There are as many money management strategies for online casinos as there are players. And if you play without one, chances are you've paid the price.

Online casinos move quickly; often doubling the number of hands played in an hour when compared to land-based operations. And considering the house edge, it's no wonder players are often found wondering what happened to their cash.

Here are proven money management strategies any gamer can follow.

TIME OUT!
Most big-time online gaming losers claim they can't remember where the money went. Hands seemingly blur into other hands. If this is you, try setting a time limit and stick to it. Don't play out your streak or play until you catch up. Put a clock next to your computer. Remember: land-based casinos make sure there isn't a clock in sight, hoping five minutes turns into five hours. Don't let this happen to you at home.

LOSS AND WIN LIMITS
Losing cash-in-hand is different than a supply of electronic chips. Don't be fooled: those chips are cash out of your pocket. Know exactly how much you can afford to lose. Don't chase losses or engage in revenge gambling (trying to settle the score with the house). And more importantly, set a win limit. If you're up, you're not playing with the house's money. You're playing with YOUR money. Knowing when to end your streak helps ensure it stays one.

HAND IT OVER
Depending on your playing style and wager threshold, considering limiting the number of hands you play in a session. If you are a $5/hand blackjack player, trying playing 100. Even if you lose a whopping 60% of the time, a healthy match bonus should cut your losses down near the break-even point. Or better yet, give yourself two sessions of 50 with a break in-between to clear your mind.

STICK TO GAMES YOU KNOW
Different games require different betting patterns. It's harder to set time, loss, win and hand limits when you're not familiar with a new game. And unlike land-based casinos with daunting waits for table time, a new game online is a click away. Remember, $100 might last all night on baccarat, but could be gone in 10 minutes on craps. If you're interested in a new game, or not familiar with "perfect play" strategies, research the game and try it the casino's play for fun mode until you get the feel for the amount of cash you'll need to be a winner.