Whenever I hear people ask about the best time to play in a casino, I usually question what they want from the experience. If you don't want any distractions, then don't hang around the casino at 9 PM on a Saturday night.
When you're traveling abroad, the best thing you can do is hook up with someone who knows the area well. They'll show you the best restaurants, parks, and streets. Sometimes, you may even meet the right people in a casino.
- It's time to look at what are the best slot machines to play in 2020 — if you want to win at slots, of course. We have seen how casino slot machine secrets show that the best way to win at slot games is to combine a high RTP (best winning odds) with the best payout.
- If you're a Cancer then your gambling luck today will be influenced by your ability to find a quiet place to engage your mind in some online casino time. The calmer the better so the weekend is a good time.
Don't play the slot; play the online casino. Gambling policies, Americans are able to claim some of the best value Casino bonuses of any players in the world. If you're in America, taking advantage of this can double, or even triple your bankroll, with surprisingly few strings attached.
Among my favorite tips for visiting casinos I've never been in before is to ask the employees which games they think people enjoy the most. It's not like you're asking for inside information on how to beat the slots.
If for some reason they refuse to answer, there may be a few locals who spend more time than most in the casino. These are the folks who randomly comment to each other about 'how heavy the crowd is tonight.'
These types of players tell you some of the most helpful things. You may look across a sea of slot machines and wonder which ones players prefer. The local patrons definitely know. They also know the best time to visit the casino.
Savvy travelers have been asking for advice on travel sites for several years. The trick is to know what you want from your experience.
Card Players Have Different Needs From Slot Gamers
Some of my friends play poker. In fact, I have one friend who used to play poker games every single weekend. He had favorite tables at different casinos. He knew when and where to go for a good game of poker.
The trick for him was to decide what mood he was in. Did he want a challenging game? Did he want a better chance of winning easy money?
Poker rooms may keep only one table open during the off-peak hours. You're most likely to sit down with the local pros during those hours. If you want a challenging game, they're the players most likely to oblige you.
If you want to go up against tourists who know less about the game than they think, their favorite times align with the crowd. You'll have to grab your seat early and wait. You are the hunter, and they are your prey.
Blackjack tables are different. If I want a table to myself, I'll visit in the mid-afternoon. While there are no guarantees, my chances of playing 1-on-1 against the dealer are better.
Timing the Crowd Is Important for Every Game
Each casino's crowd moves in at a slightly different time. I think it has something to do with how far people need to drive to get there. One casino gets crowded at 8 PM on a Saturday night. Another casino draws a big crowd at 7:30 PM.
If you have a favorite table or game, you'll definitely want to beat the crowd. That means arriving an hour or so earlier than you expect everyone else to show up.
TIP:If you can't get there early, then plan on visiting after 11 PM on a weekend. I usually don't have to wait long for a spot when people start going home.
My wife has several favorite slot games and tries to be flexible because there are always certain games that draw a crowd. If a game she wants to play is like that, she'll play another game somewhere else.
On the other hand, a friend of mine only plays blackjack when there's a crowd. He wants to enjoy the environment and insists the casino feels fake when it's empty.
The best time to gamble in casino is entirely dependent on what you're looking for out of your gambling experience.
Call Ahead and Ask When the Restaurants Are Less Crowded
Timing the crowd is not always about when your favorite games or tables are available. Some large casinos have thousands of slots and a good selection of table games. They can usually accommodate most evening crowds.
But try getting a seat at a busy restaurant when you're hungry and need a break from gameplay. If you can make a reservation, do so. Otherwise, plan your evening around your hunger.
We've found ourselves standing in line for a popular buffet for longer than 30 minutes. That's a nice break from playing games and it's relaxing. But if you're really hungry, plan your meal ahead and anticipate crowds.
In the past, I've ordered takeout from a restaurant within the casino. The longest time I've ever had to wait was an hour. Because this has happened a handful of times, my wife brings a couple of candy bars in case we get hungry. Other times, I've dropped everything to grab a sandwich before the crowd grew too big.
Sometimes, the best time to gamble in a casino works in conjunction with popular mealtimes. And you can always play around with that schedule.
Ask When the Next Show Starts
An old-timer taught me this trick. We were standing around in a Vegas casino one night. The games we wanted were all full.
My wife said something about picking the wrong casino. At that moment, a couple of guys walking by stopped and told us to wait about 20 minutes. The crowd would thin out for the next show.
They had been coming to Vegas for years. They knew all the ins and outs. We never thought about waiting for people to go see a show.
