LUCAS: I am brand new to casino games – at the tables that is. But I have been playing slots for years but the time has come for me to learn roulette and I mean I really want to learn it. I’ve seen the game played in movies and on television and it seems as if it is a fun game. 

I want to learn not just how it is played but the types of bets I can make, how the casino gets its edge, and what my comp prospects are. I got good comps as a slot player but the playing got boring after a while.

FRANK: Okay, Lucas, I’ll do my best. I do not think you need a mechanical lesson in how the wheel is built but I think you should know that the wheels in today’s casinos are basically “perfect” and you will not find any wheels where the numbers are biased. That type of number would make the wheel vulnerable to someone who could get an edge over the house. That did happen in the past. Now? Not.

LUCAS: Got it. The house edge is the house edge and you really can’t beat the game. So, what is the house edge?

FRANK: There are two types of roulette wheels and the house edges on each are different. The most popular game is the American roulette game that has 38 pockets for the ball to land in. This game has the numbers 1-36 with a green 0 and a green 00. It is called the double-zero wheel (of course!). The house edge on this game is 5.26 percent which means an expected loss of $5.26 per $100 wagered.

The second game, known as the European/French game, has the same numbers 1-36 but only has one green number of 0. That means there are 37 possible pockets for the ball to land in. The house edge on this game is 2.7 percent, an expected loss of $2.70 per $100 wagered.

Both games pay off at 35-to-1 on a winning hit on a single number. Note that a fair payout, one where the casino does not have an edge, would be 37-to-1 on the America game and 36-to-one on the European/French game. 

LUCAS: Are these games found in all casinos?

FRANK: No, the American wheel is the dominant one. On the Internet you might find both games. In American casinos, the European/French game has higher minimums to make up for the lower house edge. Casinos do not want to lose money.

LUCAS: Explain some of the bets at roulette.

FRANK: The inside bets are often called straight-up bets. A single straight-up bet, on one number, will pay 35-to-1 on all roulette wheels. A player has a 1 in 38 chance to hit a straight-up bet at the American game and a 1 in 37 chance to hit it in a European/French game. The upside to straight-up bets is a relatively big payout. The downside is the possibility of long losing streaks.

LUCAS: Much like slots.

FRANK: Yes. There are also proposition bets at the game. The dozens bets are wagers where you only need to make one bet to cover a number of numbers.

There are three dozens bets: 

1. The First Dozen are the numbers 1-12 
2. The Second Dozen are the numbers 13-24 
3. The Third Dozen are the numbers 25-36

Your bet is placed on the square of the selected dozen wager. The payout on a winning dozen bet is 2-to-1. You can bet two of the dozens at once. Not the best idea but some roulette players enjoy this style of betting. The 0 or 00 are not a part of the dozens. They land and the dozen bet loses.

There are also three column bets, each with a dozen numbers in those columns:

1. The First Column has these numbers: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34
2. The Second Column has these numbers: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35
3. The Third Column has these numbers: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36

You place your bet at the bottom of the column you want to wager. A winning bet pays two-to-one, just as it does for a winning dozen bet.

Again, let me repeat, should the 0 or 00 appear the bets on the dozens and columns lose. The house edge on the American double-zero wheel is 5.26 percent and the house edge on the European/French single-zero wheel is 2.70 percent.

Groups of Numbers Straight-up

Roulette players have other ways that they can bet multiple numbers. They can go straight up on more than one number. 

You are betting, let us say, $10 on a number and you decide to go to three or four numbers. You just put $10 on each number. Costly? Of course, but you will see many inside bettors making more than one straight-up bet. Players love the action.

LUCAS: I know slot players who bet on more than one machine usually right next to each other.

FRANK: That’s action to the players and to the casino. The more money players wager, the more money the casino wins. It’s a simple formula.

LUCAS: Very simple.

FRANK: A roulette player can also bet one wager on several inside numbers by using the lines at the end of numbers or by splitting the numbers by betting on the lines between numbers. For example, if you wish to bet the numbers one and two, you just put a bet on the line between one and two. That means if either one hits, you win.

Say, you want to bet three numbers? You can put one wager on the outside line that encloses the one, two and three. That means the three numbers, one, two, and three are being bet with that one bet. 

Four numbers? Just put the bet on the intersecting spot that covers all four numbers.

Some roulette players use this technique but at full or crowded tables, aggressive bettors often knock such bets into the straight-up boxes. If you make those bets, you have to watch them closely so they are not knocked about.

LUCAS: Do you have a favorite bet or series of bets at roulette? It seems to me that the game is pretty easy to learn.

FRANK: Very easy.

LUCAS: Favorite way or ways to play?

FRANK: I certainly do. There are three bets called the even-money bets that are along the side of the layout. These bets are high/low, red/black and odd/even. They each have their own boxes.

They are called even-money bets because they pay even money ($1 for $1) but they are not 50/50 propositions between the casino and the player. The casino will win 20 times and the player will win 18 times in the American game. The house edge is still 5.26 percent. On the European/French game the casino wins 19 times and the player wins 18 times. The house edge remains 2.7 percent.

LUCAS: Can’t you bet the zeroes to hedge the even-money bets? That might be a good thing to do.

FRANK: Smart thought. But no, you can’t hedge in roulette. The zeroes are losers for the player betting the even-money bets.  And listen carefully, you can’t get an edge if you bet the zeroes because every even-money win loses the zeroes for you. Betting zeroes just means you will lose more money. 

A true rule of casino play is that the more money you wager, the more money you will lose in the end.

LUCAS: So much for my smart idea.

FRANK: It was a smart idea but the negative edge is the way it is.

LUCAS: Why are these even-money bets your favorite bets?

FRANK: I do not like long losing streaks.

LUCAS: No one does. That’s part of the downer of slots. 

FRANK: True. The straight-up bets, one or a couple or a few even, have big possible losing streaks. I mean you only win once on a single straight-up bet in 38 or 37 spins. That opens you up to a bad streak. You do get a big win when your number hits, 35 units to one unit, but semi- and long losing streaks are inevitable. I’d rather go back-and-forth on the even-money bets.

You can have losing streaks on even-money bets but these are usually a few losses in a row. The house edge is the same but the pattern of the game is different. You feel you are in the game longer.

Now, you could think of betting two different even-money wagers. Maybe you bet the red or black bet and the high or low bet. Again, you would be giving the casino a shot at more of your money. If you are a $10 player now you are betting $20.  The edge works against all your money.

LUCAS: Casino gambling is negative yet we love to do it.

FRANK: The casino wants to make money – it needs to make money – so players have to accept that truth. The casino will try to build an edge at every game.

LUCAS: Anything else I should be aware of?

FRANK: There is partial good news with the even-money bets. 

LUCAS: Now we’re talking!

FRANK: It’s good news but only partial good news. Don’t get too excited. The casino will still have the edge on you.

LUCAS: Nuts.

FRANK: In some casinos and in some venues, the casino offers these even-money bets with a rule, titled surrender, that will give the player back half the bet when a zero or zero-zero hits. If you are betting, say, red and the green zero hits you get back half your bet at the American game. This reduces the house edge in half, down to 2.63 percent; an expected loss of $2.63 per $100 wagered. Not bad.

On the European/French game, they have en prison, where a green zero will have the casino hold the entire bet for the next round. Doing this also reduces the house edge in half to 1.35 percent; an expected loss of $1.35 per $100 wagered. That is one of the best bets in all of the casino games. 

Sometimes these rules are for every even-money player. Sometimes they are only for medium and/or high rollers. Sadly, most casinos do not have these rules. 

There are usually no signs on the roulette tables in the casinos that offer surrender or en prison. You have to ask if they offer this. Not a big deal. 

Now, if you are a relatively high roller, you might get the casino to offer this option to you. Ask your host or the casino manager if they’ll do this for you. You’ve got nothing to lose by doing this.

LUCAS: Interesting.

FRANK: Indeed.

LUCAS: Anything else?

FRANK: Yes. Do not waste your time thinking that some system sellers have found a way to beat the game. Unless you find a wheel that is biased, and I am betting against that, there is no way to beat today’s wheels. Anyone who tells you that they can give you a way to beat the game is probably just selling baloney. 

