For gamblers, four casino games offer decent odds. That is, if you made a hundred $1 bets at these recommended casino games, your average loss would only be about a buck. These odds aren’t good enough to retire on, but they stretch your bankroll as far as possible, even if you’re on a limited budget.
Neither life nor gambling offers any guarantees, and your actual daily results may be far different than your theoretical loss, so plan accordingly.
Jacks or Better Video Poker (the 9/6 Version)
The 9/6 version of Jacks or Better is considered full pay because you get a payout of 9 for 1 for a full house and 6 for 1 for a flush. The 9/6 version is the only one whose payout rate makes it worthwhile to play. Tips for playing this game well include:
Make sure you’re playing a full-pay 9/6 version by looking at the Full House/Flush payouts for one coin.
Because of the increased payouts for a royal flush, always play the maximum coins to get the best odds — even if that means finding nickel or quarter machines to stay within your bankroll.
Never keep a kicker (a high card along with a pair).
Throw away a small pair (tens or lower) if you have four cards to a flush or three cards to a royal flush.
Blackjack
The way to win at Blackjack is to get better cards than the dealer. The aim is to have your cards add up to a maximum of 21.
Play the table with the least number of decks.
Stay away from gimmick games like 6-5 blackjack, Spanish 21, or Super Fun blackjack.
Remember the following important tips
Double down on 10 or 11 when dealer shows 2 to 9. (To double down means you double your bet and are allowed just one more card.)
Stand on 13 to 16 when dealer shows 2 to 6.
Hit on 12 to 16 when dealer shows 7 or higher.
Never take insurance.
Craps
Rolling two dice is the essence of craps and what number those dice add up to determine whether bettors on the Pass line win or bettors on the Don’t Pass line do. A new player’s first roll is her come-out roll, and other players wager on what the shooter will roll. The smartest strategy is to stick to the following bets in craps:
Pass line bet with odds bet
Come bet with odds
Don’t pass bet with odds
Don’t come bet with odds
Baccarat
You may be intimidated by baccarat with its glitz, glamour, and European aura, but behind the stiff exterior lies a decent game for the average bettor because there are only three possible results of each hand and there’s no skill involved — it’s strictly the fall of the cards. A couple tips for doing well:
Always bet on the banker (house edge is 1.06 percent, meaning if you made a hundred bets of $1, your average loss would be about a buck).
You can also bet on the player’s hand. (The house edge is only slightly worse than the banker’s hand at 1.24 percent.)
