Things you don’t think about when you online gamble
If you online gamble, even just as a beginner, you’re more than likely aware of the basics involved. Knowing how to claim bonuses, how to manage your bankroll responsibly. And how to find trustworthy, licensed casinos to play at.
Of course, those are the obvious points to bear in mind. And they go a long way toward enhancing your online gamble experience. But what about the less obvious factors? Some aspects of online gambling are less well-known than others. And becoming aware of them could impact your gaming significantly, in a positive way. So let’s take a look at some of these ‘hidden’ elements, and make sure you get the most out of your gambling that you possibly can.
Online Gamble Rule # 1 – Game contribution rates
Don’t worry, this isn’t as complicated as it sounds. All it means is that different online casino games have different wagering requirements when it comes to casino bonuses. While slots might contribute 100% towards clearing a bonus’s playthrough requirements, other games like Blackjack or Roulette might contribute significantly less, or nothing at all.
So what does this mean? Just that your ability to cash out your bonus will be limited, as it’ll take far longer for you to meet the necessary requirements. If you’ve been on a winning streak and want to convert your casino credits to real-world cash, this could be hugely frustrating. It’s an easy fix though. Just make sure you know the various game contribution rates of a particular bonus before you claim it. Read the terms and conditions first so that you have all the necessary information to hand. Then go about meeting the wagering requirements accordingly. You’ll be able to strategize your game play better, and maximize your bonus value too.
Online Gamble Rule #2 House edge variance
Yes, we know that you’re most likely already aware of the concept of house edge. The advantage that the casino has over the player in order to make a profit and stay in business. But did you know that the house edge can vary between land-based casino games. And the online version of the same game?
If you’re a Blackjack player, for example, you could find that different rule variations increase the house edge when compared to land-based Blackjack. Similarly for games like Roulette and Poker, different rules could mean a higher house edge. Making winning more challenging. For this reason, it’s good to be aware of these variances ahead of time. And not assume that online gambling is automatically the same as land-based. Keep your wits about you. A little research goes a long way!
Online Gamble tips – Withdrawal processing times
So you’ve got an online casino account packed with winnings, and you’d like to withdraw them. Well done you! Before you request a withdrawal though, one factor you’ll need to consider is the time it’ll take for your withdrawal to be approved – because if your casino is one that takes a while to process cashouts, it could be a hugely frustrating experience for you.
Your best bet is to look at a casino’s withdrawal times before you sign up, so that you can manage your expectations in terms of how long a cashout will take. Also look at the individual payment methods on offer, and see which of them processes withdrawals the fastest. The more you know ahead of time, the less challenging your casino banking will be.
Bonus terms and conditions to online gamble
We touched on bonus terms and conditions in a previous point, but it’s worth giving them another look. Yes, reading a casino’s bonus terms and conditions is vital when understanding wagering and playthrough requirements, but you’ll need to consider other factors as well. When you’re reading through the various points, make a note of guidelines like maximum bet sizes, game restrictions, and any other elements that might influence whether or not you’ll be able to successfully claim your bonus. Not all bonuses are created equal, so make sure that when you’re taking a closer look at what’s involved, you only end up claiming bonuses that are worth your time and effort.
Responsible gambling tools
It’s natural to want to jump into placing real money bets as soon as you open an online casino account, but if you don’t prioritise responsible gambling behaviour at the same time, you could soon find yourself in trouble. Online casino games are designed to be immersive and engaging, which means you’ll need to be aware of how much time and money you spend on them to be sure you’re always playing it safe.
Most online casinos will help you with this, offering tools and resources designed to help you gamble responsibly. These include devices like deposit limits, loss limits, session time reminders, and even self-exclusion options as well. Of course, if you’re not aware that these tools exist in the first place, you won’t use them. Which could make gambling responsibly harder than it needs to be. Before you sign up at an online casino. Check to see what kind of resources it offers to help you manage your time and money, and make use of them whenever you can. You’ll find it easier to stick to your budget. And you’ll get the most value from your casino experience at the same time.
Game fairness and randomness
You might already be familiar with the idea of the Random Number Generator, or RNG – the algorithm that every online casino employs to ensure that its outcomes are always fair and random. What you may not know about, however, are the mechanics behind the RNG. And understanding more about how these work can help prevent you from making costly mistakes.
If you’re someone who believes that you’re ‘due’ for a win because you’ve had a series of losses, two things are happening here. 1) you’re falling into the trap of the gambler’s fallacy. And 2) you don’t quite understand how RNGs work. Essentially, each spin of the reels or hand of cards is completely independent of the last. So past outcomes in no way influence future events. Believing that they do is what the gambler’s fallacy is all about. And it’s a way of thinking that could negatively impact your budget and cause you deep frustration. To avoid this, just keep in mind that casino outcomes are always about randomness and fairness. There are no patterns and there are no predictable outcomes. Just a little skill and a lot of luck!
