When you walk onto a casino floor, your eyes are immediately drawn to the endless rows of slot machines and the packed blackjack and roulette tables. Exploring these "niche" games can be a rewarding experience. This guide will introduce you to three of the most popular and intriguing alternative casino games: Craps, Baccarat, and Pai Gow Poker.
When the Dealer is Strong (Showing 7 through Ace) The statistical probability is that their hidden card is a 10, giving them a strong total of 17 or more.
Hit until you reach 17 or more: You have to assume the dealer has a better hand and take the risk to improve yours. When the Dealer is Weak (Showing 2 through 6) When the dealer's up-card is a 2, 3, 4, site 5, or 6, they are in a weak position.
Don't risk busting your own hand: If you have a "stiff" hand (a hard total of 12 through 16), you should generally Stand. Your Best Bet at the Table Blackjack is one of the few casino games where your decisions truly matter. Never Split 5s or 10s: Two 10s make a total of 20, which is a fantastic hand that you should almost always Stand on. The Golden Rules of Splitting and Doubling
Always Split Aces and 8s: Splitting two Aces gives you two chances to hit a 10 and make 21. Double Down more aggressively: If you have a hard 9, 10, or 11, you should almost always Double Down, as you have a good chance of getting a high card and the dealer has a good chance of busting. You'll be giving yourself the mathematical best chance to beat the dealer.
Conclusion: Step Off the Beaten Path While the mainstays like blackjack and roulette will always be popular, the casino floor is full of other exciting opportunities. The next time you're feeling adventurous, take a moment to watch one of these games, ask a dealer about the rules during a quiet moment, and give it a try.
Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund your gambling. Some signs include:
Spending an increasing amount of time and money on gambling. Professional help is available, and reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Feeling irritable or anxious when you try to cut back or stop. When to Seek Help Being honest with yourself about your habits is crucial. Lying to friends and family about your gambling activities.
How It's Played Pai Gow Poker is played with a standard 52-card deck plus one Joker.
A five-card "high" hand. The one rule is that your five-card hand must be of a higher poker rank than your two-card hand. A two-card "low" hand.
Gamble for Entertainment, Not to Make Money: Treat gambling as a cost of entertainment, just like buying a movie ticket or going to a concert. Decide in advance how long you're going to play and set an alarm to remind you when your time is up. Never rely on gambling as a way to solve financial problems. Set a Strict Budget: Never use money that is needed for essential expenses like rent, bills, or groceries. Set Time Limits: webpage It's easy to lose track of time when you're engrossed in a game. Set a firm loss limit before you start playing and stick to it.
Pay Attention to the Game: Follow the action so you know when it's your turn to act. Don't Touch Your Bet After the Hand homepage Starts: Once the dealer announces "no more bets" or the hand is underway, do not touch your chips. Know the Rules Before You Sit Down: Jumping into a fast-paced game without knowing the rules slows it down for everyone. Handle Your Chips and Cards Properly: In games like blackjack where you can touch your cards (in "pitch" games), use only one hand. Be Courteous to Everyone: Blaming the dealer for your losses is poor form and is never acceptable. While it's not mandatory, it's good form to tip your dealer, especially if you've been on a winning streak or site have been playing at their table for a long time. A dollar or two per drink is a standard and appreciated gesture. The Art of Tipping It is considered standard practice to tip the casino staff who provide you with service.
The round continues, and the shooter keeps rolling until they either roll the "point" number again (in which case the Pass Line wins) or homepage roll a 7 (in which case the Pass Line loses). If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 (known as "craps"), the Pass Line bet loses immediately. How It's Played Craps is a dice game centered around a "shooter" (the person rolling the dice).
On the come-out roll, if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the most basic bet, the "Pass Line," wins immediately. Where to Start The Pass Line bet (betting with the shooter) has a low house edge of just 1.41%.
Dice 1.4% (on certain bets) "Proposition" bets in the center of the table can have an edge over 10%. Roulette 2.7% (European) The American version has a double-zero (00), which nearly doubles the house edge. Game Typical House Edge Notes
Blackjack Around 0.5% Player skill heavily influences the outcome. Punto Banco ~1.24% (Player bet) The "Banker" bet is statistically the best option. Slots Varies Greatly The house edge is often not published.