8 Strategies to Win Money at the Casino with Only $20

Win big with a little money at online and offline casinos

Co-authored by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: August 7, 2025 Fact Checked

Do you want to hit the casino but don’t want to risk losing a lot of money placing bets? Even if you’re on a tighter budget, there are still a lot of opportunities to win more money without being a high roller. Whether you’re gambling online or at an actual casino, we have a ton of helpful strategies to make your money last and help you get the biggest payout. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through how to turn your $20 USD into even more winnings your next night out at the casino.

Things You Should Know

Play games that have low minimum bets and high returns, like video poker, blackjack, slots, and baccarat.
Opt into promo offers when you sign up or deposit into an online casino for free cash to gamble with. Place minimum bets so you don't burn through your money.
Set a win limit for when to stop gambling so you don’t feel tempted to keep going and lose all your winnings.

1

Gamble at a reputable casino.

Download Article

Illegitimate casinos are more likely to have unfair odds or poor security. Whether you’re playing at a physical casino or gambling online, always check the reviews first to see if other gamblers have had a good experience. Check their website for certification and licensing information to ensure they’re regulated properly. If you notice any bad reviews, a lack of licensure, or unencrypted sites asking for personal info, avoid putting your money into them.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you’d rather gamble through an online casino, try playing on sites like Slots.lv, BetOnline, or Las Atlantis since they’re some of the most reliable services. Just make sure that online gambling is legal where you live.
- Check if online casinos are legal in your area before you sign up or deposit money. As of April 2023, online casinos are legal in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, but illegal in any other state.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}

2

Take advantage of online bonus offers.

Download Article

Many online casinos have promos for extra money to use in your wagers. When you first sign up for an online casino, check if they have any sign-up or welcome bonuses that give you free credits to use for your bets. Some casinos may even offer extra money when you deposit money into your account so you’re able to play for longer and have chances at higher winnings.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Read through the terms of the promotional offers before you accept them. Many online casinos have requirements for how much you need to wager before you cash out, which is usually a multiple of the promo offer. If you’re given $500 USD as a promo but the terms require a 10x wager, you’ll need to bet a total of $5,000 USD before banking your winnings.

3

Play games with high return to player.

Download Article

A high return to the player means you’ll win a majority of your bets back. Return to player (RTP) is the average percentage of how much players win compared to how much they’ve spent.^{[4]
X
Research source} Physical casinos may not list the RTP and they may vary, but try searching for the specific game online to see an average. For online casinos or digital games, check for an info button that lists the RTP. Try sticking to games with RTP percentages over 95%, so that for every $1 USD you spend, you’re likely to earn $0.95 USD in winnings. The highest RTP casino games are:
- Video poker: Many video poker games have about 97–99.5% RTP.
- Blackjack: With basic strategy and knowing when to bet, blackjack has an average RTP of around 98–99%.
- Baccarat: As long as you make a banker bet in your baccarat game, you’ll get a 98% RTP on your bets.
- Slots: While slot machines can vary, keep your eyes out for ones that have between 95–97% RTP for the best chances of winning.
- Roulette: Roulette is a wheel game with an RTP of 97% or higher. The actual RTP will vary depending on the number of zeros on the wheel.
- Craps: Craps is a dice game with an RTP of 99% or higher, if played with the right bets. Some of the best bets in craps include the Pass Line bet and the Don't Pass Line bet.

4

Follow betting guides for the game you’re playing.

Download Article

Guides tell you when to bet and when to stop based on how you’re doing. Even though all gambling games are a little unpredictable, there are still times when you have a higher probability of winning a payout based on what’s happened so far. Before you hop into your favorite casino game, take a moment to look over a strategy or betting guide to know when it’s best to place a wager and when to call it quits.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For video poker, save cards when they form a powerful poker hand, like a 4-of-a-kind or a royal flush, and get rid of cards that don’t add to the hand.
- When you’re playing blackjack, always hit and keep playing if you have 8 or lower showing in your hand, but call it quits if you have 17 or more. Check a blackjack chart for more options based on what the dealer has in their hand.
- In baccarat, bet on the banker’s hand instead of the player since they have a slight edge for winning the game.
- If you’re playing slots, bump up your bet to the next increment after winning a round so you have a chance at a larger payout. If you lose, lower your bet back down.
- It is important to refrain from playing slots solely to accumulate freebies or comps. Slot clubs and their associated perks are designed to entice players to continue playing. While it is acceptable to take advantage of the complimentary rewards if you are already playing, playing with the sole intention of earning more points can be problematic. It’s crucial not to fall into the trap of getting caught up in the marketing strategy employed by casinos.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}

5

Place smaller wagers.