Over the years, decades, centuries and multiple centuries there have been many systems that have been used to attempt to beat the game. Some, such as wheel clocking, did work at times in the past. Today? No. (Okay, maybe in the sticks with an old wheel you might find a biased number or numbers. Just stand at the tables and record the numbers. You might get something. You’d at least get to pray a lot.)

Finally, give yourself a betting scheme that fits your pocketbook or wallet. Roulette is a game that can catch your fancy and some players wind up over betting, often without realizing it. You must control your money and how often and how long you play. 

Ultimately, you are responsible for every bet you make and every loss you experience.

All the best in and out of the casinos!
 

The screaming guitars, the booming bass, and the thundering drums. There’s just nothing like being in the audience at a big rock show – or up on stage. Whether on the front row or dancing in place in the cheap seats, the concert experience can be a memorable occasion and offer a nice escape from the daily grind.

Casino gamblers looking to keep the party going now have numerous rock ‘n’ roll-themed slots to choose from. Game developers have now licensed games with head bangers like Ozzy Osbourze, Runs N’ Roses, and numerous others. 

1 – Ozzy Osbourne

Join the prince of darkness on a unique online slot machine adventure, complete with skulls, black birds, and more. The former Black Sabbath frontman is along for the ride, belting  out some of his biggest hits. Ozzy fans won’t be disappointed as the action plays out in front of some kind of creepy castle or underworld. Fitting the rock ‘n' roll rebel, two demon-like creatures guard the gates of this hellish place. Hopefully your own spins on the game are anything but a hellish experience.

2 – KISS

Speaking of demons, join Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and the rest of the gang on the is popular slots. The band has licensed products in every category imaginable – from dolls and T-shirts to lunchboxes and coffins. It seems only natural that a slot machine would join that extensive list. Band members are featured heavily on the reels with other symbols including guitar picks, V-shaped guitars, and more. Bang your head to hits like “Love Gun” and “Shout It Out Loud!”.

3 – Guns N’ Roses

This game takes players on tour with Axl and the boys. Look for Slash and other band members also spinning on the reels as well as plenty of roses, guns, tributes to the band’s album covers, and guitar picks along the way as well. Keep spinning and watch for Axl belting out some of the band’s hits. The background features a giant stage with fans checking out Guns in action. The band’s iconic logo is also embedded behind the reels. This is a game any GNR fan should definitely check out.

4 – Motörhead

A band that rocks out to a song called “Ace of Spades” seems like the perfect fit for a slot machine. This game delivers plenty of punch as players get a first-hand view of the concert stage. Check out the walls of speakers, amplifiers, stage lights, and guitar – all ready to go. You’ll need to bring some winning spins to the table to get the action going. As for symbols, Motörhead goes a little old school with icons like stars, horseshoes, cherries, bells, 7s, clovers, and more. You’ll also find band members and the ace of spades, which serves as the wild symbol. Play your cards right and you may be motoring to some nice cash.

5 – Jimi Hendrix

Classic rock fans will find that some of their favorites can return when heading to the casino floor. This slot game will have fans looking back fondly on this rock legend as they sit for a real jam session with songs like “Foxy Lady” as a major part of the action. Symbols are reminiscent of 1960s “flower power” including peace signs, flowers, eyes, music notes, record albums, guitars, hearts, and more. The background features a desert landscape and players will find some fittingly named bonuses like the Purple Haze and Red Guitar Re-Spin features. You may have missed out on Woodstock, but the Jimi Hendrix slot offers a nice front row seat for some cool sounds.

6 – This is Spinal Tap

Who could forget this fictional 1980s British heavy metal band? The “documentary” was a blast and now the slot game offers plenty of fun as well. Players will find themselves in front of a massive stage as they spin the reels. Look for members of the band to appear such as David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls. As fans of the film will remember, two of the band’s drummers die after “spontaneous human combustion,” so those two don’t make an appearance. Play things just right and a giant spinning record takes up half the screen and serves as a bonus wheel for a chance to win even more. Guitars, with flames shooting out of them of course, serve as the wild symbols. Spinal Tap is remembered as “one of England's loudest bands” and that fun energy comes through in the game as well. Turn it up to 11!

7 – Ritchie Valens La Bamba

If a bit of ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll is more your style, then La Bamba may be the perfect fit. Fans of The 1987 film chronicled the life of Ritchie Valens in rock’s early days and the slot machine brings some of his music to a new generation. There’s no heavy metal in this one and the game features a vintage 1950s diner setting with symbols like records, a phonograph, radio, dancing shoes, a black and white television, an autograph book, concert tickets, publicity photos of Ritchie, and more. This is a fun trip back in time and will have players bobbing their heads to some classic tunes.

8 – RockStar

This game doesn’t focus on a specific artist but instead takes players into the life of a real rock ‘n’ roll star. Look for some cool symbols associated with the life of a rock star including record contracts, guitars, magazine covers, booze, VIP tickets, fans, and more. The game also includes an interesting cast of characters ready to blow up some speakers and smash some guitars. Fittingly, the soundtrack features some screaming guitars and dynamic drums. Some of the bonus games take players right to the concert. Some of these extras have you playing along as part of the band or checking out a solo.

 

Head to any casino from Las Vegas to Atlantic City to Monte Carlo, and a few things are certain. You’ll find plenty of slot machines, table games, and other gambling options on the casino floor. In many properties you’ll also see luxury amenities and other aspects that appeal to living the high life.

Other casinos may be a bit more basic and appeal to a different clientele. Modern casinos, in general, have come a long way when it comes to casino design. Trends come and go but the goal of a casino is to bring in gamblers and also provide plenty of entertainment options.

From the days of gambling in the Old West to the birth of Las Vegas casinos to the rise of mega resorts, casinos have gone through some major changes on the design front. Here’s a look at some of the changes casinos have seen in the last century or so.

1 – Early Gambling Houses

Humans have been involved with games of chance for centuries and it seems savvy entrepreneurs have always been willing to offer up a nice house for gamblers to partake in some of these games. These proprietors are more than happy to take advantage of the statistical advantage that comes with hosting these games as well.

The ancient Mesopotamians, Greeks, Romans, and Elizabethan English all took part in some form of gambling, but what did those early casinos actually look like? While gambling dates back centuries, many of the games similar to what gamblers know today were developed in Greece and Rome during the classical and medieval eras. The Greeks were using six-sided dice by 7 B.C.

“Gambling at dice reigned supreme even among the elites of Rome,” author David Schwartz noted in Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling. “Many of the early Roman emperors distinguished themselves by their gambling.”

That includes rulers like Caligula, Claudius, Nero, and more. Innkeepers were known to regularly host games as kind of the casino owners of the day. When the Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted in 79 A.D., graffiti referencing gambling was preserved on some of the walls of Pompei. Gamblers could also wager on chariot races, gladiator combat, and more.

By the 15th Century, gambling was embraced across much of Europe. However, offering dedicated locations for the endeavor was still in its infancy. In England, gambling was prevalent but the idea of a casino or gambling club was still not embraced.

“... gambling was widely popular in England before and after Chaucer’s time,” Schwartz notes. “Fairs, festivals, and traveling carnivals, each of which likely had plenty of gambling, crossed and recrossed the English countryside during medieval and Renaissance times.” 

Eventually, someone ran with the idea of a dedicated house for those looking to play games of chance even more often. The first of those was located in Italy, with the Ridotto (Italian for "The Private Room”) casino opening in Venice in 1628. The venue was a part of the Palazzo Dandolo, a hotel built at the end of the 14th century. More would follow across the continent.

These early gambling houses tended to cater to society’s wealthy gamblers. They were often ornate, club-like atmospheres catering to the nobles of the time and featuring higher-stakes games. There were strict dress codes in place to ensure that only the elite took a seat at the tables. The Ridotto featured “venetian palace architecture,” according to Architecture of Venice.

As gambling became more popular, including into the New World, gearing gambling houses toward more ordinary people became a more popular option.

2 – Casinos and Gambling in the Old West

Gambling houses saw considerable changes in the New World as westward expansion took shape. Some of that gambling, including poker, emerged from riverboats along the MIssissippi River. These boats obviously weren’t dedicated casinos and games could break out as passengers sat waiting for their stop along the river.

