5 rookie mistakes even smart online gamblers make
New to online gambling? Feeling like a rookie and overwhelmed with all the information you’re having to process? Scared of making expensive mistakes?
Here’s something that might make you feel a little better – even the most experienced gamblers can still slip up occasionally. Just because you know what you’re doing doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got it all figured out, all the time. So try and take a little comfort from that.
Because at the end of the day, we’re all only human, and even the sharpest, savviest players can make the simplest rookie mistakes. So we’re here to share with you the top 5 blunders that everyone makes sooner or later, regardless of how long they’ve been gambling.
We know – more information to take on board (ugh). But the more you know about the sneaky little traps that could catch you out, the more you’ll be able to avoid making them, or at least catch yourself in the act before it’s too late. Let’s go!
Mistake #1: Thinking that you’re ‘due’ a win
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been gambling for, and how much you know with your head that you’re never due any kind of win, any time. Sooner or later your heart will enter the chat and convince you that this next spin, this next hand, this next roll is definitely it.
Uh-oh Rookie! Gambler’s fallacy alert!
The what now? Don’t worry – we’re not trying to bamboozle you with fancy terms. All the gambler’s fallacy is, is the mistaken belief that past events affect future outcomes. For instance if you’ve flipped a coin and it’s landed heads six times in a row, it MUST be tails on the next flip, right?
Nope! That’s the gambler’s fallacy at work. In the case of a coin flip, the outcome is always 50/50, meaning that no matter what the previous results have been, there’s just as much chance of heads coming up (again) on the next flip as tails. The past does not affect the present or the future, as much as you wish it would.
So what does that mean for your gambling? Even if you’ve been diligently spinning the reels on a specific slot for 30 minutes with not much to show for it, there’s no guarantee that your big win is coming anytime soon. Online slots (and all online casino games for that matter) are powered by RNGs (Random Number Generators) that ensure every outcome is fair, random, and independent of the last. So every bet you place is a fresh one, and every result you get is brand-new.
Why is this important to keep in mind? Because it’ll stop you from making expensive mistakes – from staying in the game when you’re losing, and from chasing your losses and throwing good money after bad. If you’re not vibing with a game, just switch to another one, or (even better) take a break and give yourself some much-needed head space.
Always remember that the idea of being ‘due’ a win is a myth, and you’ll be in a much better space both mentally and financially.
Rookie Mistake #2: Chasing your losses aggressively
Or actually, just chasing your losses full stop. One word. Don’t!
We know, it’s easy to say when you’re not playing, but in the heat of the moment, it always seems like a good idea. You’re playing one of your favourite games and before you know it, you’ve lost $500. Panic! So you bet another $500, because surely that’ll help you win your money back, right?
Unfortunately it doesn’t (surprise, surprise). But you don’t walk away because now you’re IN IT! Instead you double down, bet more money, and before you know it, you’re chasing your tail uselessly while your bankroll dwindles down to nothing. Oops.
Before you go full guilt trip on yourself, this is a fairly common approach, so don’t feel bad. In fact it’s so common that there’s actually a word for it – ‘tilt’. Going on tilt is one of the oldest and most expensive mistakes in the book – one that even expert gamblers make from time to time.
Why? Because everyone hates losing. So your natural instinct when you do is to try to win again. Which is rookie, we get it. And again and again and again. Which is when you start digging yourself a hole that you could soon find impossible to get out of.
So how do you avoid falling into the trap of chasing your losses? By setting yourself strict win and loss limits before you even begin your gambling sessions. The more you’re able to stick to them, the better off you’ll ultimately be, even if you do end up losing.
Another top tip to avoid a Rookie Mistake
as soon as you feel yourself becoming emotional about your gambling, step away immediately. The more frustrated you become, the more your decision-making abilities will deteriorate, which could end up being disastrous for your bankroll.
Rather cut your gaming session short, walk away, and come back another day with a clear head and a positive attitude. No tilting here – only fully stable and grounded game play from start to finish!
Mistake #3: Not reading the bonus terms closely enough
There are few things more exciting in online gambling than claiming a bonus. Whether you’re a new player claiming your sign-up bonus for the first time, or a regular player claiming your latest reload bonus, it’s always exhilarating and always hugely rewarding too.
Which is why often you can become so excited at the thought of claiming your bonus that you actually forget to read up on your bonus. You agree to the terms and conditions automatically without going through them properly, and then you find yourself unable to cash out.
Why? Because it turns out that there’s a 30x wagering requirement, a $50 max bet rule. And you went ahead and played a restricted game without realizing it. And now your bonus is gone for good.
Congratulations, you just broke rule number one of online casino bonus claiming.
