The casino industry has seen a huge growth spurt over the past ten years. That has led to a global market size of 227 billion dollars, as more people around the world play.
This unprecedented growth is a result of a few things:
- Legalization in many new states and countries
- Technological advances
- More choice of games
Some people like to play games to pass the time, while others aim to get better. Others like to play for the thrill, or the chance of interacting with other players.
Whatever your reasons for playing, have you ever considered investing in your game play? There is a chance to get better at most games, and it could mean bigger wins!
If you play online casino or are planning a Monaco trip, you can polish your skills to impress the crowd. The benefit of this is that you will become more effective in the game, which brings its own rewards.
So, where do you begin?
1. Choose Your Game
It would be wonderful to be brilliant at every game, but it’s highly unlikely. Choose one game and make yourself an expert at that.
It depends on what you enjoy, but you’ll probably feel that one game has an edge over another. For some, they prefer saying “hit me,” to the dealer during Blackjack, than patiently awaiting the river in Texas Hold’Em.
Even with poker, there are different games, such as:
- Five Card Draw
- Seven Card Stud
- Omaha Hold’Em
- Texas Hold’Em
- Pai Gow Poker
Maybe you want the thrill of roulette, or the lights and action of slots? The great thing is that there’s a game for you!
Once you’ve chosen what you want to become an expert in, there are some steps to follow.
2. Read
Even if you’re not the greatest fan of books, that will change when you’re reading about your preferred game. Remember that there’s a reason people study, and the best players in the world do this.
Set aside some time every day to read about the game – strategies, other people’s plays etc. It could be fifteen minutes on your lunch break, half an hour on the train, or in bed.
Here are some recommendations for Blackjack:
1. Blackjack Bluebook II by Fred Renzey
Do you want the “simplest winning strategies ever published”? You’ll find them here.
Blackjack for Blood by Bryce Carlson
If you want to learn how to card count, Bryce will show you how. It’s a practical guide on how to play Blackjack as a hobby, or even turn professional.
2. Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong
Although this isn’t one for beginners, once you know the game, this can seriously improve your edge.
Poker players might like:
3. Playing the Player by Ed Miller
Learn how to spot other player’s weaknesses to win the game.
4. Elements of Poker by Tommy Angelo
This is a great game about the experiences you’ll have playing poker. It looks at poker from a different perspective.
5. The Theory of Poker by David Slansky
Known as the poker bible to many, this book has made great players into winners.
3. Watch Videos
Watching someone else play can teach you a lot about a game. It’s the next best thing to playing yourself, but it also shows you their trial and error.
You’ll find the most videos online for poker, which offer fantastic tutorials, but they are available for Blackjack too. There are even instructional videos for Baccarat, so you can walk into a casino knowing exactly how to play.
You probably won’t come across many boring hands in these videos though, as it’s not as entertaining. This is where real life experience comes in handy.
4. Get Experience
Of course you’re in this to play, why else would you be learning? Playing games is one of the best ways to learn a game.
You might learn the terminology from books or videos, but until you’re actually using the skills, you won’t improve. Practice is most important in games where skill is an asset, such as poker.
5. Use Your Head
Playing these casino games is an enjoyable experience, but you need to keep your head in the game. Think of the odds in the game, the house edge and the strategy that you are going to use.
Doing this will make you a better player, and it will increase your chances of winning.
If you’re serious about a game, don’t drink alcohol while playing. It will take the edge off, but it will also affect your edge!
Playing the game is entertaining and fun, so you should have all the thrill you need. Take breaks to give yourself a breather, even if you’re just playing online.
6. Get a Mentor
If you’re truly serious about becoming a great player, then a mentor is invaluable. They can guide you on where to play and how to play, and develop your style as a player.
It’s hard to find a mentor, as big players aren’t always looking to show someone all they know. However, if you befriend one, or offer services they might need outside the casino, you can pick up some tips.
The best way is to learn as much as you can and meet as many people as you can. Then see if there are skills you can trade (not playing) for their knowledge.
Follow these six tips and you could find yourself with a very rewarding interest in life. What’s more, you’ll be having lots of fun.
