Casino gambling is exciting and fun and can even be a bit nerve-racking. You can increase your odds of winning by knowing which games to play. You can keep your cool and save as much money as you can by knowing which games to avoid and which to play. By managing your money well, you can extend your playing time.
Playing games with good odds
Four casino games provide decent odds for gamblers. If you bet $100 on these casino games, the average loss is only a dollar. The odds aren’t enough to retire, but they can stretch your budget as far as you can, even if it’s a small one.
Plan accordingly. Neither gambling nor life offers guarantees. Your actual daily results could be very different from your theoretical loss.
Video poker Jacks or Better (the 9/6 Version)
When you get paid 9-to-1 for a complete house and 6-to-1 for a straight, then Jacks or Better Video Poker is full-pay. Check the payouts when you are looking for a video poker machine. The 9/6 version will be the most rewarding. Some tips for playing the game well are:
- Play the maximum amount of coins for the best odds, even if you have to find machines that accept nickels or quarters.
- Never keep a Kicker (a high card along with a pair).
- If you have four cards in a flush or three cards in a royal flush, discard the small pair.
Blackjack
To win at blackjack, you need to have better cards than your dealer. Your cards should add up to at least 21. Remember these tips:
- Play with the fewest number of cards.
- Avoid games that offer 6-to-5 payouts on blackjack. Look for games that pay 3 to 2.
- Split or double down if you can when the dealer has a poor card (from 2 to 6).
- When the dealer shows 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, you should stand on 13 to 16.
- When the dealer has a seven or higher, you can hit 12 to 16.
- Insurance is not something you should ever take.
- Avoid side bets that are gimmicky. The house edge may be high, even though they promise a large payout.
Craps
The first roll of a new player is called the come-out. Other players bet for or against a shooter who throws a number twice before throwing 7. Avoiding bets that have a high house advantage and sticking to these bets is the best strategy.
- Pass Line Bet with Full Odds
- Bet with full odds.
- Bet on Don’t Pass with full odds.
- Don’t come bet at full odds.
Baccarat
This game is fun and has a low house advantage despite its reputation of being a game only for the elite. Each hand has only three outcomes, and the game is purely based on the card’s fall. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Choose the banker to get the lowest house advantage (1,06 per cent).
- You can also wager on the banker’s hand. The house edge, at 1.24 per cent, is just a little bit worse than that of the banker’s hands.
How to avoid bad bets disguised
Even though some casino games are more secure than others, they still have versions or wagers that can drain your wallet. Avoid these casino game versions or bets:
- This version of Jack or better video poker is 6/5. The payouts for medium hands are skewed. Play only Jacks or better, 9/6.
- Blackjack — the insurance bet. This side bet gives a 2-to-1 payout when the dealer is dealt a blackjack. However, the true odds of this bet are closer to 2.2-1, which makes it a losing wager over time. Who needs insurance when playing to win?
- Craps – one-throw betting: The big 6, 8, and field are the most profitable bets. They have a high house edge. Stick to Pass, Don’t pass, Come and Don’t Come wagers, where you are betting for or against the shooter if he hits a number two times before rolling a 7
- You can place bets on the outcome of the game. The house edge is more than 14 per cent.
Avoid these games at all costs.
You know that when you gamble in a casino, the odds are almost always in favour of the casino. The house has an advantage in the games that have the worst bets. If you don’t care about your bankroll, avoid these games.
- Three-Card Poker
- Let it Ride
- Red Dog
- Roulette
- Big Six Wheel
- Keno
How to manage money in a casino
Successful casino gamblers know the math behind games. However, knowledge is only useful if you have the discipline to manage money. These tips will help you stay in the safe zone.
- Never use a credit card to gamble. Borrowing money is the fastest way to ruin your finances.
- Do not gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. Doing so is a big mistake.
- Establish and stick to your budget. Write the number on your forehead, if necessary, but leave the casino when you reach it.
- Limit the time you spend playing. Breaks keep your brain sharp.
- If you gamble only a few days a year, it can be tempting to play long sessions. However, your body and bankroll may not be able to cope with the 24/7 casino schedule. So, make sure you get enough rest and sleep.
- Drink alcohol in moderation while gambling. Casinos are tolerant of cannabis users and offer free drinks. Gamblers who are under the influence of alcohol lose more.
- What goes up must come down. When players become greedy, casino profits increase. It is better to quit with a modest win than lose your shirt.
- Avoid playing games that you do not understand. The fastest way to lose money is to play a game whose rules or strategies are confusing.
- Do not lie about your casino wins and losses.