PROBLEM GAMBLING A GUIDE FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY Written by Dr John O’Connor The National Library of Australia Cataloguing in Publication South Australia 2004 / Revised and updated 2017. Have you ever heard someone suffering from a gambling addiction say that their luck was about to turn? It’s a common misconception that if you keep on placing bets, sooner or later your fortunes will change. The truth, however, is very different. That’s because gambling is set up in such a way that the house always wins. So even if you do come out on top once in a while, the odds are.
Whether you are a seasoned Las Vegas gambler or gambling just for fun, one thing every gambler wants is to win money and walk away with more money than they walked in with. On the other hand, the ultimate goal of every Las Vegas casino is to make money.
Casinos are designed to operate under the basic understanding that, over the long term, the house will come out ahead. This is achieved if the casinos take in as much as possible and pay out as little as possible. We have all heard the saying, 'the house always wins'.
Fact: You should know that Las Vegas casinos has the mathematical advantage in every game. No matter what game you play blackjack, roulette, slots, craps, Texas Hold em, Baccarat or any other casino game. Games of chance are based on random outcomes and always favor the casino.
Wheel of fortune 1987 game. Our goal in this section of the lasvegashowto.com is to acquaint you with the rules and regulations for each game, which in turn will make for a better gaming experience. Just remember the golden rule, 'Only bet what you're prepared to lose!'
How to play Blackjack
Know the basic strategy as we show you how to play Blackjack. Blackjack is one of the most popular Las Vegas casino games with a small house advantage.
How to play Roulette
Learn the many combination of bets one can make on a roulette wheel. Understand that Roulette is a game of pure chance with an overwhelming built-in house advantage.
How to play Slots
Considered Las Vegas casinos 'bread and butter'. Learn how to play slot machines, and which machines to play and your odds of winning big. Summary on the outcasts of poker flat.
How to play Texas Hold'Em
Whether you are new to Texas Hold'Em or a true Vegas poker aficionado, we have something for everyone. Learn Texas Hold'Em rules and let's show you how to get the best five card high hand.
How to play Craps
All that hollering, excitement and high-fives you hear and see on a casino floor is most likely coming from a craps table. Do not let the game of craps intimidate you. Let us show you how to play the game of craps and understand the rules.
How to play Baccarat
Learn to play Baccarat, one of the easiest Las Vegas casino games to learn and play. Let us help you win big by showing you the fixed rules governing the drawing of additional cards.
How to play Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker combines the elements of the ancient Chinese game of Pai Gow and the American game of poker. Learn Pai Gow Poker rules and let's show you how to beat both of the Banker's two hands.
How to play Let It Ride
Make your bets and if you've got a good hand, just Let It Ride. Let us show you how to play the game of Let It Ride Poker and how to get the best possible poker hand by using your three cards and two cards.
How to play 3 Card Poker
Three exciting ways to play! Learn to play Three Card Poker, the new Las Vegas casino table games. Let us help you master this exciting variation to Poker and simply beat the dealers hand and get paid.
Las Vegas Comp Cards
Las Vegas Comps, which is short for complimentary is a way Las Vegas casinos rewards it's frequent gamblers by offering them free complimentary rooms, buffet passes, show tickets, and so on.
Earning comps is a way of getting free stuff for your casino dollar. To earn comps, you must have the most valuable card in any Las Vegas casino which is a 'Players Club Card'. Here are more information about comp cards. Never drop a single coin into a machine if you don't have your player's club card inserted in the machines card reader. The Vegas comp card is free and will allow you to earn comps you can use towards free shows, free rooms, free food and in some cases a cash rebate.
But you can’t get any of these freebies if you don’t have a players club card. Next time you visit any Vegas casino, walk straight to the players club window and sign up for a free card. Here is a list of participating casinos: Some casinos might give you some freebies right away just for signing up.
The house advantage is the difference between the true odds and the odds that the casino pays you when you win.
