Bond On A Budget: A Casino Primer

Even though rolling dice at tables or pulling levers on slot machines isn’t as physically demanding as your usual outdoor activities, there is something to be said about the thrill of gambling. Perhaps it comes with an infatuation with glamour and fantasy brought to us ala James “Shaken Not Stirred” Bond. Or perhaps the potential risk of monetary loss sparks a primal sense of danger that’s within all of us. Regardless of the reason, it’s safe to say that gambling, whether it is at a brick and mortar casino or at an online casino, is a way to get the blood pumping quickly and easily. But of course, the adrenalin rush doesn’t come cheap. Or does it? Here are our favourite ways to enjoy gambling without losing large lumps of cash:

Know (And Respect) Your Limits

Not all of us make six digits every year and spend the excess on wine, women, and the finer things in life. So don’t expect to see a lot of your fellow casino-goers sporting luxury brands and spooning tiny servings of caviar into their mouths. More often than not, the people who occupy the most space in a casino floor are average Joes and Janes who are looking for a good time on the cheap. Adjust your mindset accordingly. Nobody is expecting you to fork out huge bushels of cash, and neither should you. Bring cash instead of cards so that you have a realer sense of the money that you’re gambling with. It’s pretty easy to swipe plastic or write a check than to actually hand over cold hard cash. On top of that, make sure to know when you’ve won enough. Winning streaks have a propensity for ending quickly, after all.

Cut Down The House Advantage

Most beginner gamblers automatically gravitate to easy-to-play casino games that require little thought and even lesser skill to play. That’s a big mistake. The bulk of casino revenues are made up of proceeds from slot machines and their ilk. The reason? The house advantage is incredibly one-sided in games that require minimal player input. Take a chance on games like poker, blackjack, or baccarat. Some casinos actually offer free-to-play tables or learn-to-play packages that allow new players to get a feel for the game before starting them off into a paid match. And, besides, playing slot machines gets boring pretty quickly. Agent 007 never pulled a lever in a casino, so why should you?

Leech Off Of The High Rollers

The final tip is perhaps the most unorthodox one and is reserved for the most frugal and money-conscious of us all. Since it is true that the house will inevitably win in one way or another, why risk your money when you can watch someone else risk theirs? Though some casinos barricade the high roller section with velvet rope, wooden doors, or gigantic bouncers, there are others who keep the high-stakes game open for all to watch. Save yourself the trouble and potential for losing money by watching the professionals go at it for hundreds of thousands of dollars. There’s a pretty solid reason why professional poker matches get televised.