Many casino fans prefer to play at online casinos simply because it is more convenient. They do not have to leave the comfort of their homes or battle through a crowd to reach the gambling table they wish to join. Web-based casinos often attract newcomers by offering lucrative bonuses that few can resist. Another reason to play at a gambling site is that virtual casinos provide a wider variety of games than land-based venues.
Enthusiasts whose gambling careers are in their infancy are advised to play online first, as the chance of getting distracted is lower. In addition, many interactive casinos give players the opportunity to play most games for free. Furthermore, most games feature a user-friendly interface, allowing novice casino fans to place bets with ease. The games also come with unique features designed to help players build their strategies by analyzing statistics.
Tips Every Online Casino Player Should Read
Successful casino players know how to manage their bankroll and keep it healthy. Before you start playing at an online casino, determine the amount of money you can afford to lose. Discipline is crucial when it comes to proper bankroll management. One important piece of advice is to keep your winnings separate from your bankroll and never exceed your budget.
As mentioned above, virtual casinos offer mouth-watering bonuses to lure in new sign-ups and retain their existing patrons. But before you rush to claim a promotion, carefully read its terms and conditions. Casino fans must remember that online casinos are not charitable organizations but business entities designed to make money.
- Build a bankroll and manage it properly
- Keep your emotions in check
- Select a web-based casino that matches your preferences
- Read the terms and conditions of the casino you intend to play at
- Test the games for free in demo mode
Choosing the right online casino is of paramount importance. You have to make sure that the casino is licensed and matches your preferences. Nowadays, online casinos offer all kinds of games, from classic staples such as roulette and blackjack to the latest video slots. Knowing the ins and outs of the game you wish to play will significantly boost your chances of winning. Even though luck plays a key role in all casino games, players should know that some bets are more advantageous than others.
Blackjack’s Worst Bets
Blackjack is one of the most popular card games and has been around for ages. It features easy-to-grasp rules and adrenaline-fueled gameplay.
The game’s appeal also stems from the fact that it does not exclude the element of skill. Using basic blackjack strategy can significantly improve players’ odds of winning. Even though blackjack is the game with the lowest house edge, casino fans should know that some special rules might affect its size. Here is a list of the blackjack rules that reduce the house edge:
- The dealer stands on soft 17
- Naturals pay 3:2 instead of 6:5
- Early/late surrender
- The fewer decks, the better
- Doubling on any first two cards
- Doubling down after a split
- Resplit Aces
- Hitting split Aces
- The dealer peeks at the face-down card when the upcard is an Ace or 10
Blackjack devotees must keep in mind that selecting the right blackjack variation is crucial. Additionally, players should know that the insurance bet is the worst wager to make when playing online blackjack. The insurance bet is offered when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. In other words, blackjack enthusiasts bet on the dealer to have a natural blackjack.
Many players are attracted to the insurance bet because they think the likelihood that the dealer’s face-down card is a 10 or a picture card valued at 10 is high. It is important to mention that the insurance bet is separate from the players’ original wager. So, if you lose the insurance bet, you still have a chance to win the original hand. Casino fans who want to take the insurance bet must stake half of their original bet.
If the insurance bet is successful, players will pocket a 2:1 payout but lose their original bet. If the dealer does not have a natural blackjack, players lose the insurance bet and continue to play with their main wager.
Why is the insurance bet so bad? For card counters, making an insurance bet can make sense because they track the cards left in the deck. However, when playing online blackjack, counting cards is not possible because interactive casinos use shuffle machines, making it impossible to keep an accurate count.
The truth is that the insurance bet tilts the odds in favor of the house. We cannot state the exact house edge associated with this bet because it depends on the special rules of the blackjack variation you choose, but it is safe to say that the insurance bet has a negative expected value in the long term.
| Deck Number | House Edge |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5.88% |
| 4 | 7.24% |
| 6 | 7.39% |
| 8 | 7.47% |
The figures reveal that the house edge jumps to 7.47% if you play an 8-deck game and decide to insure your hand. Taking the insurance bet is a senseless move, as you can stick to basic strategy and reduce the house edge to under 1%.
Worst Wagers in Baccarat
Baccarat is an exciting card game played at land-based and online casinos. For years, only aristocrats could play this game. Nowadays, almost every web-based casino offers different variations of baccarat. It is quite popular among players looking for a James Bond-style casino experience.
Baccarat is based on two hands called the Player and the Banker. Each hand consists of two cards. A third card might be dealt under the special baccarat drawing rules, also known as the “tableau.” Players have to predict which hand will total closest to 9. Cards from 2 to 9 are worth their face value, Aces are worth 1 point, and the 10s and picture cards have a value of zero. The main baccarat bets include the Player, the Banker, and a Tie.
The house edge varies among the different bet types. The Banker bet features a house edge of 1.06%, while the edge associated with bets on the Player is 1.36%. The casino applies a 5% commission to winning Banker bets because it is the most advantageous wager. Its advantage comes from the fact that the Banker’s hand is the last to complete. While we are on the subject, it is worth mentioning that some baccarat variations do not levy a commission; however, other rules are in place to compensate for that. The Tie bet carries the highest house edge, amounting to a staggering 14.40%.
The Banker’s hand pays 0.95:1 (1:1 minus the 5% commission), the Player’s hand offers a 1:1 payout, and the Tie bet has a payout of 8:1. Despite its large payout, players are advised to avoid the Tie bet because of its massive house edge and low winning odds. The probability of the Banker hand winning is 45.86%, the Player’s hand has a 44.62% chance, and a Tie comes with only 9.52% odds of success.
| Deck Number | Tie Bet Payout | Probability | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 8:1 | 9.5% | 14.44% |
| 8 | 8:1 | 9.51% | 14.36% |
Sucker Bets in Online Craps
At first glance, craps seems complicated because of the multiple betting fields on the table. But things are not always what they seem. Craps is played with two dice. The sum of the numbers showing on the two dice determines the outcome of the game. Among the game’s most recognizable features are the numerous betting options it offers, each with a different house edge, payout, and win probability.
If you want better chances of winning when playing online craps, avoid the Big Six and Big Eight bets. These bets win only if the shooter lands a 6 or 8 before a 7. Even though Big Six/Eight bets are popular among craps players, they tilt the odds in favor of the house, featuring a house edge of 9.1%. When it comes to these bets, the risk/reward ratio is not worth it, as the payout is just 1:1.
Usually, novice craps players go for Big Six/Eight, attracted by the high probability of rolling these numbers. However, these bets are so unfavorable that no Atlantic City casino offers them.
| Bet Name | Casino Odds | True Odds | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Six/Eight | 1:1 | 6:5 | 9.1% |
| Hard Six/Eight | 9:1 | 10:1 | 9.1% |
| Hard Four/Ten | 7:1 | 8:1 | 11.1% |
| Any Craps (2,3, 12) | 7:1 | 8:1 | 11.1% |
| Hop (2 ways)/Three/Eleven | 15:1 | 17:1 | 11.1% |
| Horn | 17:4 | 20:4 | 12.5% |
| Whirl | 8:5 | 10:5 | 13.3% |
| Hop (1 way)/Twelve/Two | 30:1 | 35:1 | 13.9% |
| Any Seven | 4:1 | 5:1 | 16.7% |
As you can see from the table, these craps bets come with an enormous house edge. In addition, some bets such as Hop (1 way), Twelve, Two, and Horn have true odds that differ greatly from the casino odds.
Another point to mention is that some casinos try to trick players by expressing the payout as “5 for 1.” However, you should know that 5 for 1 does not mean 5 to 1; it means that the payout is 4 to 1. So, pay attention to details and play smart.