Many Small Wins and a Few Big Losses
Dear Mark,
My brother-in-law thinks he can make a living counting cards while playing
blackjack. He's been playing on low limit tables because he doesn't have
any money. I have a two-part question. First, can he really beat the casino
with his small bankroll, and second, if he can actually beat the casino
counting cards, why does the casino offer a game they can't make any money
at? Robert A. Prodigy.com
Because casinos make their money from the uninformed masses (over 95 percent),
and what the heck, throw in bad card counters as well.
Card counters in general have an inherent advantage of between .5 and 1.5
percent against the house. But in your brother-in-law's case, even if his
debatable skills rival the pros, because his bankroll is limited (e.g.,
$1000 or less), his slight edge will produce nothing more than a $5-an-hour
job for him.
Is it worth the constant hassle from pit bosses, exposure of his bankroll
and the possibility of financial ruin for $5 an hour? I'll pass and let
him decide.
Dear Mark,
What is the value of doubling down on a blackjack game? Am I not exposing
additional money which I could lose to the casino? Steve S. St. Ignace,
MI
Sorry, Steve, I'm a huge fan of doubling down. Here's an opportunity where
you now know what the dealer's up-card is, and the casino is allowing you
to bet more money.
In blackjack, Steve, it's the natural blackjacks, splitting pairs and the
ability to double down that brings your bankroll from red to black. If you're
playing perfect strategy, not winging it, doubling down becomes the offensive
strategy you use when the chances of winning the hand are better than the
dealer's. Why? Because betting more when the casino is at a distinct disadvantage
will increase your potential return more than if you were to just hit your
hand.
Dear Mark,
Jimbo, from Irvine, Calif., wrote you and asked when it was the best time
to play the progressive jackpot hand in Caribbean Stud Poker. Didn't your
reply forget to include the additional progressive jackpot payoffs they'll
pay you for straight flush or four of a kind? Also, with those additional
payoffs included, now when is the best time to make that side wager in Caribbean
Stud Poker? Karl B. Boston, MA
Karl, a sharp eye like yours is deserving of a free set of my audio tapes,
Hooked on Winning.
My response to Jimbo was based on what your chances were of hitting the
royal flush, but you're right, there are additional progressive jackpot
payoffs rewarded to players who place that optional bet-payoffs like 10
percent of the jackpot for getting a straight flush down to $50 for a flush.
Now to answer your question specifically, Karl, players should make this
side wager when the progressive jackpot is $220,689.65 or more. A lessor
jackpot would shift the advantage to the casino, whereas a greater amount
would tilt the edge toward the player. Tapes are in the mail.
Before I Shuffle:
Someone, with no name or return address, wrote in to ask what the chances
were of a dealer having a blackjack when showing an ace. It's 31 percent.
The writer forgot, or didn't know, that I'll send them a free set of tapes
if I use their question in this column. So please write back and tell me
who you are.
Got a question about gambling? Write to: Deal Me In, 774 Mays Blvd.
Suite 10, Incline Village, NV 89451 or e-mail:winners@winner.com
· To order Mark Pilarski's "Hooked on Winning" audio cassettes-laminated
win cards package ($12.95 plus $2. S&H) call (800) WINNERS
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