Streaks
Gamblers like to bet on streaks. Nowhere is this more evident than in craps. Most blackjack players tend to flat bet – except for card counters. Sure, a few will raise their bet after a win now and then, but most blackjack players tend to keep their bet the same for an extended time before deciding to bump it up.
The same is true of slot and video poker players – but that is probably because changing bet size frequently is a bit more difficult.
It seems, however, that nearly every craps player has a unique betting system based on catching a hot streak.
Some will immediately press (double) their bet on the first win. Others will add one-half of the bet with each win. Still others will press their bet after the second win and continue alternating with taking the win and using (at least a portion of) the win to raise the bet.
Some players also have a rule in place that determines when to either remove the bet (or take it to minimum). This might happen after two or more wins on that number – or after a combined number of wins on the numbers being bet.
Still others will spread large bets on many numbers and take them all down (or to minimum) after one hit.
Of course, their bets come down to zero (and they do not collect any of it) when the shooter sevens out.
Each player has his or her own spin on why their method works and each player can regale others with stories of epic wins they enjoyed.
Almost everyone who maintains that their bet pressing system works is either guilty of selective memory or something worse.
Every bet in a casino has a built-in casino edge. This may be because the casino will win more bets than the player, or because the casino shortchanges the player by paying less than the true odds on a winning bet.
The streaky nature of casino wins and losses can cause some to believe they can get an edge – and players would get an edge if players could tell when streaks begin and end.
But they cannot.
Random is just that – the streaks cannot be predicted.
The simple fact is that over time, regardless the betting system, players will lose at a rate of the casino edge on the bets they make. The more they bet, the more they will lose.
In a random game, the only way to keep losses to the minimum (and have a better chance at a winning session) is to bet the lowest house edge bets at the lowest amount possible.
There are methods of getting an edge at blackjack and craps. These methods take work. Casinos have pushed back at these methods by changing the rules or characteristics of the game. Today it is very difficult to gain the skills necessary to beat these games.
No betting method will give a player a long-term edge over the casino. If the shooter in a craps game does not have the skill to overcome the house edge, it is in the players best interest to bet cautiously.
As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.
Jerry “Stickman”
Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines and 888casino.com. He authored the video poker section of “Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!” You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com
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Streaks
is republished from CasinoCityTimes.com.