What You Need to Know Before You Start

You’re finally in a twinkly, noisy casino. You’ve filled up at the buffet and you’re itching to roll the dice and see if lady luck is on your side. Well hold on there buckaroo. You may have big dreams of hitting the jackpot and retiring on your own private island, but that’s not going to happen here. Gambling is a good time and can offer a nice rush when things shake out in your favor, but it’s not how it looks in the movies.The house always has an advantage: No matter what game you’re playing, the house (the casino you’re gambling in) has an edge. They do not need to rely on luck to win and make money, they just need players like you. The math is on their side, always. Know that going in, and never assume you have the upper hand with these games. Somebody’s big win dwarfs in comparison to the thousands of wins the house has claimed.Luck is the biggest factor in winning: Unlike the house, you do have to rely on luck to make any money—most of the time. There are ways you can slightly reduce the house’s advantage over you by playing smart, thus extending your play time, but luck is still the biggest determining factor of your success.Start with a fixed amount of money you’re ready to lose: Gambling is not a lucrative way to make money. It is strictly for entertainment. Before you walk onto the casino floor, decide how much money you can comfortably afford to play with (meaning: lose forever), then stick to it. Take out some cash, then leave your ATM card in your hotel room. Never take out more money to get back what you’ve lost. Create boundaries for yourself. If you can’t comfortably afford to lose it, don’t play. Sorry. Gambling isn’t designed to save people down on their luck.Hot streaks don’t last: If you’re winning and have more money than you started with, think about stopping. Eventually your hot streak will end and you’ll look at your chips wondering where all those winnings went.Lastly, I recommend you look into player rewards and incentives being offered at the casino you’re gambling in. These programs often cost you nothing to join, but they can earn you swag, free gambling credit, free meals, and even free stays in really nice suites. You’re already spending the money to play, so you might as well take advantage of these programs. Look for a customer service counter or ask someone at the cashier’s cage.

Pick the Right Games to Play

Depending on what kind of experience you’re interested in, some games are better to play than others. Do you actually want to use skill to try to win some money? Or do you want to lounge around and sip on free cocktails? Do you want to feel the weight of casino chips in your hands? Or would you rather look at a machine showing off flashy effects and sounds?If you’re looking to win, you should go for games that both require some degree of skill and won’t leave you naked and penniless too fast. The games with the best odds for players who actually know how to play (or less house edge) are: Blackjack (single deck, if available)Video Poker (I suggest “Double Bonus” or “Double Double Bonus”)Craps (some bets)BaccaratIf you’re just looking to have some fun with an easy-to-learn game, however, I recommend these:

• Slots (note: penny slots do not cost only one cent to play)
• Roulette (European roulette has slightly better odds)
• Keno

 While playing slots, you can snag free cocktails from the waitresses roaming around (always tip). Roulette is the easiest of table games—just place your bet on what you think the little white ball will land on, like odd numbers, even numbers, red, black, or specific numbers (37:1 odds). You’ve got almost a 50/50 chance when playing odds, evens, reds, and blacks, so it’s pretty relaxed. Lastly, keno is designed to be played while you have a cocktail, watch TV, smoke a cigarette, or play other games. You pick some numbers on a grid, place your bet, then wait to see if your numbers come up. Think of it as a very small lottery. 

Know the Rules and Learn Basic Strategies

  If you’re nervous about playing a table game like blackjack, start with the easy stuff mentioned above and get a feel for placing bets. Then, when you’re ready, move on to the more complicated games. Before you sit at a high stakes table, though, take some time to learn the game first.You can easily find gambling tutorials online, like this blackjack tutorial, or this craps tutorial. A quick Google search will easily find you tons of how-to guides, as well as advanced strategies to increase your odds—sites like Wizard of Odds. If you don’t have time to research before you hit the floor, that’s okay too. Look for a low-stakes table with a small minimum bet, like a $5-per-hand blackjack table (depending on the casino and the night, $10 might be the lowest you can find).Approach the table and tell the dealer that you’d like to play, but you don’t know how. They’ll gladly teach you, and might even show you how to play your cards right if you ask them. You see, dealers make a lot of their money through player tips, so it’s in their best interest for you to do well. They want you to win so you can give them money! It’s best to do this when the table is empty so you’re not slowing down play for others, but most people will be understanding or move to a different table.

Follow Casino Etiquette

While you play, it can only benefit you to be a positive, kind, and upstanding patron—even if you’re losing big time. Dealers will be nicer to you, cocktail waitresses will come around to your table more, and other players will appreciate it. I’ve had dealers give me advice on every hand to help me win, cocktail waitresses bring me doubles instead of single pours, and had a lot of great laughs with other players all because I wasn’t a jerk. If you can’t lose a little money and still be a decent person, don’t play.Beyond that, there are a few basic casino rules you should follow:Never sit at a table unless you’re going to play (no chilling and watching your buddy play).And wait until the hand is over before you sit at a table.Never take out your phone while sitting at a table. They will yell at you.Don’t touch your bet once you’ve placed it and the hand/spin/etc. has been dealt.Only touch your cards with one hand.Don’t touch your winnings until the dealer has counted them out in front of you and pushed them toward you.Never stall the game to act like a hotshot (no blowing on dice, jumping around, or generally acting like you’re doing anything even remotely important).Always tip your dealer regularly, either by handing them a chip and clearly saying “This is for you,” or by placing a bet for them. Never try to tip them cash, chips only.Always tip your cocktail waitresses. I give them a $1-$5 chip every time they come around.You still may not win any money if you follow these rules, but you won’t get in trouble and you’ll have a much better time.

