Table Games Give Casino Goers Welcome Relief

Visit any casino in the Chicago-area and the evidence is clear: Slot machines, both the traditional reel variety and the new wave of multi-line video version, dominate the gaming inventory.

Slot machines are the "cash cows" of the casino industry. All of the marketing energy, direct mail solicitations, and product research and development revolve around them.

Since state-sanctioned casino gambling came to Illinois, table games have dwindled noticeably while slot inventories continue to grow. It's a no-brainer for the casino owners and operators. People love the lure of chasing jackpots, even though the odds of catching a big one can be in the hundreds of thousands to one or higher against you.

Only blackjack requires skill to play correctly and reduce the house edge as low as possible. All table games have a built-in house advantage that guarantees a profit from players as a collective group.

The difference between the revenues generated by slots as opposed to table games is sheer volume. So much more money is wagered on the slots more frequently and at such a greater pace that they are bound to be the main bread winners.

The entertainment value and interactive features of the new wave of slot machines are truly remarkable. They're fun to play, but they have an addictive quality to them that requires players to be on guard when it comes to fully enjoying their recreational casino outings.

In order to protect yourself against slot fever, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the table game options available at the casinos. Table games are played at a much more comfortable pace, giving both you and your money a rest. Learning to play them can enhance your casino experience so that you don't become a slave to the slots.

The actual mathematical advantage that the casinos enjoy at the table games is much lower than the revenues they generate. Reckless and uneducated play contributes to this fact. For example, many people who sit down at a blackjack table really don't know how to play the game correctly. Many people who play craps spend inordinate amounts of money on the bets that pack that highest house edge. Casinos thrive on such players.

Learning to play the table games, and, more importantly, learning to play them skillfully and correctly, can help arm you against the relentless grind of the slot machines and the marketing war the manufacturers and the casinos wage against players.

Playing the tables is completely different than playing the slots. At the tables you interact with other people. The important thing is not to be intimidated. Take the time to learn them and to play correctly and you'll be a well rounded, informed gambler who will be able to be the master of your own gambling destiny.