I have a book that is almost 40 years old about casino gambling, which I have been reading recently. It’s called “The Winner’s Guide To Casino Gambling” and was written by Edwin Silverstang. It’s fun to look through, even though it is a bit outdated. Since 1980, the casino industry has seen some changes.
It’s also on the right track in all other aspects. The only thing that is outdated about this book is its selection of game covers. Since then, casinos have introduced many new games. There is nothing in the book that talks about internet casinos.
The best thing about books like these is the advice on how to win at gambling. After studying the subject of casino gambling and probability over a number of decades, I have developed strong opinions about what works in a casino setting.
Below, I will be reviewing the advice contained in “A Winning Approach To Gambling”, with an eye towards what is accurate and useful, and what is inaccurate and useless. “The Winner’s Guide to Casino Gambling” has good, bad, and just plain awful advice. Below, I will be examining each piece of advice.
Casino Gambling is as easy to win as it is to lose
This is the first paragraph of the chapter.
When most people think about gamblers, they automatically think of losers. It’s easy to win and lose, especially in casino gaming. The casino games in this book give the house a small edge or, in the case with blackjack, give the player an advantage over their casino.
Italics in the quote above are mine. If you ask anyone who has ever played in a casino, they will tell you that it is not as easy to win and lose.
This is something that everyone knows, even novice players who don’t know the math behind the game. This statement is absurd for more sophisticated gamblers who understand the mathematics behind the games.
I am a writer. Although I am not a great writer, I value accuracy in language use. I find this kind of inefficiency offensive when it comes to writing about casino gambling. It’s amusing though.
Here’s a list of things you must do to win
The book also provides a list with the things you need to do in order to win at gambling at casinos.
– Only place bets that have the lowest house edge
– You can manage your money well.
– Exercise self-control.
– Do not play for the thrill of action, but to win.
The author states that “If you adhere to these sound principles, then you will be a winner.”
Let’s begin with the first thing: only place bets on the house with the lowest edge. You will lose all your money if you place bets with a house edge. This is how casino games work. It’s unavoidable.
It doesn’t really matter if the house edge is high or low. A game with a higher house advantage can cause you to lose more money. Even though the house edge is a good mathematical indicator, it’s only a partial picture. Volatility is also important.
Only play when you have an edge. Not the casino. This is how you “can’t help being a winner”. Even then, you may lose in the short-term. You can still win some games if you play with an edge for your house. This is how gambling works.
Although it is good to manage your money well, it will not make you a millionaire. Gambling with money that you cannot afford to lose is not a good idea. This is a simple fact. However, budgeting and staying within your budget won’t help you win. This only means that even if you do lose, it won’t ruin your life or cause financial disasters. These are important things to avoid but not the same as making sure you win.
To win at casino games, you must exercise self-control. To avoid placing negative expectations bets, you must have enough self-control. It is therefore a losing proposition to play baccarat or craps. The author recommends sticking to three games: blackjack, baccarat, and craps. Only one of these games can give you an advantage.
Indifferent advice is to play for the win and not the thrill of the action. When the author suggests that you play games where there is an advantage, it’s difficult to not take it seriously. Let’s discuss how the house has an edge in casino games.
Also Read: How to Start a Charity Casino and Poker Party Business
How Casino Games Give the Casino an Advantage
Every casino game has a mathematical advantage that favors them. This advantage is achieved by the casino paying lower odds to win bets than their actual odds.
Probability refers to the likelihood of something happening. Probability is a number between zero and one that indicates the likelihood of an event happening. It can be expressed in many ways.
– As a fraction
– As a decimal
– As a percentage
– So are the odds
A 1 probability event will always occur, while a 0 probability event will never occur. The probability that an event will occur is the sum of the possible outcomes divided by the total number of events.
Let’s take an example:
You flip a coin. You want to find out the chance of it landing on heads. This is only one possible outcome. This situation could lead to two possible outcomes. You could either get heads or tails.
The probability of getting your head is 1 divided by 2. This can be expressed the following:
– 1/2 (a fraction)
– 0.5 (as a decimal)
– 50% (as an amount)
– 1 to 1 (as odds).
Probability is expressed in odds format. This means that you can compare the probability of an event happening with the likelihood of it happening. Even odds are 1 to 1. However, odds can also be used to describe the payoffs for betting. It isConclusion
Good Advice:
[[1](https://support.google.com/adspolicy/answer/6018017?hl=en)] Set limits and gamble responsibly. Gambling should be seen as recreation, instead of a way to make money. Before playing, a casino gambler should decide how much of their bankroll they can afford to lose and stick to it.
