CasinoSherlock’s Top 5 Online Casino Tips
After years of working in the online gambling industry, our casino expert Tolulope Kehinde has compiled a list of her top 5 online casino tips for anyone engaging on online gaming:
- Choose the right casino
- Play the right games
- Utilise bonus promotions
- Learn effective gambling strategies
- Use safe banking options
Choose the Right Casino
Before registering an online casino account, you must do adequate research to ensure you’re making the right choice. With numerous casinos available, we understand that finding the perfect fit can sometimes take work.
π The first step towards choosing the right casino is to go through honest reviews from trustworthy review sites like CasinoSherlock and feedback from real players.
Detailed and unbiased casino reviews provide you with the needed insight into all the crucial areas of an online casino so you can understand whether it is worth a trial. Licensing is vital for a safe gambling experience, so register with UKGC-licensed gambling sites only.
π Always look out for casinos with licences from the UK Gambling Commission. You can usually check the casinos licence in the site’s footer.
A valid licence from an official regulatory body assures you that the casino follows stringent rules and is safe to play at. Other factors that determine the quality of an online casino are the security features, site design and navigation, software and gaming library.
Play The Right Games
Another great tip to enjoy your experience in an online casino is to discover and play the right games. Choosing the right game depends on a few factors. First, you must consider your skill level and overall goal as a player. Make sure you understand the game you intend to play, as it’ll allow you to make the right decisions.
β A valuable tip is to start with low-house edge games, which give you higher payout potential in the long run.
However, please keep in mind that there’s no certainty in gambling, and most games depend on luck.
Low House Edge Games to Try
Casino games with low house edges offer you a better chance of winning and stretching your bankroll further. We recommend you give the following 3 games a go:
- Blackjack (house edge: 0.25% to 2%)
- Baccarat (house edge: 1.06% and above)
- Video poker (house edge: 0.46%)
Blackjack (House Edge: 0.25% to 2%)
Blackjack is an entry-level casino card game with a short learning curve. To win, you’ll need to achieve a hand of three cards closest to the value of 21 on the table. Online casinos have different variants of online blackjack games, ranging from Infinite Blackjack to Classic Blackjack.
The house edge of these games ranges from 0.25% to 2%, so they are perfect for players considering long-term return-to-player rates.
Baccarat (House Edge: 1.06% and Above)
Baccarat is similar to blackjack in terms of its playing structure. Your goal in baccarat is to compare your cards to those of the banker and predict who will achieve the highest card value. Most online baccarat titles have house edge rates as low as 1.06%, so they are good for players looking to get get a decent return on their wagers.
Video Poker (House Edge: 0.46%)
Video poker is a great combination of slot machines and traditional poker. Though the game features many different elements, it still follows the base structure of poker operations. All you need to play is sufficient knowledge of poker games.
β Did you know? The only downside to video poker is its low wagering contributions to most casino bonuses.
Besides that, the game has a low house edge of around 0.46%. This rate makes it a good choice for beginners looking to start their online gambling experience.
Utilise Bonus Promotions
Online casinos offer juicy bonuses in a bid to attract new players. Some examples of these incentives are welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, free spins, loyalty and cashback offers. They allow you to explore more betting options and new sites and games with a small deposit or without any deposit in case of no deposit rewards.
Top Bonuses to Use in Online Casinos
Below are some of the best bonuses available in UK online casinos:
- Matched deposit welcome bonuses
- No deposit bonuses
- Free spins
- Loyalty bonuses
Matched Deposit Welcome Bonuses
Most welcome bonuses in online casinos come as matched deposit offers. This bonus often features a 100% matched deposit offer, giving you double your deposits up to a specific limit. Suppose you deposit Β£25 in a casino offering a 100% deposit bonus. In that case, you’ll receive an extra Β£25 in addition to your initial fund, making your balance worth Β£50.
Most casinos provide such rewards in the form of first deposit bonuses, but there are several brands that reward you for your second or third deposits too.
A good online casino tip is to utilise any matched deposit offer available, as you can place more bets or play more rounds with a larger bankroll. The extra funds from a 100% deposit match bonus can be used to try out games you’ve never played before without spending your own money.
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit bonuses are the way to go if you want to explore a new website or its game portfolio without spending any of your own money. These rewards allow you to earn free cash without placing any real money wagers. In some casinos, you receive these bonuses once you sign up. However, there are some casinos where you must verify your account and add a debit card to become eligible for the offer. In either case, you do not need to make a deposit, and you are free to utilise this bonus to explore new games and gambling strategies.
Free Spins
A free spins bonus allows you to play slot machines for free. It can be part of a welcome offer or a standalone reward.
π° The average free spins offer gives players around 10 to 100+ free spins, but there are often some restrictions regarding using these incentives.
Sometimes, they only work on a specific game. Therefore, it’s essential to confirm these details before signing up.
Loyalty Bonuses
Some casinos give you points for logging in daily, making deposits or doing other activities on their site. Basically, these casinos offer you a chance to earn back from your activities on their platform. Loyalty bonuses serve as a structure set up to encourage active players, and it’s also a good way to improve your gambling experience in a casino.
π After accumulating points from your activities, you can convert these points to either free cash, bonus spins or even cashback points.