Even famed author Mark Twain learned to play poker on these riverboat routes. During the Civil War, many soldiers also played cards and dice while waiting in their camps between battles. After the war and as Americans began heading west, gambling proprietors were ready to offer some of their favorite games.

As men made the move for the gold rush, farming, ranching, fur trapping, lumberjacking, and other employment opportunities, saloons and gambling houses popped up all across the west. These were much different than those elite casinos found in Europe. By 1880, there were numerous saloons across the west, with Leavenworth, Kansas, alone hosting about 150 saloons and four wholesale liquor houses

These saloons allowed men to grab a stiff drink and were much rowdier than one might expect at a European casino catering to noblemen. Cowboys could tie their horses out front and many saloons offered free lunches to keep visitors drinking and gambling.

The salons often featured poker games and sometimes craps and roulette. In those days, playing cards weren’t always easy to obtain and were used over and over again. This meant bent cards, many which had been marked intentionally by unscrupulous players.

These venues were usually smoky and poorly lit, not the type of casino gamblers see today. Some may have even hosted a brothel on site. Cities like Deadwood, Fort Worth, San Francisco, Tombstone, Dodge City, Denver, and others hosted plenty of rowdies seeking their fortunes but also ready to gamble their paychecks.

“A mighty horde of prospectors, gamblers, and other optimists thundered out to ‘them thar’ Black Hills, making tiny Deadwood a boomtown, complete with painted ladies and gambling tables in the ornate saloons, though most of its housing consisted of tents,” author Jim McManues writes in Cowboys Full: The History of Poker.

While the Americans were approaching gambling an egalitarian mindset, European gaming retained a more traditional setting that catered to the elite. Casinos across Europe in the mid- to late-1800s, including Monte Carlo, were much more majestic and had a resort feel seen more today in gaming hotspots around the world.

Photos from the time show large salons with gamblers in suits and dresses as they hit the gaming tables. Design elements featured true craftsmanship like chandeliers, luxurious fixtures, woodwork, and more. Gambling proprietors spent huge sums to create a facility that would attract Europe’s wealthy gamblers.

3 – The Rise of Las Vegas and Modern Casinos

That “Old West” casino feel continued into the 20th Century, but the gambling industry would slowly see some changes throughout the early to mid-1900s. As the west was tamed and many jurisdictions took anti-gambling measures, a town located in the Nevada desert offered an oasis of gambling by the 1940s after the Nevada legislature legalized casino gaming in 1931.

Many of these often featured a western theme, offering not much in the way of entertainment beyond cheap booze and plenty of gambling. They definitely weren’t the flashy mega resorts that would eventually populate the city. In fact, the following two terms came into the lexicon to distinguish between more regal establishments from the less-refined casinos:

• Sawdust joint – A typical gambling house that didn’t offer much in the way of nice decor. Owners often sprinkled sawdust on the floor, which could more easily absorb spilled drinks.
• Rug joint – This meant the casino utilized rugs on the floor and featured a more decorative and high-class ambiance.

Las Vegas in the 1930s and ‘40s featured much of the former type of casinos. However, other illegal casinos in other parts of the country, such as in Florida and even Texas, offered a better look at where the industry would eventually head.

“The growth of Nevada’s gambling industry for the first five years was slow,” Scarne’s New Complete Guide to Gambling notes. “The gambling houses were all sawdust joints patronized mostly by Western gamblers and the gambling there was small time compared with the gambling that took place in the illegal luxury casinos and larger sawdust joints in Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and elsewhere. In 1946 things began to happen that were destined very soon to make Nevada the gambling mecca of the world.”

That year Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel opened the Flamingo, which would become the most luxurious casino in Las Vegas at the time. He envisioned a major attraction as more and more Americans continued moving into nearby California. He hoped these new arrivals might be interested in some gambling in nearby Las Vegas.

Siegel was backed in the project by mobsters like Meyer Lansky, and the $6 million facility officially opened on Dec. 26, 1946. The Flamingo featured a 105-room hotel that included air conditioning, major stage shows, lush gardens, swimming pools, and dealers dressed in tuxedos. 

The property was billed as “The West's Greatest Resort Hotel” and the Flamingo became the first luxury casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Some of the biggest names in entertainment took the stage at the property such as Martin and Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Danny Thomas, Lena Horne, Spike Jones, and others.

The goal was to offer more attractions than just gambling and that notion proved to be the right move. The property was a hit, but Siegel didn't get a chance to see the casino’s long-term success – he was shot and killed in his Los Angeles home in 1947. The gunman was never identified.

Siegel at least left a legacy as creating the resort-style casino that would come to dominate the modern gaming industry.

4 – Mega Resorts and Modern Times

The transition to a Flamingo-style casino industry wasn’t overnight, but casinos continued upping the game in the 1960s and ‘70s. Caesars Palace was at the forefront of this when it opened for business in 1966.

The property debuted the “fantasy architecture” trend in Las Vegas, which saw the city embrace casinos with varying themes – including ancient Rome (Caesars), medieval times (Excalibur), ancient Egypt (Luxor), the Big Apple (New York New York), and numerous others. Visionary casino impresario Jay Sarno created a fantasy world casino for patrons with numerous options that all branched off from the casino.

“He understood the gambler’s mindset,” author Michael Kaplan notes in this our blog article on the property. “One important idea he devised with Caesars was that showrooms, pools, restaurants and elevators all radiated off of the casino floor. Only a dyed in the wool gambler would know that guests being forced to walk past gaming tables to get anywhere would not be able to resist making at least a small wager while en route.”

Those design elements continued on to other properties. Steve Wynn ramped up the mega resort dynamics even more when he greatly expanded the Golden Nugget downtown in 1977. That was followed by even bigger projects such as the Mirage in 1989, which cost $600 million. That property became the first Las Vegas casino adding another design element – the installation of security cameras to track the action at all gaming tables.

In 1993 Wynn also unveiled Treasure Island at a cost of $460 million, bringing a pirate theme and free buccaneer show right to the Strip. Also in the late 1990s, Wynn debuted the Bellagio in Vegas and Beau Rivage in Mississippi. In the 2000s, the casino industry titan continued to build more opulent and more massive casinos, including Wynn Las Vegas in 2005, which cost a staggering $2.7 billion.

Wynn Macau was then added in 2006. The businessman played a major role in changing the look and size of casinos not only in Las Vegas, but around the world. His eye for design, opulence, and artistry continues today at some of the biggest and luxurious properties in the world.

5 – Looking into the Future

Much of a casino’s interior design, when it comes to actual gaming, has seen some major changes over the last couple decades. Many properties favored a “maze layout,” which kept visitors from easily finding a way out of the property and hopefully kept them gambling.

“The idea was that a casino should quickly suck a player in, then make it incredibly difficult to leave,” Christopher Null writes in this article on design. “The maze concept was widely adopted and rapidly entered into the mythology of Vegas pop culture. This is why there are no clocks on the walls and no windows in casinos, it was often said, to keep you confused about the time.”

In the 1970s, casinos positioned slot machines in rows, but that gave way to more separated gaming tables and devices in the ‘80s and ‘90s. A player could see numerous options while standing in any one spot in this casino maze.

By the 2000s, however, casino execs began favoring an even more open style. The higher ceilings of the mega resorts offered a much more dynamic and spacious feel. The maze was gone in favor of smaller clusters of games and even some sunlight was allowed in. 

This “playground” approach, as it has become known, was fitting for the mega resorts – placing an emphasis on comfort and offering a high-end experience. More space also made gambling a more communal, social experience.

Casinos and their design, both interior and exterior, are always changing. Themed casinos seem to be a bit less favored in the industry in recent years as a focus more on the “resort” part of the “casino resort” has taken shape. Opulence and entertainment are now often stressed by casino management just as much as the opportunity to hit the slots or table games.

Sportsbooks have also taken up even more space at some properties, with venues like the Westgate Superbook and Circa  in Las Vegas catering to the growing demand for sports wagering. Both properties offer massive facilities to check out games and make some selections.

In recent years, there seems to have even been a move in the opposite direction from the massive resorts many casino goers have come to expect. Many companies are also mixing in smaller casinos that favor more social interaction among guests.

