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The casino is a fascinating place, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned player. The casino has a certain allure to it, an atmosphere of glamorous and excitement, oftentimes contrasted with the simple appeal of easy money.
But, managing a casino is a complex job that requires plenty of study, planning, and, above all else, strict security. Running a tight ship is essential for any casino’s reputation, as well as for staying in business.
If you’re interested in doing more than just playing the games, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand (and excel at) the inner workings of a casino.
The House Edge, Odds, and Payouts
All casino games are designed to favor the house, which is a euphemism for saying that the chance of a player winning is slightly less than that of the casino.
The distinction is necessary, because it shows that casinos aren’t out to rip people off or cheat them out of their money. Instead, the house edge is a safety measure that ensures the business can continue operating even if every single customer lost all their money.
The house edge can vary widely from one game to another, and it’s directly related to the odds against the player and the payouts offered.
Let’s take a classic example: the roulette table. In a American roulette table, the wheel consists of 38 numbers, ranging from 0 to 36, with an additional 00 slot.
On a straight-up bet on a single number, the odds are 37 to 1, because there are 37 slots on the wheel where the ball can land, e.g. losing to the 0, 00, or any of the individual numbers.
The payout, however, is 35 to 1.
What this means is that if you win, you’ll get your stake back 35 times over, but the chances of that happening are 37 to 1, giving the house a slight edge.
It’s worth noting that some games have a better edge than others. As a general rule, you can expect the house to have an edge of between 1% and 5% in most games, with the exception of <a href="https://remycasino.com/tag/blackjack/”>blackjack, which can go below 1%, or slots, which can be well over 10%.
Core Strategies and Rules for Popular Casino Games
Each casino game has its own set of rules, strategies, and tips and tricks, but here are some basic tenets to get you started.
Roulette
There are two types of roulette commonly found in casinos worldwide: American roulette and European roulette. The main difference between the two is that the American version has an extra slot marked 00, which slightly increases the house edge.
Before placing any bets, it’s essential to know that there are two main categories of wagers in roulette: inside and outside bets.
Inside bets are riskier, as they’re placed on individual numbers or groups of two to six numbers. Outside bets, on the other hand, are safer, as they’re made on groups of 12 or 18 numbers at a time.
The most balanced and safest outside bet is on colors: red or black. You can also bet on odd or even numbers, or on one of the three columns on the roulette table.
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try your luck at an inside bet, opt for a split bet on two adjoining numbers. This gives you a chance at winning a payout of 17 to 1 while only risking one of the 37 potential outcomes.
Blackjack
Blackjack, or 21, is one of the most popular table games out there for a reason. It’s a game that revolves around hand values, and it’s designed to let you gauge how good or bad your odds are.
The main objective is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over a value of 21 points. Hands that exceed 21 are considered busts and immediately lose, regardless of the dealer’s hand.
There are several variants of blackjack, but the most widespread setup is a six-deck shoe. The dealer will deal two cards to each player and themselves, with one card face-up.
Depending on the strength of the dealer’s upcard (the card facing up), players can choose to hit (draw another card), stand (end the turn), double down (draw another card and double the bet), or split (if the two cards have the same value, the player can split them into two hands and place another bet).
In most cases, the ideal scenario is to stand on a score of 17 or more, or hit on a score of 11 or less.
Slots
Everyone knows how slots work: you put in coins or credits, push the button, and watch the reels spin. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a combination of symbols that results in a payout.
But there’s more to it than that. Did you know that it’s possible to tell whether a slot machine is about to pay out? It’s all in the reels.
Whenever you push the button to start the reels, the machine will choose a random number, which will determine the outcome. A random number is generated for each reel, which means that the chances of getting a certain symbol are predetermined.
For example, if you’re playing on a machine that has 10 symbols per reel, the odds of getting a certain symbol are 1 in 10. But here’s the thing: the odds of getting a particular symbol are the same for every reel, so the chances of getting, say, three 7s in a row are incredibly slim (1 in 10^7).
Card Counting in Blackjack
Card counting is a technique used to determine whether the deck is favorable to the player or the dealer. When used correctly, card counting can give players an edge over the house.
It involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt out and those that remain in the deck. You can do this in a few ways, such as assigning a value to each card and keeping a running count, or using a more advanced system that assigns values to groups of cards.
When the count is high, it means that there are a lot of high-value cards left in the deck, which benefits the player. When the count is low, it means that there are a lot of low-value cards left, which benefits the dealer.
If you’re playing online blackjack, card counting is useless, because the decks are shuffled after every hand. In live casinos, however, it’s a valid strategy to employ, but it takes a lot of effort and practice to master.
Key Things to Remember
Always play on single-zero roulette tables if you can. The addition of the double-zero slot on American roulette tables almost doubles the house edge.
Learn and memorize the basic strategy in blackjack, which is a series of guidelines on the best way to play based on the strength of your hand and the dealer’s upcard. It’s been proven that basic strategy reduces the house edge to 0.5%, which means you’re statistically more likely to win than lose in the long run.
Always read the rules and odds before playing any casino game. Every game is different, and the odds can vary widely. Always play responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Online vs. Land-Based Casinos
In recent years, online casinos have become incredibly popular among players, thanks to their convenience, ease of use, and promotions.
The inner workings and security of online casinos are a whole different beast, but the basics are the same. Online casinos use a random number generator (RNG) to determine the outcome of each hand or spin. This is regularly audited by third-party companies to ensure fairness.
One of the biggest perks of playing online is the presence of bonuses and promotions. Online casinos offer a variety of rewards to entice new players, from no-deposit bonuses to free spins and matched deposits. These can help boost your balance and give you more chances to play and win.
Land-based casinos, on the other hand, thrive on the atmosphere and the glitz and glamour associated with their venues. This is why high-rollers and seasoned players usually prefer live casinos, as the social aspect cannot be beat.
Live casinos also tend to cater to their regular patrons and high-stakes players with exclusive rewards, such as VIP clubs, loyalty programs, and exclusive promotions.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer the pulsating atmosphere of a live casino or the convenience of online gaming, it’s important to learn the ins and outs of how casinos work, especially in terms of odds and house edges.
Understanding these concepts can help you make the best choices when betting, no matter if you’re playing roulette, blackjack, or even slots.
Always remember to play responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose. With a bit of luck and some savvy decision-making, your next casino visit might just be your most successful one yet!