While not every casino has a show, a lot of them do.
If you want to know whether the crowd will move into an auditorium or an event that's scheduled for the night, call ahead and find out.
A lot of people go there for the shows, and they only game for a little while before the event.
Visit a Casino During Bad Weather
If there's a raging tornado ripping up the landscape, get to your basement. If it's raining outside or there's an inch of snow on the ground, you could potentially have a good time at a local casino.
As long as you can get there safely, gaming during inclement weather almost guarantees a smaller crowd. There will be other people like you who want to get out and do something.
The most ridiculous time my wife and I gambled during bad weather was in a big snowstorm in the northwest. We were staying at a hotel and walked into the casino without stepping outside. The evening was a bit drab because so few people were there but we were safe and had fun. We also got to eat at the restaurant when we wanted to.
While you can't always plan ahead for these things, it's a good idea to look at the weather if you're planning a weekend trip. You may need to change your plans if you were going to do outdoor activities or drive around town.
Schedule Around Tournament Days
If you love tournaments, then check the casino's website to see when they hold them. If you hate playing when a tournament is going on, then check the casino's websites to make sure there isn't one.
Tournaments draw crowds and they also draw better card players. The bigger, more well-known tournaments draw huge crowds and the best card players.
If you don't know whether you like tournament days, plan a visit to a casino during one of its busiest tournaments. See for yourself if you like the experience. Just be prepared to wait for a seat at your favorite games, especially for casino poker tournaments!
Conclusion
Every casino has a personality. I can't think of a better way to describe it. The crowd, the games, the layout, and the decor all contribute to that personality.
Best Time To Gamble At A Casino
Just like you and I changing moods, the casino goes through different phases throughout the day. The busiest times can be the most exciting or most frustrating.
How do you find the best time to gamble at a casino? You'll have to visit several times. You can ask people when they like to gamble but they all truly have their own preferences.
What do you like to do when you're in a casino? Knowing what you want and when that is most likely available is the best way to choose the optimal time to gamble. Play on your schedule as much as you can, and you'll definitely have more fun that way.
But it helps to be open to unexpected good times, too.
A lot of people go there for the shows, and they only game for a little while before the event.
Visit a Casino During Bad Weather
If there's a raging tornado ripping up the landscape, get to your basement. If it's raining outside or there's an inch of snow on the ground, you could potentially have a good time at a local casino.
As long as you can get there safely, gaming during inclement weather almost guarantees a smaller crowd. There will be other people like you who want to get out and do something.
The most ridiculous time my wife and I gambled during bad weather was in a big snowstorm in the northwest. We were staying at a hotel and walked into the casino without stepping outside. The evening was a bit drab because so few people were there but we were safe and had fun. We also got to eat at the restaurant when we wanted to.
While you can't always plan ahead for these things, it's a good idea to look at the weather if you're planning a weekend trip. You may need to change your plans if you were going to do outdoor activities or drive around town.
Schedule Around Tournament Days
If you love tournaments, then check the casino's website to see when they hold them. If you hate playing when a tournament is going on, then check the casino's websites to make sure there isn't one.
Tournaments draw crowds and they also draw better card players. The bigger, more well-known tournaments draw huge crowds and the best card players.
If you don't know whether you like tournament days, plan a visit to a casino during one of its busiest tournaments. See for yourself if you like the experience. Just be prepared to wait for a seat at your favorite games, especially for casino poker tournaments!
Conclusion
Every casino has a personality. I can't think of a better way to describe it. The crowd, the games, the layout, and the decor all contribute to that personality.
Best Time To Gamble At A Casino
Just like you and I changing moods, the casino goes through different phases throughout the day. The busiest times can be the most exciting or most frustrating.
How do you find the best time to gamble at a casino? You'll have to visit several times. You can ask people when they like to gamble but they all truly have their own preferences.
What do you like to do when you're in a casino? Knowing what you want and when that is most likely available is the best way to choose the optimal time to gamble. Play on your schedule as much as you can, and you'll definitely have more fun that way.
But it helps to be open to unexpected good times, too.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Best gamble and betting games in Japan without casino
From a foreign visitor's point of view, Pachinko is known to be Japan's most popular way of gambling and substitution for casinos for the Japanese people. But did you know that there are many other 'games of chance' in Japan where you can test your luck?
When foreign visitors come to Japan, there are many things that come up to their minds. Tasty local food, history-rich sites, unique pop culture, etc… 'Gambling' may not be one of the words people usually associate with Japan, majorly because there are no casinos (yet).
