Flip the Script: She Plays Smart, He Bets with His Heart

Makgotso has been there before. Sitting across the couch from Thabani, her soccer-mad boyfriend. He’s locked and loaded; a big bet placed on his favourite team. And now those overpaid, underperforming superstars step onto the pitch against the less fancied minnows who are more than up for the contest.

And what follows? She knows... she's seen it all before. The underdogs go 1-0 up, then 2-0. Thabz? Having a go at the referee, calling for the manager to get fired and wincing every time the ‘star’ midfielder sprays a long-range pass into the stands. But Makgotso’s not fussed. Thabani will lose his R100 bet, and his team will miss out on the Champions League qualification again.

And Makgotso? She's flipped the script. She understands RTP, Volatility, and the House Edge. She’s a master of strategy. She plays the casino, and she plays the casino well! And is one of many women who’ve started regularly winning online bets in SA... now you can flip the script yourself.

Key Online Casino Terms

Want to flip the script? Start with the terms below. These key casino terms can not only help you get more for your money but are the first step in formulating a strategy that will allow you to play with confidence and give you a fair chance of winning your online casino bets.

House Edge

It’s no secret that all casino games have an in-built house edge. The house edge simply refers to the likelihood of the casino winning a wager against you as a player. As an example, a game with a house edge of 4% means that for every R10 that you bet, the casino is expecting you to lose 40 cents.

Understanding that some games like Blackjack, Craps and Baccarat or certain Roulette bets have the lowest house edge means you can position yourself to beat the casino more often than someone mindlessly spinning slot reels.

RTP (Return to Player)

RTP or Return to Player goes together with the House Edge. This term refers to the percentage of total money wagered on a certain game which is paid back to you and other players over time.

It’s helpful to look at RTP and House Edge as two sides of the same coin. If the House Edge of a certain game is 4%, that means that the RTP for the same game is 96%. Remember, however, that RTP is calculated over hundreds of thousands of bets. It is a long-term average and not a guaranteed percentage for your session.

Volatility

The third big term you need to familiarise yourself with is Volatility. Often overlooked or ignored by casual players, volatility determines the dynamics of risk v reward in a game. It governs how much or how frequently you can win. There are three main volatility categories:

High Volatility: Games falling into this category are high-risk, high reward. You can go for long stretches without winning, followed by a substantial pay out. Certain online slots and games like Texas Hold’em fall into this category. Who’s it for? If you’re a thrill-seeker with a bigger budget (to sustain play over an extended period) chasing a big win, these games are for you.
Medium Volatility: The best of both worlds. Medium volatility games will deliver a steady stream of moderate payouts. Games like Blackjack fall into this category and have broader appeal. Who’s it for? Perfect if you’re after a blend of frequent wins with a sprinkling of more significant payouts.
Low Volatility: Low volatility games feature minimal risk and smaller, consistent payouts. Outside bets at the Roulette table and certain slot titles fall squarely into this category. Who’s it for? Low volatility games are ideal if you’re just getting started in the world of online casinos, or if you’re on the hunt for more predictable outcomes.

Play like Makgotso

So how does Makgotso use her knowledge of a few basic terms to inform her casino betting decisions? She looks for Blackjack tables that pay out at 3/2 for a winning “Blackjack” hand (and Ace and a 10-value card) and avoids things like side bets and insurance. She keeps her float ticking over by playing Outside Bets at the Roulette table and understands which online slots are best suited for her budget. Here are some quick tips to get you up to speed, so you can start playing like Makgotso.

1 - Manage Your Budget

Managing your budget is paramount to having a good online casino experience. Once you’ve set yourself a budget, you need to manage the funds to keep you in the game for as long as possible. A good rule of thumb for table games is to bet around 3% of your total bankroll. So, if your budget is R1 000, you should be betting around R30 per hand.

Adhere to this strategy and you will be able to ride the ups and downs of your chosen game, ensuring that you have enough to keep playing through the fluctuations.

2 - Play Games with a Low House Edge

This becomes clearer when you understand how house edge works. A common mistake you can make as a new player is to immediately be drawn to slots. Sure, they’re flashy, fun and easy to play but they might not be the best option if you’re playing strategically.

3 - Understand the Rules

It goes without saying that you should have a sound knowledge of the game rules of your chosen table. However, this is something that beginners often neglect. For example, as a new player you might not be playing at 6/5 Blackjack table when you could be playing at a 3/2 variant. The difference?

The 3/2 variant pays out R3 for every R2 you bet when you land a winning “Blackjack” hand (Ace and a 10-value card). This represents a 150% payout. A 6/5 table, meanwhile, only pays R6 for every R5 wagered for the same bet – a 120% payout. It may seem insignificant, but all of these minor gains move the house edge in your favour.

Flip the Script & Own the Odds with Lucky Fish

Ready to flip the script? Let your boyfriend hoot and holler at the TV while you equip yourself with the skills to get the most out of your casino bets. No relying on an overpaid footballer with a rubbish haircut or a horse that simply doesn't feel like giving its all in a race.

Grab yourself a glass of wine, pull on a blanket and start betting the smart way with Lucky Fish. Practice your new-found skills at one of our many Blackjack and Roulette tables, get a feel for high-volatility vs low-volatility with our slots selection!