No matter if you’re taking a leap year or a weeklong trip, no matter if you stay at a hostel in a city packed with things to do or sleep under the stars in a national park, at one point or another you’ll get bored – this constant hunt for new experiences is part of who we are as a species. When you pack your bags and leave home on a short notice seeking something else, you are bound to have downtimes – waiting for the train at the station, having to spend a couple of hours in a coffee shop nearby waiting for a bed at the hostel to be cleared, perhaps even waiting for the rain to stop while camping. These are the times that can – and will – be made easier by the right kind of portable entertainment. And for the adventurous spirit that doesn’t mind taking a chance, online gambling may just do the trick.
Taking a risk
Risk-taking is part of human nature – and gambling turned it into a form of entertainment. While it may not be as intense as jumping out of a plane or diving with the great white shark but it is as unpredictable as it can be. Not to mention that playing a game of blackjack or spinning the reels of a slot machine is far more convenient than boarding a plane or crossing half the world to find a massive shark to dive with. And convenience is only one of the many reasons listed at the Gambling Insider website that make this form of risk-taking a great way to kill the downtime while you travel.
Gambling online – the things you need to know
One of the most important things to know about online gambling is that it doesn’t have to cost you money. Most online casinos will allow you to play their games completely free, often without even registering an account. Casino games are entertainment – otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many social options with no real-money stakes involved. A quick game of blackjack played from time to time can delightfully challenge your mind, while the time you spend with the slots will almost certainly zone you out and help time seem to pass faster.
If you decide you want to take things to the next level and put money on the line, know that your bets can be as big or small as you feel comfortable risking. The price of a movie ticket can buy you more hours of fun on your phone than watching a mediocre movie – and you can do it from wherever you are (provided you have internet access – in most cases, it is a must). Unlike in the case of casino resorts, you don’t have to dress up to play online – you’ll be able to do it next to your campfire or at the train station without the need to dedicate hours of your life and significant resources to it.
But be aware: gambling, even online gambling, is not for everyone. If the fun starts to turn into a craving, into an urge to play more, the time has come to stop.
Kill time with a deck of cards
Whether you enjoy a game of Go Fish, War, or something more exciting like Poker. A deck of cards can be a great reprieve to killing time on long bus rides, extended layovers at airports, and can be a life saver on long stretches on VIA Rail. The stretch from Toronto to Winnipeg can be long. Head to the bar car and make friends. Having a fresh deck of cards is an inexpensive way to make friends on the road.
Don’t take unnecessary risks
While having some fun with cards might bring up your risk tolerances. When you’re backpacking Canada, consider avoiding unnecessary risks.
- Avoid hitch hiking, parts of Canada it is illegal
- Always provide your friends or family with an itinerary and provide check in times
- When hiking, ensure you’re practicing bear safety
- Stay on marked trails and avoid going off on your own
Canada is a beautiful country to wander. The people are friendly and there are countless things to do, albeit they are often quite far apart. Ensure you’re setup to fill in the gaps with useful activities. Cards, books, music, or consider picking up podcasts on your favourite topics. Safe travels!