Customer support availability
Of course you’re aware that having a customer support team in place is vital for any online casino. But have you ever stopped to consider how important their availability is? While virtually all online casinos offer support in some form, not all casinos offer this with 24-hour availability, which can be frustrating if you’re having an issue that you need help with right away.
If you’re encountering problems with deposits or withdrawals, or having technical issues, it’s reasonable that you’d want help right away. Having live chat available at all hours of the day can be hugely helpful in this regard, and it’s what you’ll want to look out for in any online casino that you join. Alternatively, phone or email assistance is also useful if your queries are responded to within a satisfactory timeframe.
So before you commit to any particular online casino, check to see what kind of support they offer, and what their hours of operation are. The more responsive and the more available they are to you, the better.
VIP and loyalty programme perks
Most reputable online casinos will offer some kind of loyalty programme to their regular players, as a reward for their continued engagement. The more you wager and the more you return to play, the more perks you’ll earn as a result, most often in the form of cashback rewards.
But if your online casino offers a loyalty or VIP programme. How much do you actually know about it beyond the cashback bonuses or loyalty points on offer? Many of these programmes go far beyond these basic incentives. Offering perks like personalised bonuses, faster withdrawals, and access to exclusive tournaments. And often these rewards aren’t as heavily promoted as cashback offers or loyalty points. Which means you could be missing out when you online gamble.
Take the time to investigate exactly what’s on offer in your casino’s loyalty programme and find out how you can move up the ranks to earn more and get more out of your player experience. Because if you’re anything like us, you love a good freebie!
Psychological triggers and tilt
This might be a more subtle aspect to online gambling but it’s one worth considering – and that’s the
emotional and psychological effects of gaming. Most players go into their online gaming journey excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, which is perfectly normal. What they might not think about, however, is how their emotions can affect their decision-making, particularly when feeling frustrated or impatient with particular game outcomes.
This is most often referred to as ‘tilt’ – when players make poor choices after losing a game or a bet. It’s important not to become overwhelmed or exasperated when this happens. As feeling down after a loss is a natural response. Online gambling outcomes are based on chance and luck and can’t be controlled. But what can be controlled is your response to them. Pay close attention to your behaviour and your mental state when you play. And become aware of your emotional triggers. Staying in control and learning how to manage your emotions can help you avoid making costly mistakes. And can improve your overall gameplay at the same time.
Hidden transaction fees
This is absolutely not the kind of energy we’re here for, and we want to make sure it doesn’t affect your bankroll either. Hidden fees are unfortunately a reality of many payment methods, and can slowly eat away at your casino account balance if you’re not careful.
Some online deposit options like e-wallets or credit cards, while convenient, can sometimes include transaction fees that you aren’t aware of. Similarly, some online casinos may charge extra fees for withdrawals, depending on your choice of payment method.
Make sure this doesn’t happen to you. You’ve worked hard to build your bankroll, and you should be able to keep as much of it as possible. To ensure that you do, check carefully for any and all associated fees regarding payment options or online casinos. And make sure you know exactly what you’re paying to who, and why, at all times.
Return to Player (RTP) rates
It’s not something that’s focused on a lot, particularly for new online casino players, but knowing what RTP rates are and how to work round them can have a hugely positive impact on your game. If you’ve seen RTP percentages before but skimmed over them, it’s time you stopped and had a look. Learning about RTP isn’t that complicated, we promise.
Essentially, all RTP (Return to Player) represents is the percentage of wagered money that a game will pay back to you over time. So if a game has an RTP of 96%, for example, that means in theory, it should pay back 96% of all the money you wager on it, in the long run.
A few things to bear in mind though. Firstly, RTP is a theory and not an exact science, so don’t expect to get the exact percentage of your money back down to the last cent. It doesn’t work like that. Secondly, RTP is the money paid back to you over time, which means it won’t necessarily all come back to you in a single session. It could take weeks or even months, which is why playing regularly can help. And lastly, RTP doesn’t guarantee that you’ll win. But it does mean that statistically you’re more likely to get a better return on your wagered investment in the long run.
Food for thought
As you can see, there’s a lot more to online gambling than simply signing up and spinning the reels. In order to get the most out of your online casino experience, you’ll need to do a little digging, read between the lines, study the fine print and understand exactly what gambling online is all about. You don’t need to become an expert on your first day. But knowing a little more about your chosen pastime can help improve both your experience and your chances of success. Because it’s all about having fun, and maybe winning a little along the way too. Which is exactly the kind of value we’re after!