Currently, there are no legal casinos in Japan because it used to be prohibited. But recently, a new law passed that allows casinos to be opened in Japan as part of Integrated Resorts. This is a big project that will take time and it is estimated that casinos will start opening in Japan sometime around 2025.
Here, I will introduce to you some of the different types of Gambling that the Japanese like to do. Some might be a little difficult for foreign visitors to experience, but others are not that difficult and might add a little something to your visit to Japan.
Best Days To Gamble
We are not recommending or encouraging gambling in its self, but we are rather presenting you to see these as an unusual options for you to experience and therefore, enrich your visit to Japan.
1. Pachinko/ Slot
You might have seen Pachinko (パチンコ) in Japanese movies, anime, or documentaries. It is like a combination of a pinball machine and a slot machine and is actually not considered to be gambling. It is also the only entry in this list that is not regulated by the government, making it unique amongst the rest.
Usually, Pachinko parlors also have slot machines. These parlors are called 'Pachislot'. These parlors are usually huge, loud, and brightly lighted buildings. They are easy to spot in the city.
Pachislot is overwhelmingly the most popular 'game of chance' played in Japan, accounting for approximately 40% of the entertainment section of Japanese leisure. What makes Pachinko so popular in comparison with other gambling games?
The main reason is that most people who go to Pachinko don't do it hoping to win some extra money. Most people go to de-stress themselves from work or school. Being in an environment where all you can hear are the loud pinball sounds and the catchy melodies produced by the machines while facing the machine by yourself can become liberating.
So, as you can see Pachinko is much more than just a gambling game. There is a deeper cultural and historical factor that makes it as popular as it is.
But if you want to have a taste of the Pachinko experience, it might be difficult to just walk into a Pachislot parlor and ask, since employees are not used to attending English speaking customers. So we highly recommend you to take the following tour that will not only teach you how to Pachinko, but you will also learn about the culture and history behind this fascinating game.
※To enter a Pachislot parlor, you have to be over 18 years old and graduated from high school.
▽Check the link below to book a Pachinko experience tour in Tokyo!▽
2. Keiba (Horse Racing)
Horse racing is known in Japan as 'Keiba'(競馬), and it is the second most popular 'game of chance', coming after Pachinko. Since Pachinko is technically not gambling, this makes Keiba the most popular gambling game in Japan.
Most Keiba events are operated by the JRA (Japan Racing Association) which is an entity controlled by the government. Non-JRA races are run by local governments, but information for these races can be difficult to access, so if you are interested in going to watch a race, we'd recommend that you look for events held at JRA tracks.
There are 10 tracks operated by the JRA across the country and races are held every weekend in some of these tracks. You can go directly to one of these venues to place your bet and watch the race, or you can go to one of the many 'WINS ' which are off-track betting facilities run by JRA.
As opposed to Pachinko, Keiba attracts the hard-core gamblers, so going to the racing venues or betting facilities and feeling the passionate atmosphere is quite the experience.
※There's no age restriction to go watch a horse race at the venue, but to place a bet you need to be over 20 years old.
3. Keirin (Bicycle Racing)
The next gambling game in our list is'Keirin' (競輪). Keirin, which is bicycle racing, is the next big betting game in Japan. Although not as big as Keiba, there is a sizeable devoted fan base.
Keirin began in Kitakyushu shortly after World war II ended, and it involves a group of 9 cyclists (plus a pacer) doing several laps around a velodrome. It was first developed solely for gambling purposes, but now it is also popular for its athletic competitive side.
Keirin competitions are organized by the JKA (Japan Keirin Auto-race Foundation), and these competitions are held all across the country (There are tracks in almost all prefectures). Keiba likewise, you can go directly to the competition venue to place your bet and watch the race, or you can also go to one of the many off-track betting facilities.
The interesting thing about Keirin is that there are 2 aspects to it. There is the gambling aspect which is why I'm writing about this in this article. But then there is also the sporting aspect. There are around 2,300 registered cyclists who are professional athletes, some of them who will qualify for the Olympic games.
※There's no age restriction to go watch Keirin at the venue, but to place a bet you need to be over 20 years old.
4. Auto Racing
Auto racing (オートレース) is very similar to Keirin in many aspects, but the races are done with motorcycles as opposed to bicycles. It was created for gambling purposes and the first race was held in 1950.
