rowdy as a craps game. Roulette gives you a chance to play your eccentric hunches on a single number, a combination of numbers, or on an even-money wager that can just extend your playing session. Refer to Chapter 9 for more on roulette.
Baccarat: Part tuxedo, Part T-shirt
Although blackjack and poker appeal to the masses, baccarat is a card game that traditionally drew a more ‘civilized’ crowd. But don’t be intimidated; everyone is welcome, even if you don’t own a tuxedo. Check out baccarat for a game that’s simple to play (just bet on the bank) and has fair odds. For the complete lowdown on baccarat, read Chapter 10.
Let It Ride, Pai Gow, and other table games
Beyond the traditional favorites, several other table games have developed a strong following. Today, most casinos intersperse Caribbean Stud poker, Let It Ride, Pai Gow, and three-card poker tables throughout their pits.
Turning to digital and automated games
For some folks, the intimidation factor of table games is too much to bear. It’s heartbreaking, yes, but luckily nearly all casino operators — through the goodness of their hearts — thoughtfully accommodate shy gamblers by supplying acres of go-solo gaming machines.
Not only are casinos normally filled to the brim with slot machines, video poker, and other solo games, but you can also find automated, dealer-free versions of the table games. Even the timidest gambler can enjoy a satisfying time at these machines. There’s no bluffing by other players, no angry gamblers if you hit or stand at the wrong time, no pressure to tip the dealer after a big win, and no embarrassment about breaking table rules. The lone gambler squares off against a machine (or, in the case of the loony gambler, against several machines at once).
Slot machines: From one-armed bandit to high-tech robotic
At one time, slot machines were simple devices. You put a coin in, you pulled a lever, and the reels spun. When they stopped, you heard the soothing sounds of clinking coins … or painful silence. Sure, you spent only a nickel or a quarter, but that silence was so painful that you couldn’t help but put in another coin.
If you’ve been in a casino recently, you know how everything about gaming machines has changed. The humble one-armed bandit is now a sophisticated robotic master thief with enough computing power to fly a mission to Mars. This soulless adversary even plays you a little song while it gleefully sucks up all your coins (or bills). Sure, the games still have some reminders from the past (like fruit or bells on the paylines), but today’s slots are digital, not mechanical. The most popular game in the casino is essentially a noisy, elaborate video game and offers some of the worst odds in the house.
Slot machines occupy all that space on the casino floor for a good reason — people love to pump money into them, and they’re available in practically any denomination — from pennies to dollars. If you’re a person who just can’t say no to their alluring call, make sure you read Chapter 12, so you can pick a worthy game with a better-than-average payout table.
Video poker: Not your Aunt Beatrice’s kitchen-table game
Like slots, video poker offers a solo gambling experience, yet the two games are very different. Slots are primarily about luck, but video poker requires a certain amount of skill and technique. And just because you’ve played some kitchen-table Five-Card Draw with your Aunt Beatrice, don’t assume you can break the bank at video poker. Several variations confront the casino guest, and you want to master the strategies before you decide whether to hold ’em or fold ’em.
Keno and bingo: Two old standards
Keno and bingo have many similarities, and both have a long history and a loyal following. Longtime gamblers know keno as a casino staple and a great way to stay in action while sipping on your soup in the coffee shop. Bingo is less common in big casinos, but it’s making a comeback in some states and has become very popular overseas.
There is not much strategy to playing either game other than hoping to get lucky, but you’ll learn the basics in Chapter 14 and give a quick overview for anyone unfamiliar with how to play either game.
Betting on ball games and fast horses
There’s nothing quite like traveling to a casino to sit back in a comfortable chair, have a cold one, and watch sports on TV. Why not just stay home and do the same thing? In a casino, you’re viewing sporting events and horse races on the massive displays in today’s best race books and sports books. These plush, high-tech rooms draw fans to cheer their favorite teams or horses. And best of all, the casino is ready and willing to take your bet on just about any sporting event.
Sports betting: Thrill of victory, the agony of defeat
Thanks to a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision, you can now place legal sports bets in over 20 states. (You can make some sports bets online as well. Read Chapter 17 for more info.) When you’re in a sports book, you may notice that the employees are strangely unemotional when the crowd cheers for one team or another. Why? Because the house takes a vigorish (a small commission) from every wager, virtually ensuring a profit on every bet.
Casino guests can find all kinds of betting opportunities in the wide world of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, boxing, golf, and special events. But being a great sports fan doesn’t make you a natural winner at the sports book. Why? Point spreads and money lines add complex challenges to the process. But understanding how to handicap and analyze sports statistics can simplify that process — and help you improve the odds of winning. (See