[[2](https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en)] It’s important to be aware of the potential risks and consequences of gambling. Casino players should use the resources available, such as Gambling Therapy, to help them understand the risks associated with gambling and how to recognize problem gambling behavior.
[[3](https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en/responsible-gambling)] Take advantage of responsible gambling measures and resources available, such as limiting the amount they can deposit, setting daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits, or using a “take a break” feature which can limit play.
Bad Advice:
[[1](https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en/responsible-gambling)] Don’t rely on systems or strategies to win. While some systems may work in the short-term, the casino always has an edge over the player in the long run. Such systems don’t guarantee success and should only be used for entertainment purposes.
[[2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/feb/27/last-orders-21-ways-to-lose-at-the-casino)] Don’t use alcohol or drugs while playing. This impairs the player’s ability to focus and make rational decisions, and could lead to bigger losses.
[[3](https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en/responsible-gambling)] Don’t chase losses. It’s normal to have a few losing sessions, but chasing losses can lead to increased losses and can even turn into a problem gambling behavior. When playing at a casino, always remember to gamble responsibly.
In conclusion, although gambling can be fun and exciting, it can also be risky and lead to losses. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with gambling, set limits and stick to them, and take advantage of the responsible gambling measures and resources available. By following good advice and avoiding bad advice, casino players can enjoy their experience at the casino while remaining in control of their bankroll.
In conclusion, understanding the ratio of winnings to losses is crucial in gambling. A break-even proposition pays out at 1 to 1, but increasing the payoff to 3 to 2 gives one side an advantage. Casino games often have uneven payouts. Craps can be used as an example to demonstrate the house edge, where the odds of winning a specific bet may be 10 to 1, but the payout is only 9 to 1. It’s important to find games that offer a mathematical advantage, such as video poker and blackjack. Money management is also essential, and it’s crucial to only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Ultimately, gambling should be enjoyed for the thrill of the action, rather than solely for making money.
Conclusion: “The Winner’s Guide to Casino Gambling” is a book that provides detailed explanations of how casino games work and offers good coverage of odds and bets [1]. However, when it comes to strategy, the book becomes difficult to follow. It is unreasonable to claim that one can manage their money and bankroll in a way that overcomes the house edge. There are other legitimate sites that offer better and more detailed coverage on this topic [1]. Overall, while the book has its strengths, this particular chapter is considered poor and contains advice that is wrongheaded or even absurd [1].What is the secret to winning at a casino?
In general, it’s best to pick the machines with the highest payouts. Search online to find specific machines that are known to have a high RTP (“return to player”). Pay attention to volatility, too. Low volatility slots have a higher chance of winning, but high volatility machines usually offer a bigger payout. Being a winning casino gambler requires more than just luck. By finding a way to beat the house edge and managing their bankroll successfully, players can enjoy their time at a casino while minimizing their chances of leaving with empty pockets. Here are some good and bad advice that should be taken into consideration when playing at a casino.Good Advice:
[[1](https://support.google.com/adspolicy/answer/6018017?hl=en)] Set limits and gamble responsibly. Gambling should be seen as recreation, instead of a way to make money. Before playing, a casino gambler should decide how much of their bankroll they can afford to lose and stick to it.
[[2](https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en)] It’s important to be aware of the potential risks and consequences of gambling. Casino players should use the resources available, such as Gambling Therapy, to help them understand the risks associated with gambling and how to recognize problem gambling behavior.
[[3](https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en/responsible-gambling)] Take advantage of responsible gambling measures and resources available, such as limiting the amount they can deposit, setting daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits, or using a “take a break” feature which can limit play.
Bad Advice:
[[1](https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en/responsible-gambling)] Don’t rely on systems or strategies to win. While some systems may work in the short-term, the casino always has an edge over the player in the long run. Such systems don’t guarantee success and should only be used for entertainment purposes.
[[2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/feb/27/last-orders-21-ways-to-lose-at-the-casino)] Don’t use alcohol or drugs while playing. This impairs the player’s ability to focus and make rational decisions, and could lead to bigger losses.
[[3](https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en/responsible-gambling)] Don’t chase losses. It’s normal to have a few losing sessions, but chasing losses can lead to increased losses and can even turn into a problem gambling behavior. When playing at a casino, always remember to gamble responsibly.
In conclusion, although gambling can be fun and exciting, it can also be risky and lead to losses. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with gambling, set limits and stick to them, and take advantage of the responsible gambling measures and resources available. By following good advice and avoiding bad advice, casino players can enjoy their experience at the casino while remaining in control of their bankroll.
