The Art of Effective Time Management at the Casino

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In some of our previous posts, we discussed the tips and tricks casinos use to keep players captive for as long as possible. Casinos are engineered from top to bottom to make you forget what time it is, and they’re surprisingly good at pulling it off. 

Precisely why so many ‘quick trips’ to the casino turn into epic all-nighters, complete with ubiquitous next-day hangovers and overdrawn bank accounts. 

One of the few things all seasoned gamblers would therefore agree on is the importance of good time management. Something that comes easier to some than others, but should always be prioritised.

A Marathon, Not a Sprint

There will always be those who enter casinos and instantly fly into all-out frenzy. For some reason, their goal seems to be to do as much as possible as quickly as possible. They may be there for an hour or an entire evening, but either way they go hell for leather. 

All well and good, if you’re simply out to lose money and deny yourself any real enjoyment.

Casino gambling is a form of entertainment. In which case, it simply makes sense to get the most out of your money. If you can stretch the same bankroll further by taking your time, why wouldn’t you?

Plus, taking your time gives you the opportunity to soak up your surroundings, indulge in some people-watching and enjoy the other in-house amenities. You are almost guaranteed to leave with less money than you entered with, so why be in such a hurry to do so?

Weighing up this ‘marathon vs sprint’ approach to gambling holds the key to a more satisfying and enjoyable experience. One that can be taken a step further with these additional casino time management trips:

1 – Leverage Loyalty Rewards

It matters not whether your gambling habits return the occasional £5 incentive or £5,000. What matters is you’re looking at real money that’s on the cards for doing what you’re already doing. Hence, loyalty programs and VIP schemes are always worth looking into.

In addition, loyalty perks are often handed out in the form of free meals, or restaurant/bar discounts. As you can’t eat a steak dinner at the blackjack table, you’ve no choice but to take a little time out. And in doing so, slow things down and enjoy a wholly more fulfilling casino experience.

2 – Beware Hypnotic Slots

The lights, sounds and moving parts of slots aren’t just there for your entertainment. They are carefully engineered to hypnotize players and retain their attention indefinitely. Like moths to flames, we’re naturally drawn to shiny things with flashing lights and lots of buttons just waiting to be pressed.

What’s more, the way slots pay out prizes is also designed to hook you. You might have only won a 50p prize, but the whole machine erupts like it’s just made you a millionaire. An extremely effective psychological ploy, designed to keep you in your seat and pumping in cash. All of which adds up to the most addictive experience in the casino – enjoyable, but in sensible moderation!

3 – Make a Plan and Stick to It 

Anyone looking to gamble safely and sensibly needs to know what self-discipline means. Something that begins and ends with being able to stick to your own plans. Just as with bankroll management, it’s essential to set strict limitations with casino time management.

For example, you could head to a casino at 8pm, with no predetermined departure time. Fair enough, but you run the risk of still being stuck in a losing streak at 2am. By contrast, commit yourself to heading home no later than 11pm and it’s an entirely different story. That is, just as long as you are capable of sticking to your own rules. 

4 – Make the Most of Limited Time

If you have very limited time available, it can be tempting to rush things to pack as much as possible in. Tempting, but rarely a recipe for anything but disappointment. Instead, it’s better to be strategic about making the most of the time you have available.

For example, practicing online before heading out is better than attempting to figure out the rules as you go. Likewise, scouting out the casino before your first visit (online if preferred) is good for getting a feel for the place. As is opening up your membership online and signing up for the loyalty programme in advance, if doing so is an option.

5 – Avoid Peak Times

Heading to casinos during off-peak hours can be advantageous in a variety of ways. Firstly, there are no queues at the tables, meaning no time wasted standing in line. Secondly, there are far fewer people around to distract you, enabling you to focus or the games you play.

In addition, one of the biggest advantages of off-peak casino visits is the quality or the service you can expect. When casinos are quiet, the staff and dealers doing their thing have far more time to chat and socialise. As an added bonus, the early-bird discounts and incentives on offer at casinos are often far better than those handed out at peak times. 

6 – Take a Limited Amount of Money 

Last up, it’s impossible to gamble frantically with money you don’t have. Just as it’s never a good idea to gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. For both of these reasons, it’s essential to take a limited amount of money with you on every casino visit. 

If you start out with say £50 and don’t have a penny more on your person, you’re naturally more inclined to take your time. You’ll place lower wagers on more sensible outcomes, stretching your bankroll as far as possible and enjoying the experience. Blowing the whole lot on a few outside bets isn’t an option, as you’ve no fallback cash to keep you going. 

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