Swain Scheps - Casino Gambling For Dummies

Blackjack (also called 21 ) has been the most popular table game in casinos for nearly 60 years. The card game always draws a loyal crowd because it’s easy to understand, provides good camaraderie, and offers great odds (around a 1percent house edge if you play your cards right). If you memorize blackjack’s basic strategy (that is, the optimal way to play every hand), your chances of winning at blackjack are better than at virtually any other game in the casino.

Blackjack also is intriguing because each hand is like a movie clip — with you as the star. Each game has an opening scene (the deal), the simmering suspense (the dealer’s hidden card), the moment of truth when the hero (you!) makes a dramatic choice, and finally, the conclusion, where the hero wins or loses. The trick, of course, is to have more happy endings than tragedies. ( Chapter 7provides a thorough look at the best blackjack strategies.)

This dice game draws a raucous crowd and has many of the best bets in the casino. Some guests find the noise and the complex layout of craps to be a little intimidating. But before you slink back to your comfort zone, consider this fact: The house advantage is low in craps, making this game a great bet. Just be sure you stick with the best craps bets.

Furthermore, craps is like a sporting event, with its dramatic swings of luck, high-fives, backslaps, and noisy cheering section. Every roll has a home team (players who bet with the dice) and an opposing team (wrong-way bettors) that gets dirty looks and ridicules from the hometown fans. Now, if they just had those big foam We’re No. 1 fingers, the experience would be complete (though it would make rolling the dice a little harder). For more on craps, check out Chapter 8.

The spinning wheel of roulette symbolizes the world of casino gambling. This popular, entry-level game is ideal for novice gamblers because it requires absolutely no skill, concentration, or complex strategies. You simply bet on the number or possible numbers the ball will land on. A table full of players can be quite sociable, although not as rowdy as a craps game. Roulette gives you a chance to play your eccentric hunches on a single number, a combination of numbers, or on an even-money wager that can just extend your playing session. Refer to Chapter 9for more on roulette.

Although blackjack and poker appeal to the masses, baccarat is a card game that traditionally drew a more ‘civilized’ crowd. But don’t be intimidated; everyone is welcome, even if you don’t own a tuxedo. Check out baccarat for a game that’s simple to play (just bet on the bank) and has fair odds. For the complete lowdown on baccarat, read Chapter 10.

Beyond the traditional favorites, several other table games have developed a strong following. Today, most casinos intersperse Caribbean Stud poker, Let It Ride, Pai Gow, and three-card poker tables throughout their pits.

These games are fun diversions when you need a change of pace, but a word of caution: Don’t play too long. These games have odds that may make you wish you’d gotten mugged instead of going gambling. Unless you have a passion for these games (along with a bottomless bank account), don’t make a habit of playing them. You’ll learn why in Chapter 11.

For some folks, the intimidation factor of table games is too much to bear. It’s heartbreaking, yes, but luckily nearly all casino operators — through the goodness of their hearts — thoughtfully accommodate shy gamblers by supplying acres of go-solo gaming machines.

Not only are casinos normally filled to the brim with slot machines, video poker, and other solo games, but you can also find automated, dealer-free versions of the table games. Even the timidest gambler can enjoy a satisfying time at these machines. There’s no bluffing by other players, no angry gamblers if you hit or stand at the wrong time, no pressure to tip the dealer after a big win, and no embarrassment about breaking table rules. The lone gambler squares off against a machine (or, in the case of the loony gambler, against several machines at once).

Just remember that the best and worst that the casino has to offer are often sitting side by side. We’ll cover the no-dealer version of each table game in that game’s chapter. This section looks more closely at slot machines and video poker, which are two entirely different beasts. They have very different rules and very different odds. This section also briefly discusses keno and bingo.

At one time, slot machines were simple devices. You put a coin in, you pulled a lever, and the reels spun. When they stopped, you heard the soothing sounds of clinking coins … or painful silence. Sure, you spent only a nickel or a quarter, but that silence was so painful that you couldn’t help but put in another coin.

If you’ve been in a casino recently, you know how everything about gaming machines has changed. The humble one-armed bandit is now a sophisticated robotic master thief with enough computing power to fly a mission to Mars. This soulless adversary even plays you a little song while it gleefully sucks up all your coins (or bills). Sure, the games still have some reminders from the past (like fruit or bells on the paylines), but today’s slots are digital, not mechanical. The most popular game in the casino is essentially a noisy, elaborate video game and offers some of the worst odds in the house.

Slot machines occupy all that space on the casino floor for a good reason — people love to pump money into them, and they’re available in practically any denomination — from pennies to dollars. If you’re a person who just can’t say no to their alluring call, make sure you read Chapter 12, so you can pick a worthy game with a better-than-average payout table.

Like slots, video poker offers a solo gambling experience, yet the two games are very different. Slots are primarily about luck, but video poker requires a certain amount of skill and technique. And just because you’ve played some kitchen-table Five-Card Draw with your Aunt Beatrice, don’t assume you can break the bank at video poker. Several variations confront the casino guest, and you want to master the strategies before you decide whether to hold ’em or fold ’em.

The strategies for video poker can be a little complicated (see Chapter 13), but the reward for that extra work is worth it. Video poker offers perhaps the best odds of any game in the house — at least for those who play correctly.

Keno and bingo have many similarities, and both have a long history and a loyal following. Longtime gamblers know keno as a casino staple and a great way to stay in action while sipping on your soup in the coffee shop. Bingo is less common in big casinos, but it’s making a comeback in some states and has become very popular overseas.