Ask The Wizard #97
In today's casino industry, numerous senior executives come from educational backgrounds similar to yours rather than climbing the ranks from the gaming floor. Considering your passion for gaming, I was curious if you've ever thought about shifting gears and pursuing a career in casino management.
I'm quite frustrated by how professional gamblers often label casino workers or those associated with casinos as belonging to the 'dark side.' These establishments create thousands of employment opportunities nationwide, generate significant tax revenue, and offer entertainment to millions. Interestingly, I once read somewhere that about 90% of Las Vegas visitors leave with a gambling loss, yet 95% depart with a sense of satisfaction. Critics who claim casinos are to blame for the issue of compulsive gambling often overlook that there are people who gamble excessively, which shouldn't prevent the majority from enjoying their right to bet. In my view, the positive outcomes of legalized gambling far outweigh the negative aspects.
I wholeheartedly acknowledge that I consult for casinos and gaming entities. I do this because my website doesn’t generate enough income for me to support my family. My bankroll isn't substantial enough for me to rely solely on professional gambling. Nevertheless, I have no regrets about my career choices. To respond to your inquiry, yes, I would consider a role in casino management if the right opportunity presented itself.
If a dealer does not verify for blackjack when a ten is displayed and simply takes the initial bet at the end of the game, do I need to adjust my strategy in any way?
No, you shouldn't need to change your strategy. Assuming the dealer doesn't have a blackjack, you should continue playing as if there's no threat of that hand. If it turns out they do have a blackjack, there's nothing you could have done to prevent that situation.
Your site is excellent, but I feel it places too much emphasis on minimizing the house edge while not addressing volatility effectively. Don’t you agree that players are primarily interested in reducing both factors? It might be beneficial to emphasize the importance of extending bankroll lifespan.
While some players may prefer games with low volatility, others might be drawn to high-volatility options. I do provide the standard deviation for most games. here However, that's about as far as I want to delve into that discussion. I believe that gamblers should select their games in part based on volatility, but it's crucial to apply the correct strategy during gameplay and refrain from hedging bets.
You've made a strong mathematical case for why players should decline insurance. However, your argument lacks a psychological perspective. Many individuals would feel foolish letting go of a guaranteed win for a chance at a higher, uncertain payout.
Ah, gambling inherently involves taking risks. A successful gambler aims not to maximize the odds of a win for each hand but seeks to enhance their overall returns. Whether in gambling or life, individuals often need to embrace short-term risks to secure long-term victories. Hence, it's wise to focus less on immediate outcomes and more on future potentials.
Have you ever encountered particularly silly questions?
Don’t get me started.
If you could choose one video poker game to practice online, which one would you select so you'd be prepared when playing in Vegas?
Everything you need is right here!
There is my video poker game to engage with, ensuring it corrects your mistakes as you go.
There is my hand analyzer to analyze how to play any hand.
There is my game return a tool to calculate the return of any game and its respective pay table.
Finally, there is my strategy maker to create a strategy for any game.
Note: This answer was updated Nov. 13, 2013.
Why does your basic strategy chart for Blackjack Switch suggest always hitting on a total of 12?
Players should adopt a more aggressive approach when hitting in Blackjack Switch since a dealer's total of 22 results in a push. Much of the advantage of standing in traditional blackjack is lost when the dealer busts—many of those wins turn into pushes in Blackjack Switch, making hitting the more strategic choice.
Do you truly believe that the outcome of each roll at a Casino Craps table is as random as what an RNG would produce, or do you think there are skilled and unskilled shooters based on their techniques or careless throws, like short ones? If Casino Craps isn't completely random, how might I exploit this?
I don't subscribe to the notion of naturally poor shooters. With a few professional exceptions, all dice rolls can be viewed as fundamentally random. While there are workshops dedicated to strategies that claim to overcome the house edge in craps with precision throws, I remain neutral on that topic as I lack sufficient evidence to support either side.
In response your last column This comment was made by a player concerned about the dealer announcing 'table max' when he raised his bet from $15 to $300. It's worth noting that this is typically a routine procedure in casinos, as most establishments signal for a supervisor's attention when a maximum bet is placed. Many players tend to assume that the casino's actions are targeted against them, whereas it’s often just staff members adhering to standard operating procedures.
I appreciate this insightful point. I acknowledge my error.