The Oracle at Odds - Part 12

This is the age of lists -- the top 100 movies of all time, the top 100 books of the 20th Century, the top 100 colleges for academic excellence or bargains or partying, and the top 100 women former President Bill Clinton scored with; plus all those weekly top 10 this list, and top 10 that list and top 10 those other things list. In the interests of keeping up with the list makers as well as the (Dow) Joneses, I decided to list the top 60 questions I am asked whenever I give talks about casino gambling. My list is in no particular order of importance, but these are the most-asked questions of yours truly and the answers that I give when I'm asked them. All value judgments are mine. So if I say this is the best thing, that is just my not-so-humble opinion. Of course, in my opinion my opinion is the correct opinion as today I assume my new identity as The Oracle at Odds -- Nostragamus! Ask and it shall be answered!

56. Do you think that casino gambling should be allowed in every state and jurisdiction in the land?

Yes. The more competition between casinos, the better it is for the players. The only problem with the spread of gambling is with problem gamblers. But that's always the way, isn't it? The few who can't handle something make it difficult for the rest of us to be able to enjoy that something.

57. Is Spanish 21 a good game?

Yes. If you use the new Armada basic strategy, you can reduce the house edge to 0.82 percent. If you use the Armada ruse, you can get a slight "monetary" advantage over the house, as well. However, if you use the basic strategy for traditional blackjack, the game will bury you as you'll face a house edge of three percent or more. People who play Spanish 21 say it is a much more exciting version of blackjack than the traditional one.

58. What percent of the time does the dealer qualify in Caribbean Stud?

The dealer will qualify approximately 56.32 percent of the time. That's what makes the game so frustrating -- you have a good hand and the dealer doesn't qualify! Ugh!

59. I love Three-Card Poker. What is the best strategy?

Play queen high or better. Don't make the Pairs Plus bet.

60. What is your opinion about tipping dealers?

The same as my opinion about tipping waiters and waitresses. It's a part of the cost of enjoying that particular service or activity. Dealers need tips to make a decent living. If the casino were to pay a living wage to dealers and not allow them to accept tips, the casinos would have to figure a way to make up the lost revenue -- most likely by increasing table minimums and decreasing payouts on machines.