find the best ones! Some offer free money just for signing up. Others offer match up bonuses on the first and sometimes even second deposits. See what happens once you’ve been there for a while. Do they still offer you promotions? Are there still bonuses to be won? Free money is always an incentive to choose one casino over another.
• Practice, Practice, Practice – Before joining the all stars, practice. Almost every online casino site allows its members to play for free. (Some, like English Harbour and Rushmore Casino, don’t even require you to download the software to practice!) This allows you to understand the games without risking any money. Practice for hours or days. Wait until you’re completely comfortable before putting any money on the line. Most casinos allow their members to play every game for free. Some, like 888, even allow you to play against others for free. Join a room and see how you match up against other’s practicing. It’s a great way to feel comfortable before sitting in your own Poker, Blackjack, or Craps room.
• Use money sparingly – Okay, you chose a casino, you practiced, now you want to start making money. That’s perfectly fine, but don’t bet everything at once. Playing games against others, or against the machine, is completely different once money is at stake. As you get comfortable with the software, bet smaller amounts. This way you won’t be too upset if you lose. Some casino’s have starting bets as low as 5 cents. Sure, if you win you won’t receive much, but it’s better to lose 5 cents than 500 dollars.
• Win Big – You’re ready to join the big league now? Alright, good luck! Find games you’re comfortable with and play those for more money. Learn about the different loyalty programs the sites offer. Make educated bets; know your opponents and your software. With some poker sites, they let you keep notes on every gamer you play against. Those are incredibly handy when up against them again. Also, some sites, like Full Tilt Poker and South Beach Bingo, allow users to chat with one another while playing. Talk with fellow players and learn their secrets. Maybe they have some useful advice for you. It’s never a bad idea to make friends with the enemy. Above all, bet smart and have fun! You’ll be making thousands in no time. And when that time comes, don’t forget the little people.