The single most important skill any gambler can possess has nothing to do with the games themselves.

Without a solid financial plan, even the luckiest winning streak will eventually turn into a devastating loss.

How to Determine Your Starting Funds

Your bankroll should be an amount of money you are completely comfortable losing forever.

Divide your total funds into 5 or 10 smaller portions to ensure one bad night doesn't ruin your entire trip.

• Use the 'envelope system' in Vegas: put daily cash allowances into separate envelopes
• Adjust your stakes downwards if your bankroll takes a significant hit
• Discipline is the key; the math of the game means nothing if you cannot control your spending

Understanding Bet Sizing and Variance

A common mistake beginners make is betting way too much relative to the size of their stack.

When playing highly volatile slot machines, you need an even larger bankroll to weather the long dry spells.

In the casino, discipline and money management always trump luck in the long run.