Breaking Even in a Casino

By Chris Bibey

It never ceases to amaze me how desperately casino gamblers play just in order to break even. It really is silly when you think about it, because even if they succeed and recover their losses what do they accomplish? Chances are they are still out gas money.

Emotionally drawing on this weakness in the human personality seems to be among the most profitable weapons in the arsenal of the casino, right up there with the house edge on the players itself. The funny thing is the casinos do nothing to encourage this. You never see signs in any casinos, land-based or online, which say, “You can do it, get even!”. Casinos thankfully never resort to this level.

It's been said that the best casino gamblers in the world know how to quit when behind. There is some science to choosing the right time to quit, but for experts it generally comes when they are not playing their best. The best know gambling is a life-long battle. Unless you are just visiting a casino for the first time and have little intention to return, when can you say you are truly ahead or behind for good?

Maybe if you win a million dollar jackpot you could make such a statement, but for the rest of us what is won today will be in play when we gamble in the future. It's easier for most to recover a loss during another session. A new session removes much of the emotional baggage players carry when trying to get even. Experts know playing a game perfectly is tough enough of a challenge; they don't attempt it while fighting a mental battle with themselves.

What steps can be taken to minimize this behavior? They differ for every player so you have to work in recognizing what might succeed for yourself. Review how you played during every session, starting with a review of your last few sessions. Honestly, how much chasing did you do to get even? Did you realize it when you were playing or did it only become clear away from the action?

If you recognize you do exhibit this behavior, consider internally repeating an affirmation every five minutes. Repeat a short statement to yourself which attempts to keep you on target for your goals. The affirmation needs to remind you that you are a disciplined player with goals. You are a casino player who knows the correct play strategy of your game and you will never deviate from it. Lastly you are a player who knows gambling is a life-long pursuit and what happens today will not significantly affect your total result because you are not chasing, which could lead to a disastrous result.

Along with repeating your affirmation regularly, setting win goals and loss limits help as well. Creating predetermined actions where limits are defined doesn't necessarily help you reach long-term financial goals, but they keep your play and your mindset in control. Win goals for experts are not always a good idea, but for the majority they help avoid the regret which comes from being ahead and then losing that profit and then some. Who doesn't suffer from this lament on a regular basis?

Making your play almost mechanical in nature by knowing how much to bet, when to raise or lower your bet, and when to get up from a table may not appeal to many players, but it is the best way to keep gambling under control. Become focused on following your rules, not the rules most gamblers believe exist.

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