Anyone expect to win in Las Vegas?
Dec 15th, 2003, 12:05 PM
#1
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Anyone expect to win in Las Vegas?
Millions of travelers gamble in Las Vegas every year. When I am in the casinos everyone seems so serious, making all the right decisions at the Blackjack table, or in video poker. Everyone looks like they are putting so much brain power into their gambling decisions. They can't be losing can they?
How many of you actually win during a typical gambling trip to Las Vegas? If so, tell me, what is yor secret?
How many of you actually win during a typical gambling trip to Las Vegas? If so, tell me, what is yor secret?
Dec 15th, 2003, 12:16 PM
#2
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I play basic strategy blackjack, only play on tables which offer the best rules (in any given casino, there are several different versions of BJ being played and most players don't even realize it), and I alter my bets based on which cards of a shoe have been played. The house edge on my play is extremely slight. I play with the hope of breaking even, I get free drinks, and the casino comps part of my room and meals. I play for the excitement, not to come away with cash in my pocket.
Now poker is a different story, you're playing against other humans, mono e mono minus the rake. There, I expect to win.
My play, however is not typical. It's pretty rare that I'm at a table with another player who has a firm grasp of basic strategy unless it's someone I know.
Now poker is a different story, you're playing against other humans, mono e mono minus the rake. There, I expect to win.
My play, however is not typical. It's pretty rare that I'm at a table with another player who has a firm grasp of basic strategy unless it's someone I know.
Dec 15th, 2003, 12:27 PM
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By some small miracle, I've never had a net loss in 6 or 7 trips. I have lost for a single evening. I generally establish an amount I'm willing to lose for the session and will walk away if hit that bottom. I try to figure it in terms of the value of the entertainment so that I don't feel very bad about the loss.
In the past, I played blackjack and video poker because they are games where if you play correctly, the house edge is quite small. My strategy is to quit if I hit a set loss and to pocket winnings when I'm ahead.
Now, I play poker. I like the fact that I'm competing against other players instead of the house. I have won most sessions and am definately up overall. Primarily, I have an excellent grasp of statistics and can do math in my head very easily. I enjoy the aspect of guessing what cards my opponants have based on their betting strategy. I have only mixed results with that, but I play "tight" and generally only get involved in hands with decent odds on my side.
I don't find that playing correct strategy at Blackjack or video poker takes "so much brain power", but I like the banter at poker tables better. Very few blackjack players like to talk.
In the past, I played blackjack and video poker because they are games where if you play correctly, the house edge is quite small. My strategy is to quit if I hit a set loss and to pocket winnings when I'm ahead.
Now, I play poker. I like the fact that I'm competing against other players instead of the house. I have won most sessions and am definately up overall. Primarily, I have an excellent grasp of statistics and can do math in my head very easily. I enjoy the aspect of guessing what cards my opponants have based on their betting strategy. I have only mixed results with that, but I play "tight" and generally only get involved in hands with decent odds on my side.
I don't find that playing correct strategy at Blackjack or video poker takes "so much brain power", but I like the banter at poker tables better. Very few blackjack players like to talk.
Dec 15th, 2003, 02:50 PM
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My husband plays Blackjack and usually walks away with some winnings.
I am too intimidated to sit down at a Las Vegas blackjack table so I just watch.
But with all that skill and brainpower being used on blackjack, I managed to win quite a lot of money this past THanksgiving on slot machines!
It was just luck.
So-Yes, I think we always expect to win, otherwise we would never play.
I am too intimidated to sit down at a Las Vegas blackjack table so I just watch.
But with all that skill and brainpower being used on blackjack, I managed to win quite a lot of money this past THanksgiving on slot machines!
It was just luck.
So-Yes, I think we always expect to win, otherwise we would never play.
Dec 15th, 2003, 03:42 PM
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Judy
I was told to wait until afternoon or early when there were less men gambling and find a table with a female dealer and maybe get to play alone a little while. But I am just to afraid I will forget how to count or do something dopey..so I stand behind the Yankee and enjoy watching him win.
RE: blackjack players don't talk-that might be why he is so good, he never talks while gambling.
But- he did get a kick out of the Happy Dance I did at the Mirage when I won $500-
I was told to wait until afternoon or early when there were less men gambling and find a table with a female dealer and maybe get to play alone a little while. But I am just to afraid I will forget how to count or do something dopey..so I stand behind the Yankee and enjoy watching him win.
RE: blackjack players don't talk-that might be why he is so good, he never talks while gambling.
But- he did get a kick out of the Happy Dance I did at the Mirage when I won $500-
Dec 15th, 2003, 05:24 PM
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Anyone who goes to LV expecting to win is either a fool, is running a scam to cheat, or is playing one of the few games in which long term losses are not guaranteed (some of the sports, poker, etc).
If anyone tells you they play roulette or blackjack or craps and that they "usually win", just smile and nod.
Just like a police officer does when people give them excuses after being pulled over.
If anyone tells you they play roulette or blackjack or craps and that they "usually win", just smile and nod.
Just like a police officer does when people give them excuses after being pulled over.
Dec 16th, 2003, 05:21 AM
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You really can't expect to win because in the long run you will not! It's good to have a positive attitude, and I saw on a Travel Channel Vegas special one time that having a positive frame of mind can help your gambling luck, but if you expect to win and you don't (which WILL happen more often than not), the disappointment will be greater than if you expected to lose in the first place.
