Dear
Mark,
I very much enjoy your helpful hints on casino gambling
in your columns, but Im curious, whats
the best advice youve ever heard preached?
Ned C.
In the
casino business, the best admonition to get ahead
is Never make suggestions. As for a gambling
nugget, the following voice of reason caught my attention
while I was walking down the Strip in Las Vegas.
A panhandler approached and asked if I had any loose
change so he could buy a hot dog. Unfortunately, spare
change doesnt exist in Las Vegas. Strategically
positioned slot machines allow you to travel light.
But
I guess Im an
easy mark for a hot dog story so I gave him a nickel
chipcasino talk for $5that I had in
my coat pocket.
After his gratitude for my allowing him to bump
up into buffet dining, or whatever, he shared some
of his best gaming wisdom. Go downtown to
Binions and make a pass line bet and take
those 10 times odds. Its one of the best bets
in the house, he said.
Guess what, Ned? Hes right on. The house advantage
on this wager is .018%. Those multiple odds he was
talking about zero casino advantage. Its
the line bet where the casino enjoys its slight
edge. And I mean slight. Expected mathematical loss
on a $1 line bet with $10 odds, about 4¢. But
we can combat that too, Ned. Throw in a few free
drinks and pry a breakfast out of a floorman, youre
getting to the point where theyre paying you
to play.
Yes, advice comes from the funniest places.