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Ask The Wizard #30

Some video poker machines include a feature allowing you to double your wager, known as double-or-nothing, if you win a hand. Personally, I tend to steer clear of this option because I'm hesitant to risk my winnings beyond my initial bet. However, I find myself intrigued by the chance to double on hands that only offer even money on the original stake. This is mainly because the machine's payout percentages are typically in the range of 96-99%, which accounts for some infrequent wins over time; nevertheless, in this specific scenario, the bet appears to yield a perfect 100% return in a shorter time span.

Ron from Manchester, New Hampshire

The double-or-nothing option in video poker stands out as one of the only bets in a casino that, like the odds in craps, does not carry a house edge. Whether you decide to utilize it or not depends largely on your motivation for playing. If your aim is purely entertainment in a game with negative expectations, then I believe it’s reasonable to embrace the double-up feature occasionally, taking into consideration your inclination or reluctance to face volatility. This is due to the fact that playing a game with a zero house edge is preferable to one that has a positive edge. However, it is crucial to strike a balance with your risk tolerance. If you’re lucky enough to be participating in a game with positive expectations, then I would recommend passing on the chance to double your bets.

What are the chances of winning seven consecutive hands of blackjack? How about six in a row?

James from Palo Alto, California

According to my blackjack appendix 4 In blackjack, the overall likelihood of securing a win stands at 42.22%, while a tie occurs 8.48% of the time and losses amount to 49.10%. For simplicity, let's exclude ties from the discussion on streaks. In that light, once a bet is resolved, the chance of winning rises to 46.36%. Therefore, the probability of winning six consecutive times is about 0.99%, while the probability of seven wins in a row is approximately 0.46%.nI recently came across your article titled 'Exploring Microgaming,' where you mentioned that it offers the Pai Gow Domino game. I would greatly appreciate it if you could inform me which online casinos provide access to this game. Thank you.

The Caribbean Gold, English Harbour, and Silver Dollar casinos are three establishments that I know offer this game. Also, I should mention that using all capital letters can come off as rather pushy.

Allan from San Gabriel, California

I have heard that there are some casinos offering a 3-1 payout on both 2 and 12 in field bets. Which casinos in Las Vegas provide this option?

I haven’t encountered any Las Vegas casinos that pay out 3-1 for both the 2 and 12, but I know the Santa Ana Star in New Mexico does (at least according to information available in 2013). This rule gives it a house edge of precisely 0.00%.

Rolland from Buffalo, USA

You allocate a significant amount of space on your website to explain that no system can overcome the house edge. I’m curious about what motivates you to continue gambling knowing that ultimately, you may lose?

In the rare instances when I engage in a game with negative expectations, I do so purely for entertainment value.

Yvan from Quebec, Canada

This is the only game I find sufficiently enjoyable to play without having a statistical advantage. pai gow (tiles) I have a question regarding baccarat: do you think that a betting progression of 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc., would be a profitable strategy? My method involves adding my last two bets together and wagering that total on a loss while reducing one level from the progression after a win. If I win twice consecutively, I revert back to a 1-unit bet. I consistently bet on the banker. I’ve tried this approach online in various casinos, including your site.

All betting systems come with their own pitfalls. Progressive systems like yours can occasionally yield wins but may also entail significant losses now and then. Over the long term, your results will likely mirror those of a flat bettor or a player using any other strategy. baccarat game , and it has worked great. Is it flawed?

Brantley from Waycross, Georgia

Does the probability in table games shift with the number of participants? If the number of hands dealt increases, does that affect the odds? And if it doesn’t, is there any pertinent connection between the number of players and the odds in a specific game? This could settle a lingering question.

In general, the odds do not fluctuate based on how many players are seated at the table. The sole exception I can identify might be side bets, such as

Steve from Detroit, USA

in Pai Gow Poker, which may offer better payouts influenced by the number of players involved. Fortune Your site is quite fascinating! Do you generate income as a gambler? Have you ever examined the odds in trading stock index futures?