“‘The bigger, the better’ for casinos no longer applies,” Architecture Here and Now notes. “One trend that seems to have sprouted over the last couple of years is a boutique ambiance, creating more intimate spaces within a big space by using what Paul Steelman, of the Las Vegas-based casino design firm Steelman Partners, calls ‘structures within structures.’”

As gamblers’ interests and tastes have changed, casino corporations and designers continue to work to best meet those demands. Gambling has come a long way from county fairs and Civil War battlefields, and modern casinos have come a long way from Old West saloons and those Las Vegas sawdust joints.
 

Video poker is among the most popular casino games. One reason is that the game has among the lowest house edges of any game in the casino.

Unlike standard slot machines, video poker allows the player to make decisions that affect the outcome of play. But, in order to gain the greatest advantage, players must make the proper choices.

While many players use intuition and hunches to make their decisions about which cards to hold, only the mathematically proven choices will provide the best return over time. The best way for video poker players to make certain they are making the proper choices is to practice playing the proper strategy.

1. Why practice?

Arnold Palmer, the golfing legend, once stated, “It’s a funny thing. The more I practice, the luckier I get.” That is certainly true – not only in golf but in most human endeavors.

Ivan Lendl, the tennis great, once said, “If I don’t practice the way I should, then I won’t play the way I know I can.”

Andre Agassi, another legendary tennis player stated it more directly. “If you don’t practice, you don’t deserve to win.”

Practice is not only necessary to win at sports, it is also necessary to achieve the best results in any activity requiring human input. 

Practice is vital to making the most of your video poker play.

2. Even highly experienced video poker players need practice

Several years ago, a good friend of mine, a fellow seasoned video poker player, and I were discussing our casino play. We both keep detailed records of our play. We do this to support our gambling wins and losses when filing our taxes each year.

But we also keep track of additional information to help in analyzing our play. We track video poker machine ID, number of hands played, number of full house hands, number and rank of four-of-a-kind hands, number of straight flushes, and number and suit of royal flushes. 

We originally started gathering this information to verify that no video poker machine was biased (neither of us found any evidence of bias).

However, the information is also useful to help understand our play. Although the actual number varies by game and pay table, over time, the occurrences of these tracked hands should average out very closely to the mathematical probability.

His statistics for straight flushes and royal flushes were quite different from the statistical average. Variance could account for the anomaly, but further research would uncover a problem in play.

We both play video poker a few times each month. We average more than 18,000 hands per month or approximately 220,000 hands per year.

With so much regular play, neither of us spent any time practicing at home.

Because of the lack of straight flush and royal flush hands, we decided to play some practice hands on my video poker practice software. With the number of hands played in the casino and my comfort level with the game, I felt confident playing for 90 minutes error-free would be no problem.

Not very far into the practice session, I was jolted by some warnings about improper holds. 

• I missed some low pairs when I had a face card or two.
• I also missed three cards of a straight flush on occasion.

3. Staying sharp

There it was – glaring proof that playing in the casino alone is not enough to stay sharp and make all the proper plays. Casino play will reinforce whatever holds are made – and these are not necessarily the correct ones.

Even though I have a strategy card with me when playing in the casino, I only reference it with a close hand. It turned out that I was making mistakes on hands that were not very close.

The words of Vince Lombardi, coach of the first super bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers, hit me. “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.”

My practice was far from perfect. In fact, the more I played, the more my mistakes became fixed in my play.

4. Perfect practice

So, what is perfect practice? How can video poker players make sure they are doing it properly?

Ego and hubris are the downfall of many. The same is true with video poker practice. I felt I was too good for the standard practice routines. I was playing thousands of hands per month. I certainly knew what I was doing – or so I thought.

No matter how much time or how many hands are played in a casino, they cannot substitute for a formal practice regimen.

There is good reason to purchase and use video poker practice software. Before each visit to the casino, it is very important to practice for a few hours. Bad habits have a way of creeping into our video poker play. Using video poker practice software is the only way to make sure mistakes are not made.

We must examine every card of every hand to choose the proper hold. We must make sure we see the low pair as well as a face card or two. The only way to guarantee the proper hold is to practice and practice often. 

5. Summary 

• In order to achieve the best return from casino video poker play, we must practice. 
• Simply playing in the casino is not enough.
• Mistakes can creep into our play and casino play merely reinforces those mistakes.
• Mistakes can be costly in terms of reduced straight flushes and royal flushes.
• Only “perfect practice” – practice using video poker practice software can produce perfect play.
• By practicing perfectly, video poker players will become “luckier” in their video poker play.

Don’t make the same mistakes I made. Practice, practice, practice. Don’t leave home without it.
 

I enjoy speaking to groups, usually about casino play (or topics of my choosing that have nothing to do with casinos) and what are and aren’t the best and worst bets to make. I just had a session with a wealthy social club that enjoys bringing its members to the casinos for “fun days.” The club is composed of members, many of whom are in their 60s and 70s. Some are younger.

The club has several hosts from different casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. They are given, from what the members tell me, the A+ treatment. I wanted to give them my A+ talk. (Okay, all my talks are A+.)

At the end I asked them if they’d like to make comments or ask questions. Oh, boy; oh, boy!

FRANK: Yes?

BERNIE: I am Bernard and I must take exceptions to most of what you are telling us tonight. 

FRANK: Okay.

MARGARETTEl Oh, Bernie, leave the guy alone. Do we have to go through your stuff tonight? 

BERNIE: I am entitled to my opinions, am I not? This is or was a free country. 

FRANK: Okay, Bernie, go ahead.

(There were some moans from the audience.)

BERNIE: Let us take your idea that there is no such thing as advance warnings or advice on which slot machines to play or what numbers will come up at roulette or craps. You are completely wrong in this.

My wife had a severe heart attack a year ago and I dreamed of it the night before and when it happened I knew I had to take her to the hospital. She didn’t want to go.

JOE: I’m Joseph. Bernie, your wife had a strong case of indigestion. She was okay within an hour and came home with you. You guys were in the emergency room for a few minutes. She’s as healthy as a horse.

BERNIE: I did not agree with that diagnosis. My wife is not a horse.

MARGARETTE: How much Thai food did you guys have that night?

BERNIE: I wish to partake in this discussion, not you lambasting my wife.

JOE: We are not lambasting your wife. She was an innocent victim of your incorrect diagnosis. 

FRANK: Okay, Bernie, what is your opinion?

MARGARETTE: Uggghhhh.

BERNIE: We are living in a cosmically conscious universe and therefore everything that happened and happens and will happen is happening now. Dice rolls, roulette numbers, what cards are coming out of the decks are all happening now. What we have to do is attune our inner senses to that universal consciousness, plug in to the universe so to speak, and we get the information no matter where or when it comes from. That allows us to win in the casino if we do it right.

Your gambling ideas do not take into account our cosmic consciousness. That is a huge mistake. I prefer to go with the universal truth of matters and not be misled by what you type of people, meaning writers such as yourself, say. Seriously and no offense given but what do you know?

FRANK: Thank you Bernie.

(Hands went up in the audience. I could hear comments such as “what crap” and “Bernie is out of his mind.” Those were the nice comments. I was about to point to someone who wanted to speak.)

BERNIE: Wait a minute, wait a minute. You haven’t responded to my question. So?

FRANK: Question? What was your question? 

BERNIE: Let me make this simple for you, sir. Can your ideas really match the universal cosmic consciousness of which I speak? Of which I am plugged into.  I say not a chance. (Someone said, “They should pull your plug!” and some cheers went up in the audience.) 

You are misleading people. You just do this to make money. (Some boos from the crowd and a couple of people said, “Shut up, Bernie.”)  I am not sorry for what I am saying because that is true. You are paid to speak. I am not being paid and that makes me the one who is doing this from pure motives. To educate everyone to the truth. (A few boos.) Isn’t that so Mister Scob-a-lee-tee?

FRANK: Sco-bled-tee. Sometimes it is a tough name to pronounce. I am not sure I can speak to your idea of a cosmic consciousness and the casino.

JOE: Because it’s nuts. (There were some cheers.)

BERNIE: When my mind is attuned to the cosmic consciousness I can see the roulette numbers appearing. I can see what craps numbers are being rolled in the near future.

JOE: I can see you in a straitjacket. (A few claps.)

