Originally posted by: hellokeith
BlackJack usually has the best overall odds of any table game.
At any table game, be mindful of the dealer's instructions, always pay attention to minimum bets and when is your turn, and tip the dealer when you win.
Blackjack has good odds if you play with optimal strategies (not hard to learn). Counting cards (not illegal, but definitely not liked by casino staff) can make it +EV. If you don't play with decent strategy, the house edge goes way up.
Roulette has around a 4% house edge, but it doesn't matter how you bet. Craps has a much smaller edge if you just bet the pass line and take maximum odds, but then you're actually betting a lot more than $5 a roll even on a $5 table.
Pretty much everything else is a giant rip-off, except for some video poker games (again, if you use the right strategy) and some progressive jackpot games when they get high (but the odds of actually hitting it are very low). If you don't care about getting something close to a fair bet, play whatever you want.
The poker room gets VERY busy on weekends; you'll want to try to get on a table early. In general, they'll tell you if you're doing things wrong, so try to relax and enjoy it. If you tell the dealer that it's your first time playing, they'll usually try to help you out (making sure you know it's your turn, etc.)
General tips: don't play out of turn or fold before the action gets to you. Don't touch another player's chips or the pot (just put your bet in front of you; the dealer will check it and place them all in the pot at the end of the betting round.) Don't expose your cards or say what you have even after you have folded. Keep your cards on the table (bend the corner to look at them after they have been dealt to you; just watch what everyone else does.)
Verbal actions are binding (if you say "raise", "call", or "fold", you may be forced to do it). If you are unsure of the bet amount, say what you want to do (like "raise"), and the dealer will correct you if you put out the wrong amount of chips. If you only put out enough chips for a call when you really want to raise, it will be treated as a call. Also, rapping the table is interpreted as a check, so don't get too twitchy.
To fold, push your cards (still face-down) out towards the dealer, or toss them gently so they land out by the betting line. Protect your cards, especially if you're sitting next to the dealer. Either put a chip on top of them, or keep your hand on them. Otherwise the dealer may think you want to fold. Once they take your cards, your hand is dead.
Don't make string bets/raises (when you put out some chips, then go back and get more from your stack.) It's disallowed because you could put out some chips, gauge your opponent's reaction, and then change your bet based on that. Also, don't say things like "I call your bet and raise you" (this is essentially the same violation); just say "raise" or "I raise". The other players will get annoyed if you keep doing this.
As mentioned above, you can get up and leave at any time -- and they'll hold your seat for around 45 minutes if you want to grab a bite to eat, use the restroom, or just walk around. Just leave your chips on the table (if you're going to leave for a while, you might want to tell the dealer). If you take the chips with you, they'll fill your seat with another player.
Most players would tip $.50 or $1 each hand won at a low-limit table. Other people prefer to tip the dealer a couple bucks when they sit down and when a new dealer rotates in, but not for each hand they win. It's not mandatory, but the dealers do appreciate it.
Facebook
Twitter