How to boost your online gambling with creative thinking
What would you say is the secret creative thinking and online gambling success? Maybe it’s choosing the right game. Perhaps it’s reading up on rules and strategy. It could be playing consistently and gaining experience over time. Or it might be just a random dash of luck and good fortune.
In fact, it’s a little of all of these combined, and a sprinkle of something else too – creative thinking!
That’s right – the players who get the most value, both literally and figuratively, from online gambling, are those who think a little differently. Because while luck is most definitely a factor in casino play, so is thinking out of the box, and making choices that most others wouldn’t. It’s all about adding a little curiosity and imagination into your gaming – because when you do, you could come across opportunities that others might miss.
So how do you go about changing the way you think and opening yourself up to new possibilities? Let’s take a look!
Why thinking outside the box matters in online gambling
Many online gamblers make predictable choices when playing online – and it’s easy to understand why. They go after the biggest bonuses, they stick to the biggest slots, and they follow the same betting patterns every time they play.
Don’t misunderstand us – there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this strategy. And if you’re just starting your online casino journey, there’s a lot to be said for playing it safe while you’re still learning the ropes.
But if you’ve been in the game for a while and you know your way around, it might be time to start changing things up a bit. In fact, using a little creative thinking could lead to you:
- Finding value in smaller or lesser-known promotions
- Finding alternative games with features you may not have tried before
- Finding ways to manage your bankroll that maximise fun and longevity
It’s no secret that online gambling is built on innovation. The very idea of virtual gambling is a unique one in and of itself – and then you have the endless array of new games, features, mechanics and promotions that casinos regularly come out with too. All of which goes to underscore just how integral creativity is to online gambling success. So, shouldn’t you be mirroring it too?
How to choose casino games creatively
If you’ve been around the block for a while, you probably already have your own way of choosing games to play. Maybe you go for the most popular games, the newest games, or the games with the biggest jackpots. But what if you were to approach your game selection a little differently this time round?
Look beyond the most popular titles
There are new releases that have a lot of hype – usually those from big name providers. And they’re well worth playing too. But what about new releases from smaller creators? Often these will come with hidden perks included, such as better bonus rounds, promotional tie-ins, or added competition in leaderboards and tournaments.
So why not give them a chance? By all means try out the big, bold, flashy slots, but spare a few wagers for the lesser-known titles too. The experience could be more rewarding than you think!
Mix up volatility and RTP in fresh new ways
When we mention RTP (Return to Player), we most often encourage you to choose games with the highest percentage, to give you the best chance of getting the most money back over time. This is conventional gambling wisdom, and it’s pretty standard advice, particularly for beginners.
But what if you were to switch it up a bit in combination with volatility? The next time you play, rather than going for high RTP and low volatility games (smaller, more frequent wins), mix things up with short bursts of play on high volatility games, followed by longer play on steady, low volatility ones. Provided you have enough funds to sustain this, of course.
By playing a combination of high and low volatility games with different RTP percentages, you’ll have the ideal balance of excitement and consistency – which, apart from creating an adrenaline-fuelled casino experience for you, could help you win in new and creative ways as well.
Think like a game designer
Have you ever wondered why certain games are played in a certain way? Why particular game mechanics exist? Why specific features are offered at various points?
That’s the psychology behind game design, and understanding it means understanding games on a whole new level – the way you would as if you’d designed them yourself. Now, we’re not asking you to go out and meticulously study casino game design, but what if you approached games with an air of curiosity rather than neutrality?
If you start showing an active interest in why certain features exist and what they add to the game, you could start spotting bonus structures, patterns, and timing opportunities that other players may not notice. Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, and that knowledge could be your secret to success!
How to use bonuses and promotions creatively
If you’re anything like us, online casino bonuses are one of the best parts of gambling online – and they can add huge value not just to your experience, but to your casino account as well.