FRANK: Okay, okay, I have to tread carefully here. I do not want to talk about, uh, you know, God or anything.

BERNIE: Not God, sir, not God. I am talking about the real reality young man; not fantasy like these people believe in. (He swept his arm to include the audience. Young man? Bernie may have been a few years older than me but I was flattered that he called me “young man.”)

FRANK: Most of the tests for psychic awareness about dice throws and the like have been non conclusive. They are – 

BERNIE: Says who? Says who?

(Nuts. I didn’t want to say flat out that the university tests to show his ideas worked have failed miserably in the past when it came to casino games and the like. Casinos don’t have to worry about psychic players beating them. I wanted to soft-soap my answer and instead Bernie was getting heated because I had mentioned the word God. Cosmic consciousness and God? What’s the difference?) 

FRANK: Well, ah, we do not see any correlation between people who say they have psychic powers and the like, ah, and whether they win in the casino or not. The casino results are not predicated on psychic stuff. We see that in the numbers that the casinos produce in their reports.

BERNIE: In their reports? Uff! And what type of fool believes in their reports? Ha! That’s like believing the government.

WOMAN (in red): I once thought a slot machine was going to hit and it did; right there, it did. (She nodded and turned her head to look over the audience.) I saw it with my own eyes.

MAN: Janice did you get that new prescription? (Laughter)

FRANK: We know how the casino games are structured, as I told you in my talk, and we know what types of edges the casinos have at all the games. There is no mystery in any of this. Players know they are playing against a house edge and they also know that they can figure out or research what those edges are. Again, there is no mystery to casino games. This includes all the games, the slots, the table games, video poker, the whole thing about house edges is known. And the best ways to play are also known, as I said.

BERNIE: Do you really think that the edges come out the exact way the casinos say they do? You are so wrong, young man, so wrong.

WOMAN (in red): I saw it with my own eyes. So there.

FRANK: Since we aren’t actually dealing with an infinite number of trials, there will be some little changes in results, percentage wise, but the more the number of decisions, the closer will be the real results to the theoretical results. By the way, that’s how the casinos figure your comps. That is a good thing to know.

BERNIE: Yes, yes, you talked about comps. What a waste of time it all is. Trying to impress someone who probably thinks you are an idiot.

JOE: About you, yeah, he was right on the money there.

BERNIE: I know you think you are funny. Why don’t you try out for a comedy show, Joe, you’d make a great clown and you wouldn’t need any practice either. You’re a natural. 

FRANK: Okay, let’s get back to the topic. Any other questions or comments?

(No one’s hand went up. This question-and-answer part of the night was becoming a disaster.)

BERNIE: Sometimes people don’t want to see the truth – as I see the real truth.

FRANK: Okay, okay, we know that there are different opinions about these areas, but (here I go, why am I going there?) some things are right about casino games and casino play in general. And some ideas are wrong, dead wrong. There really is no real reality here except the math of the games and the strategies and whether these strategies actually affect the results of those games. Comps are executive decisions in how they are awarded.

BERNIE (shouting): Absolute nonsense! Overarching all things in our world is another world, a world we can tap into if we are smart enough. Obviously, Fnark, you …

FRANK: It’s Frank, not Fnark.

BERNIE: What does it matter what your name is if there is no truth? That’s what I want to say. If we all can have our own ideas and I want to call you Fnark, why can’t I? Nothing is real folks, that’s what all of you think, isn’t it? But there is a real reality and I have told you what it is.

FRANK: I am saying something much simpler, really. There is a reality to casino games and we know what that reality is. The debate about it is just silly. You follow the math and the practices of the casino and you get the right ideas. I am not talking about cosmic consciousness or God or anything psychic or supernatural here but I think –

WOMAN (Janice in red): Are you saying that I am lying about what I felt in my inner self and saw that time at the slot machines? Are you? I do not like to be called a liar. That is not why you are here to speak. I do not lie.

BERNIE: Maybe Janice had a glimpse into the cosmic consciousness. That could explain her great experience foreseeing the future of that slot machine. What do you think of that? She is proof of my point and she disproves your point now, doesn’t she?

FRANK: I can’t actually speak for people who feel or think they have had psychic experiences in the casinos or elsewhere. 

BERNIE: Ah, ha, I have convinced you! You see, you see, everyone here, you skeptics, I am right about this and if you disagree with me, you are wrong. It is so obvious. I don’t see what the problem is.

JOE: I don’t agree with your diagnosis, doctor. 

FRANK: What I am saying is that these games and how the casinos create their edges are known quantities; totally known quantities. In no way am I telling everyone that Janice is lying. That I wouldn’t do.

But as a hard rule of the casino world, not too many people can be gifted enough psychically to do what Janice did that one time. If that were so for millions of people playing in the casinos, or buying lottery tickets, there would ultimately be no casinos or lotteries. Casinos and any games of chance would dry up with strong or even weak psychic powers at work. That’s what I am saying…I think.

BERNIE: The truth will set you free!

JANICE (still in red): I am an honest person too. I never cheat on my taxes and if a clerk gives me too much change, I return it. I am an honest person. That’s all I got to say. Anyone who knows me knows that I am an honest human being.

JOE: Why don’t we give Frank or Fnark a round of applause for putting up with us? (There is applause.) We should become a debating society. The cosmic conscious debating society.

BERNIE: And I will be president of that club.

JOE: I am not joining.

FRANK: From Fnark – All the best in and out of the casinos!

Basic strategy charts tell us the best average play for every possible blackjack hand. That doesn't mean you'll always win when you make the right moves. It's just that when you add up wins and losses over many plays, your average return will be better when you make the basic strategy play than when you don't.

That's every bit as applicable to online play as to live casinos. Online, where you can't count cards, basic strategy play is the gold standard.

Still, many players think certain basic strategy plays feel wrong. Is it really best to split 8s and risk a second bet when the dealer has a 10-value card face up? When you have a hard 16 and the dealer has 7, wouldn't it be better  to stand and let the dealer chance going bust than to hit and risk busting yourself?

All casino games are based on math, and blackjack math says the basic strategy plays are the way to go unless you're counting cards and know the composition of the deck dictates a switch.
There's a cost to veering away from basic strategy. Let's take measure in dollars and cents of some commonly misplayed hands.

Assume a game under a common set of rules: six decks, dealer hits soft 17, blackjacks pay 3-2, double downs permitted on any first two cards, double downs permitted after splitting pairs, pairs may be split up to three times except Aces, which may be split only once, surrender is not allowed.

Let's run some numbers on commonly misplayed hands.

➔ 8-8 vs. Dealer's 10

It might seem like throwing good money after bad to start two hands with 8 each when the dealer has a 10 up. But playing the hand as hard 16 is far worse.

Your average result will be negative no matter what play you make. If you hit, your average loss will be 53.5 cents per dollar wagered. If you stand, the average loss is a little higher at 53.7 cents.

Split, and your average loss dips to 47.6 cents per $1 of your original bet. That's not 47.6 cents times two, it's an average of 23.8 cents for each of your two hands.

Sometimes your fears will be realized, you'll lose both hands and your loss will be double your original wager. But there will be enough times you win both hands for a big win, win one hand and push on the other for a win the size of your original bet, win one and lose the other for a push or push on both hands that your average loss is smaller than if you hit or stood.

➔ Hard 12 vs. 2

It can be a queasy feeling when you draw a card to a hand that can be busted with a one-card hit. You know the dealer is going to have to draw. There is no card the dealer could have down that would turn a 2 into a standing hand without a draw. So why not let the dealer take the bust risk?

Answer: The dealer doesn't bust often enough for you to sit and wait. Average losses are lower if you hit than if you stand.

If your 12 consists of 10-2, the average 28.9-cent  loss if you stand dips to 25.2 if you hit. Average losses with 9-3 are 28.6 cents for stand and 25.6 for hit. With 8-4 they're 28.5 for stand and 25.5 for hit; and with 7-5 they're 28.2 for hit and 25.4 for stand. With 6-6, split the pair instead.

 

➔ Hard 16 vs. 7

Players who have no trouble hitting 16 vs. 10 sometimes draw a line at 16 vs. 7, thinking the dealer has a great enough chance to bust it might be better to let that play out.

