How to Pick Your First Casino Game
On the birthday when you are finally legal to gamble in your country, many people choose to head to the casino. In America, this is often the 21st birthday, and in Europe, the 18th. Regardless, how do you pick what to play first?
We recommend all beginning gamblers start with something easy, like slots or blackjack, unless they already know how to play poker. Either way, it’s your special day, so you should choose what you like best! Read on to learn more about how to pick your first casino game.
1. Choose Something Easy
First and foremost, it’s your special day! You want to have fun, and the last thing you want to do is struggle to play a game you don’t understand. This is why we recommend that almost all players start on slot machines, as they are pretty straightforward and easy to have fun while playing with friends.
For those who absolutely want to play a table game, the best choice is blackjack. Blackjack is easy to learn, and you can leave after just a few hands if you aren’t having fun. That being said, it is best to learn a little bit about blackjack before you go.
2. Choose Something You Already Know
Although it might be your birthday and the first time you can gamble for money, we know that most people play similar games as a teen for play money or points. If this is you, and you have experience with a game like poker, then don’t hesitate to head on over after your special day.
If you’re worried about disrupting play in a full poker room, we recommend checking out the video poker machines instead. These can be fun to play and can help you warm up before you sit at the felted table!
3. Consider Keno or Sports Betting
There are so many games on the casino floor that don’t get enough screen time in movies and on TV. For example, you always see them playing poker or blackjack, but never keno or video poker!
Keno was unknown to us until long after we began gambling, but it’s a very easy way to have fun, especially when you are out with friends. You choose how many numbers you want, and the machine will tell you how much to bet per number (and how much you might win). Then the machine draws the numbers and you win for the number of numbers that match the draw! Keno is fun, easy, and a great way to ease yourself into gambling.
Sports betting is becoming more popular, but it is still so underfeatured on TV. Sports betting is a fun intro to gambling because you can bet on something, watch the game or race with your friends, and then find out who wins. It’s social gambling, makes your money last a while, and you can play with as little as $1-$5 in most casinos, making it one of our go-to activities when we want to gamble all night.
4. Play Online First
Of course, we know you are excited to head out on your special day, but sometimes you can have even more fun when you know a little more about what you are doing. So, if your birthday is on a weekday, consider gaming online that day and planning to head to the casino with your friends on Friday night once you’ve practiced a little.
There are so many amazing casinos out there, like MintDice.com that also allow you to play with play money, so you can save every penny for the casino! Online casinos do have more options than brick-and-mortar casinos, so don’t get too attached to any particular game, just in case it isn’t available at your favorite casino!
5. Always Place Minimum Bets
No matter what machine or table you choose, a good rule of thumb for your first time gambling is to always place minimum bets. This will stretch your money as far as possible while giving you time to learn the games.
Just keep in mind that the house always wins, so you should only bring cash with you that you expect to lose on your visit. Remember, it’s your birthday, though, so just consider this money as entertainment costs. Just stay out of the high-roller rooms and away from the expensive tables, and you’ll have a great time!
6. Sign Up for Casino Rewards
One of our best recommendations for those picking their first casino game is to start their evening by heading to the players’ club desk. While there aren’t always bonuses, many casinos do have these, especially for new player accounts. Some even offer a rebate or free play!
While you are at the desk, ensure you ask about bonuses so you know what to expect before you head out and play. If you are offered free play, know this is typically only good for slot machines or video poker, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun playing those games!
7. When in Doubt, Choose Roulette
If you’ve made it this far and still have no idea what you want to play, head on over to the roulette wheel. While the odds of winning roulette aren’t always great, this is an easy game to play. You just pick a number, they spin the wheel, and you wait to see if you win!
Do ensure that you choose a low buy-in roulette table (most in Las Vegas start at $5-$10) or you’ll find your money evaporates rather quickly while playing this game. If you wanted something like Roulette but slower, definitely head back to number 3 on our list and try your hand at keno!
Overall, your first time in a casino can be exciting, as long as you take the time to ensure you pick the best game for your skill level. If you don’t have a skill level, not to worry, as keno, sports betting, and Roulette can generally be enjoyed by everyone!
