Split bet placement
causes confusion
23 August 2004
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark,
I have played roulette for over 30 years and
know the rules of the game quite well, thank
you. Yet, something interesting happened on a
recent casino visit that I have never seen
before.
Normally I play the same numbers, including
splits like the 0 and 00. Because I was sitting
at the far end of the table, I properly placed
my wager for the 0/00 split on the line between
the 2ND and 3RD section of 12. On the first
spin, 00 came up and the dealer refused to pay
me. The dealer, along with her supervisor,
stated they do not take wagers on that line, and
that the bet must be placed on the line between
the 0 and 00. I have played in many casinos for
many years and have never heard of such a thing.
Have you? Mary M.
The quick answer is that the next time when
distance prevents you from placing a split bet
on the 0/00, just ask the dealer to kindly place
it there for you. But, Mary, like you, I have
never heard of not being able to make a 0/00
split where you positioned it. I was hoping your
letter you would have included the name of the
casino, or the gaming jurisdiction where you
were playing, so I could have followed up
further on your question.
A split bet is a two number wager that allows
you to cover two numbers with one bet. If either
of these two numbers appears, you are paid 17 to
one. For example, $10 split between numbers 0
and 00 gets you $180 ($170 plus your original
$10) if either 0 or 00 appears.
Since Mary was not within reach to physically
split the 0 and 00, as a courtesy most casinos
(now we know not all) will accept a split of
these two numbers by placing your wager on the
line between the Second and Third Dozen Box. But
even if the wager where Mary placed it wasn’t
permitted, a simple, tactful decision by the pit
boss explaining correct bet placement, and then
paying her anyway would have been how Yours
Truly would have handled it.
By the way, Mary, with 30 years under your belt,
I will not challenge your knowledge regarding
the rules of the game. I will recommend that you
find a casino that offers a European roulette
wheel that does not include the 00. Because
there are only 37 numbers with the European
version compared to 38 on the standard American
roulette layout, the true odds of hitting you
number are reduced to one in 37, with the house
still paying you 35 to one. This reduces the
house edge to 2.63% versus 5.36% on a 0/00
table.
Dear Mark,
How do you play this Jacks-or-better video poker
hand: A ten, Jack, and Queen of Hearts, and a
pair of 6’s. Am I correct to assume that I keep
the three to the royal? Cam R.
It is the correct move, Cam, for the hand you
described, however, alter your play and also
hold one of the sixes if it were the six of
hearts for a 4-Card Flush. You would hold a
small pair (2’s-10’s) in preference to any three
cards of a straight flush that did not have
royal potential, for instance, the nine, 10 and
Jack of hearts.
Gambling quote of the week: "I have always felt
that one of the most important qualities of a
true gambler is the ability to take his losses
like a man." Darwin Ortiz, Casino Gambling for
the Clueless
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