The biggest myths about casinos
Playing your favorite casino game can be a great way to relax. Millions of players worldwide do just that, even when they bet little and don’t expect to win any money. These players are casual gamblers and usually enjoy the journey, not necessarily the destination. Other players have their eyes on the prize. They are playing for a chance to win big, and they won’t stop until their budget runs out or they have an especially lucky spin. Both groups stand to benefit from a frank discussion about the biggest casino myths.
Casino games are rigged
Perhaps the most popular myth is that casino games are all rigged. While this is false, there is also a hint of truth. Casino games, especially slots, are challenging to win because everything comes down to random chance. This is the cold, hard truth. No amount of strategy will help you ‘beat’ slots – you either have a lucky spin or you don’t. Operators use random number generators (RNGs) to ensure that the games are genuinely random, and consequently, perfectly fair.
With that said, casino games are designed to favour the house (the operator). Odds vary from game to game, but generally, players should expect the odds to be against them when they place a bet. Slot machines are the biggest culprits for this, with odds that vary widely depending on the title selected, while blackjack is the game with the lowest house edge by far.
If you play for long enough, you’ll break even
This myth is more well-known as ‘chasing losses’. As the name implies, players often continue to gamble when they lose, especially if the loss breaks their budget. The reasoning is that, eventually, the tide will turn and the small wins here and there will add up.
The belief that players will eventually break even stems from a mistaken understanding of return-to-player (RTP) values. Almost every casino game has an RTP, and slots often have RTPs varying from 95% to 97%. This means that players will eventually win back 95% or 97% of the money they wager.
The problem is that players don’t understand that this is hypothetical, not a guarantee. If you play a game with a 95% RTP for long enough, you might eventually win 95% of your money back. However, playing for ‘long enough’ is quite nebulous and can extend into many years of routine playing before players see their funds.
If you are losing, stop playing. At the very least, don’t continue playing with the belief that you’ll make your money back soon. That’s not how gambling works.
If you lose long enough, you’re due for a win
This myth is also known as the ‘gambler’s fallacy’. Players with this belief often think that the more they lose, the closer they are to a big win. Conversely, they might think that they are due for a loss if they have won for too long. However, the former scenario is the more damaging by far, with some players continuing to rack up losses under the mistaken belief that a payday is just around the corner.
If you find yourself on a losing streak, remember that each turn is entirely independent of any other. With a few exceptions, casino games are completely random. If you get lucky and win, you win! If you don’t get lucky and lose, you lose. There is no secret strategy to be found here.
Would you like to learn about casinos that defy the odds? If so, our reviews can help you find the perfect fit.
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