I’m not going to ‘beat around the bush’ so to speak, but rather come right and say it: the odds at a casino are stacked in the favor of the … you guessed it … the casino. That doesn’t mean you’re going to have to suck it up and assume you’ll lose every time.

No. In fact, you can improve your odds of winning at the casino. All you need is to have some planning and use a few key strategies that have been effective through the years. These 10 tips can be instrumental at helping you beat the odds at the casino and find yourself having an awesome time every single time you go (or login) to your favorite destinations.

Remember, though, that these tips won’t work for everyone and if you don’t want to heed them, that’s fine. If you have a few tips of your own that work, why not share them? The more people have fun and win a bit more frequently, the more often they’ll want to come back and for that, everyone wins!

Tip #1: Only take what you’re willing to lose.

This certainly doesn’t seem like something that’s going to help you beat the casino, but when you dig deeper you’ll understand how this is great advice. Casinos win big when they get players to dig deeper and deeper into their wallets (credit cards, bank accounts, etc.) than what they planned on gambling with. Set your limit and don’t tap any deeper.

Tip #2: Understand the odds.

Every game you’re going to play at the casino will have specific odds. Know what they are. If you’re focused on a game that has notoriously lousy odds (like Keno), but you think it’s going to offer the big payoff, you will struggle to win. That’s not going to bring you much joy.

Tip #3: Keep track of the time.

One thing you’ll notice most casinos lacking are clocks. That’s because the longer you play, the more likely you’ll lose. Watch the time and limit how long you spend there. Even if you’re up at the moment, know when to call it a night (or day).

Tip #4: Avoid alcohol.

Whether you play online or in person, skip the drinks. The more you drink, the lower your inhibitions. That leads to bad decisions. That leads to losses.

Tip #5: Pick your casinos.

When you’re playing in person or online, you should have a clear idea about how well the casino takes care of you. For example, TheCasinoDB provides some great insight, including the top 10 NetEnt casinos for online play.

Tip #6: Stay focused.

There are plenty of distractions at casinos today, and most of them are trying to lure you in to the games with the worst odds (for you). Don’t fall for the skimpy cocktail outfits or flashiest lights; instead, know your games and stick with the best odds.

Tip #7: Keep your eye on nature.

The roulette wheel, for example, is supposed to be a perfect machine of random nature, but over time parts wear out. This means certain numbers will come up more frequently. Pay attention to this and bet accordingly.

Tip #8: Practice.

If you know the rules and practice, video poker can work in your favor. Most people who play video poker aren’t experienced and that’s how the casino wins.

Tip #9: Stretch.

Take a break every so often. When you do, you’ll be able to step away from the game and gain a better, clearer perspective on your fortunes to date. It also helps you move away from a bad game and focus on better odds.

Tip #10: Forget those ‘systems.’

You’ll see plenty of people out there claiming to have a ‘system’ to beat a specific game. Forget about them. They’re more superstition than anything else. Develop your own routine and rhythm, play to your best odds, and have fun.