The bright lights and exciting energy of the casino floor can be exhilarating, but behind the glitz lies a cold, hard truth – the games are mathematically designed to favor the house. The elusive big payouts keep players hooked while steadily draining their bankroll. Is it possible to overcome the odds and walk away a winner?
Let’s consult the experts of MrGreen Casino who have spent years mastering the fine edges to see what secrets they can impart.
Pick Your Game Carefully
Not all casino games are created equal when it comes to odds and payouts. Doing your homework on the best options to play can start you off on the right foot.
| Game | House Edge | Notes |
| Blackjack | 0.5% – 1% | With optimal strategy |
| Baccarat | 1.06% – 1.24% | On banker and player bets |
| Video Poker | 0% – 0.46% | On full pay machines |
Favorable Full-Pay Video Poker
Video poker combines the interactive fun of slots with the strategy of poker. Under the right conditions, players can gain a small mathematical edge. Look for full-pay machines that offer the maximum return if played flawlessly. Common options include Jacks or Better offering 99.54% payback and Deuces Wild at 100.76% with optimal strategy.
Seek Out Surrender in Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular card games for a reason – when played properly, the house edge can be under 1%. To improve your odds further, find tables that allow surrendering half your bet after seeing your initial cards. This can reduce losses on disadvantageous hands.
Don’t Ignore Baccarat
While not as popular stateside, Baccarat offers some of the best odds outside of poker. The house edge on the basic “banker” and “player” bets range from a slim 1.06% to 1.24% depending on the version. It may look intimidating, but the rules are simple – perfect for beginners.
Master the Math Behind the Games
Gambling odds and probabilities are not guesses or gut feelings. The math is fixed and reliable for those willing to understand it. Make the numbers work for you.
Know the True Odds
The house advertises flashy 98% or even 99% payout slots. But that percentage applies to many spins over time. The key figure is the Return to Player (RTP) – the average percentage returned on each dollar wagered. This ranges from 90% to 99% depending on the game. The higher the RTP, the better your odds.
Brush Up on Basic Strategy
Blackjack, video poker, and other skill-based games have optimal plays for each scenario based on the cards. Memorizing the basic strategy charts gives you the best statistical chance to beat the dealer. Flashcard apps make it easy. Just a few hours of practice can wipe out 2-5% of the house edge.
Set Loss and Win Limits
It’s easy to let emotions take over when lady luck is on your side or you’re trying to recoup losses. But swings of fortune even out over time. Set a loss limit based on your bankroll and stick to it. Also, set a win goal and have the discipline to walk away while you’re ahead.
Bring the Right Mindset and Behaviors
Success in the Nettikasinot360 requires self-control and a professional mindset just as much technical skill. It’s not just about what you know but how you behave.
Leave Superstitions at the Door
Rabbit feet and lucky shirts make for fun stories but have no mathematical edge. Every spin of the wheel, roll of the dice, or shuffle of the cards is an independent event unaffected by past results or rituals. Stay grounded in reality and focus on practical actions.
Make Rational Bet Sizes
Nothing kills a bankroll faster than betting too much relative to the pot size. Betting $5 per hand seems small until you realize you can easily play 500+ hands per hour. Set a time-based budget and stick to conservative bet sizes until you tally a sufficient win.
Take Breaks and Review Strategy
Even card counters in blackjack play no more than 20 minutes per hour. Intense mental focus over long periods leads to fatigue and mistakes. Step back regularly, clear your head, rest, or eat. Also, review your recorded play and strategy to shore up any weak points.
Keep Emotions in Check
Easier said than done when winning or losing streaks kick in. But feelings of greed and desperation lead to irrational betting that will cost you money over time. Stay the course with your game plan and don’t let emotions hijack your decisions, even after big losses or wins.
Skills + Discipline = Long-Term Winnings
The casino environment is designed to overwhelm the senses and tug the emotions in harmful directions for players – all while enforcing a mathematical edge on every single game. To overcome the odds, players need technical gambling skills combined with discipline based on rigorous math. Stick to the games with the best odds, learn basic strategies, set sane limits, and control your emotions. Gambling will always have random ups and downs. But players who can mitigate the house edge while playing rationally can walk away winners more often than not.
It takes dedication to perfect your skill set. But like any profession, results improve dramatically once you commit to rigorous self-improvement. Use the games rather than letting them use you by harnessing all the edges you can. Over the long run, the odds tilt decidedly in your favor compared to recreational players.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
