So what about other casino games?

[john_solitude]

When I inform readers on the numerous hurdles to overcome, trying to make a profit a roulette,
some players ask me: "So which casino games can I play?"

This is a roulette forum in the first place, so I'll only give you a quick rundown of your (casino) options. For more detailed information on any of the games mentioned, I suggest you look for an appropriate forum.  

First of all, you should decide the player you choose to be, because this is key.

Most people gamble to have a good time, spend time, enjoy some exciting moments, hopefully win some money. There is nothing wrong with that, however basically anyone in this category will lose money in the long run. Las Vegas was build this way.

Only a (very) small minority (estimated not more than 3 to 5 %) gambles for a living and succeeds in this goal. So, which casinogames do they play / not play?

Following is a list of typical casino games, I'll try to seperate fact from fiction.

BLACKJACK

Most readers are convinced playing 'optimal strategy' (that's playing mathematically perfect without cardcounting: simply knowing when to stand or hit, given a certain hand) is a sure way to profit.
Although someone who plays optimal strategy, will on average lose less, than someone who plays Blackjack on gut feeling, both strategies fail to overcome the house-edge.

HOWEVER, mathematically it was proven cardcounters can overcome the house-edge.

These days however, this is a very challenging task: casino's installed numerous countermeasures. Multiple decks were introduced, cutting the deck (not all cards are played), even an international database of identified cardcounters is at hand so professional cardcounters will be evicted from the premisses, ...

Succeeding in a career as a professional Blackjack cardcounter is not very realistic, accept may'be for those who have a memory like an elephant, the concentration of a rock, or who use hidden devices to not loose track of the count in all the distraction going on (which is illegal).


BACCARAT

No proven mathematical strategies are known that can overcome the house-edge in the long run.
But, it is true the banker bet in Baccarat offers one of the lowest house-edges.


SLOTS, KENO AND WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Except for rigging a slotmachine, slots, Keno and the wheel of fortune are probably the surest way to lose money. But, they do offer the highest payout's vs investment of all casino games for a winning combination (superjackpots). Although the probability you'll win a superjackpot or perfect combination in Keno, is slim to none. The probabilities differ from machine to machine.

The only upside to these games is for a relative small invest you can win a huge amount of money.


CRAPS

No proven mathematical strategies are known which can overcome the house-edge in the long run.
Only loaded dice are probably the surest way to win money in the long run.


POKER

As you may know, there are all kinds of variations (Texas Hold Em, Seven Card Stud, Omaha, ...).

In casino's and on the internet you'll pay a rake per hand. So, fact is, although the poker lobby tries to give the impression there is no house-edge, this is not true: if everyone played perfect poker (no bluffing, only playing certain hands, knowing when to fold, call, bet or raise depending on the odds of making a hand vs pot odds), poker would be a zero result game minus the rake (the percentage the casino takes on the pot, differering depending on the limit you're playing.

Also, be informed that in small stakes casino poker the rake is pretty high, compared to the high limits.

HOWEVER, in contrary to other casino games you're not playing 'against the house' but competing against other players. Players who win money in the long run do so, because other players make (costly) mistakes. There are two hurdles: being a better player than the competition and making enough profit to overcome the rake.

Especially Texas Hold Em limit, Omaha and Seven Card Stud are interesting choices for aspiring professional gamblers. However, the road to riches is paved with thorns. Even if one is a pretty good poker player, you'll have bad beats, losing streaks and especially in no limit Texas Hold 'Em you can lose your entire bankroll on a unfavorable card (no matter how good you play).

Never the less, Texas Hold Em No Limit is the number one choice amongs professional casino gamblers, however for beginning players it's far better and safer to start out with limit Texas Hold 'em.    

[john_solitude]

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