Page 12 - Jackpot Magazine Tunica ~ January, 2026

PLAY TO WIN
Time to make resolutions for more winning
“Quit while you’re ahead. All the best gamblers do.”
~ Baltasar Gracián, Spanish priest and philosopher
What does a Spanish priest who lived in the 1600s know about casino gaming? I’m not exactly sure, but there is no denying his good advice. Quitting after winning — and before losing — is a great idea, and could easily be a New Year’s resolution for many.
Resolutions are a way of setting goals, both big and small, and taking control of things we hope to manage. Setting resolutions for our casino play is important, too. Instead of saying, “I’m playing with the casino’s money,” why not say, “This is my money and I am keeping it.” And put that at the top of your resolution list.
Many times, we
make mistakes when
playing. It could be a
strategy error or just
a lapse in judgement,
like chasing lost money
with more loss. Setting goals for the new year will help with these mistakes and get players on the right track.
Here are some resolutions for players. We would love to hear your resolutions, as well. See email address below and let us hear from you.
• If you are winning money, be content to quit with some profit rather than continue playing and risk losing it all back to the casino.
• Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose should the worst happen. That means when heading to the casino, have your bankroll with ready and do not visit the credit card machine or ATM for more cash. Even professional
players can experience long periods of losing sessions so it could happen to me.
• Never risk your entire playing bankroll in one session. Always set a loss limit and if you reach it, do not dig into your pockets for more money. Just leave the table or machine and stop playing. This means, no chasing money with just one more hand or one more spin.
• Don’t play any casino table game or slot machine until understanding what the casino’s edge is and what, if anything, youcandotolowertoit.Onewaytodo that is to always use your player’s club card to get extra points and casino perks.
• When playing a new game for the first time, do so for low stakes to start. Only when you feel confident about the game and have
learned the rules, consider increasing your betting level. Also, find out what the bets are before laying down money (how much will the game cost per hand)?
• If you haven’t already, join every casino’s player’s club. But the key is to use the cards every time you play. That means, checking in at the kiosk for that day’s special offers, including playing the swipe and win games.
• Always keep in mind that a casino is a place of business run by business people. It is their job to create an environment to make it easy for players to lose their money and feel good about it. Do not let your emotions get away from you in the casino- engineered excitement.
• Stop bragging on how much you win or how well you played (whether true or not). And likewise,
stop whining when you lose. Sure, some stories are fun to tell, but not when they’ve been told time and time again.
• If you find yourself spending too much time in the casinos and losing too much money, consider seeking professional help.
• Remember to tip your dealers, cocktail servers, slot attendants and even the cashiers. And, if you can’t always tip, be kind. Say thank you, be patient and show a smile.
• Don’t try to “help” someone play, which means no tips on slot machines, which numbers to bet, or when to hit or stand. This is just bad manners — and when it doesn’t go as planned, it can be a bad mess.
• Know the rules to giveaways and promotions. If it takes 100 tier credits to get a free blanket, don’t try to get one with 90 tier credits. Pay attention to your offers and take advantage of your free play.
• Keep track of your wins and losses so you know how you did at the end of the year. You may learn something about the way you play and where you could do better.
Casino gambling is fun, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Let the other players pay for the glitz and the glamour. You resolve that you will play to win.
Do you have a question on the best way to play to win? Email us at loribeth@ m2mediacorp.com.
Play To Win Again
The Best of... Series
12 JACKPOT! MAGAZINE • January 2026
THE SOUTH’S LARGEST GUIDE TO GAMING & FUN • www.jackpotmagazine.com