Expert Social Casino Writer
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If you find your gaming entertainment online, then you’re sure to have come across social and sweepstakes casinos. These sites are popular in the US because they are attractive alternatives to regular casino gaming, but interestingly, there is a sweepstakes casino etiquette players should follow.
Despite the games being free, these sites have a right and wrong way to approach them. Not many players factor that into their gaming, though. When you know how to act on the platform and around the community, then you can have a much more meaningful experience. This guide explains some basic written (and unwritten) rules you need to know about.
Some players think that just because the games are free and online, they can get away with behaving however they want. The fact that the gaming platforms are online means you don't have to worry about the strict rules of conduct brick-and-mortar casinos impose. Nevertheless, sweepstakes casinos have some recommended best practices to ensure users have rewarding experiences.
You can play your preferred games from wherever you like, but you still have to know how to interact with other players. Sweepstakes and social gaming websites are especially big on engagement with, and between, users. It's why some provide chat rooms, forums or online communities where players with similar interests can find each other.
Your conduct determines how well you thrive in these spaces. Social casinos are some of the best platforms to forge friendships or make useful acquaintances. Therefore, observing the established standards is as much for your benefit as it is for everyone else. Before searching for the top sweepstakes casinos in the US, know what is expected of you.
If you have never played on a sweepstakes or social casino before, then don't use one without knowing how it functions. It's poor etiquette, particularly when playing live dealer games. Other players shouldn't have to wait for you to figure out the platform works in the middle of a game. Social and sweepstakes casinos operate almost the same. They both provide free games that you play using virtual coins. The chief difference is the type of currency used.
Sweepstakes sites use Sweeps Coins for entering sweepstakes contests. You earn these tokens from the casino by playing games or completing tasks. You can't top up your bankroll by buying more of these tokens. So, you have to find how a particular operator rewards Sweeps Coins and get as many as you can. Sweepstakes websites usually give away coins through bonuses, social media contests, tournaments and other promotions.
If a big part of your gaming involves sweeps cash games, then capitalize on every opportunity to replenish your account. A distinct feature of sweepstakes is that you get prizes if you win. As you wager on various games, you can collect Sweeps Coins and redeem them for prizes. The main avenue of earning prizes, however, is via competitions. Operators use leaderboards to award participants with Sweeps Coins.
Gold Coins are the currency social casinos use for fun gaming. The virtual currency is completely valueless, although it is available to buy. Similar to Sweeps Coins, Gold Coins are available through bonuses. However, if you run out, a social casino has packages you can purchase. Operators often bundle in Sweeps Coins in these offers to encourage players to purchase them.
Social games are only for fun, meaning you can't win prizes, other than more Gold Coins. For this reason, they are ideal for entertainment and improving your casino gaming skills. Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins may have different names on some platforms, but the roles are the same. Stake.us, for example, has Stake Cash in place of Sweeps Coins. Whether playing social or sweepstakes games, ensure you comprehend the distinction between the two to avoid confusion.
A golden rule of sweepstakes gaming is adhering to the regulations for interacting with the community. The appeal of social casinos is that they allow players to chat with each other. Many operators provide chat facilities where users can communicate among themselves. You can communicate with fellow blackjack enthusiasts, poker lovers and slots fans.
Whatever your gaming passion, you can count on finding people you can connect with. These chat rooms add a unique social element to casino gaming. Players talk about anything and everything. Hence, take advantage of these communities when wagering at sweepstakes casinos.
For that, you need to observe the rules put in place to govern the interaction between players. Some chat rooms have moderators responsible for checking and filtering messages to rid the platform of abusive language, insults and offensive comments. However, don't always rely on moderators to keep you in line. As a responsible player, read the guidelines before joining a community.
Make certain you comply with the rules, however mundane they might seem; they are there to protect everyone. Keep your chats clean and cordial. Even when talking in jest don't go overboard. It's common for regular players to become friends and talk to each other more casually than usual. However, you should know how to maintain boundaries when engaging with new users or players with whom you aren't overly familiar.