You forgot to read the terms and conditions, rookie mistake. We know, in real life everyone just checks the box blindly and goes about their day. But in online gambling, that’s a mistake you can’t afford to make.
That’s because it’s in the terms and conditions where you’ll find all the crucial information you’ll need about your bonus – what the wagering requirements are, what the max bet limit is, what the contributing games are, and how long you have to stake your claim. Glossing over any of these points could see your bonus become null and void, which is what you don’t want.
So what do you need to do to make sure this doesn’t happen to you? Simple! Just read the terms and conditions before you claim any and every online casino bonus. We know it’s not the most compelling read, but it is important, and getting to grips with the fine print will help you claim your bonus not just successfully, but faster too. Which means more free money or free spins, and more online gambling excitement!
Mistake #4: Not managing your bankroll effectively enough
Has this rookie mistake happened to you? You see that there’s a huge jackpot available on your favourite slot, so you deposit $500 to make your play for it. You make 5 max bets at $100 per spin, and after about 3 minutes you’re broke, annoyed, and no closer to that jackpot than you were when you logged in.
Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Even the most experienced players can get caught up in the heat of the moment and forget to treat their bankroll with respect. Getting carried away is easier than you think, and you need to stay on top of your game constantly in order to ensure you’re sticking to your budget. It’s harder than it seems, and if you’re able to do it successfully, you’re the real MVP.
Bankroll Management is important
If you know that bankroll management is something you need to work on however (and honestly, we could all afford to pay more attention to it), then try these helpful budgeting tips:
Once you’ve decided on your monthly gambling budget, go even further and divide it up into session budgets. That way you’ll always know how much you have to spend, either per hour or per day (depending on how you manage your gaming sessions) and you’ll find it much easier to keep an eye on your budget as you play.
We know how tempting max bets can be, and how they put you in line to win the top jackpot if you strike it lucky. They’re also the easiest way to blow through your bankroll in minutes. To make sure this doesn’t happen, rather stick to bets that are a small percentage of your total bankroll instead. Such as anywhere between 1 and 5%, for example. By placing smaller bets you’ll be able to extend your playing time, giving you more opportunities to win and more control over your bankroll.
Need help cultivating healthy gambling habits and not rookie ones? Most online casinos have a number of tools available to help promote responsible gambling. Check to see whether your online casino offers any of these, such as deposit limits or self-exclusion, and make use of the ones that you feel can assist you the most. That’s what they’re there for!
Finally, remember that smart online gambling isn’t about winning all the time – it’s about being responsible both with your game play and your finances. Master that and you’ll reach expert level in no time!
Mistake #5: Playing too many games at once
You’re in the casino, hooray! Time to play a few hands of Blackjack. Now a few spins on the slots. Some bets on Roulette. Followed by a few boards of Keno. And you’re completely confused and you don’t know which way is up. What’s going on?
Congratulations – you’ve just made the classic online gambling mistake of trying too much at the same time. Which never goes well, no matter what you’re doing. Mix too many different drinks and you’ll end up with a wicked hangover. Try too many different games without knowing exactly what you’re doing, and your bankroll will suffer the consequences. So let’s maybe not do that, yeah?
Going backwards and forwards between a variety of casino games without learning the rules first is a classic rookie move. And one that even experienced players still make from time to time. We get it. You want to try something new or get out of your comfort zone. But you also want to dive right in without wasting time reading boring old rules. Oops.
That’s when you end up half-playing everything and understanding nothing. And usually walking away empty-handed as a result. Which is not a journey we love for you.
So how do you avoid this? By focusing on just one or two games per session, rather than 10 or 12. Learn the rules, find your rhythm, and get a feel for the game as you’re playing it. You can also play a demo version for free to get the hang of it without risking your own money first.
Whatever you do though, stay focused, stay consistent, and keep your eyes on the prize. That’s how you go from being a good player to a great one!
Bonus Mistake: Forgetting that it’s meant to be fun
Sorry sorry, we know we said we’d only look at 5 rookie mistakes. But we had to throw one last one in for good luck. Because if you’re not having fun, then what’s the point?
That’s something that even the savviest gamblers have to remind themselves about sometimes. That it’s not all about winning and grinding and numbers and profit. It’s about thrills and adrenaline and entertainment. And even if your session isn’t going the way you planned. If you’re enjoying yourself then you’re still winning regardless.
That’s a truth we could all do well to remind ourselves of more. So in order to stop stressing about your gambling and loving it instead, get back to basics. Celebrate all your wins, no matter how small they are. Take regular breaks to give yourself a much-needed breather. Know when to walk away and find something else to do. And remember that gambling is just a fun pastime, nothing more, nothing less.
That’s how you enjoy yourself. And that’s how you stay as far away from mistakes as possible. Good luck!