But did you know? Adding just a little creativity to the way you select and claim your bonuses could make them even more rewarding! Here’s how:
Don’t focus on claiming only the biggest bonuses
Usually players will claim generous welcome offers, play through them and move on. Which you can absolutely do as well – but don’t forget about the other bonuses on offer while you’re at it.
Rather than just going for the big one in isolation, look at what other kinds of bonuses your casino has in store for you. Do they perhaps have smaller reload bonuses, free spins or cashback bonuses to give away? By claiming these one after the other in a layered approach, you’ll start building a steady stream of bonus rewards for yourself that could add up significantly over time.
While these promotions might seem small on their own, when you strategically combine them you’ll be building continuous value for yourself – which is exactly the kind of creative reward system you deserve!
Stretch your bonuses further
We’re talking about free spins specifically here. Often players will look at free spins as ‘throwaways’ – an opportunity to spin for fun and enjoy some light-hearted entertainment with no real strategy needed.
Of course, that’s a valid way of approaching this kind of bonus. But what if you were to add a little creative inspiration to your free spins bonus instead?
The next time you claim one, rather than just jumping straight in, take a little time to learn more about the slot first. Does it have specific features included, like wilds, scatters, expanding wilds, giant symbols, multipliers or more? Knowing more about the game you’re playing will allow you to adjust your expectations and play with more of a strategic mindset, helping you to maximise your value.
Similarly, try to time your sessions smartly as well. Make sure you’re able to set aside time for your free spins where you’re able to focus on them without any distractions. That way you won’t be rushed, and you won’t waste the opportunity you’ve been given. You might also want to think about a more balanced bet size, rather than simply betting the minimum – this way you could put yourself in line for additional bonus rewards that might come up. The more you can stretch your bonus out, the more value you’ll ultimately take from it.
Look for lesser-known promotions
We’ve already mentioned how lesser-known games can be sources of hidden value – and the same goes for lesser-known promotions too. Obviously a 100% match bonus is going to be hugely rewarding, but what about quirky leaderboard challenges or free-entry tournaments with big prize pools? Promotions like these often fly under the radar – which means less competition and better odds for you!
How to manage your bankroll creatively
You’ll often see responsible gaming advice encouraging you to stick to 1 – 2% of your bankroll per bet. In fact, it’s standard advice that we often give out as well. Mostly because it’s useful and cost-effective too. Particularly when you’re new to online gambling as a whole.
That doesn’t mean it’s the only way to manage your bankroll, however. If you want to use your finances wisely and creatively as well, you could also try:
Intentional bet variation
Similar to our suggestion of mixing low volatility and high volatility play, you could also switch between placing low value and high value bets as well (or at least, high value relative to your actual bankroll).
By interchanging the value of your bets in a strategic way, you’ll create a tantalizing balance of safety and excitement. While opening yourself up to bigger winning opportunities at the same time. Just make sure that you still keep a tight rein on your finances and your spending, and any larger bets you place will stay within your budget.
Mental accounting
How do you currently think of your bankroll? Is it one giant pot that you dip into for any and all casino gaming? There’s nothing wrong with thinking this way. But what if you were to mentally divide it into smaller bankrolls. And allocate each one to a different type of game? So instead of having one general gambling bankroll, you have dedicated bankrolls for slots, table games, Poker and more.
By splitting your bankroll this way, you’ll be able to create vital boundaries for yourself as you gamble. Helping you focus more on your financial management as you play. Even better, it’ll help reduce the temptation to chase your losses. And it’ll ensure that even if you do lose at one particular game, you’ll still have a bankroll available for a different one. Worth considering as a strategy going forward? You decide!
Strategic pauses
You already know that you need to take regular breaks when you’re gambling in order to stay focused and sharp. Perhaps you take your breaks after a certain amount of time, or a certain number of spins – whatever your strategy is, you’ve got one.
