This, That and the Other Thing - Part 1

Hope springs eternal but most casino games are based on math. We know, we know, Americans hate math. If you are experiencing a losing streak, the math does not indicate on most games that such a streak will end anytime soon. Hope does. That same math-thing holds true for a winning streak. It might continue, then again it might not. Trends can only be discerned in retrospect, not in advance. What is to come is unknown. But you can hope!

Attention: the Big Wheel was a carnival game before it made its way onto the casino floor. Carnival as in P.T. Barnum, the very same man who said: "There's a sucker born every minute," who also worked the carnival scene. Remember his famous sideshow freak -- the Egress? You entered the sideshow, there was a sign that said: "This way to the Egress!" You opened the door and -- found yourself outside the building in an alley! Egress means the opposite of Entrance. That's right. The sign actually said: "This way to the Exit!" The suckers had paid money to enter the building and exit the building. No one who was suckered told all the poor fools on line what was in store because they were either too embarrassed or figured: "If I got taken, let them get taken!" The connection between this and that BIG Wheel is this -- only a person who fits P.T. Barnum's description would play the Big Wheel. If you like wheels, try roulette. Otherwise, egress!

Side bets for those jackpots at Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride are not the best use of your gambling dollar. Those one-dollar bets face approximately a 25 percent edge, which means if you make 60 of them in one hour, your expected loss is $15 per hour! That's lunch!

Just because something seems complicated doesn't mean it is. Video poker, blackjack, Caribbean Stud, and Let It Ride all have basic strategies that will cut the house edge to a minimum. If you don't want to memorize them -- bring a cheat sheet to the table or the machine! Most casinos will allow them and if one or two don't, give your business to the ones that do. Also, looking at a cheat sheet will invariably slow down the game and slow games are good for the majority of the players. Yes, some other players might get miffed that you are taking time with your decisions, but you can always tell them with a slight smile on your lips: "I'm sorry that you don't like the way I play, but you can always egress."

Other than the Pass/Come and Don't Pass/Don't Come with Odds, the next best bets at craps are Placing of the 6 and 8 in multiples of six dollars. Winning bets pay 7 to 6 and the house edge is a smallish 1.52 percent. You can also buy the 4 and 10 for $35, paying a one dollar commission. The house has over a 2.5 percent edge on this but it beats the 6.67 percent edge on the placing of the 4 or 10. I wonder when AC casinos will take a leaf from Tunica, Mississippi, and Las Vegas and offer those buy bets with the commission extracted only on a win? I am holding my breath...I'm still holding my breath...my face is turning blue...I, uh....

What happened? I passed out? Oh, I remember, something about buying the 4 and 10...oh, well, maybe someday....

Next time: "Sic Bo is a sick joke."