The martingale system more than most condenses the wild highs and lows of the casinos. You can go from feeling that you’ve cracked the code, Alan Turing style one minute, to suddenly being in a state of dread the next. For the uninitiated the martingale system, when applied to roulette involves doubling down each time you lose (on say red or black), with the view what when your colour eventually comes up you’ll double your initial stake. That’s all find and dandy in principle of course and there’s no denying that when approached in methodical fashion it can lead to significant gains over a short to medium length of time.

There is of course though, no such thing as a free lunch. The problem comes due to the dizzying amounts you may need to end up placing on an outcome for the sake of winning a paltry sum. The average persons view I’m sure if that there are rarely significant runs of a single colour over time, but that’s simply not true. And even where it is in the short term, eventually probability will claw it all back when you do end up on a run from hell.  I’m not even a regular casino goer compared to the average diehard, but even I’ve seen runs of 10 reds or blacks in a row on occasion. That would give the average martingale enthusiast cold sweats, or as a worst case scenario a fast emptying bank account.

There’s a certainly logic if you’re in it for the fun, in say doubling up once or twice when you lose to see if you can claw your money back, but be aware that every spin is entirely separate and so nothing that has come before somehow magically persuades the ball to go into a different colour. As obvious as that is, it can be hard for people to get their heads around!

It’s the $64,000,000 question, which casino site should I lend my custom to. Well with a dizzying array of options, there’s no easy answer to that. There are however a few steps that you can take to ensure that you’re not making a bad choice and are maximising your money from the get go.

First off, with any casino site you find yourself on, it can’t hurt to Google them and have a bit of a poke around for reviews and comments from others, just to ensure that it’s a trusted name in the area of casino gaming. There are a few rogue sites out there with hacked games, where the odds of winning may not be what they seem and/or you’ll have trouble withdrawing your money. By doing your very basic homework though and by following trusted online guides you can avoid this issue.

Next up, I’d say that it’s important to get the most bang for your buck. Online casinos are a highly competitive area with countless companies vying for your custom. That results in some great sign up incentives and bonuses (such as free spins) being on offer. Take advantage of these offers are you’re already off to a good start. Be sure to check whether there are any restrictions though. Some sites demand that you gamble your bonus money a certain number of times, whereas others don’t. Know that you’re getting into.

Also some sites have what’s essentially a match bet / deposit. As in if you deposit £100, they will match it with a £100 free bet. I’ve seen, in some cases, this offer be valid for up to a £500 deposit, so if you play your cards right (literally!) you can potentially be quids in.

Beyond these stated hints and tips, of course it makes sense to stick with a site that features the kind of games (slot variations etc) and environment that matches your interests and playing style. Whichever site you play on, best of luck!

I’d be naive if I claimed that there aren’t some people who simply won’t know when to call it quits. We can all get drawn in by various casino games and it’s important to be able to draw the line under proceedings if you’re having a bad run. My game of choice is roulette but how I play it isn’t exactly excitement central, I make it more workman-like if anything, and so I while I have a fun time, I wouldn’t say that I’m every truly captivated, or under some kind of spell.

I’d say it’s similar with cards, sure who doesn’t get drawn into a lengthy poker or blackjack session from time to time,but it’s somewhat self limiting  by fact that you do have to constantly make decisions as you go, which involves a  level of effort.

The most mesmerizing casino game, in my view, simply has to be the slots. Those bright lights and enthusiastic sounds bring back memories of childhood amusement parks and fun times. The potential for that often elusive big win is a draw too. Slot machines makers I feel know this, and online and offline slots alike now tend to have an ever growing number of reels and ways to win. As such, with a large number of spins you’re winning ‘something’ and this keeps your interest, and keeps you holding out for that big win that’s surely just around the corner.

Sometimes of course it is, other times not so much, but in either case, it’s the one casino game that people drift off into a trance when they’re playing!