As much as you are being careful about your conduct you can't always count on others to do the same. Therefore, watch out for other community members. Avoid players who like causing trouble since they could ruin your experience. Sweepstakes casinos allow users to report abusive players or individuals who fail to follow regulations. If you think a community member is out of line and should be removed or disciplined, then bring up the matter with the operator. Getting rid of troublesome players creates a safe space for everyone.
Learning how a sweepstakes casino and its corresponding games work is great, but your knowledge shouldn't end there. Proper sweepstakes casino etiquette demands that you should at least learn the basics of a particular game before betting on it. Slots might look easy enough, so it's not surprising to see players who log into a social casino and start spending their coins on the first virtual slot they come across.
The problem with this approach is that you could lose all your coins making mistakes you don't have to make if you took the time to learn the gameplay. Thus, don't wager on sweeps and social games without knowing the rules.
Rules still matter, even though you are playing for free. Remember that coins run out, and you might need to spend money to get more Gold Coins. If you don't know the rules, you can't assess the circumstances carefully and make informed decisions. You could pass up winning opportunities without knowing through poor betting choices.
Another reason guides to online sweepstakes ask players to get familiar with games is to prevent delays, especially in live dealer games. Wagering on live baccarat without a clue how it goes could mean holding up the game while you try to figure out what is what.
This advice applies to live dealer casino games, where you interact with human dealers and other players in a lifelike casino setting. Even though they may be on the other side of the world, you must be careful about how you interact with the croupiers and dealers. The point of live dealer gaming is to mimic traditional casinos. They have professionals running different games while players view all the action on the casino interface.
Although live casino games are not as prominent at sweepstakes casinos as on regular gambling platforms, you can easily find the option if you want it. You get to enjoy the benefits of gaming with a bit of social interaction since you can chat with dealers and other players. The problem is that some players forget they are talking to real people and can be inappropriate, rude and inconsiderate towards dealers.
Accord online dealers the same courtesy and respect you would in a physical establishment and always speak to them politely. Live casino games have chat features you can use to interact with the dealers, meaning small talk and pleasantries. Although in some live casinos you can only type what you want to say, in others, you can communicate via a microphone.
Avoid asking dealers for advice, they are experts who must remain impartial for the duration of the game. Don't ask them to interfere when a game is in session either. Even though it might appear innocent, if you lose, you could blame the dealer for the outcome. Conversely, if you win, the other players might consider that cheating. Pai Gow Poker and Pai Gow are two exceptions to this rule because you are allowed to ask the dealer about the 'House Way.'
Don't blame dealers for the result of a game. The croupier on your live roulette table has no say in how the game turns out, so if you hit a bad streak, don't take out your frustrations on the dealer. Insulting the dealer because you ran out of Sweeps Coins won't solve anything. The best solution is to take a break and analyze the situation. Decide if you should find more coins and continue playing or quit altogether.
When you have a million Gold Coins to spend on your favorite games, it's all too easy to play for much longer than intended. After all, you are wagering for fun, and the currency is not worth anything, surely? However, a sensible player knows to bet in moderation and avoid overspending even when playing free games.
You should maintain a gaming budget at all times. For example, you could say that half the coins from the welcome bonus go towards slots while the remaining portion is for table games. Have goals when gaming and stick to them. Don't increase your bets without evaluating the repercussions. Sticking to limits, including time spent playing, can be particularly tricky when taking part in contests because you want to climb the leaderboard, but resist the urge to play without a plan.
Sweepstakes casinos are designed to be fun, and they can be if you know how to use them. The free gaming available on social and sweepstakes websites makes some players complacent about etiquette; you shouldn't be. If you intend to play at a sweepstakes casino, ensure you are on your best behavior for an enriching experience. The tips in this sweepstakes casino guide should get you going and you are sure to learn more along the way.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.