Download Article

Making lower bets gives you more opportunities to play. Check if the game you’re playing has betting options that only cost you a few cents so you’re not blowing all your cash right away. Any jackpots you win are proportional to the wagers you made, so lower bets mean a less valuable payout. Even with smaller payouts, you’re less likely to risk a big loss that burns through all your money.
- Adjust your bets depending on your winnings as you play the game. If you’ve been placing bets that are $1 USD and you’ve lost $5 USD already, then reduce the amount you’re betting to $0.50 USD if possible.
- Try the “Martingale System” if you’re playing roulette. Place a bet on red for the lowest amount you’re able to. If the ball lands on red, you’ve won and doubled your money. If the ball lands on black, then double your bet on red. That way, you can recoup your losses and break even if you win. Just be careful since losing multiple times could burn through your cash quickly.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}

6

Try different games if you’re on a cold streak.

Download Article

Switching between game machines or tables may make your luck improve. If you’ve lost more than 5 times on the same machine or table, try moving to a different one to see if you have better chances. Even though the chance of you winning is always randomized, there’s always a chance you’ll have a bigger payout if you make the switch.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you’re playing at an online casino, just try switching to a different game to see if your odds improve.
- Even if changing machines doesn’t affect the expected payout, taking a break after a cold streak gives you a chance to rest your brain and avoid making mistakes that lose you money.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}

7

Set a limit for when to stop.

Download Article

Setting a limit prevents you from overspending and losing your winnings. It can be so tempting to keep playing in hopes of winning a big jackpot or recouping your losses, but you risk losing even more. Set a win goal for how much money you’d like to win and stop as soon as you’ve cashed out that much. Alternatively, set a loss limit, and as soon as you lose that much money to bets, call it quits for the day.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}
- When you’re starting with $20 USD, a realistic win or loss limit to set is usually between $100–200 USD.
- Setting win limits is usually more responsible than loss limits since you’re more likely to quit when you’re ahead and not as tempted to continue gambling.^{[11]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}

8

Try different online casinos.

Download Article

Opening multiple accounts gives you more chances for promo offers. If you’ve only been testing your luck on one gambling site, branch out and make an account for others that caught your eye. Not only will they have some new games for you to pick from, but they may offer bonus cash for signing up or making your first deposit so you have some extra earnings to wager right away.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Some other good online casinos to try out are BetUS, Wild Casino, and Cafe Casino since they have low deposit limits and large bonus offers to take advantage of.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Are casino slots rigged?

Jason Carpenter

Community Answer

Casinos don't need to rig the slots to make a profit, as the math and statistics are already heavily in their favor over the long run. Slot machines are heavily regulated, and casinos are required to set the payout rates (return-to-player percentage) within legal limits, often around 90-95%. The outcomes are determined by a random number generator, not any manipulation by the casino.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 18
Question

Can you give me a tip on how I can beat a slot machine?

Community Answer

Beating slot machines consistently isn't possible due to their random design. To manage your play, set a budget, choose high-RTP machines, bet maximum on progressive slots, take breaks, and know when to stop. Treat slot machines as entertainment rather than a way to make money.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 19

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

As of April 2023, online casinos are only legal in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. If you live outside of these states, go to a physical casino to gamble legally.^{[13]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
Avoid drinking alcohol while you’re gambling so you remain alert and don’t feel tempted to make larger, riskier bets.^{[14]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Gambling can be addictive as you’re trying to chase a big payout. If you notice you’re spending more time gambling than pursuing other interests or are continuously losing money, stop gambling and fill your free time with some other activities or get support for a gambling addiction.^{[15]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0