Millions of people across the globe wake on January 1 with a bunch of New Year’s resolutions.
But do you know how many of us accomplish them? Just 8%.
We don’t think you should can this time-honoured tradition. Instead, you should simply make your New Year’s resolutions fun and achievable.
Our list of ten suggestions for gamblers are simple, fun, profitable or all three.
So look a little beyond betting at your favourite online casino next year and you might enjoy gambling even more.
1. Always gamble responsibly
Number one on any list of New Year’s resolutions for gamblers has to be a commitment to betting responsibly – gambling addiction is a curse that affects not only you but also your family and friends.
Keep your gambling safe by treating it in one of two ways.
Either as your profession (if you’re a poker pro, like Andrew Neeme), or as a fun hobby.
If you think you’re not gambling responsibly, then seek the help you need. There are many different organisations in the UK that can help, along with a range of support networks.
2. Use bankroll management
Bankroll management is a poker concept and it’s a pretty straightforward one – you keep your gambling money separate to the cash you need and use for the rest of your day-to-day life.
The benefits of bankroll management are pretty obvious – you make sure that your gambling losses (because even the best gamblers have them) don’t affect your day-to-day living.
So make it your resolution to use bankroll management when you’re gambling, whether you like sports betting, slots, or something else.
3. Study to improve your chances of winning
Any idiot can win big and any great player can lose large. After all, luck plays a huge part in every type of gambling.
But while you can’t control chance, there’s one tactic that will boost your odds of winning in the new year – studying.
Certain games offer a greater opportunity for increasing your chances of winning through increased study. Poker is the one where you get the greatest benefit and slots the one where you get the least.
But every single game offers you scope for improvement. Even the random nature of slots can be addressed by understanding that the games are based on an RNG. What’s an RNG? Do your studying and you’ll find out!
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4. Invest in the right poker software
Well start by saying that there’s a lot of snake oil out there in the world of gambling software – many websites claim their tools will help you win big without any hint of credibility.
But poker is one of the games that really benefit from using software. Why? Because it can help you record and analyse how your opponents play, so that you can get a better read of their plays.
PokerTracker is the best poker software out there, so we’re suggesting that you make it your New Year’s resolution to at least try it – once you have you’ll understand why it’s a worthwhile investment.
5. Test out different strategies
Every game you play has at least one strategy you can try – you may even have developed some of your own approaches.
The thing is, though, what works today might not work later on in the same day.
Why? Because gambling is always evolving. And this means that you should make it one of your New Year’s resolutions to try out a few different strategies.
Sure, sometimes they’ll work and sometimes they won’t. However, what you’ll find is that some situations are better approached with one strategy and a different situation with another.
And if a legendary gambler like Daniel Negreanu appreciates the need to tweak his betting strategy then you can be certain that it’s right for you to do the same.
6. Try out some new games
Dull, dull, dull, that’s what it is to play the same game over and over – even if you’re winning all the time (which you aren’t, because no one is, except Mike Postle… ).
So, make it your New Year’s resolution to keep your gambling fresh and interesting by trying out some new games – there are so many gambling games that there’s bound to be at least one new game you’ll adore.
7. Do your research
What’s the difference between research and study in gambling, you say? We’ll explain.
The latter is about getting to grips with how to play games and place bets, while the former is about appreciating past and present behaviour so that you can better predict the future.
Whether you’re a table game player or sports better, if you make it your New Year’s resolution to do your research then you’ll have a better chance of winning some money.
For instance, in football betting, if you’re betting on the outcome of one match there are many bets you could place – the result, goalscorers, number of corners, etc. By researching both the teams and players, you might be able to spot undervalued odds based on these factors.
8. Give the stocks a go
The connection between stocks and gambling is obvious – if you play the stocks then you’re placing a bet on the success of your decision making, just like in gambling.
What you might not be aware of is that this connection has been drawn together in the form of Football Index, a gambling platform that allows you to bet on the future success of football players.
While we appreciate this won’t be for every gambler, if you like sports betting then this New Year’s resolution is an ideal way of getting greater longevity from your wagers.
9. Take your game to a live casino
Playing at your favourite online casinos and placing wagers at your preferred betting sites lets you gamble whenever and wherever you like.
But there’s nothing quite like betting in a real casino – the sights, sounds, and smells simply can’t be replicated online.
If you’re a gambler who’s yet to bet in a live casino then make it one of your New Year’s resolutions to correct that.
Credit: PublicDomainPictures
10. Visit new gambling venues
If you’re a veteran of live casino betting then you know that it’s a unique gambling experience, one that even the very best online casinos can’t match.
But many gamblers stick to their casino of choice and that’s a real shame – there are so many great ones out there, including venues in new countries.
Make it your New Year’s resolution to try out some of these great casino destinations – we’re not suggesting you’ll get to visit all of them, but even just one will open you up to some great new gambling experiences.
Each new year is an opportunity to broaden your horizons and refine the things you already love. Gambling is no exception to this rule, so make it your New Year’s resolution to try out all of the suggestions we’ve made in this article!