Bonus Terms to Watch Out For
Another essential casino tip is carefully reading bonus terms and conditions before claiming them. Below, we cover four key bonus T&Cs to look out for:
- Wagering requirements
- Bonus expiry
- Minimum deposit
- Game contributions
Wagering Requirements
The wagering requirement of a bonus offer shows how many times you must wager the bonus before becoming eligible to withdraw your funds.
πMost casinos in the UK feature bonuses with wagering requirements of around 35x to 60x, so look for offers within this range.
Try casinos with low wagering requirements to withdraw your funds more easily. Anything above 65x is not advisable, as it’ll only make cashing out more difficult.
Bonus Expiry
A bonus expiry period refers to the limited time frame within which you must use a bonus or complete any associated wagering requirements after it has been credited to your account. But what makes a difference is the duration of its expiry. This period can vary widely depending on the casino and the specific bonus, ranging from as little as 24 hours to several weeks or even months.
β± When signing up for a bonus offer, ensure the bonus remains valid for at least 3 to 7 days. This way, you’ll have more time to use the offer properly.
If you do not use the bonus or meet the wagering requirements within this given timeframe, the bonus and any winnings derived from it can be forfeited.
Minimum Deposit
Bonus T&Cs often list the smallest amount of money that you must deposit into your casino account to qualify for a specific bonus.
πΈ In most UK casinos, this minimum deposit amount ranges from Β£10 to Β£20.
The lower the minimum deposit, the better the experience, as you can enjoy bonuses without investing a lot of money. Check out our list of minimum deposit casinos if you’re looking to deposit small amounts and play.
Game Contributions
Depending on the casino, games contribute differently towards the wagering requirements of bonuses. It helps if you considered this bonus condition. Always ensure that your reward can be used on a good selection of games, unless the bonus applies to a particular game.
Learn Effective Gambling Strategies
Learning gambling strategies before signing up and placing your first bet is vital. It is one of the online casino tips we mention frequently, as it can influence your success in the gambling scene. Of course, most casino games are luck-based, so it’s impossible to control the outcome. But some useful strategies can help you improve your game.
Here are 4 key gambling strategies to adopt:
Bet Wisely
One of the most important strategies to employ is to place bets within your budget and gamble only with funds you can afford to lose. Always utilise available bonus funds before using your main balance.
Do Not Try To Break Losing Streaks
Trying to recover lost money by betting more is a dangerous strategy that can lead to a cycle of increased gambling and potentially larger losses. This behavior, known as chasing losses, can exacerbate financial difficulties and lead to problem gambling.
In the effort to break a losing streak, players might neglect sound bankroll management principles, risking more money than they can afford to lose. This can deplete your gambling budget faster than anticipated, possibly leading to regret and financial strain.
Once you exceed your planned budget, it is time to take a break from a gaming session.
Try Responsible Gambling Tools
Gambling should always be a form of entertainment and not a means to make profit. To avoid negative consequences of gambling, please familiarise yourself with the responsible gambling tools available in the casino you’re registered with.
β You can limit your gaming time with time limiters or use deposit limiters to control your gambling sessions.
However, if you feel that gambling is negatively impacting your life, please contact a problem gambling helpline for support.
Utilise Freeplay
Another good gaming strategy is to make use of free play modes. It lets you familiarise yourself with casino games before playing with real money. Though the demo editions are more popular among slots, you can also access free play modes in craps, roulette, blackjack, etc. Since most of these games rely on luck, practice won’t guarantee you a win. But it can still help you improve your gaming sessions.
Use Safe Banking Options
Your payment choices can influence your overall experience at an online casino. When gambling online, we strongly recommend you use familiar banking options with secure payment portals. Of course, payment speed is important, as slow processing times can affect your gaming sessions. One of the best casino tips is to opt for swift and secure e-wallets like Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard, etc.
Can Online Casino Tips Really Make a Difference?
Online casino tips can make a difference in enhancing your gaming experience, improving your gameplay, and ensuring you stay safe while gambling. While it’s important to remember that most casino games are based on luck, especially slots, there are strategies and tips that can help you manage your bankroll more effectively, understand game mechanics better, and make informed decisions. Following our five tips can improve your experience and ensure safe gaming sessions. All you need to do is choose the right casino, play suitable games, manage your money wisely, practice with free-play modes and stick to reliable payment options.
FAQs About Online Casino Tips and Advice
Below, our casino expert Tolulope Kehinde answers five commonly asked questions about online casino tips from her inbox.
What is the easiest way to win at an online casino?
There is no guaranteed strategy to beat the bookies. However, you can utilise useful tips like playing familiar games, taking advantage of bonuses, and betting wisely.
How do I find the best online casino?
Punters have different playing styles, so many factors come into play when looking for the best online casinos. Overall, you must look for reputable platforms with official UKGC licences, fair bonuses and positive reviews from verified users.
Are online casino tips really useful?
Yes. Online casino tips give you the much-needed orientation to improve your overall gambling experience. This will give you a clearer picture of what to expect from your betting sessions.
Can I win games by studying the result patterns of casino games?
No. Casino games work with RNG software systems, so their game results are unpredictable except while playing skill-based games.
How do I manage my money when playing casino games?
The best way to manage your money while playing casino games is to set a strict budget and stick to it. If you find it hard to stick to a budget, consider using deposit limiter tools and other responsible gambling tools to manage your bankroll.