I'm intrigued by the idea of learning more about futures trading, though my current schedule doesn’t allow for it. My earnings primarily stem from ad revenue on this website (feel free to click the banners) and consulting fees for analyzing new casino games.

Randy from Aurora, Illinois

Fantastic website! Is there any chance I could download your Pai Gow practice program so I wouldn’t need to play online all the time? Thanks in advance!

Regarding your specifics on surrender in

Abraham from Ocean, New Jersey

Sorry, there isn't.

, how can I best implement that for the Unified Gaming single-deck game that allows early surrender against an ace? I truly appreciate any guidance you can offer and love your site! appendix 6 Thank you for the kind words. Utilize appendix six only when the dealer displays a ten in a Unified Gaming blackjack game. There aren't any exceptions to the

Dave from Provo, USA

Just one last question for today. In your site's introduction, you emphasize the inevitability of losing in the long run across all chance-based games. However, how do you view playing many hands in Unified Gaming where there's a -0.57% house edge? How realistic is it to earn $5.70 for every hundred hands with $10 bets for a few hours a day? This certainly beats picking up a part-time job, even if it’s only possible for a couple of months while I finish my studies at the University of Utah. The math appears sound even to me (a history major), but I can’t shake this persistent feeling that there’s something I’m overlooking, and this hopeful thought might just be too good to be true. Your insights would be invaluable. Unified Gaming basic strategy when the dealer has an ace showing.

Your calculations are indeed accurate. For every 100 $10 bets, you could fairly expect to gain around $5.70, assuming you adhere to my basic strategy. Nevertheless, remember that this represents a long-term outcome, and in the short term, losses are quite possible. Additionally, you may experience connectivity issues with Unified Gaming casinos, which can slow down the number of playable hands per hour. I’ve heard that disabling the sound card might help resolve this issue. Regardless of your gambling bankroll, I recommend dividing it by 100 and wagering in those increments. Therefore, to comfortably place a $10 bet, you’d want to have a risk amount of $1,000.

Dave from Provo, USA

How do online casinos determine their promotional offers? What type of promotion is preferable—money bonuses for signing up or cashback on your games? I ask because I recently received a promotion that promises 5% cash back on total stakes for any of five games (keno, slots, sic-bo, video poker, and roulette) and I’m curious if it’s worth pursuing.

There isn’t a straightforward response to which option is superior, a deposit bonus or cashback based on total wagers. It depends on the percentages offered, the required amount of play, and the casino edge associated with the games being played. This 5% cashback incentive seems appealing for games where the house edge is under five percent. For instance, the house edge for small and big bets in sic bo is merely 2.78%, and video poker could be even less favorable depending on its pay table. I’d be interested to find out who is offering this promotion.

Steve from Lyon, France

Is it genuinely plausible that my experiences have a statistical foundation? It appears to me that it often takes significantly longer to earn a certain number of chips than it does to lose the same amount (I only play blackjack). For instance, if I start with 300 chips, it may take hours to reach my goal of doubling that, whereas I can lose the same amount seemingly in an instant. Is this really accurate? Additionally, do you have a general rule for when to walk away from the table during winning streaks?

What you’re experiencing may be attributable to some unfortunate losing streaks. There could also be elements of progressive betting or errors in your strategy. A basic strategy flat bettor is likely to witness a roughly balanced experience in terms of sharp fluctuations, albeit with a slight leaning towards losses due to the house edge and a 48% chance of losing versus a 43% chance of winning. If I'm playing for enjoyment, I usually leave the table once I stop having fun.

Chris from Gaithersburg, Maryland

I just returned from Costa Rica, where they offer even money for blackjack. How does this impact the house's advantages, and should I double down on a 21 facing a dealer's 3-6, knowing that payments are only 1-to-1?

, which is the popular blackjack version in Costa Rica.

Rick from Jacksonville, USA

Please see my page on rummy Accurate strategies and information for casino games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and numerous other games are available.