It is important to know the house advantage for each game. House advantages also vary by region, casino and game. Today if you ask any Vegas gambler where is the best place to play, they will most likely say, downtown or off the strip. The reason is because people believe the games with the best odds in Vegas can be found the further away you go from the Vegas strip. This actually not a proven fact.
1The D Las Vegas
2The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod
3Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
4Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort
5The Venetian & The Palazzo
6The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
7Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
8Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
9Bellagio Las Vegas
10M Resort Spa Casino
On the Las Vegas strip, given the common rules, the approximate house advantage for each game are as follows:
Las Vegas Casino House Advantage and Expected Loss
| House Advantage | For Every $100 bet, the player can expect to lose | |
| Baccarat | ||
| Player/Banker | 1.1%-1.2% | $1.10 - $1.20 |
| Tie | 14.4% | $14.40 |
| Blackjack | ||
| Natural pays 3 to 2 | 0.5%-1.5% | 50c - $1.50 |
| Natural pays 6 to 5 | 2.0%-3.0% | 2.00 - $3.00 |
| Craps | ||
| Pass/Don't Pass | 1.4% | $1.40 |
| Prop Bets | 10%-16.7% | $10 - $16.70 |
| Keno and Sports | ||
| Keno 1-15 Spots | 25%-30% | $25 -$30 |
| Video Keno | 8%-15% | $8 -$15 |
| Sports Betting (Bet $11/Win $10) | 4.5% | $4.50 |
| Roulette | ||
| Single Zero | 2.7% | $2.70 |
| Double Zero | 5.3% | $5.30 |
| Slot Machines / Reels | ||
| Nickel Slots | 7%-12% | $7 - $12 |
| Quarter Slots | 5%-10% | $5 -$10 |
| Dollar Slots | 2.5%-6% | $2.50 -$6 |
| Video Poker | ||
| Video Poker | 0.5%-5% | 50c - $5 |
source: American Gaming Association
Now you see why casinos consider slot machines their 'bread and butter'.
Look for games with a small house advantage. For the player, the best games to play are Blackjack, Craps and Baccarat. These are the games where the house advantage are most reduced, meaning in the short run you can beat them.
Players Club Cards
The minimum age for gambling in Nevada is 21 and the law is strictly enforced. Casinos can be fined heavily by the state or have their license revoked for allowing anyone under 21 to gamble or loiter in gaming areas.
Adults cannot play slot machines with kids looking over their shoulder, nor can they park infants in strollers besides slot machines or gaming tables.
Security guards will inform violators of the state law one time and escort them from the premises for repeatedly ignoring warnings.
If you win a jackpot of $1,200 or more in any Las Vegas casino, the casino will ask to see your social security card and have you fill out a W2G form for the IRS.
Responsible Gaming
This website encourages you to play responsibly by betting within your limits and by recognizing that over time the house will come out ahead.
To view a full copy of the American Gaming Association Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming, visit the AGA website at www.americangaming.org.
If you wish to view the AGA’s win-loss brochure, “The Guide to House Advantage”, visit www.americangaming.org
Copies of the brochure “When the Fun Stops – Understanding Compulsive Gambling” are available at most Casino Cages, and Players Club Desk.
Warning Signs of Problem Gaming:
- Gambling to escape worry
- Gambling to get money to solve financial difficulties
- Feeling unable to stop playing, regardless of winning or losing
- Often gambling until your last dollar is gone
- Neglecting your family because of gambling
If you feel you need help, please call the following 24-hour confidential national hotline:
Nevada Council on Problem Gambling 1-800-522-4700
Did you know ..
The King of Hearts is the only king in a deck of cards without a mustache.
The King of Hearts is also referred to as the 'suicide king' (who earned this name because it looks like he's stabbing himself in the head with a sword)
Did you know ..
The opposite sides of a die (dice) will always add up to seven.
If you take a look, you'll see that one and six are on opposite sides of the cube (1+6=7), as are two and five (2+5=7), and three and four (3+4=7).
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