Biggest Obstacles Players Face with Different Casino Games & How to Avoid Them

If there is one thing that makes iGaming fantastic, it’s the sheer diversity players get by joining any casino on the internet. Countless games of chance and skill along with bonuses delight players of all levels.

However, each casino game comes with its own set of challenges which can trip up even seasoned players. Understanding these obstacles and learning how to navigate them is key to enhancing your gaming experience and maximizing your enjoyment. Below, we explore the most common hurdles players face in popular casino games and share tips on how to overcome them.

Blackjack

We start the list with the most famous casino game – blackjack. A legendary game of skill, blackjack combines luck and strategy. However, the pressure to make the “right” decision can overwhelm players. Missteps, such as failing to use basic strategy or getting emotional, often lead to avoidable losses.

So, the biggest obstacle for the player in blackjack is confidence – trust your gut – and lack of a good strategy. Or not knowing the basic strategy.

• Learn basic strategy. The first thing you should do is learn the rules, but the immediate next step is to learn strategy. Basic strategy, to be exact. Use strategy charts to guide your decisions based on the dealer’s up-card.
• Practice online. As another great way to ensure you know what you are doing, free-play blackjack is great for building proficiency and introducing you to various situations that might emerge while you play. Plus, it’s free, so you don’t lose money.
• Find cheat sheets. Strategy charts – also known as cheat sheets – are charts designed to help players learn what to do in every given situation in blackjack. And novices will surely appreciate that.
• Trust your instincts. Strategies are great, they are very helpful and can often save the players from losing precious funds. However, they are often also unreliable – and not suitable for all players. And there are so many of them! Hence, it’s not bad to try to trust what your gut is telling you from time to time.

Roulette

Unlike blackjack, roulette is purely based on luck. There is no strategy that you can use to influence the roll of the ball, only influencing how you react to the roll.

Moreover, the variety of betting options in roulette can be overwhelming, leading players to place unfocused bets or rely on risky strategies like the Martingale system.

Hence, the biggest obstacles players face in roulette involve not using the right betting system and relying on luck too much (to the point of believing in logical fallacies).

• You cannot influence the ball. Roulette is a luck-based game, so there’s nothing you can do to sway the ball in the pocket you want it to go. No one can influence the ball, so believing that you are destined to win in the next round as you’ve lost in the previous three is not only illogical but also potentially harmful.
• Try the other bets. The game features a surprising number of bets – like Sic Bo and Baccarat – so it’s confusing for beginners. New players often stick to straight-up bets, as they have the best payouts. But it’s far better to learn using even money bets. There’s also fun in outside bets but try those only after you become well-versed in the game.
• Understand the odds.  Speaking of other bets, don’t look at payouts, look at the odds. You will perform better if you know the probabilities of different bet types and focus on ones with better chances, such as red/black or odd/even.
• Research betting systems: Systems like Martingale often result in rapid losses. Negative progression, positive progression, flat betting – all this affects the players and ultimately, their experiences. Hence, it’s important to find a system that works for you.

Poker

Although poker is a very simple, straightforward game, players struggle to get used to poker as they consider it to be too serious. Indeed, poker requires not only understanding the rules but also reading opponents and managing emotions.

That is why the biggest obstacles for poker novices are the table reading of other players ( in land-based casinos) and controlling their own bluff. Beginners often struggle with bluffing, controlling tilt (emotional outbursts), and bankroll management.

• Learn the rules and rankings. The very first thing one should always do is master hand rankings and game variations. When you are aware of the rules, and the possible payouts, you will then feel more confident to enter the game and take a seat at the table.
• Control emotions before they control you. Being able to stay composed is half the job done when it comes to poker. That is why it’s so high up on the list of tips for poker novices. It’s a very difficult task, but one that differentiates between good and great players.
• Practice bluffing: Bluffs aren’t really a thing in online poker, as there are no players to see whose faces you are to read. But in live poker, it might be different, and if you join a poker tournament, this skill will be crucial. To practice, start small and learn to read the tells of your opponents.
• Set bankroll limits. Bankroll is always important, but in poker, it takes a whole new meaning considering how volatile players may get (those who cannot control their emotions especially). Try to avoid going all-in unless strategically sound.

Baccarat

Baccarat is a fan favourite because it’s a very simple card game. However, its simplicity can be deceptive.

Many players – especially novices – fall into the trap of betting based on wrong betting systems or streaks, like in other card games. This is potentially very bad as it can lead to unnecessary losses. There is also betting on wrong betting options, such as thinking the Tie Bet can bring you profits and that the Player bet is better because it has no 5% commission like the Banker bet.

Here are the four ways in which you can elevate your baccarat experience and protect assets long-term.

