Gambling, by its very definition, equates to risk, something many people are not used to dealing with. In your daily work life, you remove uncertainty by finding a career with fixed salary. In your day-after-day life, you protect against disaster through an array of safety precautions, from seat belts to smoke detectors. When you visit a casino, the house is counting on your unfamiliarity with gambling risks and hope it will work in its favor. (Just look at how simple to establish a credit line and how effective the little perks, such as comps, in making you willing to risk and spend more money.)
You should take the appropriate steps to cut down your risks of gambling-related problems when you visit the casino. But you are wise to keep on looking for signs of problem during and even before the casino trip. These troubles can take many shapes beyond common financial issues; they can influence your family relationship as well as your psychological health.
Understanding the odds of failure
The greatest protection you can give yourself in a casino is adequate knowledge. Having a complete understanding of the chances involved with every casino game allows you to place realistic limits in your playing style. You should know when pushing a bit harder and continuing your casino venture is okay, but you should also have a strong grasp on when you should run quickly and go home. Without a good understanding of your odds, you won’t know when you have taken one step too far.
Since heaven knows the house does all things in its power to urge you to step off the plank and jump into the sea of risk, is it any wonder a few gamblers get in over their heads and suddenly realize they are in deep water?
Knowing yourself
You should be realistic about your own temperament and personality.
If you have the inclination to get a bit out of control when things get bad, then bring along some precautions in the event you are losing the games. Have a buddy hold your wallet, or just leave easy access to your saving account behind and just carry enough cash based on your gambling budget. Above all else, be realistic about how you have gambled previously. Just because you have not been a saint, it does not mean you shouldn’t go, but you do need to be more cautious than other players.
Are you a disciplined person? Is adopting positive habits, such as saving money and daily exercise, easy for you? If you are rational, cool, and calm in your normal life, you are likely to be a best candidate for the blackjack tables or video poker. Or are you undisciplined and impulsive type? Does a visit to the shopping center for a package of baby food turn into a huge shopping spree that throws you back a few paychecks? Do you have difficulties in sticking to a diet? If you have no control in daily activities, such as eating and shopping, then casinos may become an unsafe diversion. I am not hinting that you should swear off casino trips if you can’t resist eating just one more biscuit. But becoming aware of your nature and taking necessary precautions to restrain yourself from “cleaning out the biscuit jar” is crucial.
If you opt to partake in the excitement and pleasures of a casino trip, then, in addition to rigorously following the money-management tips, you may want to adopt extra steps to cut back your impulsive side. For instance, try traveling with a person who is more controlled than you are and agree to serve as your designated banker.
You should also remember that certain things help reduce gambling risks, for instance at an online casino you can get a online gambling bonus, which in effect increases you bankroll, thereby redusing your risk.
