The Five Best Bets in the Casino

Introduction: Best Bets in the Casino

Suppose that, just like that, in an instant, you could improve your odds at the casino. You already know that the odds as they stand are against you, in the form of the house edge. After all, that’s how the casino can turn a profit. But, though the odds may be stacked against you, you can improve your odds drastically depending on which games you decide to play and which bets to make during that gameplay.

For example, if you consider yourself a decent blackjack or poker player, then you can certainly even up the odds. But if you have little experience of these games, then they represent a rather poor choice. We should look at games where the house edge is manageable, more especially for the novice gambler. That’s someone who has only basic gambling skills and might quickly find himself out of his depth. Let’s have a look at the best bets at the casino and the best ways to win the jackpot online.

Baccarat Banker Bets 1.06 % House Edge

Now baccarat is a very easy game to both learn and play. And the odds are not unfair. Essentially you decide to bet against the banker, the player or a tie before the hand is over. Here, the banker bet offers the lowest house edge. First, the bets are laid down. Then both bankers and players will receive their cards face down. Remember that Aces score 1 and face cards and 10’s score 0….with the other cards all being worth their face values. Simply add up the totals and the winner is the one with the final highest score.

An example of this would be a hand that contains a 3 and a 5 would then beat a hand with an 8 and a 9, because of 3 + 5 = 8, while 8 + 9 = 17, and keep in mind that only the last number is counted. In this case 7 from the score of 17. At just over 1% this really is one of the best bets at the casino.

Craps Pass Line Bets 1.41% House Edge

Now the craps table can offer some of the best bets in the casino. A simple bet is the “pass line bet”. You put your chips on the pass line and you’ll win if a 7 or 11 is rolled. If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, then you lose. Then if you roll any other number, then that number is rolled again looking for a 7. If you don’t hit a 7 this time, then you lose. Funnily enough, the “don’t pass” line bet offers an even better house edge. OK…it’s extremely slim in an extra 2 cents on every $100 bet, but with this you’re actually betting against the other players. And for the extra 2 cents, many say it’s not worth the sour looks you get from the other players.

Craps Odds Bets 0% House Edge

Nearly all of the best bets at the casino have a house edge. In fact there is only one bet in the casino where the house has no edge what so ever. Because it’s such an attractive bet, you’ll find that casinos don’t mention it or promote its use. There’s nothing written at the table about it and even the dealers don’t mention this bet as an option. The only catch is that you can only place this odds bet after already placing a pass line bet.

How Does This Work?

Let’s play a hand and see how it works. If you make a pass line bet and a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, then you can place additional chips on the open green felt behind you first pass line bet. So, if the number rolled on the initial roll is rolled again before rolling a 7, then this extra bet pays out at 2:1 if the point was a 4 or a 10, 3:2 if those points were a 5 or a 9, and finally, 6:5 is the points were a 6 or an 8. Obviously, the casino will limit the size of all odds bets. No surprise there! But these limits can vary from casino to casino. You should find a sign at the actual table listing the odds, thus allowing you to calculate the best bets at the casino.

Best Bets in the Casino: Ask The Dealer

An example would be a sign saying “3-4-5X”. This would mean that you can wager up to 3 X the amount of your original pass line bet if the point is a 4 or a 10, 4 X if those points are a 5 or a 9, and then 5 X if those numbers are a 6 or an 8. If you’re uncertain of anything with regards to odds bets, don’t be shy about asking the dealer. Sometimes the dealer will let you make odds bets on a hand by hand basis. So remember to tip well!

Craps 6/8 Bet 1,52% House Edge

If you want to spice up your craps game, then think about making a wager of 6 or 8. As usual, you’ll win if the number rolled is below a 7, and lose it if it’s not. Keep in mind that the bet will continue until one of these numbers is actually rolled, no matter how many throws it takes. A winning 6 or 8 place bet pays out $7 for every $6 wagered. So always make this wager in multiples of 6. Of course you can place your bets on any number you like. But the 6 or 8, offer the more attractive odds.

To make the bet, then wait until the stickman has the dice. At this point you need to say out loud, “Place the 6 please” or “Place the 8 please”. You then push the chips you wish to bet with, towards the dealer. Do not put the chips on the 6 or 8 yourself…as this is seen as bad casino etiquette. Now if you happen to win, then the dealer will give you your winnings, but leave the original bet in place. If you wish to stop betting this number, then simple say, “take down the 6” or “Take down the 8”. Take care you don’t put your chips in the “Big 6” and “Big 8” boxes just inside the pass line as they offer worse odds.

Pai Gow Poker 2.3% House Edge

Unlike some of the previous games mentioned, Pai Gow Poker will require some skill. Yes, it’s easy to learn, fun to play and the odds are not staked too high against the player. Because the gameplay is pretty slow by casino standards, say around 3 4 minutes per hand, then your losses will never get beyond control. To that effect, your losses can be minimized. This factor, along with the fairly low house edge, is what makes this one of the best bets at the casino.

The players receive 7 cards face down. These are then divided into two hands. One of these is the traditional 5 card poker hand, whilst the other hand is a 2 card hand where only pairs and high cards have importance, as opposed to flushes and or straights. Remember that each players 5 card hand must beat his 2 card hand. This is a basic mistake often seen at the Pai Gow Poker table.

Let’s Play A Hand

The players are playing against the house (or the designated banker) and not against each other. Now, if you beat the dealer, then the house pays out even money, but there’s a minimum house commission of 5%. If the player and the dealer have the same hands (often called a “copy”), then the tie goes automatically to the dealer. If the player happens to win one hand but lose the other, it’s called a “push”, and you get to keep your bet, although you win nothing.

Best Bets in the Casino: Learn Pai Gow Strategy

Pushes are very common, so most competent players can sit and play for some time without losing much cash. Oh..and if the dealer wins both hands, then the player loses the entire bet. It’s a good idea to do a Google Search for “Pai Gow Strategy” before you head off to the casino. It takes very little time to learn the actual game, and being aware, or knowing some strategy will help your gameplay enormously. Hopefully, these five best bets at the casino will make you a better and more confident player.

To learn other strategies to succeed in wagering check out our guides to win the jackpot.

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