Swain Scheps - Casino Gambling For Dummies

Starting to sound like the first session of a foreign language course? Don’t worry; it’s much easier than you think. Look for the following conventions in this book to help you:

When a new gambling-specific word shows up, it will be italicized just before its definition.

The most important tips and warnings will have their own logos.

The appendix contains a helpful summary of resources you can use when you’re ready to go.

Bold text indicates keywords in bulleted lists or highlights the action parts of numbered lists.

If you only care about the games, you can skip the sidebars (framed in gray boxes) throughout the book. They serve as asides, anecdotes, or examples, but they aren’t critical to your understanding of the game. In many cases, however, they clarify the principles and tactics in that chapter.

People pick up this book when they’re gambling-curious or when their travel partner is a gambler and is tired of explaining how to count up a blackjack hand. Maybe this fits you to a tee, maybe it doesn’t, but here goes:

You’re preparing for an upcoming visit to a casino and want to understand the basics and correct protocol before entering that foreign world.

You may be familiar with most games, but you simply want some tips to improve your performance and skills.

You want to win when you gamble in a casino.

You also just want to have fun. (Sure, casino gambling is entertainment, but it’s a lot more fun when chips are flowing in your direction.)

Are you an expert who doesn’t really identify with these assumptions? Don’t worry. We’ll cover a few advanced tidbits for the more experienced gambler as well, so you don’t feel left out.

Icons are a signature feature of For Dummies books. They help draw your eye to specific types of information. And after you have read the book, the icons provide a great guide for a final review before hitting the casino.

This bull’s-eye denotes a suggestion that can potentially save money, win money, or help you play better. Mastering these tidbits can keep you on the winning road.

Casinos have numerous pitfalls that trap novice gamblers. This icon acts as a caution, a red light that guides you away from an action or aspect of gambling that’s potentially harmful.

When you see this sign, look for critical information that you want to take away with you — key concepts that come up repeatedly when you’re gambling. Remembering these pointers can help you stay on the road to success.

Cheat Sheet:On the Cheat Sheet, which you can find by searching for this book’s title at www.dummies.com/ , you’ll find the inside line on casinos, sports betting, horse racing, and much more. Start your transformation from Zach Galifianakis to Bugsy Siegel right here!

The best place to begin is Part I because it sets up the remaining chapters. From there, just pick the chapters that appeal to you. Scan the table of contents or index and find the topics that interest you. Feel free to frolic — while everyone seeks the same destination, there are no rigid road maps to follow in Casino Gambling For Dummies .

And, of course, there are no guarantees that this book will lead you to a monster jackpot. But knowledge really is power in a casino. As long as you’ve come to learn about the good, the bad, and the glitzy, you’ve come to the right place. And odds are, even if you don’t come out a winner, this book can guide you toward a great casino experience.

Part 1

IN THIS PART …

Learn how casinos work and how you can work the casinos.

Prepare yourself for what to expect when you visit a casino.

Get the skinny on your chances of success and which games offer the best odds.

Learn how to manage — and stretch — your gambling bankroll.

Chapter 1

IN THIS CHAPTER

Entering the world of casino gambling

Tallying up the casino’s many offerings

Pinpointing casinos on the gambling map

Testing your gambling aptitude

In spite of the popularity of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer during golf’s first golden era, Gary Player was always a fan favorite. The South African’s diminutive size made for a less-than-intimidating physical presence in the tee box. But Player’s welterweight appearance belied a heavyweight swing.

Believe it or not, casino gambling is a lot like golf. And, no, not because both games are about going for the green. Golf is all about technique, skill, and knowledge. And masters of the game are inspiring to watch. With swings as graceful and elegant as a ballet dancer’s leap, they make each challenging stroke look effortless. The pros seem to play as smoothly as those on the PGA tour. But, as in golf, the successful player has gathered important knowledge and studied effective strategies to finesse the outcome in their favor.

In other words, casino pros aren’t winners just because they’re lucky, any more than Jordan Spieth is a golf god because the angels of the green have smiled upon him. The greats of the poker tournament circuit may look like they could take the table in their sleep — but they’re skilled, savvy, and have studied the game diligently.

It’s okay if you’re not planning to become the Jordan Spieth of blackjack … or the Brooks Koepka of Keno … or the Xander Schauffele of slots (say that ten times fast). Your gambling aspirations should look like your golf ambitions: Play a little better, win more often, and enjoy the experience as much as possible. And you have every reason to believe that you can attain your goal. But success requires knowledge, strategy, and some skill. You’ve come to the right place. This chapter (and book) can provide the preparation you need to help you find your swing in the casino.

The first secret to gambling success is to understand the inner workings of the casino world before you’re seduced by the flash and dazzle. Casinos are sophisticated and highly successful enterprises — and they don’t get that way by giving away money. Your best bet, then, is to be aware of basic casino operations so you can manipulate the experience to your advantage.

They see you coming from miles away. They know exactly who you are, how much money you make, what you like and dislike, and whether you’re married, single, or divorced. Who are these omniscient watchers who track your secrets? The IRS? CIA? Al-Qaeda?