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Online casino gambling is supposed to be entertainment only. In my opinion, if I’m losing a bunch of money, I’m not entertained. Understanding your average hourly loss rate and knowing how to reduce that rate is a huge part of playing for any length of time, without losing.
The less you lose per hour on average, the longer you’ll be able to play, which generally means you’ll have more fun. This is especially important in games with large top jackpots. The longer you can play, the more chances you have to hit the jackpot. We’ll talk more about it here at Xgtiger Casino.
Think of the top jackpot on a video poker machine – probably in the thousands of coins, right? The reason the top prize is higher than the second or third best prizes is because you won’t see a card combination that can lead to the top prize (usually a natural royal flush) very often. In theory, if you play long enough, you’ll eventually hit the natural.
How to Determine Your Average Hourly Loss Rate
I know of two good ways to determine your Average Hourly Loss Rate. The first method is the most correct because it uses real outcomes.
It’s a four-step process:
- Keep track of all your gaming.
- Add your winnings.
- Cut your losses.
- Divide the result by the total amount of time you played.
This gives you an accurate idea of your Average Hourly Loss Rate, but it requires some effort, from tracking to recording and analysis.
I know of an easier, if less accurate, way. You can calculate your expected average rate and use that as your own rate, for the sake of simplicity. To do this, you need to know the expected return percentage for the game you will be playing as well as how many hands or spins per hour you are playing.
Once you have these details you can determine how much you should be losing on average each hour. This is a good way to determine the vague budget for the upcoming online casino trip.
For example – if you are playing blackjack for $10 per hand, playing basic strategy with house rules gives the house an edge of 1%. If you play an average of 100 hands per hour, you will lose an average of $10 per hour.
Here, then, are five things you may not know, which could affect your average hourly loss rate.
1. Luck has nothing to do with Your Average Hourly Loss
Some people are obsessed with luck.
You can sit them down and explain that slot machines work independently of outside influence, and show them the inner workings of the machine, they will still talk about their good or bad luck.
Yes, short-term ups and downs do happen. Calling these changes “luck” isn’t hurting anyone, and it’s as good a word to use as any.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking that your average loss per hour at the casino has to do with luck, in the traditional sense.
When you determine your average loss rate, your calculations include short-term fluctuations because they are based on game return percentage and your play rate. If you don’t have enough data or the right figures, your estimate won’t be accurate, which can make you feel really unlucky. But in that case, pilot error was the culprit, not luck.
2. Speed of Play Matters
The fastest way to reduce your Average Hourly Loss Rate at a casino is to reduce the number of hands or spins per hour you play.
The speed of some games is controlled by factors outside of your influence – I think here of blackjack and baccarat at PNXBET, the fancy table games that take longer to play. But gamblers can control the speed of different casino games. You can play video poker or slots and play only a few hands per hour as you wish.
You can also take a break from the blackjack or baccarat table every hour to reduce the number of hands you play.
Roulette is a slow game with a mild average hourly loss rate. But it has a higher house edge than many games. If you play, only play on wheels with a single zero. Playing a wheel with double zeros in addition to a single zero doubles the house edge to more than 5% per spin.
3. Every Casino Game Has a Right Strategy
Another way to improve your expected loss is to play the best possible strategy for each game you play. With good house rules and perfect strategy you can play blackjack with about a half percent house edge. You can find video poker games that also reduce the house edge to half a percent or less with perfect strategy. Not So Ugly Ducks Deuces Wild and 9 / 6 Jacks or Better both offer a low house edge.
Even games with higher house edges have proper strategies you can use to minimize the edge as much as possible. You should only play where you know and use the best strategy. The lower the house edge, the longer your bankroll will last.
4. Player’s Club Benefits Can Erase or Reduce Negative Expectations
Always join the Xgtiger player’s club or reward’s club before playing at any online casino.
Most online casinos don’t tell you exactly how much your play is earning in comps. But remember that every free meal, free room, or other perk reduces the amount you have to spend overall. If it costs $10 to eat at the buffet, and you get it, it’s the same as losing $10 less at the table.
By reducing the house edge as much as possible and taking advantage of the players’ club, you give yourself the best chance to reduce or eliminate your negative expectation.
Do you only play occasionally? You can also use casino coupons and promotions to reduce the house edge. You should use them every chance you get – even if you’re a regular player. You will notice the change in your average loss rate more if you are not a big player.
5. Some Casino Games Can Be Losing
If you’re willing to do the work, you can reduce the house edge on some casino games to 0 or less. This is true of 3 classic games: blackjack, poker, and sports betting.
Let’s look at blackjack, as it is both popular and easy to describe in the context of the Average Hourly Loss Rate
To win at blackjack, you need to learn how to count cards and find the best games. If you find the best games, you can play perfect basic strategy and reduce the house edge to about half a percent. When you become a good card counter, you can work with an edge against the house of half a percent or more.
Counting cards is not illegal. But casinos hate it. They can outplay you or make the rules so difficult that you can’t count.
You don’t need to remember all the cards that have been played to count cards. You only need to be able to add or subtract 1s and/or 2s from a running number. You also have to estimate easy division problems as you play.
Anyone can learn to count cards if they put in the right amount of time and effort. I’ve heard it said that blackjack players can effectively learn to count cards in about ten hours of study.
Conclusion
Are you an avid gaming fan and want to know how to bet on online casino games? At Xgtiger, you’ll get the latest information on this year’s best casino games and a variety of gaming options, all in one place.
To start your online gambling journey, all you need to do is create an account on the site, deposit funds and you’ll be ready to bet on the best and most anticipated casino games.
Frequently asked questions
The psychological effects of online gambling addiction are anxiety, depression, emotional instability, guilt and shame, and decreased coping ability.
