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The Lost Casino Gamblers Handbook
Ever since the first casinos opened in the 1960s, players have been looking for the magic formula to beat the house edge. While casino gaming will always favor the house, players can mitigate the house edge and improve their chances of winning with the right combination of casino rules, strategy, and luck.
Skip the grind and learn from the experts with this insider’s guide to casino gambling. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, here are the top things you should know before your next casino trip.
1. Know the Casino Rules
If you’re playing a new game, always start by reading the rules. Casinos almost always have rules brochures available, and many now have them posted at each game. Rule variations can change the correct strategy for blackjack, video poker, and other games.
For example, in Atlantic City blackjack, dealers will stand on soft 17 (meaning their hand value is 17 by counting an ace as 11), while in Las Vegas, dealers will usually hit on soft 17. Knowing whether the dealer stands on soft 17 or hits is critical to understanding the correct play.
Even the paytables on slot machines can vary from casino to casino, and some casinos now offer different versions of the same game. Always check the rules and paytables before you start playing.
2. Learn Blackjack Strategy
There’s a reason why blackjack is a favorite among casino players – with a low house edge (usually between 0.5% and 1%), you can earn a lot with relatively low risk. But to get that low house edge, you need to play with perfect basic strategy.
Basic strategy is a set of rules that tell you the optimal way to play based on your total and the dealer’s upcard. For example, basic strategy will tell you to hit on a 12 if the dealer is showing a 6 or lower, and stand if the dealer is showing a 7 or higher.
While counting cards in blackjack can give you a slight edge over the house, it’s not easy to do. Card counting involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt (and thus removed from the deck) and adjusting your bet based on the count. Since casinos will shuffle the deck whenever fewer than half the cards are left, it’s hard to keep an accurate count.
3. Know Basic Poker Strategy
Poker is a whole different animal from blackjack, and you shouldn’t expect to play perfectly the first time you touch a deck of cards. It takes time to learn the ins and outs of poker strategy, but here are some basic concepts to get you started.
In poker, the strategy you use depends on the game format (cash game, sit-and-go, or tournament), the type of poker (Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, etc.), and the stages of the game (pre-flop, on the flop, etc.).
For example, in Texas Hold’em, the optimal strategy will depend on the player’s position at the table (who acts first), the number of players in the hand, the size of the bet, and more.
The best poker players know that patience is a key part of their strategy. Avoid desperate bets and plays, like going all-in on a weak hand, because you think you’re due for a win.
4. Read the Slot Machine Pay Table
Every slot machine will have a paytable, and you should always understand the payouts before you start spinning the reels. Today’s slot machines offer an array of features and bonuses, and some can be quite complex.
Many modern slots have bonus rounds, and some even offer progressive jackpots. You shouldn’t play slots blindly – understand the bonuses and features before you play.
For example, some games might reward you with 10 free spins for landing three scatter symbols, while other games might trigger a pick’em bonus where you can win cash prizes.
5. Learn the Fundamentals of Roulette
At its core, roulette is a simple game. You bet on where you think the ball will land within a numbered wheel, and if you’re correct, you get paid based on the odds assigned to that bet.
While understanding the types of bets you can make is essential, knowing the odds and payouts is even more critical. American roulette has a zero and a double zero, which increases the house edge to 5.26%.
By comparison, European and French roulette (which have only a single zero) reduce the house edge to 2.7% – much better odds for players.
6. Know the History of the Games
While casinos these days are about flashy attractions, neon lights, and rows of slot machines, the original casino games originated in Europe in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Poker’s roots are especially muddy, but most historians agree that the game was inspired by the French game Poque in the 17th Century. As for roulette, historians believe the game was invented by French mathematician Blaise Pascal in the 18th Century.
7. Don’t Fall for Casino Tricks
Casinos are designed to make players feel comfortable and keep them playing as long as possible. While this can be a good thing (more time to have fun!), it can also be detrimental to your bank account.
Remember that casinos are designed to keep you playing, so don’t feel obliged to stay if you’re not enjoying yourself. Here are some other common casino tricks to watch out for:
– Progression Betting: Many players think that they’re due for a win, so they’ll increase their bets (often known as progression betting). For example, if you lost $5 on your last hand, you might bet $10 on the next hand. The problem is that roulette is a game of independent trials, so the outcome of one spin has no influence on the next. You could lose ten straight hands (or spins), and each one has the exact same chance of winning.
– Avoid the Martingale System: The Martingale system is a betting progression where you double your bet after each loss, so when you finally win, you’ll get back all your losses plus a profit equal to your original bet amount. It’s tempting to think that with enough patience and funds, you can make money with this system. However, in reality, the Martingale system is doomed to failure, as there’s no guarantee that you’ll win eventually, and you can easily reach the table maximum before you hit that win.
– Watch Out for Tiredness: Casinos are fun, but they can also be exhausting, especially if you’re playing into the early hours of the morning.casino Gambling Rules, Strategy, and Tips
Staying Sharp: Casino managers will encourage you to keep drinking while you play, as it can dull your ability to make smart betting decisions. Set a budget for drinks as well as gambling to ensure you don’t blow all your money while impaired.
It’s easy to get lost in the excitement of gambling, but if you find yourself losing more and more money, it’s a good idea to take a break for a while.
casinos are filled with distractions, from flashing lights to the siren call of jackpot wins. But to be a successful player, you need to have a clear head and smart strategy.
By understanding the rules and strategies above, you’ll be better equipped for the next time you step into a casino. Have fun, and good luck!
