If you're heading to the casino for the first time this year, you're probably wondering how to increase the likelihood of winning. Before you start dishing out cash to play, you should know some of the math behind the games.
Table-games typically have the best odds. If you want to check out one of the most accessible casino games with the most substantial odds of winning, then Blackjack is an excellent place to start. There's a reason why this is one of the most popular casino games in the country.
Blackjack
Winning Blackjack requires luck and a little bit of skill. You'll have the best odds of winning while playing Blackjack, and here's why. In this casino game, the house edge is just 1% (in most casinos). While you may be at the table with other players, your only opponent is the dealer.
The goal of the game is to come in closest to the number 21 without going over. Your odds are 48% in this game because the dealer is relying on luck as much as you are. This means, if you are a really good blackjack player, you can expect to loose 48% of the hands dealt, win 43% and push 9%.
Craps
The craps table looks complicated, but it's not difficult to win. Essentially, you're betting on a dice roll, so your odds are fair. One person is called the 'shooter', and they roll the dice while the other players make wagers on the results.
The first roll is called 'coming out', and the shooter can win with a seven or an eleven. If the result is any other number, it's considered the 'point'. The shooter will have to hit the point to roll seven for a win.
Players can make the most straightforward bet, will the shooter win or lose? This is called the 'pass line' wager, and the odds are 50/50.
You can get creative with your bets. The more specific your wagers are, the more the odds increase, and the potential payouts rise.
Roulette
Roulette is another casino game where players have fair odds of winning. The wheel consists of alternating red and black spaces with labels with the numbers 1-36. In American Roulette, there are two green 0 spaces.
There are many types of bets that you can place on a roulette spin. The most straightforward wager is to choose the color - red or black. This wager is almost 50/50 odds if you factor in the two green pockets.
You'll increase your payout and lower your odds if you get more specific with your calls.
Poker Odds
Unlike Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette, the odds in Poker are not so straightforward. Players rely on skill as a significant part of increasing their chances of winning. Before you decide to start playing at a casino, make sure your skills are up to standard, and you've had plenty of practice playing with friends.
Poker odds are confusing and take some time to learn. If you want to play the game seriously, you'll have to have a basic knowledge of the numbers.
When you're calculating poker odds, you're judging the likelihood that something is going to happen. To do this in Texas Holdem, you have to be able to count your 'outs', which are any cards that'll improve your hand.
As you may know, there are 52 cards in the deck before dealing. You'll have two in your hand and four on the flop. This means that there are 46 remaining unseen cards. Now you'll need to subtract the number of outs available, and that's the likelihood that you'll end up with a losing hand.
Pot odds are the ratio between the size of the pot and the bet that's facing you. If there is a $4 in the pot and your opponent places a bet $1. You're then being asked to pay-in 1/5 of the pot for a chance to win it. The odds represented are 5:1.
Here are two examples of standard poker odds.
- Nut Flush Draw: You have nine outs with a nut flush draw, and the pot is $7, your opponent bets $1. Since there's $8 in the pot, and it's $1 to call, the odds are 8:1. The odds to hit your flush draw are 4:1, and the pot odds are higher, so you should call.
- Pot Odds/Straight Draw: You've got a gutshot straight draw with four outs on the flop. There is currently $30 in the pot and your opponent bets $5, so it's $5 to call. $40 in the pot, your odds are 40:5, which reduces to 8:1. Since the odds of winning a hand are 11:1, you should fold since you don't have strong enough pot-odds.
If you're a beginner, calculating odds while playing Poker can be both challenging and time-consuming, but it's an essential step in learning how to make the right decisions and come out on top. If you play without understanding your odds, the chances are that you'll lose money in the long run.
While it's essential to know the math behind the game, you should avoid results-oriented thinking in cash game poker. Poker is as much about reading your opponents as it is about understanding the mathematics behind the odds.
The Casino Games With The Worst Odds
Surprisingly, the casino games where players have the least chances to win are the most popular. The Wheel of Fortune and slot machines have the lowest odds and usually a house edge of 10 percent or more.
The Final Word
If you're headed to Vegas, Atlantic City, or even a staycation playing some online casino games, it's a good idea to understand what you're up against before you waste money. For better odds, stick to the classic table games like Blackjack.
Be aware that games like Poker require more skill and a better understanding of complicated probability. If you like slots, be ready to take some losses.