• Stick to Banker bets. The banker bet has the lowest house edge. Therefore, it’s your safest bet and should be your priority.
• Ignore streaks. Each hand is independent; past results don’t influence future outcomes. Thinking that previous results affect upcoming outcomes is a fallacy and can only create problems for the players. Hence, if you notice you are on a streak – especially a losing one – it’s better to quit the game than risk losing money further.
• Do not bet on Tie. The Tie Bet is not a player-friendly option. Most players avoid it.
• Understand commission: Factor in the 5% commission on banker wins when planning your bets. Because Banker bet is a safe bet, it has a 5% commission on the wager so that is something you should count on.

Craps

While other table games are fun and appear easy to understand, craps is the complete opposite. That is why it took game studios years to introduce craps to the live casino niche.

The craps table can seem intimidating thanks to its numerous betting options and fast-paced action. Indeed, the action at a craps table happens very quickly, and as you have so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get confused.

Another thing players miss is that craps is a social game, rooted in social interaction at land-based gambling halls. But the social rules and etiquette used there do not apply online (at least not in all matters).

Here are some of the ways to break the ice with craps, and what rules to follow online and live craps to maximise results and optimise the experience.

• Start with simple bets. If you are there for the first time, focus first on the simple wagers such as Come/ Don’t Come and Pass/Don’t Pass bets. These are the starting bets, the easiest to master, and the ones that pay most often.
• Learn the lingo and superstitions. One thing about craps is that it’s a game where superstitions are very important. That comes from Las Vegas casinos, for sure. Still, expect to hear about lots of superstitions with the game. Also, try to learn the unique terminology to avoid confusion.
• Practice first. Play online or watch games to understand the flow before wagering. Craps is a complicated game, and understanding the rules first is the main step in demystifying craps. Once you get the hang of the rules, it will be very easy (and fun).
• Don’t avoid Don’t Pass/Come bets. This is part of that etiquette important at land-based casinos. Betting on Don’t Come/ Don’t Pass bets is frowned upon because it’s betting against the player. However, in online and live craps settings, that doesn’t have the same severity, so it’s okay. And these bets are better than their regular counterparts, so it’s better for you.

General Obstacles Players Face in Casinos

Gambling is intended to be a form of entertainment, but that entertainment quickly turns sour if you don’t know what to avoid.

Generally speaking, the biggest obstacle players face in the casino is their inability to accept the reality that they are losing money.

Some punters do not understand that losses are part of the game and are frustrated when they lose a round. Others do get that, but they cannot comprehend that there are ways to control their money and not let it go to waste.

As a result, players may become stubbornly stuck to the table, trying to recuperate funds they’ve lost, believing they are supposed to win it all in the same go and then they’ll leave. That’s not going to happen.

It doesn’t matter what game you choose, or what type of content you usually go for. There are some things to keep in mind and try to steer clear of if you want to ensure your adventure is enjoyable, easy, and worthwhile.

Losing Is Inevitable

The first thing to bear in mind before you start playing is that losses are part of the game. They cannot be avoided. No player has managed to ‘win every time’, especially if they have a long-standing career that spans years.

So, the best thing you can do about it is devise a strategy to handle losses in the best way for you. Either by leaving the table, picking a game from another category, or leaving the casino altogether for a breather – whatever works for you, do it. Just prepare for losses and don’t let them influence you to stay at the table and play more in the hope of recuperating what’s lost. That’s the worst possible thing you can do at a casino.

Know the House Edge

The house edge is the first thing you should check when you are choosing a table game. If you are thinking about slots, you should check the RTP (Return to Player) rate for each game you are considering.

The house edge or advantage works for each game differently. Hence, it would be wise to understand the effects of edge changes between different categories and game variants.

If you can, choose games with lower edges whenever possible.

Take Time Out Regularly

Regular breaks can help you stay focused and avoid impulsive decisions. Especially if you tend to get stuck in streaks (both winning and losing).

Try to take pauses regularly, as that is the only way to ensure you are not entering a troubling area in which gambling may become a problem for you.  Breaks are great for cooling down, rethinking the strategy/approach, or thinking more about what game category you enjoy.

Bankroll Management

Bankroll management is perhaps one of the most important skills to have when entering the gambling arena. Casino games are gambling games, and gambling entails real money. Now, losses are guaranteed at some point, which is why financial management is paramount.

Most players tend to create a budget for every casino visit, which means they are aware of how much they can spend without it becoming a problem. But it’s not enough to just create limits for yourself, it’s important to adhere to them too.

Conclusion

Every casino game comes with its own unique set of challenges. However, with preparation and discipline, these obstacles can be managed.

By understanding the rules, setting limits, and maintaining a clear head, you can turn potential pitfalls into amazing opportunities that create a more enjoyable gaming experience. Whether you’re spinning the reels or doubling down at the blackjack table, smart strategies and self-control are your best allies.

Don’t forget to have fun but also play responsibly.