Most fun per $ in casino?

Question

Ok, we all know that casino gambling is a losing game in the long run (unless you play games like poker against other players and the casino rakes in 5% or so off the top). We also all know that you shouldn't gamble with money you can't afford to lose, so you might as well treat your initial bankroll as entertainment expense.

So if you're comfortable realizing you'll probably lose your money, what casino games do you play to get the most fun for your entertainment dollar?

Slots? Video Poker? Blackjack? Craps?

Do you play minimum bets so you last longer or big bets for the bigger thrill?

Has anyone compared the odds for various games against how fast they move? (e.g. Roulette: 5% house advantage with one spin every 43 seconds.)

Here's a trick question:

Playing odds in craps lowers the total house advantage, but does it lower the advantage enough to make your money last longer?

Obviously there are no right or wrong answers -- just opinions.

Answer 1

I love the slots, usually I start with the $5. slots and work my way down. I also love video poker, Texas Holdem poker, roulette and 3 card poker.

Answer 2

0.55% disadvantage playing 300 hands per hour at a 25 cent virtual blackjack game built into the bars on the touch screens, lose ~30 cents per hour on average using perfect playing strategy, and get all the free drinks you want.

Answer 3

Roulette: house take is 2.71% if there is one zero(as in Australia). 5.42% if there is a double zero also(USA). You can bet 5 out of the 6 groups of 6 numbers, using 5 chips and you have a good chance of winning 6 chips back. More exciting if you bet single chips on just a few numbers,  rarely winning, but when you do you get 36 chips back.

Poker(slot) machines take about 10-12% so it is hard to come out ahead in the long run.

My trouble is,  it is hard for me to quit when I am ahead...usually stay until my funds are spent! Leave your credit cards and extra cash at home, and keep your taxi/bus fare in your shoe.

Answer 4

I would generally always pick poker, since the house doesn't care if I win or lose.  They just charge me a fee for participating.

But if we ignore that for a moment, I really like the slots.  Sure, some of them have a horrible house edge, but you can find parts of some casinos with slots that have an advertised edge of 1-2%.  Which is no worse than most table games.  And let's face it, when someone says that Blackjack has a low edge, that is only true with the right house rules, and playing perfect strategy.

But the thing I like about slots, is the fact that you can win a life changing amount of money.  You could be one spin away from millions of dollars.

You can grind it out on a table game for months, and if you are very lucky take a small profit.  Yet you could put a dollar into a slot, and win $10m.  Now that is exciting, even if it is unlikely.

Answer 5

I would say a full blackjack table with a low minimum bet would be the best way to make the money last. If you place the minimum bet each hand with a full table then each hand will take some time and since you are making small bets it should last a while.

I think the slots and video poker games are the worst because the game is so quick and you will end up spending a lot of money.

Answer 6

Answers in order of question(s) asked:

1. Craps

2. Both (can't win betting only minimum bet)

3. Odds are the same regardless of how fast the decision;

     The faster the game, the quicker the odds eat up a

     bankroll.

4.  Mathematically, yes if betting only the minimum)    

     Theoretically no, if bet varies since your putting more at

      risk over the long term.  But it's a two-way street.  If you

      don't raise the bets you have no chance of winning over

      the short term.