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Alan Krigman Gaming Guru - Page 48  Why Many Seasoned Players Insure their Blackjacks10 February 2004
The house gets a high edge on insurance bets in blackjack. So most gaming gurus
tell players not to make them. But lots of solid citizens, including many seasoned
veterans, do so anyway. Especially when they have blackjacks themselves and insurance
is a guarantee of "even money." Why is the rule so often flouted?
Think about this hypothetical situation. ... (read more)
What Shift in Instances of Sevens Gets You the Edge at Craps?3 February 2004
Craps hinges on the seven. Except on one-roll and "hardways" bets, this
is the number most desired or dreaded. And when money's on Pass or Come, players
first desire then dread it; conversely for those who prefer Don't Pass or Don't
Come.
In an unbiased game, the seven is expected to occur on the average of once
in every six throws. ... (read more)
Proportional Betting Can Limit Losses while Enhancing Gains27 January 2004
No betting scheme can create an advantage in a negative expectation game. However,
solid citizens can shape their sessions by the way they wager, for instance to
trade probabilities of wins and losses with the associated amounts.
Bettors who have or think they have an edge, such as blackjack card ... (read more)
Why "Doubling for Less" Isn't Always as Dumb as They Say20 January 2004
Blackjack buffs are betting with an advantage over the house when "the book"
tells them to double down. So, conventional wisdom has it that those who "double
for less" are being foolish.
This, for two reasons. First, players have an edge on the extra bet, so expected
profit is most with the biggest possible outlay. ... (read more)
Can You Size Your Bets for Maximum Happiness?13 January 2004
What if you had some cash stashed in a cookie jar and a chance to gamble with
it when you had (or thought you had) an advantage? That is, with a payoff multiple
greater than the odds you're fighting to win. How do you decide how much of it
to bet?
You have the edge, but could easily lose. So you want ... (read more)
Happiness and the Art of Sizing Bets6 January 2004
Bet size relative to a player's bankroll influences the chances of surviving a
session of desired duration, and also of reaching a win goal, as opposed to busting
out. Even more, bet size affects the happiness to be expected from a gamble. The
idea is to pick an amount that balances the pleasure of adding a win to a purse
against the pain of subtracting a loss from it. ... (read more)
How to Extend Your Playing Time30 December 2003
Besides money and the all-you-can-eat buffet, folks flock to casinos with their
sights set on staying in action so they don't have to pretend there's something
to do other than gamble and dine. Too, endurance offers a chance to win more when
ahead, come back if behind, and rack up credits toward those ... (read more)
Think out Your Attitudes toward Uncertainty and Risk in Advance.23 December 2003
Casino gambling entails far more than the mechanics of the games. It's a sophisticated
exercise in managing uncertainty and risk. Many players are oblivious to the complexity
this implies. So they push into the great punting palaces of the planet with only
as much money as they can afford to lose, or ... (read more)
How To Estimate the Chance You'll Fall Behind, and Stay There16 December 2003
Nobody likes leaving a casino with less money than they brought. Especially when
they were ahead at some point and didn't quit. But solid citizens may also step
off the cliff at the start and never get back. Although they may blame practical
handicaps such as the clock running out or the fanny pack ... (read more)
Why They Should Offer Surrender at Blackjack, but Usually Don't9 December 2003
Enlightened casinos let blackjack buffs surrender their hands, forfeiting half
the money bet, instead of playing out the round. Most casinos don't offer surrender.
Draw your own conclusions.
Late surrender ("late" owing to its taking effect only after dealers
verify they don't have blackjacks) is an option the bet bookers ought to ponder
more pensively than they do. ... (read more)
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