Actually, it's more important to hit 16 vs. 7 than against 10. Dealers’ standing hands tend to be lower when starting with 7, giving players more opportunity to win with a hit. 

16 vs. 10 is such a close call that card counters sometimes stand as a camouflage play to let casinos think they're less than a basic strategy player. Average losses are 54.1 cents per dollar if you stand and 53.5 if you hit. With 9-7, averages are 53.7 for a stand and 53.5 for a hit. Differences are tiny,  putting 16 vs. 10 firmly in close call territory.

But 16 vs. 7 is not a close call. With 10-6, average losses are 47.7 cents per dollar wagered if you stand while dropping to 40.9 cents if you hit. If you start with 9-7, averages are 48.1 cents by standing or 40.8 by hitting. Differences are large enough that you shouldn't even think twice before hitting.

➔ 11 vs. 10

Basic strategy charts tell us to double down in situations where we have an edge we can exploit. That includes two-card 11 vs. a dealer's 10. 

Players sometimes shy away from this one for fear of being stuck with a weak card on their one-card draw when any 7 or better can give the dealer a standing hand. Sometimes you will lose two bets at once when you double down. That's always a risk.

But the average result is that doubling on 11 vs. 10 will increase your profits.

If you start with 9-2 vs. a dealer 10-value, the average result of hitting is a profit of 11.7 cents per dollar wagered. Double down, and that increases to 17.4 cents per dollar of your original wager. 

Increases are similar with other 11s, going from 11.8 to 17.7 with 8-3; 11.8 to 17.8 with 7-4; and 11.9 to 17.8 with 6-5.

You don't double your profit. Inability to take a second hit when doubling is a limiting factor. But you do see a nice average increase in profit that makes doubling 11 vs. 10 worth the risk of sometimes losing two bets.

➔ Ace-7 vs. 9

Basic strategy calls for players to hit soft 18 when the dealer shows a 9, 10 or Ace.  

Many players struggle with those plays, thinking of 18 as a solid hand. But on average, 18 is a loser when the dealer shows a 9 or higher. When your 18 is soft, you can hit without busting on the first card, and if you get a bad draw, you can hit again.

Soft 18 vs. dealer 9 gives you the biggest gain among these hands. If you stand, you face a loss that averages 18.3 cents per dollar wagered.

If you hit, you cut that loss almost in half to 9.8 cents.

The other two cases are closer calls. With Ace-7 vs. 10, hitting trims average losses from 18.0 cents to 14.3, and if the dealer has an Ace up, averages are 22.5 cents if you stand and 16.0 if you hit.

➔ Blackjack vs. Ace

When insurance is offered, there's a great temptation to call for even money. You win an amount equal to your wager without risking a push should the dealer have a 10 value down to match your blackjack.

That would be a break-even play if a third of the cards were 10 values, but only 30.8 percent are 10s, Jacks, Queens or Kings. Percentages change as cards are dealt, but only card counters are in position to take advantage of an unusual run that leaves 10s as more than a third of the remaining cards.

For most of us, it's important to understand taking even money means a profit of $1 per $1 wagered. If you skip the insurance and wait for the dealer to play the hand, you'll push sometimes, but you'll win enough 3-2 payoffs to show an average profit of $1.43 per dollar wagered.

Like other basic strategy plays, waiting and hoping the dealer won't turn up the wrong card might put you on edge. But if you want to give yourself the best shot to win, the math can guide you to the best decision.
 

Rolling bones, angling for a nice blackjack, or seeing that roulette wheel land just right. There’s nothing quite like a little gambling to get the blood flowing and bring on some nice feelings of excitement and anticipation.

But why just throw money away? Everyone has seen some poor sap making some of the worst wagers in the casino, metaphorically lighting that cash on fire as the house makes use of a hefty casino edge to separate this player from his hard-earned money.

Of course gamblers can do as they like with their own money and occasionally even defy long odds to collect some winnings. But for those who want to keep some of that cash in their pocket or wagered on some of the better options, here’s a look at some of the worst bets in a casino (note: these are in no particular order). Some come with long odds, big house edges, and some are just unwise because of the opportunity cost.

1 – The Tie is Very Bad in Baccarat

In essence, Baccarat is a card game that sees bettors wagering whether the Player or the Banker will get closest to 9. These can be nice odds among the many bets in a casino, with the house only holding an edge of just 1.06% on the Banker bet and 1.24% on the Player.

However, bettors can also choose the Tie option. This pays out at a nice 8 to 1, but carries a big casino edge of 14.36%. That’s a massive positive for the house and not worth the money. No one likes a tie in sports and no one should like a tie at the Baccarat table.

2 – Say No to ‘Any Seven’

Craps is a game with many wagering options and the table may be a bit overwhelming, with numbers and odds spread out all across the length of the table. The game offers some great wagers with pretty thin house advantages, but also some pretty filthy options that players should stay away from.

Many of these are “one-roll wagers,” meaning a bet on the outcome of the very next roll and that roll alone. The “Any Seven” bet is one of these and as the name implies, you're hoping that a 7 shows up on that next roll of the dice. The bet pays out at 4 to 1 but comes with a really gross 16.67% house edge. Take a pass (Pass Line perhaps?) on the Any Seven.

3 – Don’t Take the 2 and 12

This is yet another of the many wagers available to craps players, but that doesn’t mean you should drop a few chips on another one-roll wager with a beefy house edge. Players have the choice of picking either the 2 or the 12, or worse – picking both!

Hitting either snake eyes (2) or boxcars (12) rewards a handsome payout of 30 to 1, but you’ll face a monstrous house edge of 13.89%. Steer clear of these snake eyes and don’t get derailed by these boxcars.

4 – Kick Keno to the Curb

This is that game you may see in a casino with a few players sitting in chairs checking out a board full of numbers, hoping that one of their own selections will light up. This is, in essence, a lottery game requiring no real skill or special knowledge or gameplay.

The casino may just be taking advantage of that with a gargantuan house advantage from 25-40% depending on the game version. That’s a bankroll-sapping number that isn’t worth the cost of doing business. The good news? The game moves very slowly so at least those losses will be spread out over a longer amount of time.

5 – Wheel of (Mis)Fortune

Don't confuse the classic Wheel of Fortune casino game with the slot version of the popular game show. In Wheel of Fortune, players wager on whether a wheel will land on one of several denominations: $1 (1 to 1 payout), $5, $10, $20, or a Joker (offering an even  bigger payout). Landing on these pays out at 1:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, and 40:1 for the Joker.

This may sound like a little fun, but the house edge certainly doesn’t. Even the even-money payout gives the casino an 11% advantage and it only gets worse from there. The Joker bet checks in at a herculean house advantage of 24%. Players would be advised to spin right past this wheel.

6 – Know Your Strategy

An average Blackjack player already faces a disadvantage of about 2-4%, but that can be cut to as low as .5% for those who know basic strategy and find favorable games. However, those without a clue to the math or strategy of the game are really facing some long odds.

Experts estimate that players not using basic strategy face a house edge of around 15%. Many of these players have little knowledge of the real math behind the game and don’t know what to do in certain situations. They may even split 10s on occasion (don’t do it!). Before jumping in for some 21, bring some basic strategy to the table. 

7 – Say No to Tribal Casino Antes

Casino players already face a house edge when entering the doors on most games, but some tribal casinos in the U.S. ramp that up even more. For example, in Oklahoma Blackjack players must post a 50-cent ante per hand and that goes directly to the house with no chance to win that money back. That may sound like a small amount, but depending on the skill level of the player and the game rules, the ante can deliver a double-digit house edge to the casino.

A player at a $5 table in one of these casinos is actually putting up $5.50 to win only $5. At 60 hands an hour, a player would lose $30-60 no matter how things turn out with the actual cards themselves. Some properties may even require a $1 ante for larger wagers.  That’s a lot to overcome and these games should be avoided.

8 – Avoid the Whirl

As you’ve probably figured out, most of the bets located in the middle of the craps table aren’t your friend. Players tend to face long odds and hefty house edges with these single-roll and hard-way wagers. One of those is the Whirl bet (sometimes called the World bet).

This is another one-roll bet and the player is wagering that a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 will show up on that next roll. The payouts differ and you even push if a 7 is rolled. But with a house edge of 13.33%, the Whirl bet isn’t worth dropping a chip on. Players would be better advised to use those funds to back up a Pass Line bet with more odds. Whirl away at your own peril.

