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 Chapter 15 for more on sports betting in a casino.)
Horse racing: A run for your money
If you love a day at the track, the racebook is going to feel like home sweet home. After all, through the modern miracle of simulcasting, you can enjoy a day at several tracks at once, without leaving your cozy chair. Casinos dedicate luxurious space and resources to keep fans happy: leather seats, private work desks, and stacks of publications full of data on the ponies. And just when you think the experience can’t get any better, the cocktail server hands you a double espresso to get your brain into high gear before the race day starts. Comfortable? Good, now you just need to pick some winners.
In both horse racing and sports betting, your understanding of handicapping and external factors can improve your chances of winning. And both kinds of betting favor gamblers who take a contrarian view. When you go against the grain — and you’re right — you win bigger than when you bet with the crowd. (Read Chapter 16 for more about horse racing.)
Gambling Near and Far: Where to Find Casinos
Formerly quarantined to select areas, today’s casinos are nearly everywhere, making gambling — in some form or another — possible in almost every state. Only two states (Hawaii and Utah) have no legalized gambling. The main reason for this explosion is that the stigma of gambling has mostly been removed from our society. Although the previous generation generally viewed gambling with moral indignation, today’s attitudes are more relaxed, and many people consider casinos fun entertainment rather than one of the seven deadly sins.
This section looks more closely at the different types of gambling locations. Although Las Vegas and Atlantic City are still popular destinations for casino gambling, hundreds of other options are also waiting for you. (Flip to Chapter 19 for ten cool places to gamble.)
Nevada: Viva the gambling state!
For decades, Nevada was famous for being the only U.S. state where casino gambling was legal. That limitation changed when the state of New Jersey legalized gambling in the late 1970s (although only in one town, Atlantic City). And, despite the growth of casinos elsewhere in the United States, the Silver State remains the king of casino gambling with more than 200 commercial casinos.
Las Vegas reigns supreme
Las Vegas is the jewel in the crown and is, far and away, the biggest gambling destination in the world. Also known as Sin