My “Shortlist Stack”: 8 Tools I Use to Pick Casinos Without Losing My Mind

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Written By Caesar

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When I test new casinos, I don’t trust my memory. Three tabs in, everything starts to look the same. So I built a simple “shortlist stack” that keeps my picks clear, ranked, and easy to revisit. I’m dropping it below – feel free to pick it up.

While I build a shortlist, I like brands that make the “first test” easy. Lucky 7 Casino has 5,000+ games, a welcome pack that covers your first four deposits, plus weekly reload deals and a VIP level with cashback and spins. Add 24/7 support and many payment methods, including crypto.

The Tool Set I Use to Organize my Casino List

Here are the 8 tools I use to keep the mess under control.

Tool 1: A One-Page Scorecard Template

This is the backbone. One page. Same fields every time. My scorecard has two parts:

● Must-Haves: license info, my payment method, game makers I play, cashout rules, support options

● Reality Check: signup time, KYC steps, withdrawal time (or promise), limits, any weird rule I spot

I keep each field short. One line each. If I can’t explain it in one line, I don’t know it well enough yet.

Tool 2: A Spreadsheet Tracker With Filters

The scorecard helps me judge one site. The sheet helps me compare ten. I use a basic table with filters. Nothing fancy. Columns like:

● Brand Name

● Country Access (works / blocked / shaky)

● Payment Methods I can use

● Min Deposit

● KYC Style (easy, medium, painful)

● Cashout Notes (speed + limits)

● Games Tested (just 2–3 names)

● Final Status (Testing / Approved / Dropped)

The “Min Deposit” column tells me if I can do a quick first run without forcing a big commitment. I tag low-entry options as “small-test friendly,” and I keep a reference like 5e talletus to spot casinos that allow that kind of start.

Pro tip: add quick filters that match real life. I use: Fast Cashout, Crypto, Mobile Good, Live Games, and No-Nonsense KYC. Now I can sort my shortlist in seconds, not minutes.

Tool 3: A “Dealbreaker List” Note

What saves me the most time is a short note I check before I go deeper. Here are a few dealbreakers from my own list:

● My payment method shows up on the site, but vanishes in the cashier

● Support refuses to answer a simple limit question

● Withdrawal rules look like a trap (odd fees, tiny limits, unclear steps)

● The terms page feels sloppy or full of contradictions

● The site pushes me into extra steps that make no sense

This note keeps me strict. If a place hits two dealbreakers, I mark it Dropped and move on.

Tool 4: Browser Bookmarks With Tags

Most people bookmark homepages. I bookmark proof pages. My folder setup looks like this:

● Shortlist – Testing

● Shortlist – Approved

● Shortlist – Dropped

Inside each, I save links to pages I actually need later:

Cashier page

● Withdrawal rules / limits page

● Promo page (even if I don’t use it, I want to see the terms)

● Support page / live chat entry

If your browser supports tags, use them. Mine are simple: fast, mobile, crypto, slots, live, and KYC.

Tool 5: Screenshots With a Naming Rule

Screenshots beat memory. Every time. I take shots of things that can change or get “edited” later:

● Withdrawal limits

● Fee lines in the cashier

● KYC requirements page

● Support answers (chat window or email)

Then I name files like this:

● Brand_Date_WhatItIs

● Example: LuckyHarp_2026-01-11_WithdrawalLimits.png

Later, when I write a review or re-check a site, I don’t guess. I open the screenshot and confirm what I saw.

Tool 6: A Repeat Test Script

This is how I keep tests fair. Same steps for every new place. No special treatment. Here’s my basic script:

1. Create an account (I note how many steps and how long it takes)

2. Open the cashier (I check my method and the min deposit)

3. Find 2–3 games I know (same makers, same style each time)

4. Ask support one real question (not “hi,” a real limit or KYC question)

5. Read the withdrawal page and look for limits, fees, and waiting rules

6. Write a 3-line summary: one good, one bad, one “watch this”

Tool 7: A Password Manager + Email Aliases

If you test a lot of casinos, logins get messy fast. I don’t reuse passwords, and I don’t trust my brain to track them.

My setup includes a password manager for unique logins and one email alias per brand. I also add a note inside the entry for the support chat link, my user ID, and ticket numbers.

Tool 8: A Reminder System for Follow-Ups

A shortlist dies when you forget to follow up. So I set reminders for anything that matters:

● Pending withdrawal status check

● KYC follow-up if the docs sit too long

● Support reply deadline (“If no answer by tomorrow, drop it”)

● Re-check dates for sites I like but don’t fully trust yet

How I Cut a Long List Down to 3 Final Picks

When my sheet gets crowded, I pick three “roles,” not three random winners:

1) Main Pick: the one that fits my normal play style

2) Testing Pick: the place I use to try new games or new makers

3) Backup Pick: solid basics, good payments, no drama

And yes, I keep a Dropped log. That way, I don’t “re-discover” the same bad option three months later.

Conclusion: A Shortlist That Stays Clean

My big lesson: the best shortlist is not the biggest one. It’s the one you can trust a month later. Start with the scorecard and the sheet, then add screenshots and reminders as you go. After that, picking the right casino stops being guesswork and starts feeling simple.

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