Smart strategies for online casino players

From the classic Martingale to fly-under-the-radar techniques, here’s your guide to gaming with a bit more brains than luck.You think casino games are all about luck, but strategies do exist and some of them actually work (kind of). This ultimate guide to online casino strategies looks at the tried-and-tested methods, the little-known cheats, and what intelligent gamblers in the internet age need to know.

It’s not just luck (but mostly it is)

Gambling, both at a Vegas table and a browser tab on your phone, is pretty much a game of chance. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t any place for strategy, however. Understanding how to play your odds, in fact, can make the difference between draining your budget in 20 minutes and turning a fun session into one that will last a few hours, maybe even leaving with a bit of extra cash in your pocket.In online casinos, tactics can be even more valid. You’re not competing against a human dealer who’s watching your every wager, and online environments can be taken advantage of (within the rules) if you know how. Whether you’re interested in slots, blackjack, roulette or poker, there are ways of shading the odds slightly in your favor, or at least making yourself an even player.

The classics: Strategies you’ve probably heard of

Card counting: Kind of possible online

Traditional card counting in blackjack relies on being able to track cards physically dealt from a shoe. In most online casinos, decks are shuffled digitally after every hand. So card counting doesn’t work, unless you’re playing in a live casino, where real dealers deal real cards over video in real-time.Websites like Betway’s South African site typically have live casino amenities, where you can engage in blackjack and baccarat with actual dealers. In those cases, where the website allows, some basic card tracking can be advantageous.Verdict: Possible in live dealer games, not in standard online blackjack.

Martingale system: Double or nothing.

Basic strategy in blackjack

This one’s less of a trick and more of a necessity. Blackjack has a mathematically optimal play for every one of the hands you can possibly receive. If you’re not playing with basic strategy, you’re giving money away.You can discover handy charts online (just search for “blackjack basic strategy chart”) and even programs that will help you play it properly.Verdict: Not implementing this is the same as gambling with your eyes closed.

Lesser-known and underused strategies

Reverse Martingale (Paroli system)

This is Martingale’s quieter, less suicidal cousin, the Paroli system. You double after a win, not a loss. It’s predicated on the idea of letting winning streaks ride and cutting losses to a minimum. You win a hand? Let it ride. Lose? Go back to your base bet.It’s especially useful if you’re playing a streaky game like baccarat or roulette.Verdict: Lower risk, still exciting, and you won’t weep after five losses.

The 1-3-2-6 betting system

This one’s a bit more organized. You bet in a sequence: First 1 unit, then 3, then 2, then 6. The theory is to capitalize on a brief winning streak; if you win four in a row, you receive a decent payout and if you lose early, your losses are minimal.It’s used primarily on baccarat or roulette, but can be applied to any even-odds game.Verdict: More disciplined than Martingale, with better risk control.

Volatility tracking in online slots

Slots are beasts of unpredictability. There is no system to overcome the house, but you can choose your battles more cleverly. All slots have a volatility rate, low volatility means smaller, more frequent wins. High volatility means fewer wins, but bigger jackpots.Some do one or the other. Others utilize a mix of both. Play low volatility to build bankroll, then go for big wins at high-volatility games.Verdict: Doesn’t change the odds, but gives you better game flow and budgeting.

Progressive betting with win limits

Most players use progressive betting, raising bets after a win or loss, but fail to set limits. A very under-rated technique is to decide in advance how many steps your progression will proceed, and when you will cash out.Example: Use a 1-2-4 progression on wins and stop after you hit 4 units. Then start again at 1. That way, you lock in profits and do not give them back chasing more.Decision: It’s common sense, yet not many people follow it.

A brief note about mindset and money

You can have the greatest strategy in the world, but if you’re not managing your bankroll, it doesn’t matter. Budget beforehand. Decide what you can afford to lose. Never chase losses. And for the love of all that is holy, don’t think of gambling as a way to make money, think of it as entertainment, like going out to the movies or a sporting event.The majority of websites, including Betway’s South African site, also offer responsible gambling aids, including deposit limits, self-exclusion and support if you feel you’re entering problem gambling. If you need to, use them. They don’t exist for nothing.

The most famous of them all, probably, the Martingale system is applied chiefly to even-money games like roulette (red/black, even/odd). The idea? You double your bet every time you lose. So, when you do win, you’ll recover all your losses along with a modest profit.Sounds clever, right? Until you either hit a losing streak, run out of money or hit the table’s max bet. That’s the rub. It works great, until it doesn’t.Verdict: Okay for short-term low-stakes play, but dangerous in the long term.