Know When to Stop

Gambling can be addictive, so you need to take precautions and know when it’s time to quit. For example, free cocktails are great, but there’s a reason the casino is giving them to you. Don’t down too many and get reckless with your betting.Also, never chase your losses. Thinking you can suddenly get lucky again and recoup your lost money is the “gambler’s fallacy.” You start to believe you are due for a big win, and that you can get all your money back if you just put some more money in. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. As soon you’re starting to have thoughts of “If I just play a little longer…” stop immediately. Join Us skycrowncasinowebsite.com websiteLastly, avoid “gambler’s conceit,” which happens when you’re up, playing with winnings, or on a hot streak. You start to think, “Maybe I should bet more since I’m doing so well,” and “Sure, I could walk away with more than I started with, but maybe I should see this through…” Bad idea. Quit while you’re ahead. My personal rule is once I’m up 50% from what I started with, I take those chips and put them in my pocket not to be played with again. Then I play out whatever winnings I have left. If I continue to do well, I keep pocketing every 50% until my luck runs dry. With that setup, I’m always walking away with a little more than I started with—if I’m lucky.Now you’re ready to hit the floor, roll some dice, say cool things like “hit me,” and have a good time. Good luck!

How to rent a car in Dubai

Some things are much easier with a car in Dubai, especially if you're travelling long distances. Here are a few tips on renting a vehicle, including supercars.

The basics of renting a car in Dubai

Make sure you have all the paperwork and permits you’ll need to rent a car in advance. Rules can change, so it's best to check just before you travel.

• International Driving Permit: People from all GCC countries can use the driving licence issued from their own country to drive in Dubai as a tourist. This is also the case for citizens of many other nations such as the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, South Korea, France and Japan. Visitors from other countries must have a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). The rules can change, so it's best to check directly with rental companies to see if your home country's licence will be accepted or if you need to obtain an IDP in advance.
• Age: You must be 21+ to rent a car in Dubai.
• Credit card: Most Dubai rental companies will require you to use a credit card as payment for the car rental, which will then be automatically used if fines or fees are incurred.
• Insurance: By law, all car rentals in Dubai include third-party cover by law. Some travel insurance policies may cover car rentals, but most rental companies will offer additional insurance for a fee, which can be high if you're deciding on the spot. Plan ahead to make sure you have the right insurance for you, at the best price possible.
• Travel outside the UAE: If you plan to drive to a neighbouring country, you’ll need extra paperwork from your rental company to do this – most do not allow it. Consider your itinerary before you rent your vehicle.

Car rental options to consider

There are many car rental firms in Dubai, including big international chains such as Hertz and Avis, as well as local options. Do some research before you commit, including checking out online reviews. You can rent a car from a number of locations across the city, including Dubai International Airport (DXB), though you may end up paying a bit more. If you only want a car for a few days of your trip, you should easily be able to find a location near you, such as most major shopping malls.

Unless you’ve booked in advance, renting a car should be as easy as going up to a car rental counter or office, and signing an agreement. You’ll usually have to drop the car off at the same location you pick it up, so factor that into your plans.

Most companies will have a range of vehicles to choose from, from compact cars to SUVs. Pick one which is right for you and your plans – while your family of five may be able to squeeze into a Nissan Micra, it might not be very comfortable for anyone. But be aware that if you’re visiting at peak times – especially during a big trade show – there may be fewer cars available.

You can also research smart rental apps such as Udrive and Ekar. These services offer vehicles throughout the city, which can be accessed through their apps. Once you’re registered and confirmed the rental, you can just drive away and keep the car for as long as you like – from just a few minutes to days, weeks and more. 

Whatever company and car you pick, remember two very important rules of car rentals anywhere in the world:

1: Read the paperwork: Make sure you know what you’re agreeing to before you sign anything. This includes all the fees, insurance policies and extras you’re accepting, and the rules you need to follow.

2: Inspect the car: Before you drive away, go around the car and make a note of any dents, bumps or scrapes, and make sure they are noted in your paperwork. Do the same inside the car, and check that everything is working – including the air conditioning.

Read up on Dubai's road rules

Make sure you know the rules for driving on the city's roads, which include:

• Drive on the right: If you come from a country which drives on the left, be prepared to switch sides.
• Speed limits are in kilometres per hour: Don’t get confused with miles.
• Minimum speed limits: On busy highways there may be a minimum speed you need to drive at, usually 60km/h.
• Be aware of speed cameras: Dubai takes road safety seriously, and you risk a hefty fine if you are caught speeding.
• Don’t drink and drive: There is no legal amount of alcohol which is permitted for drivers in Dubai – so if you drink, don’t drive. Read more audi car rental at website articles

Book a supercar and other adventures

If you’ve always dreamed of driving a supercar, then a visit to Dubai may be your chance: there are plenty of supercar rental options, including the latest from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and more.

You’re likely to find high-end vehicles on offer from local companies that specialise in these types of rentals – expect a higher fee and a heftier deposit, possibly along with other requirements. Tried and tested companies include E and S Luxury Car Rental in Barsha Heights, Paddock Rent A Car in Al Quoz, VIP Rent A Car in Al Barsha and Masterkey Rent A Car in Al Quoz. Remember that even if the car can go 200km/h, Dubai’s speed limits do not change! 

If you’re interested in other automotive pursuits, such as offroading and desert driving, you will also need to rent from a company that specialises in this – most operators specifically disallow taking their cars offroad. If you do plan to take your rental offroading, first-timers are strongly advised never to travel alone and to always have another vehicle with you.