Don't Get Played: The Casino Bets You'll Want to Avoid - Blog

So, you're hitting the casino, right? You're out there to have a blast, throw some dice, and maybe—if lady luck's smilin' on you—win a couple of bucks. We all know that in the end, the casino's kinda like that friend who always ends up winning whenever you play Monopoly—it's just how it goes. But here's the deal: some games give you way better odds than others. I'm talkin' games like craps or blackjack where if you've got your strategy down, you're practically flipping a coin with the house. But then, there are those other bets... man, they're like throwing your wallet into a shredder. The house edge can smack you with a 15 to 25 percent hit! That's just asking to walk out with empty pockets https://widgamer.com/. Let me give you the lowdown so you don't end up being the sucker.

Say ""Later!"" to Blackjack Tables Paying 6:5

I'm all about that blackjack life—it's the game that makes you feel like a movie star, all cool and suave with your drink in hand, trying to hit that sweet 21. Plus, it's usually a fair fight between you and the house. But watch out—some of those sneaky casinos in Vegas are messing with the payouts. Instead of the good ol' 3:2 for a blackjack, they're handing out 6:5. Just give those tables a sassy wave goodbye because, as Blackjackinfo.com puts it, that little switch hikes up the casino’s edge by a whopping 1.39 percent. Always check the payouts or ask the dealer before you plant yourself down at a table. Trust me, it matters.

Steer Clear of the Dealer's Soft 17 Trick

Now, here's another sneaky move some casinos pull. They let the dealer hit on a soft 17—that's when they've got an ace, which can be either a one or an 11. This might not sound like a biggie, but it's like letting the casino sneak a few extra chips from your stack. BlackjackLife.com breaks it down: this rule gives the house an additional edge of 0.2 percent. Doesn't sound like much? Add that up over time, and we're talking serious cash—out of your pocket. So, do yourself a favor and scope out the table rules, or just hit up the dealer with a quick question before you get in on the action.

Hold Onto Those 10s Like They're Gold

You might feel like a high-roller thinking about splitting those 10s, but let me be straight with you—it's one of the worst moves you can make at the casino. Seriously. Every blackjack guru out there will tell you to stay cozy with your pair of 10s and enjoy that solid 20. It doesn't matter what the dealer's showing; keeping those tens together is your golden ticket in the long haul.

Insurance? More Like Ensuring Your Loss!

Alright, here's the thing about taking ""Insurance"" at the blackjack table—it's a total no-go. If the dealer's flaunting an Ace, you might get tempted to take that insurance bet just in case they've got a 10 hiding underneath. But here's the kicker: that move slaps an extra 7 percent onto the house edge. All you're doing is signing up to fork over more cash. So just do yourself a favor and pass on that insurance bet. You'll thank me later.

Avoid Bleeding Cash at Tribal Casinos

Listen up, y'all - some tribal casinos will nibble away at your wallet with something called an ante. Picture this: you're chillin', playing blackjack, and they're charging you like 50 cents or a whole dollar every single hand. You're there, playing around 60 hands in an hour, and boom, you're already down 30 to 60 bucks without even starting. We're talking serious uphill battle against the house edge. My advice? Just don't even sit at these tables. And get this, they pull the same stunt at craps tables, but at least it's only before the come-out rolls.

Stay Away From the Center Action
Big 6/Big 8 Are Tiny Victories

So, here's the tea: Big 6 and Big 8 bets were originally tossed in there to make craps seem less intimidating, supposedly for the ladies. Can you believe that? Lucky for us, we're past those outdated views, but these sucky bets are still lingering like unwanted guests. Here's why they're a no-go: if you were to place a bet on the 6 or 8, you'd get paid 7-6, not just even money. Or if you're rolling with a come bet hitting a 6 or 8, you're looking at a sweet 6-5 payout. Meanwhile, Big 6 and Big 8 are just slapping you with worse odds for a bet you can place smarter elsewhere on the felt.

