Five years ago, when I started playing casino games, even from a gambling site, I’d have loved some expert suggestions about how to play slots responsibly. This would have prevented me from many miscalculations. At that time, the negative aspects of playing casino games prolongedly were still not clear.

Having played slots for many years now, I want to help you make the most of what I have learned so to avoid my mistakes. When moderate, playing games can be a very relaxing experience which can give you some fun. It incredibly distracts you from your daily routine. Here you are my 5 very precious tips to bear in mind while playing.

1. Clarify your goals

The starting point is having clear goals. What do you want to gain from playing slots? Do you consider them an alternative way of making easy money? If you play for any of these reasons, you need to rethink about your motivations.

When I first started playing, I was facing a difficult period in my life. Working only part-time and with a temporary contract, I barely could take my girlfriend out for a meal or a cocktail. My first times at casinos were very successful. I started winning a lot of money. This has given me the belief I could win forever so this pastime became a second job. This has worked for a while. Then, after one loss after another, it became crystal clear that things don’t work as I thought. My first advice is: Play for entertainment.

2. Set a fixed budget and never overshoot

Never play without clear ideas about the budget you can spend. Set clear spending limits. Never say ‘it is only for today, I will catch up with today’s losses’. I can assure you, it never works like this.

The money lost never comes back. Risk only when you have extra budget to spend. Be sure that those extra money doesn’t serve any other and or more important purposes. Another suggestion is to avoid using virtual money like your credit card instead of physical coins. This helps you have a clearer idea of how much you are spending.

3. Choose slots according to your budget

If you have tight budget limits, avoid overly complicated slot machines. It doesn’t make any sense to spend money on slots which have many bonus stages or on jackpot machines. Play at simple machines instead. You will play longer and safer.

When I first started, I chose a 5-reel, 25 pay line slot. It was amazing but too complicated for a newbie. When I realized this, I switched to a very simple fruit machine which has 3 rows and only 5 reels. It was a great way to learn my ropes.

4. Set your ‘time limits’

Besides sticking with a fixed budget, you need to determine the number of hours you will play. Try to choose only 2 days a week to play for no more than 2 hours each. Remember, playing slots is just an activity among others.

5. Bring a person with you

You know yourself. If you think that finding the right motivations to gamble responsibly is hard, bring a reliable friend with you. He will help you remember it is just a game

Final thoughts

Moderation helps even with slots. A balanced approach will prevent you from monetary losses. Keep these 5 tips in mind. Read them every time you start playing if necessary. After all, repetition helps memorization.