9 – Slots of Fun Can Equal Slots of Losses

Everyone knows slot machines aren’t a great bet despite their popularity and entertainment factor. Some machines can see the house favored by as much as 17 percent. And when players spin those reels faster, players can lose money at an even faster rate.

Look for games and properties with a better RTP (return to player) when heading to a live or online casino for some slot play. Higher denominations can also be better options and often come with better RTP. Playing a bit slower – by sipping a cocktail or chatting with friends – can also make that bankroll last longer and help minimize potential losses.

10 – Blow Past the Big 6 or Big 8

This isn’t the worst bet on this list and there are other craps wagers that are much worse (single-roll bets, hard-ways, and more). But this is just a bad bet based on the opportunity cost of not placing that wager elsewhere on the exact same numbers. These two bets pay out simply at even money when a 6 or 8 is rolled without crapping out.

Many believe these spots originated as introductory bets for women when craps was considered mostly a game for males. However, these bad bets remain on many tables today. Those chips could be wagered better as place bets. By simply making a place bet on the 6 or 8, the bettor earns a return of 7 to 6. Or as odds on a come bet, a player could earn a 6 to 5 payout.

This isn’t a massive difference but adding more winnings over the long haul is always a better option for the exact same numbers. There’s nothing really “big” about the Big 6 and Big 8. Take a look at other options.
 

Tells aren't just for the poker table. Tells are part of the blackjack card counting world, and avoiding telegraphing your play is crucial to having a successful advantage blackjack career.  Here I’m going to discuss some common counter tells. 

Bet Spreads

One clear sign that gives away card counters is their bet spreads. This is the difference in the highest bet you place and the lowest bet you place. For those of you that don't know much about card counting in general the goal is to bet more when the count is positive (the deck favors the player because more large cards – Aces and 10-count cards remain) and less or not at all when the count is negative (the deck favors the dealer because there are more small count cards remaining – 2s thru 6s). 

There is no rule on what kind of spreads will get noticed. That varies from casino to casino, possibly even shift to shift, but spreading 10 times your minimum bet will likely draw attention. Four or five times your minimum bet is pretty manageable. Don't get greedy.

Splitting face cards or 10s when the count is high will get you noticed. Only idiots or counters split a 20. Basic strategy tells us to never split 10s. There are instances where deviating from basic strategy is very profitable but for the most part the gain from deviation is minimal. 

Taking Insurance

Basic strategy says to never take insurance. When the dealer has an Ace up-card showing, you'll be asked if you want to take insurance. Remember insurance pays 2:1 and you can make this separate bet for up to half your original bet. If the dealer has blackjack you lose your original bet, but win the insurance bet at 2:1.

Most people that take insurance do it for the wrong reason and are often rewarded for doing so. Most recreational players take insurance when they have a good hand, such as 20. However, they aren't really insuring their 20; they are betting that the dealer has a blackjack. Except for card counting purposes, the player's hand is irrelevant. In fact, if you are holding a pair of face cards, the dealer's chance of having a blackjack is decreased (-2 toward the running count). 

Taking insurance is common among the general blackjack playing world. However, when combined with a large bet that has been increasing, it's probably the most obvious play that is outside the realm of normal plays that card counters will make. It may give off red flags, but a counter will still take insurance.

Surrendering a Hand

Surrender is very hard to find on most blackjack tables the past decade. Chances are most players don't understand it, much less know how to use it properly. When a player surrenders they exchange their first two cards for half their original wager and are no longer involved in the round. It is a favorable player option when used properly. 

Just because it's offered, I've found few players take advantage of the surrender option. If you do, and do it correctly, you are identifying yourself as a smart player. If you are a smart player, you might be a card counter.

Play It Cool

One of the easiest ways to be identified as a card counter is to be too uptight or to act paranoid. Learn to keep the running count and carry on a simple conversation. You don't have to talk much, but say “hello” and make the occasional comment. The game is supposed to be fun. There's nothing wrong with smiling after a winning hand or congratulating the table when the dealer busts and everyone wins. 

Learn to talk to the dealer and pit boss. Don't be surprised if they ask you where you're from or what you do for a living. Chances are they are just making small talk. Tell them the truth if you like. They probably could care less. I find it best to get the other party talking by turning the tables and getting them to do the talking.

Be cool at the tables and never let them see you sweat. You should be aware of your surroundings and what is going on in the pit area as well as if your table is being watched closely. However, you aren't doing anything wrong if you are card counting, but it's best to not have to go that route.

Avoid suspicious behavior and blend in like any other "dumb gambler." After all, you want to continue to play your favorite game and for the stakes you are comfortable playing, not to mention you want your ratings slip to get into the computer so you can claim whatever comps your play has entitled you to.

Also, DO NOT move your lips or mouth the words when you are counting. For the record, it happens, especially when starting out. Practice at home by listening to loud music or watching television while you silently count down a deck of cards with a smile on your face while singing along or talking to the TV.

Remember, everything in the casino is pretty much there to distract you. Don't let it. If you lose the count, there's no shame in flat betting until the shuffle.

Concepts to Remember

Here we examined some common actions that might identify you as a card counter. Card counting isn't illegal, but is probably the casino manager's biggest fear. Casinos are incredibly paranoid about card counters. That is the biggest reason blackjack conditions have eroded so much in the past years. You have to play, but don't make it easy for them to identify you as a counter.

To summarize:

• You might be a card counter if you spread your bet amounts up and down aggressively. Keep the ranges between four to six units. Don't get greedy. 
• You might be a card counter if you split 10s. Nobody splits 10s; do they? 
• You might be a card counter if you take insurance, especially on big bets. Why do you think I'm betting big anyway? 
• You might be a card counter if you routinely surrender hands correctly. Nobody even knows what surrender is, right?
• You might be a card counter if you are paranoid. Be cool.
   

Practically every craps system has an internal logic that makes sense to the people who use it in casinos.

If you place 6 and 8 at the same time, you have 10 ways to win and only six ways to lose, right? If you bet pass and don’t pass at the same time, then lay odds on don’t without taking them on pass, don’t you have your big bets down when you’re favored to win?

And if you bet don’t pass, then lay odds on 4, 5, 9 or 10 but not on 6 and 8, aren’t you skipping the numbers that are most in the shooter’s favor?

Every one of those systems comes with a big “Yes … but …”

There are flaws in the logic that disguise the reality of the unchanging house edge.

Let’s take a closer look at each.

Placing 6 and 8

It’s true as far as it goes that when you place 6 and 8 at the same time, there are 10 ways to win and only six ways to lose.

If you the shooter rolls a 6 before he rolls a 7, you have five ways to win: five on the first die, one on the second; four on the first die, two on the second; three on each die; two on the first, four on the second; and one on the first, five on the second.

If the shooter rolls an 8 before a 7, you have five ways to win there, too – the five ways to roll 8.

That’s 10 ways to win when you play both at the same time. The six ways to roll 7 are the only ways to lose.

That glosses over the fatal flaw: Any 7 costs you two bets at once.

If you bet $6 on 6 and $6 on 8 to take advantage of the 7-6 odds paid to winners, you win $7 on any of the five 6s and $7 on any of the five 8s, a total of $70 with average results. But you lose $12 on any of the six 7s, a total of $72.

The result is that the house has the same 1.52% edge on the combination as it has on either bet.

Pass and Don’t Pass at the Same Time, Lay Odds on the Don’t Side

This time the theory is multifaceted: pass and don’t pass cancel each other out. Once a point is established, don’t pass is favored to win and pass is favored to lose. So the extra factor beyond the bets offsetting each other are the lay odds, and they only come into effect when favored to win.

➔    Flaw No. 1: Pass and don’t pass are not exact opposites and do not cancel each other out.

The key is the comeout roll, where pass bettors win on the six ways to roll 7 and two ways to roll 11, and lose on the one way to roll 2, two ways to roll 3 and one way to roll 12.

That’s eight ways to win and four ways to lose.

Don’t pass bettors lose on the eight 7s and 11s and win on the one 2 and two 3s, but they don’t win on the 12. When the shooter rolls a 12 on the comeout, don’t pass bets push.

