Feature The Penny Pincher's Guide to Online Gaming 25 May, 2004
Tight for cash? Streeeeetch your gambling dollar with this guide to gaming enjoyment on the cheap.
Cheap Games
Play longer - bet less.
Instead of betting $1/spin on your favorite slot, bet a quarter - or even a penny. Lower bets are a great introduction to Internet gambling for players afraid to play for real. And what are the chances of finding low-limit blackjack at your local casino on a Friday night?
Streeeeetch your buck with a great new 20-line video slot all penny pinchers should try called "Eastern Dragon". Launched in late May, it's found only at InterCasino and features a 95% payout, animated bonus round and bonus symbols (that award 15 free games when hit) - a great bang for your buck.
There are also some great - cheap - blackjack and slots options in the Winner Online Updated Cheapskates Guide.
Money Management
Next to losing weight and quitting smoking, sticking to a budget has to be one of life's hardest challenges. It's not much easier when it comes to gambling.
But unlike trying to shed a few pounds, online casinos actually give you a head start with deposit bonuses. If your deposit is small, find a bonus instead of one based on a percentage. (Check out the $500 deposit bonus at Lucky Chance Casino).
Remember:
A 20% percentage bonus does no good if you are depositing $50, but a 100% match doubles your bankroll.
Hunt for bonuses with reputable newsletters that bring special offers straight from casinos.
Deposit what you can afford to lose, double it with a bonus and stay within your limit.
If playing blackjack on a standard table, try multi-player mode. The action is slower than in one-on-one competition against the dealer.
Tournaments
For my money, there is no better gambling value on the Web than tournaments. They provide the all the elements necessary for any penny pincher - they cost next to nothing, they take hours to play, and you can win huge prizes.
Find a tournament using the Winner Online tournament directory.
Tournaments let you play for extended periods of time because you buy a large bankroll. A $5 entry into a blackjack tournament often buys you $1,000 worth of chips. The player who is able to parlay that $1,000 into the most over a period of time wins a real cash prize.
The same small entry fee / large bankroll rule works in online poker. Only in order to win, you must be the last player standing from a room with hundreds of players.
Several poker rooms now offer a chance to win a seat in the World Series of Poker for winning free play and real money tournaments. Gamblers are taking the offer seriously after Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 tournament and a heft prize of $2.5 million after qualifying online. The tournament was the first time Moneymaker had never played in a land-based tournament. He honed his skills exclusively online.
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Combine these techniques and you'll be on your way to a great penny pinching gaming experience. Bah humbug...
