Winners, not losers, pay
the electric bills
17 September 1999
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark,
I've heard from other individuals and read from
you about the "house edge" when it comes to
certain casino games. So, if you wouldn't mind,
can you explain to me how the house advantage on
a roulette table is determined? Michael K.
The casino's edge or advantage is different from
game to game and from the distinct wagers on
those games.
The best way to understand the concept of the
casino advantage is to think of it as a hidden
tax when you win a bet, NOT when you lose your
wager. Yes, Michael, you are reading this
correctly! It is when you win that the casino
reaches for your wallet. By not receiving a fair
payout for a winning wager, you are charged this
secret levy that you probably don't realize
you're paying.
In roulette, a fair payout on a $1 winning
number is $37. However, the casino only pays you
$35. It retains the extra $2, giving the house
its 5.26% advantage. It is that $2 into the
casino's coffers that gives the casino its
profits.
Your goal as a smart casino player is to lessen
this concealed charge. By reducing the casino
advantage with bets that carry a low house edge,
you will minimize your losses and have a much
better chance of winning.
Dear Mark,
I played a game called Bayou BlackJack in
Louisiana where the dealer shows both of his
cards before you take your first hit. Do you
know where this game is played in Las Vegas? Hal
G.
A place you don't want to be. Also called Double
Exposure blackjack, this is yet another
variation of blackjack in which the rule changes
are not always in the player's best interest.
The biggest modification from conventional
blackjack is that both the dealer cards are
dealt face-up. However, because you view both of
the dealer's up-cards, the playing rules are
adjusted to favor the casino more than standard
blackjack. This includes paying blackjacks at
even money, doubling down permitted only on 9,
10, 11; and insurance, re-splits and surrender
are not allowed. Also, all tie hands result in a
loss with the exception of a player's blackjack.
It beats a dealer's snapper.
Because of these rule changes, Hal, Bayou
Blackjack is not as auspicious as traditional
casino blackjack. It's a game worth avoiding.
Dear Mark,
Are there any advantages to playing on a video
blackjack machine versus a live action game? P.
J.
Sure, if you split 10s against a dealer 6 on a
video game, no fellow player can verbally
violate you.
Seriously, unless you find a machine that pays
you the true value of a blackjack (3 for 2),
look at most video blackjack machines with a
jaundiced eye. Most machines pay even money on
natural 21s. Because you can expect a snapper
every 21 hands in live play, the loss of that
bonus will cost you an additional 2.3 percent.
Considering that blackjack has a house advantage
of less than .5 percent to a knowledgeable
player, you are giving away the farm here.
Other machines round down on blackjack payoffs.
If you do happen to find a machine that pays the
bonus for a blackjack, make wagers in even
amounts so you can get the maximum value of a
blackjack (a payoff of $3 for every $2 wagered).
And what will a dollar wagered get you for a
blackjack? Just a buck, so always bet in
two-unit increments.
The advantage of a video blackjack machine vs. a
live game is the low minimum bankroll
requirement needed to play. I've seen 5¢ and
many 25¢ video blackjack games on the casino
floor. They also lack the intimidation factor of
a live game, plus they make excellent practice
session mates where you can work on perfect
basic strategy.
|