So if you bet pass and Don’t pass at the same time, the comeout brings 11 wins (eight on pass, three on don’t pass), but 12 losses (four on pass, eight on don’t pass).

If the roll is anything other than 7, 11, 2, 3 or 12, that number becomes the point, and point numbers do offset between pass and don’t pass. Once there’s a point, every pass win is a don’t pass loss, and vice versa.

But the difference in comeout wins/losses assures the house of an edge against anyone who tries to bet both sides.

➔    Flaw No. 2: While it is true that don’t pass is the favorite once a point is established, laying the odds does not give you an edge.

When you lay odds, you are giving the house true odds. If the point is 6, for example, you have six ways to win and five ways to lose. You must lay odds in those proportions, betting $6 for every $5 you hope to win.

In an average 11 decisions with 6 as the point, a don’t bettor could expect to win six times and lose 5. If you bet $6 on each, you’d win $5 on each of the six wins for a total of $30. You’d lose $5 on each of the six losses, also a total of $30.

So to break down your total wagers, when betting both pass and don’t pass and laying odds on the don’ts you lose money on the comeout, your pass and come bet offset each other on the point numbers, and your wins and losses on the lay odds also offset.

The system can be fun to play and there will be some winning times, but overall, with average results, it will lose money because of the comeout situation.

Don’t Pass, Lay Odds Only on 4, 5, 9 and 10

Players who use this system are working on the assumption that 6 and 8 are shooters’ numbers and therefore numbers to avoid for don’t players.

After all, place bets on 6 and 8 are among the better bets in the house, and pass players do like to see the shooter roll those numbers. They are the most frequent winners for those betting with the shooter.

However, don’t pass bettors are the favorites on 6 and 8 just as they are on any other point number.

They’re bigger favorites on other numbers. On either 4 or 10, they have two ways to win for every one way to lose; on 5 or 9, they have three ways to win for every two ways to lose; and on 6 or 8 it’s six ways to win per five ways to lose.

To translate into odds-to-1 in favor of the don’t pass bettor, it’s 2:1 on 4 or 10; 1.5:1 on 5 or 9; and 1.2:1 on 6 or 8.

Lay odds are set up so they pay at true odds. There is no house edge and no player edge on that portion of your wager.

However, if the object of the exercise is to maximize your wager whenever you are the favorite to win, that would be on every point number.

It’s not true that 6 and 8 are shooters’ numbers or pass players’ numbers. They favor don’t pass players – just by a smaller margin than other point numbers.
 

When craps players want to bet on numbers 4 or 10,  and sometimes on 5 or 9, they might ask themselves, “Is it time to buy?”

The answer might depend on local conditions.

Buy bets give players an opportunity to get lower house edges on 4 or 10 than on place bets, but not all casinos are created equal.

Some collect a 5 percent commission on all buys, while some collect it only on winning bets. And a select few allow you to push the envelope with commissions of less than 5%, depending on your bet size.

The Basics

You win and lose on buy bets in the same way as on place bets. If the shooter rolls your number before rolling a 7, you win. If a 7 comes up before you number, you lose.

The wrinkle is that in exchange for paying a 5% commission, winning bets pay true odds. Most commonly, you pay the commission regardless of whether you win or lose.

If you win a $20 place bet on 4 or 10, it pays 9-5 odds, so you win $36. But if you pay a $1 commission, then your buy bet is paid at true odds of 2-1, so your $20 bet would bring $40 in winnings.

Note that including the commission, you’re actually risking a total of $21, so there is still a house edge. But if you’re buying 4 or 10, that edge is lower than on a place bet.

The house edge on place bets on 4 or 10 is 6.67%. Paying the commission reduces the house edge to 4.76%.

There are still many bets with lower house edges, but if 4 or 10 are the numbers you want, buying them gives you a better deal than placing them.

Not so with the other box numbers, 5, 6, 8 and 9. On those, the house edges on place bets are lower than the 5% commission, so buying the numbers increases the house edge.

On 6 or 8, the house edge on place bets is 1.52%, and on 5 or 9 it’s 4%. If you buy the numbers instead, the house edge rises to 4.76% on all those numbers provided you’re paying the commission on losses as well as wins.

Commission Only on Winning Bets

If you’re paying the commission only on winning bets, the odds shift significantly. The change goes a long way toward making buy bets viable wagers in comparison to others on the table.

If the point is 4, you win on the three combinations that total 4 and lose on the six combinations totaling 7, so you win a third of the time. 

Paying a 5% commission once per three wagers is the equivalent of a 1.67% commission overall, and that represents the house edge. It’s the same deal with 10. On either 4 or 10, if the house takes a commission only on winners, the house edge on buy bets is 1.67% – not far above the 1.41% on the pass line or the 1.52% on place bets on 6 or 8.

Similarly, 5 or 9 win four times per six losses, and paying a 5% commission only on winners drops the effective commission on all bets to 2%. 

So on 5 or 9, if the house collects its commission only on winners, the house edge when buying 5 or 9 is 2%, half the edge on placing those numbers.

But on 6 or 8, where there are five winners per six losers, a 5% commission per win spread over 11 wagers is 2.27%. You’re still better off than sticking with place bets at 1.52%.

Pushing the Envelope

The $20 bet in the example at the top of this article was chosen because 5% of that is $1. The house doesn’t make change for less than $1 at the table. If you make a $5 buy bet, you’re still going to pay a $1 commission, so for you, the commission is a whopping 20%.

Obviously, you don’t want to do that. At any level where the commission is a higher percentage of your bet than the house edge, you’re hurting yourself by buying instead of placing.

But it can work the other way, too. What if you want to make a buy bet for $25 or some other amount of less than $40? Will the casino bump the commission up to $2 or let you pay a $1 commission?

That’s an issue Frank Scoblete and Jerry “Stickman” have tackled in the "Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!" and "I Am a Dice Controller" books. They have found tables that will accept $1 commissions on $25 wagers, and less commonly, on wagers up to  $39.

Such deals are not advertised. It’s something you’d have to ask about before you bet.

What’s that do to the house edge? Let’s use 4 as an example, though the same arithmetic applies if the number is 10.

When your number is 4, you win one of every three decisions. There are three ways to make four – 1-3, 2-2 and 3-1 – and six ways to make a loser 7.

If you make a $25 bet and add a $1 commission, then per three decisions you invest $78. Winners are paid at true odds of 2-1, so on your one win, you keep the $25 wager and get $50 in winnings. After the three decisions, you have $75 of your original $78. The house has $3 – the three commissions.

Divide the $3 house take by the $78 invested, then multiply by 100 to convert to percent, and you get a house edge of 3.84%, better than the 4.76% it would be if you bought the 4 for $20.

What if the house charges the commission only on winners? Then, per three decisions, you wager $25 three times but pay only one $1 commission, for a total investment of $76. After your one win, you still have $75 of your investment, but the house has only $1.

The house edge is $1 divided by $76, multiplied by 100. That comes to 1.32%, lower than the 1.67% when buying the 4 for $20 with commissions paid only on winners.

The larger the wager while holding the line on a $1 commission, the lower the house edge. If you find the rare casino that will charge only $1 when buying for $39, the house edge is 2.5% with the commission on all wagers, or 0.85% with commissions only on winners.

With 5 or 9, true odds are 3-2. Odd-number bets would bring winnings in fractions of dollars, let’s use even numbers instead. If you buy for $24 and pay a $1 commission only on winners, the house edge is 1.64%. Buy for $38, and that drops to 1.04%.

On 6 or 8, true odds are 6-5, and you want winnings divisible by five. Buy for $25 and pay a $1 commission only on winners, and the 1.78% house edge is still higher than the 1.52% on place bets. Buy for $35, and the edge drops to 1.28%, so there is a potential edge reduction, but only at casinos that allow $1 commissions on such a high bet.

If your numbers are 6 and 8, sticking with place bets and ignoring the buys is the way to go nearly all the time.

Other numbers are another matter, You’re better off buying than placing 4 or 10 any time, and better off buying 5 or 9 provided commission is paid only on winners. If the house will let you push the envelope with $1 commissions on larger than $20 bets – and your bankroll is large enough that the bigger risk won’t hurt you – so much the better.