But what if we were to change things up a bit? Even if you do take regular breaks as you’re supposed to, you still run the risk of falling into a routine with your breaks as well. And gambling on auto-pilot to the detriment of your bankroll. So let’s move away from this.
The next time you gamble online, instead of taking a break at a set point that you would normally step away, take a break at an ‘illogical’ time instead. Rather than waiting till you’re on a losing streak, take a break after a win instead. If you usually take a break between switching from slots to table games, play one round of a table game and take a break then instead.
Why? Because breaking out of your routine will interrupt your emotional patterns and disrupt any ruts you might be in danger of falling into. By keeping yourself guessing, you’ll make smarter decisions and play more mindfully at the same time. Which your bankroll will thank you for.
The psychology of artsy gambling
What else can you do to add more creativity and innovation to the way you play? You can think about the psychology behind it, for one. Remember that gambling isn’t just about luck – it’s about staying strong mentally too. And the most successful players are the ones who understand their own gaming behaviour, and use that self-awareness to approach gambling with curiosity, rather than desperation.
Reframing losses
It’s difficult to see losing as anything but a failure, however creative gamblers are able to reframe their losses in a more positive light. Rather than beating themselves up and indulging in negative self-talk, they use their losses as teachable moments instead.
What did they learn from the experience? Were there any decisions they could have made differently? Did they manage their money wisely enough? Finding answers to these questions is what helps them move on, and turn a negative experience into a positive one.
Asking questions
The same goes for their emotional state as well. Rather than falling into the trap of going on tilt after a loss, creative players become curious about their gambling instead. Often going on tilt can result in extreme frustration, anger and irrational thinking, which can lead to poor, and often expensive decision-making as a result.
Instead of following this path, out-of-the-box thinkers will go back over the events, analysing them and interrogating the outcomes. It’s another method of reframing, and another way of taking value from every situation, whether good or bad.
Gamifying the experience
Want to take the stress out of gambling? If you’re someone who lets frustration rule when you’re not seeing the wins you’d like, step away from winning as a goal in the first place.
Rather than focusing on monetary gains, look for entertainment gains instead. Set yourself personal challenges, like triggering at least 3 bonus rounds within a particular game. Or trying 5 different games you’ve never played before. Switching the emphasis like this will help you focus less on what you’re winning and more on how you’re enjoying your session as a whole. Which is the entire point of gambling in the first place.
Practical tips for creative thinking
So far, so good. But how can you bring more out-of-the-box thinking into your own play?
Keep a gambling journal
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – just a space in which you’re able to record which games you played, how you felt playing them, and which strategies worked for you. After you’ve made a few entries, look back and review them. Patterns can often reveal themselves, which will help you to make any necessary tweaks to your gambling behaviour.
Try one different approach per session
Want to try playing a new game? Employing an alternative gambling strategy? Gambling at a different time of day? Nothing grows in the shade of a comfort zone, so challenge yourself to try new things and rediscover your love for gambling.
Redefine winning
There’s winning money. But there’s also claiming bonuses, climbing loyalty tiers, improving your skills, and even making friends in your online gambling community. All of these count as wins, even if some of them don’t directly affect your bankroll. And acknowledging them as such could help you take more value than ever from your online gambling experience.
Learn from others, in your own way
It’s always good to read about what other players do and the strategies they use to succeed, but don’t copy them exactly. Rather use them as a jumping off point to create your own personal gaming style. And adapt what they do for your own advantage. That’s how you build on others’ success to help create your own.
The power of creative gambling choices
We know how easy it is to get stuck into the familiarity of a routine. Playing the same games, placing the same bets, enjoying the same outcomes. But if you want to shake things up and get more from your gambling, you’ll have to put in a little more as well. And that’s where getting creative can come in hugely handy.
So the next time you have a gambling decision to make, don’t fall back on the same tired, overused strategies. Instead, make a conscious effort to think out of the box and look for alternative solutions. The jackpots you’re after could be closer than you think!