Purple: $500
Burgundy or Yellow: $1,000
Brown: $5,000
Playing the Games: What’s Your Poison?
Casino games are as diverse as the people who play them — and that’s part of the fun. You may think of craps as a rough-and-tumble game, played by hustlers and wiseguys, but step into a casino, and you’re just as likely to spot an angelic-looking nurse rolling dice next to a cursing cowboy from Texas. And because no game has a precise player profile, don’t restrict yourself to the few games you think suit you. Give each one a try and see where it takes you.
Touring the table games
In a casino, the tables come in all shapes and sizes, from the stadium shape of poker tables, to the half-round crescent of blackjack, and to the long rectangular craps tables. And the table is just about all they have in common.
Unspoken rules seem to govern the table games. Most casino guests have discovered from experience to avoid the taboos: holding your cards with two hands, touching chips in the betting circle after the cards are dealt, and throwing the dice so wildly that they fly over the rail and end up in somebody’s drink. You can discover general casino etiquette in Chapter 5 and more game-specific rules in most chapters. However, before you worry about acting properly, this section includes a brief overview of the main table games that you may encounter in a casino.
Poker: Boosted by Internet and TV tournaments
Poker rooms have been a staple at Nevada casinos since the 1940s. But it took the advent of the Internet to transform poker from a backroom game into something akin to an international sport, complete with major events, television coverage, and superstars. Starting in 2004, the online poker boom created an insatiable American market for poker that has resulted in more than 20 states legalizing live casino poker, card rooms, poker clubs, or online poker.
The Internet was the catalyst, but the underlying appeal of the game is even simpler: Good players can consistently win. In poker, you compete against other players rather than the house. And with honed skills and intimate knowledge of the game, you can have a significant edge over those other, less-prepared gamblers.
Blackjack: The best odds
Blackjack (also called 21) has been the most popular table game in casinos for nearly 60 years. The card game always draws a loyal crowd because it’s easy to understand, provides good camaraderie, and offers great odds (around a 1percent house edge if you play your cards right). If you memorize blackjack’s basic strategy (that is, the optimal way to play every hand), your chances of winning at blackjack are better than at virtually any other game in the casino.
Blackjack also is intriguing because each hand is like a movie clip — with you as the star. Each game has an opening scene (the deal), the simmering suspense (the dealer’s hidden card), the moment of truth when the hero (you!) makes a dramatic choice, and finally, the conclusion, where the hero wins or loses. The trick, of course, is to have more happy endings than tragedies. (Chapter 7 provides a thorough look at the best blackjack strategies.)
Craps: Backslaps, high-fives, and cheerleaders
This dice game draws a raucous crowd and has many of the best bets in the casino. Some guests find the noise and the complex layout of craps to be a little intimidating. But before you slink back to your comfort zone, consider this fact: The house advantage is low in craps, making this game a great bet. Just be sure you stick with the best craps bets.
Furthermore, craps is like a sporting event, with its dramatic swings of luck, high-fives, backslaps, and noisy cheering section. Every roll has a home team (players who bet with the dice) and an opposing team (wrong-way bettors) that gets dirty looks and ridicules from the hometown fans. Now, if they just had those big foam We’re No. 1 fingers, the experience would be complete (though it would make rolling the dice a little harder). For more on craps, check out Chapter 8.
Roulette: The place for eccentric hunches
The spinning wheel of roulette symbolizes the world of casino gambling. This popular, entry-level game is ideal for novice gamblers because it requires absolutely no skill, concentration, or complex strategies. You simply bet on the number or possible numbers the ball will land on. A table full of players can be quite sociable, although not as 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