Chasing the jackpot? Then don't forget the 5 most important rules

Those of us who have been gambling for decades have seen the casino world transform before our eyes. There has been incredible innovation, no doubt about it, but some things are still the same. Players still blindly chase the jackpot and continue to make the same mistakes they did 20 years ago.

After years of big wins and unlucky losses, happiness and disappointment, we have some very important tips to share with new players. Here are the 5 most important rules you should always follow in your quest for the big jackpot.

1. Choose the right game - and the right casino

The first decision you make before you even start playing is the choice of the casino you will start playing at. This first decision can be crucial. While Swedish casinos are very safe, they don't always offer the best chances of winning for players. Foreign casinos can often offer slightly better chances of winning. So if you want to maximise your chances of winning, you should consider an EU casino without a Swedish licence.

Are you worried about legality? You don't have to be.

"There is nothing in Swedish law that prohibits Swedes from going to foreign casinos to play for money," assures Tobias Marklund, a writer and casino expert who also shares the best foreign casinos on PokerScout's top list. However, you should be aware that if the casino is not based in the EEA, you will have to pay 30% in taxes on winnings over 100 SEK.

After deciding on a casino, the next choice is of course which game you play. This choice will also affect your chances of winning. Look for games with a high RTP - Return to Player - to find the one that gives the most back to players. A typical RTP is 96% and anything above this is considered good.

2. Learn game systems

Before we get into betting systems, we want to clarify that there is no system that can guarantee you a big win - casinos are designed for you to lose in the end (because that means the house goes into profit.) However, there are some strategies that can still increase your chances. One of the best is the well-known Martingale system.

The Martingale system works best when you have a high chance of winning and a large betting budget, and when the game has a wide betting range. The strategy is to increase the stake every time you lose - enough to win back losses. Often you double your stake, but you may need to triple or quadruple it depending on your chances of winning and payouts. When you win, you start from scratch with the initial bet again.

If your budget was infinite and there was no maximum bet, you would theoretically always win using this system, but this is not the reality. Remember that once you lose, you usually lose everything if you use this system, so it's up to you whether you want to use it or not.

3. keep control of your time, energy and money

You should never get too excited or obsessed with the hope of winning the jackpot, and it's important to be self-aware and prioritise your wellbeing and what you care about over your chance of winning. There are two key things you need to do.

Firstly, you should set limits on your gambling - not just for money, but also for time. The second important thing to do is to take regular breaks that allow you to zoom out and put the moment in a broader perspective. Take a small break for every hour you gamble, and if you gamble frequently, you should also take a break of a month or so a year.

4. Be patient and have low expectations

Winning the jackpot takes time, and for many it never happens. You need to be okay with this fact right from the start - winnings should be bonuses, not a goal you pursue. If you need more money, it's a better idea to focus on your career. Gambling should always be for fun - with the thrill that you could actually win a breathtaking amount of money, of course.

Expecting to win anytime soon will lead to disappointment, and may even stop you from having fun while gambling. You should always pay attention to your expectations and thoughts to make sure they are reasonable.

5. Stop playing once you win

It is important to understand that you will always lose to the house in the long run. Therefore, if your goal is to maximise winnings, you need to stop once you get your big win. It's easy to feel brave and want to bet more when you get lucky, but your odds haven't suddenly improved just because you're feeling lucky at the moment.

If you're in the mood to celebrate, you'd better do it by withdrawing your winnings and buying yourself something nice or going out for a luxurious dinner. A wise gambler knows when it's time to stop gambling - and that's when you've won.