Winners, not losers, pay the electric bills
Dear
Mark,
I've heard from other individuals and read from you about
the "house edge" when it comes to certain casino
games. So, if you wouldn't mind, can you explain to me how
the house advantage on a roulette table is determined? Michael
K.
The
casino's edge or advantage is different from game to game
and from the distinct wagers on those games.
The best way to understand the concept of the casino advantage
is to think of it as a hidden tax when you win a bet, NOT
when you lose your wager. Yes, Michael, you are reading
this correctly! It is when you win that the casino reaches
for your wallet. By not receiving a fair payout for a winning
wager, you are charged this secret levy that you probably
don't realize you're paying.
In roulette, a fair payout on a $1 winning number is $37.
However, the casino only pays you $35. It retains the extra
$2, giving the house its 5.26% advantage. It is that $2
into the casino's coffers that gives the casino its profits.
Your goal as a smart casino player is to lessen this concealed
charge. By reducing the casino advantage with bets that
carry a low house edge, you will minimize your losses and
have a much better chance of winning.
Dear
Mark,
I played a game called Bayou BlackJack in Louisiana where
the dealer shows both of his cards before you take your
first hit. Do you know where this game is played in Las
Vegas? Hal G.
A
place you don't want to be. Also called Double Exposure
blackjack, this is yet another variation of blackjack in
which the rule changes are not always in the player's best
interest. The biggest modification from conventional blackjack
is that both the dealer cards are dealt face-up. However,
because you view both of the dealer's up-cards, the playing
rules are adjusted to favor the casino more than standard
blackjack. This includes paying blackjacks at even money,
doubling down permitted only on 9, 10, 11; and insurance,
re-splits and surrender are not allowed.
Also, all tie hands result in a loss with the exception
of a player's blackjack. It beats a dealer's snapper.
Because of these rule changes, Hal, Bayou Blackjack is not
as auspicious as traditional casino blackjack. It's a game
worth avoiding.
Dear
Mark,
Are there any advantages to playing on a video blackjack
machine versus a live action game? P. J.
Sure,
if you split 10s against a dealer 6 on a video game, no
fellow player can verbally violate you.
Seriously, unless you find a machine that pays you the true
value of a blackjack (3 for 2), look at most video blackjack
machines with a jaundiced eye. Most machines pay even money
on natural 21s. Because you can expect a snapper every 21
hands in live play, the loss of that bonus will cost you
an additional 2.3 percent. Considering that blackjack has
a house advantage of less than .5 percent to a knowledgeable
player, you are giving away the farm here.
Other machines round down on blackjack payoffs. If you do happen to find a machine that pays the bonus for a blackjack, make wagers in even amounts so you can get the maximum value of a blackjack (a payoff of $3 for every $2 wagered). And what will a dollar wagered get you for a blackjack? Just a buck, so always bet in two-unit increments.
The advantage of a video blackjack machine vs. a live game is the low minimum bankroll requirement needed to play. I've seen 5¢ and many 25¢ video blackjack games on the casino floor. They also lack the intimidation factor of a live game, plus they make excellent practice session mates where you can work on perfect basic strategy.
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