E-54: Know the Odds

A pair or better in Caribbean stud:

1 in 2 or 20 per hour

Two pair or better in JOB video poker

1 in 4 or 100 per hour

Natural or two card 20 in blackjack

1 in 11 or 5 per hour

Natural 21 in blackjack
1 in 21 or 3 per hour

Any pocket pair in holdem
1 in 17 or 2 per hour

Pocket aces in holdem
1 in 221 or 1 every 6 hours

Nine consecutive losses in blackjack
1 in 329 or 1 every 5.5 hours

Nine consecutive wins in a row in blackjack
1 in 814 or 1 every 14 hours

Royal flush in JOB video poker

1 in 40,388 or 1 every 100 hours

Megabucks jackpot

1 in 50 million or 1 every 3000 solid days of play

E-52: Bad Bets

Don't Take Insurance in Blackjack - Only hits 31% of the time

Not Doubling Down when it's offered

Greater than 50% chance of winning when you take it

Not playing optimal strategy in Blackjack

It's Math.  You will lose more money over time if you don't

Not playing optimal strategy before the flop in Poker

Not raising when you've got a strong hand allows more players with weak hands to stay in and potentially catch what they need in the river to beat your stronger hand

E-53: 10 Best Casino Bets

By "best bets" we are referring to games with a low house edge or even an advantage.

• Poker - It's a game of skill and a good way to gain players points (and get loaded) for minimal risk

• Card Counting - It will give you a 1-2% advantage over the house although its pointless with the advent of the shuffle machine

• Video Poker - Another game of skill with only 0.5% house advantage with minimal bankroll exposure.

• Basic Strategy Blackjack - Easy to learn and lowers the house edge to 0.5-1%

• Don't Pass & Don't Come in Craps - Although they do offer better odds than the pass line, betting against the table makes you a dick.

• Pass and Come Bets in Craps - The house gets an additional 1.4% on you compared to the don't but there is something to be said about routing for the shooter to win.  Also, if you take double the odds, you can lower the house edge to 0.61%

• The Banker in Pai Gow - Its a game of skill and you only pay the house a 5% commission on all bets you win from other players.

• The Banker in Baccarat - Offers you a house edge of just over 1% as apposed to the player bet which is closer to 1.3%

• Player in Baccarat - Although higher than the banker, it's still a good bet

• 6 & 8 in Craps - The best bets in the game and offer you a house edge of only 1.5%