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Expect to lose
The
odds almost always favor the casino. If you won't be happy if you
lose then you shouldn't play at all.
Don't rely on hunches
Don't rely on hunches. Always make the mathematically best decision.
The casinos have the mathematical odds on their side.
You'll
probably lose in the long run
Although most people
will lose in the long run your money will go up and down in the
short run. The rare exception to this commandment are players who
follow a strict strategy and stick to it - With good systems it
is possible to gain a long term edge. You should aim to be one of
the 4% of gamblers that actually beat the casinos.
The harder the game - The better the odds
Your best bets are the more complicated games of blackjack, craps,
baccarat, and video poker, assuming you play them wisely. Your worst
bets are the simple games of pure chance like keno, roulette, and
the wheel of fortune.
Don't bet money you can't afford to loose
The motive for gambling should be entertainment. So bet enough to
make it interesting but not so much that it would hurt if you lost.
Don't hedge your bets
For example don't take insurance in blackjack and never make the
any 7 or any craps bet in craps. In gambling, as in life, it makes
good business sense to not insure risks you can cope with yourself.
If you are afraid to lose then you are betting too much to begin
with.
There is no system that can beat a game of pure chance
There are plenty of charlatans promising systems that can beat games
of luck like roulette, craps, and even the lottery. Most systems
trade a lot of small wins for a few huge losses. In the long run
it is impossible to beat the house at games of chance only.
It
pays to shop around for the best possible playing conditions
In many games, especially blackjack and video poker rules can vary
from one casino to another and one state to another. Know what rules
are favorable to the player and to seek them out.
Avoid the side bets and gimmicks
Good examples of side bets to ignore are those in Caribbean stud
poker and let it ride. Yes, I know everyone else makes these bets
but mathematically the house edge is huge. I have never seen a side
bet that was a better bet than the game it was on. Gimmicks, like
crapsless craps and commission free baccarat, have a higher house
edge than normal rules in every example I have seen. When the casinos
offer a change in a rule to your advantage you can be sure they
changed another rule that is to their advantage, and that they are
taking more than they are giving up.
Have fun
Don't forget that gambling is supposed to be a recreational activity.
Like many things, what is enjoyable in moderation can be disastrous
in excess. If you lose the ability to walk away from the table or
machine at will then you shouldn't play at all.
Good luck!
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