All Auto racing competitions are run by the JKA just like Keirin. Usually, 8 motorcycles compete in each race by doing 6 to 10 laps (depending on the type of race) around a 500m velodrome. 12 races are held during a day, and competitions take about 3 to 5 days. The motorcycles are 599cc and have a two-speed gearbox.
There are 5 official tracks across the country, which are Kawaguchi (Saitama prefecture), Isesaki (Gunma prefecture), Hamamatsu (Shizuoka prefecture), Sanyo-Onoda (Yamaguchi prefecture), and Iizuka (Fukuoka prefecture).
To place your bets and gamble, you can either go directly to the racing venue or go to an off-track betting facility. Off-track betting facilities are the same as the ones for Keirin.
※There's no age restriction to go watch Auto Racing at the venue, but to place a bet you need to be over 20 years old.
5. Kyotei (Boat Race)
Kyotei (競艇), or 'BOAT RACE', was introduced from the US and events started taking place since 1952. It was first created not only for gambling purposes but also to promote and hopefully boost the ship-related industries.
The races consist of Hydroplane motorboats racing around a 600m oval boat course. Racers are assigned a boat at random on race day. Races are composed of 6 boats and are usually 3 laps long. A race usually takes around 2 minutes.
Kyotei stadiums are constructed near lakes, rivers, or the sea. The racing area is a man-made lake 33,000㎡ or larger. There are 24 official venues across the country.
The betting system is very similar to that of Keiba, Keirin, and Auto Race. You can go directly to the race venue to place your bet, or you can also go to an off-track betting facility.
※There's no age restriction to go watch Kyotei at the venue, but to place a bet and gamble, you need to be over 20 years old.
6. Takarakuji (Lottery)
Next on the list, we have the Japanese lottery. In Japan, it is called 'Takarakuji' and there are various types of it. Out of all the gambling games on this list, this is the easiest one to play.
The simplest type is the Scratch cards (スクラッチくじ). These come in different forms, but the rules are pretty much the same as in other countries. You can find these at any lottery stand or booth across the country.
Then there's the type of lottery where you pick several numbers, and you can win by getting all the numbers (or some of the numbers) correctly. For this type of lottery, there is the 'Bingo 5', 'Loto 7', 'Loto 6', 'Mini Loto', 'Numbers 3', and 'Number 4'. Loto 6 and Loto 7 are especially popular.
Also, there is the regular-type of lottery where the numbers are already marked in the ticket.
And lastly, there is the Jumbo Takarakuji, which is a special lottery that is held 5 times annually. These 5 special lotteries are The Valentine Jumbo, The Dream Jumbo, The Summer Jumbo, The Halloween Jumbo, and the End-of-year Jumbo.
When it comes to purchasing lottery tickets, you can do it directly at the designated lottery booths. These are found near most large train stations and in front of department stores. It is also possible to purchase tickets via the lottery's official website.
Some people may not consider the lottery as being a gambling game because it is so common around the world, and maybe because of this, the Japanese lottery is becoming more and more popular among foreign visitors.
※There's no age restriction to play the lottery, but some booths have a sign saying that they won't sell to people 17 years old and under.
7. Toto – J-League Soccer Pools
'Toto' is the last gambling game on our list. Toto consists of betting on J-League (Japanese Professional Soccer League) games.
There are 3 types of Toto which are; the 'regular Toto' (predict the result for all 13 games), the 'mini Toto' (predict the result of 5 games), and the 'Toto Goal 3' (predict the result of 3 games). Tickets for any of the Toto types are sold at 100 Yen.
Tickets can be bought in designated Toto booths or convenience stores. You can also purchase tickets via their official website as well as some affiliated websites.
If you don't know much about Japanese Professional Soccer, don't worry. there is another version of Toto called 'BIG' which a computer makes the predictions for you. But since the predictions made by the computer are completely randomly decided, chances of winning are slimmer than those of someone knowing about soccer placing a bet with Toto.
By the way, there is a Japanese toilet company with the same name, but there is no relation between these two entities.
※To buy a Toto ticket, you need to be 19 years old or older.
Hope you enjoyed this list. There are other types of gambling games besides the ones on this list. But these 7 that we are introducing are the main, popular, and (most importantly) legal ones.
Again, we are not endorsing the act of gambling. But we think this is an interesting part of Japanese culture that doesn't get covered very often.
I also want to remind you to be careful when gambling. Plan ahead about how much you're willing to spend and gamble in a safe way. But other than that, have fun!
For more unconventional things to do, check these articles for ideas!
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