The Caribbean Stud—game,
that is.
7 January 2003
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark,
Let's say two players were playing Caribbean
Stud Poker and both were betting the side bet,
and by some striking coincidence, both got a
royal flush. Would they both get the full amount
on the progressive meter? Adrian P.
In Caribbean Stud Poker, all players have the
choice of making a $1 side bet that pays for
hands of a flush or higher. Though the specific
payoff tables vary from casino to casino, they
all feature a progressive jackpot. Once there's
a hit, 100% of the jackpot goes for a royal
flush, or, for a straight flush, 10% of the
total current jackpot.
Although to the best of my knowledge your
question's premise has never occurred, if that
virtually impossible fantasy WERE to occur, and
two hysterical players DID each have a royal
flush on the same hand, well ... In the casinos
I worked in, the first player to the dealer's
left would win the jackpot. The second player
would win whatever the jackpot is re-seeded at,
which is generally $10,000 or $20,000.
I did pose your question to one casino executive
who thought if the unlikely were to occur in his
casino, that he would split the jackpot between
the two players. But he also confided he really
didn't have the slightest idea what the actual
rules were when two players both got royal
flushes in the same hand.
Now logical reasoning, Adrian, would tell you to
sit as close as possible to the dealer's left.
But not so fast, my friend. The clearheaded
would not make the progressive wager at all
considering the average house edge is over 26%,
depending, of course, on the size of the
jackpot.
Regardless, Adrian, it's a sucker bet the vast
majority of time and I advise against making it.
Dear Mark,
A small Nevada casino where I typically play no
longer offers roulette. Doesn't the game of
roulette make any money for the casino? Dan H.
Depends, Dan. If the real estate the table
occupies does not bring home the bacon, no
matter whether it's a blackjack or craps, or as
in your question, a roulette table, off to
dumpster heaven it goes. Moreover, Dan, as to
its popularity rank among table games; roulette
is a distant third behind blackjack and craps.
As for money wagered, it's fourth, behind that
aging tradition -- baccarat.
Expert conjecture here is that your closer
inspection will probably disclose that a bank of
slot machines has replaced the roulette table,
and most likely brings in more booty than the
roulette table ever did.
Dear Mark,
Explain please what a "total" bet is in sports
wagering? Jake K.
By betting $11 to win $10, you can wager on the
combined total of points scored by both teams.
Winning an "over" bet requires that more points
be scored than the bookmaker's total, and
winning the "under" bet requires that fewer
points be scored. Using football as an example,
let us say total posted for the Green Bay versus
San Francisco game is 42. You can wager that the
total score of both teams added together will be
either over or under that posted total. In the
event that the final score falls right on that
total (e.g. Green Bay 28 + San Francisco 14 =
42), a tie is declared and all bets are
returned.
By the way, Jake, here is a little gambling
patois for you. Betting the over is known as
"betting on the ball," betting under is known as
"betting on the clock." Go wow 'em.
Gambing quote of the week: "When a guy finally
gets his rushes in gambling, nothing can stop
him for a while." Damon Runyon
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