 Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter! Alan Krigman Archives
More Strategy Experts
|
Alan Krigman Gaming Guru - Page 13  Do payoffs always track the odds overcome to win a bet?18 July 2011
Payoffs on casino wagers generally track the odds against winning them. At double-zero roulette, for instance, odds are 37-to-1 on a single-spot straight-up for a 35-to-1 payoff, 35-to-3 (11.67-to-1) on a three-number row for an 11-to-1 payoff, and 26-to-12 (2.17-to-1) on a 12-number column for a 2-to-1 payoff. ... (read more)
What's so bad about splitting pairs of 10s in blackjack?11 July 2011
The most frequently occurring pairs in blackjack are 10s. The probability of receiving such a pair is 9.40 percent. Against a dealer’s 10, it’s 2.85 percent, against any other rank it’s 0.73 percent individually and 6.55 percent collectively.
The “book” decrees standing on the 20 and not splitting the pair. ... (read more)
To win big bucks, parlays can beat playing the slots4 July 2011
More casino visitors, by far, play slot machines than table games. One reason is that the slots are simpler and less intimidating. Almost anyone can figure out just what to do, with hardly any – often no – instructions. Another reason, arguably more important for solid citizens who gamble often enough so the ... (read more)
Match play promotions are better than you may think27 June 2011
Make believe your friendly neighborhood casino wants to boost its minibaccarat action. So the joint sends you and some other specially-selected solid citizens $100 in “match play” coupons. The coupons are good only for $10 or higher bets on Player at minibaccarat.
In case you’re foggy about the fine ... (read more)
What's the edge on Buy bets at craps?20 June 2011
Casinos mint money by paying proportionately less to winners win than they collect from losers. The usual mechanism is the “edge” – a function of what few players realize is a ubiquitous offset between payoff ratio and odds against winning. As an example, at craps, a Place bet on the four loses six ways (a seven pops: 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1) and wins three (a four shows: 1-3, 2-2, 3-1). ... (read more)
How does the “count” in blackjack affect the edge?13 June 2011
House edge in blackjack arises from the “double bust.” Players finish their hands before dealers. A player who busts therefore loses, even if the dealer subsequently does, too.
When ranks of cards in the supply to be dealt are in their original proportions, drawing to all totals below 17 and standing at or above this level – except for hitting soft 17 – yields 28 percent chance of busting. ... (read more)
Does withdrawal without replacement change your expectation?6 June 2011
Pretend you’re at a slot machine when a message pops onto the screen saying you and three other lucky patrons have been chosen to participate in a free drawing for cash prizes. You check with your host and learn that the game involves five envelopes, each containing one of $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500, and $100. ... (read more)
When do losses from edge overwhelm what you can earn from volatility?30 May 2011
Pretend you make a bet whose chances are 15 percent to win 5-to-1, and 85 percent to lose. The house’s edge or advantage is 10 percent. Say you bet $10 five times. You’ll finish between $50 down and $250 up. The edge would cost you $5.00, 10 percent of the $50 gross wager. In this small set of trials, though, you won’t notice it. ... (read more)
Would bettors bust out if the house had no edge?23 May 2011
Everyone knows why solid citizens always lose to casinos. It’s because the house has an edge or advantage in the games. Of course, “always” losing applies to players collectively. Individuals may have rounds, sessions, visits, and even extended periods when gambling is lucrative. The bosses bank on huge numbers of decisions for the edge to earn them a net profit. ... (read more)
Straighten out your lucky tie before entering the casino16 May 2011
You’re hardly alone when you carry or wear a lucky charm into the casino, use a number that’s worked before in deciding how to bet, play more confidently after experiencing a good omen, consult your family haruspex to ascertain when punting will be propitious, or mumble a sure-fire incantation while awaiting the result of a coup. ... (read more)
< Previous 10 Articles | Next 10 Articles > Alan Krigman |
Alan Krigman |