From Horses to Slots: 3 Gambling Tips for Geordies

People in Newcastle love to gamble – you’ve got football, horse racing, and plenty of online casinos I love.

The day at the horse races or an evening at one of the town’s live venues have always been occasions I enjoy: they’re a thrill. Am I always good at them? No. But I definitely have a few tips for my fellow Geordies. 

Read on to find out more.

Understanding Odds: Payouts and RTP

Before I bet on horses, I always ensure that I understand everything about odds and how they work – it’s the same for online casinos, but I’ll focus on the horses for this section. Instead of concentrating solely on odds, two key terms need to be understood: payouts and Return to Player (RTP) percentages.

The payout is what I look at when trying to see how much money can be earned from a specific combination. Each online game has its paytable, indicating different winning combinations and corresponding payouts. I like to familiarise myself with these pay tables before starting.

Another important aspect is RTP, which refers to return-to-player percentage. This number shows me how much cash will be returned per unit wagered during a game (e.g. if it has a 96% RTP, then risking £100 will return £96 through winnings). To maximise my win rate, I always prefer playing games that have an RTP higher or equal to 95%. Most games will give you that.

Setting Up a Budget and Sticking To It

Whether I’m at the racecourse or online casinos, I always abide by the golden rule of setting and sticking to a budget.

It’s easy for me to lose track of how much I have spent because these games are designed with speed and excitement. To ensure that I don’t overspend at any given time, I decide on an amount before starting and make sure not to go beyond it.

I usually break down my budget into smaller amounts for each session as a strategy. For example, if I have £100 for my bankroll, maybe I can play using four sessions worth £25 each. This way, it helps me spread out my game time so that everything does not end up being spent all at once.

I also find it helpful to use tools like deposit limits or self-exclusion options offered by online platforms to help me stay within my budget. Most online casinos have these now.

Using Free Spins and Bonuses

One of the key differences I have found between placing bets on horses and playing a game online is the wide range of bonuses and promotions available. This can give me extra cash to wager with or free spins, giving me more opportunities to win without spending extra money. Some of the best for me are on online-slot.co.uk – with over 5,000 slot game reviews , lackpot and RTP reviews, it is a site every igaming fan should visit. 

When I join a new site, there is usually a welcome bonus (I’ve used pretty much every welcome bonus there is), which may include a matched deposit bonus or some free spins on specific games. So I’m not cajoled into making unwise choices, it pays for me to read through these terms.

Apart from welcome bonuses, numerous online casinos provide ongoing offers, loyalty programs (my favourite), or special deals that can increase my bankroll. I always watch out for these bonuses and grab them with both hands. However, caution must be taken so you don’t get carried away by the notion of “free” money.

My favourite bonuses are:

• Welcome bonuses
• Deposit boosters
• Free spins

Why Geordies and Me Love The Social Experience

One thing about horse race betting I have enjoyed is its social nature – going down to the bookies or watching the races, talking about form, and supporting my favourite horse. Though online gambling doesn’t offer this kind of social experience, I have discovered ways to keep it alive as part and parcel of the online gaming experience.

Different websites offer their players chat rooms where they can interact with each other after winning something, while others may advise you on what should work best to win, etc. And there is no shortage of communities that enjoy sharing tips, discussing strategies, and congratulating each other’s achievements on various social media sites or online forums.

By joining these online communities, I can bring the traditional social element into my digital experience. It could be that I want to share my newest win or look for advice about what’s the best way forward for me as a gambler. Sometimes, I need somebody to help make this gaming more interesting and keep the enjoyment going.

What do you love to put your money on the most? The horses, online casinos, or maybe football? If you were a Geordie supporting Newcastle last year, it probably would have been football. I think there are so many great platforms now that make the experience so much more enjoyable and accessible. Look out for the ones offering free deposits!

Please remember to always play responsibly and seek help if needed by finding local support from Gamble Aware.