How to Measure and Control Your Bankroll with Online Casinos
For those looking to play online casinos in a responsible and enjoyable way, managing a bankroll is the foundation. It’s more than just setting yourself deposit limits, as you need a complete strategy to manage your money.
Gambling should be entertaining but if you make the wrong moves, it can be stressful. There is nothing more annoying than losing all your money in the space of a few debts. A part of managing your bankroll is ensuring this never happens.
There is a lot of fun to be had in an online casino. Whether you love spinning the roulette, playing slots or the latest crash games, it can be a huge thrill. Here you’ll see how, with sensible bankroll management, you can keep that thrill going for longer.
Understanding What a Bankroll Is
A bankroll is the money that you specifically set aside for your online casino play. If you don’t already do that, that is your first step. Make sure you have a specific amount of money to play with and ensure you stick with it.
This way, you can see your bankroll as the price you pay for the entertainment it provides. This can then sit separately from your living expenses. It means that even if you lose your bankroll, it is money that has all been accounted for.
Aside from providing you clarity with your monthly expenses, there are other reasons a bankroll can be so useful. With clear spending boundaries, the emotional influence over your betting is going to be reduced.
When seen as an expense, it means less stress if losses occur, as you know that it won’t have a negative impact on your life. This helps to give you accountability and transparency, not only with yourself, but also with others who may financially depend on you.
To set your bankroll, complete a budget. You should be doing this anyway, as it’s an important part of building a financial safety net. Calculate all of your income and expenses. From this, you will then see how much disposable income you have. It’s then up to you how much of that you want to dedicate to your online casino play.
Tips for Managing Your Bankroll
Now that you know the importance of a bankroll, you need to know how to manage it. There are several ways you can do this to maintain control of both your spending and your winnings.
Treat Your Winnings Like Separate Money – Winnings can sometimes go as quickly as they come. Instead, treat your winnings separately from your bankroll. This includes automatically withdrawing a percentage of your winnings, such as 30-50%.
Use a Set Betting Strategy – Emotion can lead to increased bets and chasing your losses. If you have a set betting strategy, this allows you to stay calm and in control.
Set Yourself Time Limits – Along with a money limit, it’s a good idea to set a time limit. This helps prevent betting fatigue and making tired decisions. Set yourself some rules, such as only playing for an hour at a time or limiting yourself to two sessions per week.
Use a Stop-Loss Rule – Your bankroll can disappear fast unless you have rules to apply the brakes. Examples include stopping play if you lose 20% of your bankroll, stopping after a set number of consecutive losses, or stopping if you haven’t won for a bet period of time.
Using a Betting Strategy to Maintain Control
There is no magical betting strategy that will allow you to win in an online casino. However, some strategies can help you to better control your bankroll. Here are the most common examples.
Flat Betting – Flat betting is making the same value of bet every time. Whether you’re on a hot or cold streak, you keep your wagering consistent and predictable. This prevents any emotional play.
Percentage – Here is where you wager a fixed percentage of your bankroll. This allows you to bet a bit more with a growing bankroll but a bit more conservatively after a few losses. It allows for some flexibility while still having bankroll discipline.
Session-Based Structure – Instead of worrying about the values of individual bets, you instead pose a limit on your session. For example, if you enjoy having 4 sessions per week, you never bet more than 25% of your bankroll each time.
Measuring Your Performance Over Time
It’s a great idea to track your spending and casino activity. This can be done on a simple spreadsheet or any way that makes you comfortable with storing data. This allows you to have valuable information on your bankroll.
You’ll want to track your deposits and withdrawals but also your wins and losses. This is especially useful if you’re also tracking game types and the RTP (Return to Player). Here you’ll be able to see which games are draining your bankroll and which ones are filling it up.
There is no surefire way to win in an online casino but there are easy ways to lose your money quickly. Managing your bankroll and measuring your performance allows you to bet with control and discipline. It takes the stress away and allows you to play for fun.
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