The cheapest way to get drunk

[kork13]

Fun game to play but really lousy odds - 5.26% house advantage. Compare that to a game like blackjack with a house edge of about 0.45% (if you know what you're doing and depending on house rules).

You know, for all the times you've said you play the casinos with your wife for entertainment, you've never mentioned... what's "your game"? Or do you stick regularly to one at all?

[disneysteve]

You know, for all the times you've said you play the casinos with your wife for entertainment, you've never mentioned... what's "your game"? Or do you stick regularly to one at all?

I mix it up a little just to not get bored but I'm primarily a blackjack player, mainly due to the very slim house advantage. I also play video poker (full pay jacks or better) which also has a tiny house edge. I will play 3 card poker in short spurts, being quick to quit if I get ahead because I know the odds are lousy. I just enjoy the game despite that. On Saturday, I won $120 in 5 or 6 hands and got up and left. That's the way you need to approach that game. And I will play a slot machine now and then. They are entertaining. I never expect to win anything and will usually only play if I'm up for the day or need to fill some time and don't want to risk much money. $20 will get me 30-60 minutes of play usually so it is cheap fun. And sometimes I do win a little. On Saturday, I started with a $10 free play coupon and walked away with $40 but that's unusual.

[elessar78]

Fun game to play but really lousy odds - 5.26% house advantage. Compare that to a game like blackjack with a house edge of about 0.45% (if you know what you're doing and depending on house rules).

Yeah, I know. I'm boring when I play roulette. I play the best odds only (red, black, odd, even, 1-18/19-36) just a little worse than betting on coin flips. At one point, against probability, I'd hit more than 15 in a row and people all around the table felt I had some kind of magical "Rain Man" system. They were begging me to play a number. ha ha.

I tried explaining "probability" to this guy asking what my system was and he was having none of it. He couldn't have been more disappointed that I gave him a math lesson in a casino. ha ha.

I'd play black jack but I can't be get myself to learn the ins and outs of the game. Our game really is Texas Hold 'Em poker we kick butt when we play our local "house" games but I'd never go out there and play with REAL players. I'd want to leave as soon as I won a big hand, but maybe that's a faux pas.

[disneysteve]

Yeah, I know. I'm boring when I play roulette. I play the best odds only (red, black, odd, even, 1-18/19-36) just a little worse than betting on coin flips.

Math can be a funny thing. Those bets (red, black, etc.) actually have the exact same house edge - 5.26% - as the inside bets (single and multi-number bets - with one exception). The outside bets have a higher probability of hitting but a lower payout, so you'll win more often but you won't win any more money than if you spread your money out on inside bets.

I'd play black jack but I can't be get myself to learn the ins and outs of the game.

Basic strategy is very easy to master. Here's everything you'll ever need to know:
Blackjack Basic Strategy Calculator by The Wizard of Odds
You can play with the settings depending on where you are playing and what the house rules are. The way the page first shows up does not reflect AC rules just so you know.