When my wife and I go to Vegas, we go in expecting to leave a little lighter in the wallet and factor that into the cost of the trip as part of the entertainment "bill". If we win (like we did this past time), great! If we lose, so what, we had a wonderful time.
When my wife and I go to Vegas, we go in expecting to leave a little lighter in the wallet and factor that into the cost of the trip as part of the entertainment "bill". If we win (like we did this past time), great! If we lose, so what, we had a wonderful time.
Dec 16th, 2003, 05:34 AM
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Of course I go expecting to win. That's part of the excitement of visiting Vegas, the expectation of having success on the tables. That doesn't mean I'm shocked and disappointed if I lose because for most who visit, that's the reality.
If you don't go expecting to win, then by implication you're expecting to lose. That's not my definition of fun.
I usually play craps and there is really no secret to winning. Sometimes the dice go your way, sometimes they don't. When I am having a bit of luck, my typical method is to become more aggressive with my bets once I've won a bit of the house's money.
In general, I view the gambling as entertainment. If I win, great. If I lose, that's part of the game.
If you don't go expecting to win, then by implication you're expecting to lose. That's not my definition of fun.
I usually play craps and there is really no secret to winning. Sometimes the dice go your way, sometimes they don't. When I am having a bit of luck, my typical method is to become more aggressive with my bets once I've won a bit of the house's money.
In general, I view the gambling as entertainment. If I win, great. If I lose, that's part of the game.
Dec 16th, 2003, 05:34 AM
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Hey Scarlett,
You're right.....hope is an entirely different story! You don't go to Vegas without the hope to win it BIG ($$$) and retire. For some reason though I can never seem to win enough to retire at the $5 BJ table ;-)
You're right.....hope is an entirely different story! You don't go to Vegas without the hope to win it BIG ($$$) and retire. For some reason though I can never seem to win enough to retire at the $5 BJ table ;-)
Dec 16th, 2003, 05:57 AM
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One of these days, I just know I will WIN!!! I always go hoping that I will. The last time out, I said at the airport, I'm putting this last $20 bill in the wheel of fortune slot. Hit it for $130..took the $100 bill stuck it in my rat hole money for the next Vegas trip, tucked my tail and boarded the plane!!
Dec 16th, 2003, 06:11 AM
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I only bet what I know. Mainly horses & the sports book. (Basketball & Football). I will sit down for some roulette or blackjack as well, but when my stake is gone I get up. It's all about discipline & knowing when to stop. Afterall, why do you think they're handing you free drinks the entire time ? Some of the best reasons to go to Vegas are the food & shows. I don't always have time to gamble much.
Dec 16th, 2003, 06:15 AM
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There are actually other ways to 'win'. Many of the hotels are very generous w/their comps. One of the last trips I took I stayed @ NYNY during 'March Madness'. Based on our play, the only thing we payed for during our stay was one dinner @ Gallagher's steakhouse. No room charge, no charge for any of our other meals (which included several breakfasts & bar tabs). So everyone who gambles at all should explore that option.
Dec 16th, 2003, 08:46 AM
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Like a couple of others, I have the expectation of winning and occasionally do. I would have to say over the long run I am not up. I play games where I get to make decisions...mostly BJ and Video Poker, sometimes Craps. Currently practicing to play live poker on the next trip.
It does amaze me the number of people who come back and claim they are a winner or "broke even." How in the world do the gaming companies pay their staff? How do they build those expensive properties with all those winners taking home money? How do the residents send their kids to college for free? Why isn't there any state income tax? I could go on and on..
postwhileworking asks: what is your secret? Answer: Lie like a rug.
It does amaze me the number of people who come back and claim they are a winner or "broke even." How in the world do the gaming companies pay their staff? How do they build those expensive properties with all those winners taking home money? How do the residents send their kids to college for free? Why isn't there any state income tax? I could go on and on..
postwhileworking asks: what is your secret? Answer: Lie like a rug.
Dec 16th, 2003, 10:08 AM
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C'mon now Scarlett.
Be realistic. Casinos want everyone to believe that winning is easy and that it happens all the time.
But you only have to look at the data to know the truth. Casinos are wildly profitable because when you average everything out, they take 1-10% of every single bet. That adds up fast.
Common sense will also tell you that since these are among the most lavish and cost-intensive entertainment facilities in the world that revenues must be incredibly large to maintain profitability.
Doug hit the nail on the head.
Gambling as a form of entertainment is fine. Expecting to win is silly and planning to win is dangerous. And if there were lots of people who won with regularity, the casinos would not exist, or they'd look like old HoJo motels.
Be realistic. Casinos want everyone to believe that winning is easy and that it happens all the time.
But you only have to look at the data to know the truth. Casinos are wildly profitable because when you average everything out, they take 1-10% of every single bet. That adds up fast.
Common sense will also tell you that since these are among the most lavish and cost-intensive entertainment facilities in the world that revenues must be incredibly large to maintain profitability.
Doug hit the nail on the head.
Gambling as a form of entertainment is fine. Expecting to win is silly and planning to win is dangerous. And if there were lots of people who won with regularity, the casinos would not exist, or they'd look like old HoJo motels.
