The latest statistics show that of the total £4.5 billion value of the UK online gambling industry, over half of that total comes from top online casinos uk. Online gambling sites are hugely popular among players for their wide variety of games, diversity of software groups, the chance to win handsome jackpots, and the sheer convenience of playing anywhere and at any time.
What many players - especially new ones - don't realize is that their online gambling sessions can be even more enjoyable, and certainly more rewarding, if they avoid a number of common mistakes regularly made by players. Read on to find out the most fatal mistakes made by players at online casinos and, most importantly, how to avoid them.
Fatal Mistake #1: Playing Above Your Limits
When online casinos players play beyond their limits, they are committing the first cardinal sin of igambling. When we say limits, we can be referring to monetary limits, time limits or play levels. Only you know your own limits: Identify them and, most importantly, stick to them. Identify how much money you have to play with and don't go over that limit, even if you're having a bad run at the casino. Identify how long you can spend on your online casino session and shut off the computer or mobile device when your time runs out. Identify your own play level and play at tables suitable for that level.
Common mistakes committed by players include spending money that they can't afford to lose, such as money that is earmarked for life essentials; spending time at the online casino when they should rather be at work or enjoying family time; or amateur players sitting down at high roller pro tables.
Look at it this way: If you walk into a sweet shop and you really want to eat everything in the shop, it doesn't mean that you actually will do so. You'll pick the sweets you want and can afford and you'll take into account the consequences if you eat more than you can. The bottom line is that just because it is there, it doesn't mean that you need to act impulsively. Pace yourself, be self-disciplined and enjoy your online casino play.
Fatal Mistake #2: Not Understanding Casino Bonuses
Online casino bonuses are in place to entice players to visit the site, sign up and start playing. They can also be very useful in padding your bankrolls well (some more than others) and making your visit to the online casino even more rewarding. But just like you wouldn't rush into the nearest store to buy the first appliance without checking it out first to see if you really need it, nor would you sign on the dotted line of the purchase agreement without reading it through first, so too should you be vigilant about online casino bonuses and promotions.
Your first responsibility is to make sure that you educate yourself about the different online casino bonuses available to you. There are so many great gambling portals out there where you can learn about welcome bonuses, match bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, refer-a-friend bonuses and more. Once you know the difference between these offers, it will make it much easier for you to choose bonuses that suit you best.
Once you have chosen an online casino, and are interested in taking advantage of the bonuses available to you, your next step is to read the fine print. Remember that not all bonuses are created equally. The welcome offer at site A may be different to the offer at Site B and those differences you will most likely see in the small print. Ask yourself questions such as: What are the wagering requirements? How soon do I need to redeem the bonus in its entirety? Are there limits to the amount I can withdraw in winnings?
You need to make an educated decision regarding bonuses and promotions so that you choose those that meet your own needs and betting limits. Learn to look past the flashy marketing hype and concentrate on the real facts and you won't be making one of the most common online casino mistakes.
Fatal Mistake #3: Chasing Losses
We touched on this slightly in #1 but we believe that this common error deserves a section of its own. If you aren't doing too great at the online casino and you're losing more than you feel good with, the last thing you want to do is chase your losses. This could only lead to more losses and lots of frustration. A good gambler knows when to cut his or her losses. The chances are that if you come back refreshed to a new gaming session, you will do much better than if you continued spinning those reels long after you exceeded your limits.
Fatal Mistake #4: Not Taking Advantage of Free Casino Games
We are not sure why anyone would jump into real money online gambling without first trying the same games for free. By playing free casino games, you can get to know the game's rules first, without the need to risk your own bankroll in the beginning. Don't assume that all slot games, video poker games, blackjack variants or roulette games are the same. There will always be differences in rules, betting limits, and jackpots. Choose online casinos that offer you the chance to play the titles in the games lobby for free and once you're familiar with the game, you can easily - and more confidently - make the switch to real money online gambling
Fatal Mistake #5: Underestimating the Importance of Basic Strategy
Online casino games are essentially divided into two loose groups - games of skill and games of chance. Slots, for example, fall under the category of games of chance. The outcome of these games is determined by a random number generator, which means that there is not much you can do to change this outcome and increase your winnings. On the other hand, there is a whole lot you can do to bring the house edge down in games of skill.
Let's take blackjack as a classic example of a game of skill. True, you can't control the cards that will be dealt to you but you can decide how to advance with these cards so that you stand a better chance of winning the hand. This is where basic strategy comes in. All games of skill have a strategy that you should become familiar with if you choose to play them at the online casino. Once again, use the power of the internet to learn the rules of your chosen game of skill and practice the basic strategy until you are familiar with it. Here again, playing free blackjack comes in useful, as there is no better way to put that strategy to practice than by actually playing the game. As you become better at the game of the skill, you can advance beyond the basic strategy and improve your odds even more. The bottom line is this: Never underestimate the importance of learning a game of skill's strategy
Fatal Mistake #6: Ignoring Online Casino Tips
For every online casino game available out there, we can guarantee you that there are at least 10 great tips that will help you increase your rewards, improve your game play or, at the very least, get more enjoyment out of the game. Good casino tips come from seasoned players who have spent lots of time trying out the games and know what works and what doesn't. If you are new to online gambling, we strongly advise you to read the many casino tips that can be found on this site. Whether you are a slots fan or prefer table games or video poker, we can assure you that casino tips are available and relevant to your play.
Examples of the best online casino tips include:
* Always bet the maximum number of coins when playing progressive slot games. If you are lucky enough to hit the jackpot, the really big wins will only be yours if you have bet max. You don't want to miss out on life-changing jackpots over a few cents!
* In blackjack, there are quite a number of tips that should help you do well. For example, always split 7's against the dealer's card if it is equal or lower in value; always split 8's and Aces; always split 2's and 3's against 4, 5 or 6 and always stand if you have a hard 17 or higher.