Don't Get Trapped by Low Pass Line Bet Caps

Alright, so you're at the craps table, you want to be savvy about it. The smartest play? Go for the odds bet on the Pass Line or Don't Pass Line. Here's the deal: you get paid the real-deal odds of hitting your point number before the dreaded seven-out. The big-brain move is to max out that bet on the odds and steer clear of the Field and those pesky prop bets. But watch out, some casinos are tight-fisted and only let you double or triple your odds bet. You wanna know the pro move? If you're kicking it in Vegas, the Downtown scene usually has the sweetest odds. But if you're feeling the Strip, only two spots will give you 100x odds - shout out to Casino Royale and Cromwell. Downtown's still your best bet for the most generous odds on all games though, according to the gambling gurus.

Be Wary of the House's Cut

So, you're at the poker table, feeling like a champ. Here's the skinny: poker's not just luck; it's skill, and you're up against other players, not the house. At the table, the house scoops up a ""rake"" from each pot - basically, they're taking a cut, sort of like a service fee, depending on the pot size cnn. To come out on top, you gotta outplay everyone else enough to make up for the cash the house is pocketing. Most places, the rake is like 3 or 4 bucks per pot, but I've seen some spots get greedy, charging 5 bucks or more, even swiping a buck from the pot for jackpots. You want my take? Look for places with the smallest rake - it's your best shot at walking away with a thicker wallet.

Hey, Don't Fall for Those Side Bet Traps!

So, here's the deal with Caribbean Stud—it's like poker, only you're trying to beat the dealer, not the other players. Sounds cool, right? But hold up, the game's got a house edge of around 5 percent. That's not even the worst part. They tempt you with this side bet for a progressive jackpot, and man, it's a doozy! The house's edge can shoot up to a ludicrous 25 percent. And don't get me started on Let It Ride; they have a similar side bet that can give the casino a 36 percent edge. My advice? Skip the side bets, folks. They're bankroll killers. Stick to games with better odds if you wanna see some green.

Video Keno: The Undercover Money Pit

Video Keno's like a chill, sit-back-and-relax kind of gamble. You pick your numbers, kick back, and watch the draw—just like the lottery. It's low-key and fun, but let's be real: it's a money pit. Even if you're playing your best game, you're handing over a 25% edge to the house gamblinginsider. Ouch! In the casino's game lineup, Video Keno is like the smiling assassin of your bankroll.

Sports Betting: Steer Clear of Parlay Temptations

Spending an afternoon in the sports book can be a blast—rooting for your team, feeling the thrill of the game, and maybe putting a little wager on the line. Parlays seem awesome: a tiny bet could win you a stack of cash, and you get to bet on several games at once. But here's the thing, parlays blindside you with terrible odds. Beating one point spread is hard enough, but hitting four or six in a parlay? Good luck with that. The house loves 'em for a reason. Pro tip: Bet on games individually and if you win, use some of those profits for more bets. Always shop around too—different sports books might have better odds for the same bets.

Roulette: Stay Clear of Those Tricky Inside Bets

Roulette has this classy, simple vibe that makes you think you can make big bucks if your number hits. But let's not kid ourselves, the house has a tidy edge of over 5 percent on the roulette wheel. Most of the bets on that table? Bad news. Your best bet is to stick to the basics like red, black, even, odd, and so on. These bets offer way better odds compared to those sneaky inside bets that gobble up your cash and hardly ever pay out.

Slot Machines: A One-Way Ticket to Loserville

Let's talk about slot machines—casino's cash cows. With a house edge that can soar up to 17 percent, it's like the slots are on turbocharge, sucking your wallet dry at lightning speed. No joke, the casino landscape is littered with slots for this very reason bbc.

Baccarat: It's Almost Perfect, Except for That One Bet...

Baccarat's pretty cool if you're looking to play a game with a small house edge. Bet on the banker and you're only looking at a house edge close to 1 percent—not too shabby for a shot at winning some dough. But here comes the twist—the “Tie” bet. That sucker has a house advantage of over 14 percent! It's the black sheep of baccarat bets and should be avoided like that one moldy strawberry in the pack. We're all here to win some cash, so don't get caught on the wrong bet!

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