All Casino Games are Stupid?

I saw a post that hit on something I’ve been thinking about. The quote is:

“All casino games are stupid. If it wasn't for money, there would be no reason to play them.” (as a courtesy I asked if I could quote this)

I think we all agree the winning and losing of money is what makes casino games go. But if that was it, we could just offer up one game and call it a day.

We have games for every type of person and new games coming out all the time.

So why do people play different games? If you’ve learned one game, why learn another?

I think the answer is some people can only watch the same movie so many times. There must be an entertainment factor. Sure winning money is the big driver, but if given the choice and same chance of winning, people want new material.

I believe this is why advanced games like hold ‘em, pai gow, and even 3 card poker were well received. These games offer a lot more “scenes” in their movies which maintains the entertainment, fun, and challenge of playing. Certainly Hold 'em creates the most scenes because the game is changed with each style of play at the table.

On the other hand, games like casino war have found homes as well. I’d argue there is some entertainment value there, and the success of that game is for folks who just want to risk money without making “mistakes”. I think it also lets you say “I played casino war” which is mildly amusing.

So ultimately my question is, for those that love to play games and play more than average, are we drawn to games that can generate more variety in how the games play out? Once we understand a game, do we look forward to a more advanced version in terms of decision making and outcome?

I have to say that I disagree with the quote.

If you go back to before the Internet boomed, then you may recall all of those little desktop slot machines that were popular as well as hand-held Video Poker/Blackjack games, Ceasar's Palace for the Sega Genesis, self-dealing games at home just for kicks...you get the idea. Even if you look at something like Poker, when my Mom/StepDad/Sister come over to visit, we play THE with no actual money on the line quite frequently. I should also point out that none of the aforementioned people are playing to sharpen their skills, but just to have a good time.

Unlike MyVegas, (which also sells credits) there are even Facebook games out there in which one can buy credits at 0.00% ER because it's not possible to actually win anything!!!

I'm going to have to conclude that the quote reflects the speaker's opinion, but not the opinion of everyone out there. It just seems that there is a great variety of ways to play casino games in which no money (except in cases where one must purchase the game or implements) changes hands and it is very unlikely that the market would support same if nobody liked to play such games.

Heck, kids play card games and often don't have money or even match sticks available. Yet they play.

Often card games are a family activity ... look at a biography such as A Girlhood Amongst Gamblers wherein the entire family played cards fervently irrespective of age or exact game.

Boredom and variety? Well, a "new" game is perhaps welcome from time to time but dice were often from the ankle bones of sheep and can be found in Egyptian tombs. So somehow rolling the bones lasts even though the rules and the layout change from time to time.

Quote: FleaStiff

Heck, kids play card games and often don't have money or even match sticks available. Yet they play.

Often card games are a family activity ... look at a biography such as A Girlhood Amongst Gamblers wherein the entire family played cards fervently irrespective of age or exact game.

Boredom and variety? Well, a "new" game is perhaps welcome from time to time but dice were often from the ankle bones of sheep and can be found in Egyptian tombs. So somehow rolling the bones lasts even though the rules and the layout change from time to time.

know a few gals that go to the horse track just to look at the beautiful horses and the jockeys silks

I also disagree with the quote. I believe it came mainly from posters who devote a lot of their life to beating the casino. In their case, yes, new casino games are stupid unless they can find a flaw to beat them.

Let's look at the quote from casino's perspective. They are looking for people to make bets and have the bets resolved quickly. Casinos often ask how many hands can be dealt out in an hour. Slower the game is played, the higher the minumun bet must be.

Casino games usually takes less than 2 minutes to be dealt and resolved. Without betting, name a game that is that short and exciting to play. These casino games are no more exciting than paper,rock sissors.

It is true that there are multiple types of game for each person. Baccarat players are looking for a near 50/50 game but are willing to bet big. In Macua, players betting 100k per hand is not uncommon. Lottery players like roulette. Small risk, long shot but large rewards when they win. Women like slots because it is not confortational, unlike poker game.

Do not confuse the fact that statement that they are stupid with the statement that they cannot be fun. Some games are fun and the element of betting makes it more exciting but they are all stupid. Anyone who reads a book to master roulette is out of their mind.

" Anyone who reads a book to master roulette is out of their mind. " That does it. I am going to ask for a refund from John Patrick !

Quote: AceCrAAckers

Casino games usually takes less than 2 minutes to be dealt and resolved. Without betting, name a game that is that short and exciting to play. These casino games are no more exciting than paper,rock sissors.

There are any number of games that I would consider both short and exciting to play without betting. For starters, you have Blitz Chess and Blitz Checkers, games in which each opponent may have as little as 1:00 on the clock to complete their moves.

Furthermore, it's interesting that you should mention two minutes. One of the best games I ever played was a basketball game at the playground we called, "Two Minute Drill," someone would be keeping time, so the only thing that didn't count was checking ball after a score. How the game worked was it ould be anywhere from 2-on-2 to 5-on-5 and you would play two games of half court ball for one minute each. The reason they were one minute each is because you would switch who got ball first when the second minute started and combine the two scores to keep things fair.

I've already mentioned numerous casino games in which money is not actually involved, but I think the problem is also that you are looking at this two minutes in terms of bet & resolution. I should imagine that very few people go into the casino and say, "I'm going to play Roulette for two minutes," or, "I'm going to play one hand of Craps," or, "Two minutes of Video Poker," you get the idea. I think that you should not think of these things necessarily as a game in and of themselves (except in isolated cases) but rather as rounds in a game with open round parameters.

Quote:

Do not confuse the fact that statement that they are stupid with the statement that they cannot be fun. Some games are fun and the element of betting makes it more exciting but they are all stupid. Anyone who reads a book to master roulette is out of their mind.

I'm starting to think that by, "Stupid," what you mean is, "Simple." If that is the case, then I disagree in some cases but agree in others.

To clarify, all casino games are stupid and most are simple. Baccarat players find enjoyment in trying to find a pattern in a game that does not have a pattern. Casinos are more than happy to supply paper and pen for them to keep track of what happened. Is there a book one can read to improve playing baccarat? No.

Chess game is not one move. Two minute basketball sounds like fun.

So how is playing roulette for two minutes any different than playing for two hours?

If you play for 2 hours, you can track the numbers and WIN. DUH !

Quote: AceCrAAckers

To clarify, all casino games are stupid and most are simple. Baccarat players find enjoyment in trying to find a pattern in a game that does not have a pattern. Casinos are more than happy to supply paper and pen for them to keep track of what happened. Is there a book one can read to improve playing baccarat? No.

That could technically depend on whether or not one is learning information on how to count certain Baccarat side bets, and whether or not said information comes in book form or in the form of apheat.net or discountgambling.net

Quote:

So how is playing roulette for two minutes any different than playing for two hours?

There are different bets that one can make in Roulette, while all except the Basket Bet carry the same HE, there are still different ways that players can behave in different rounds. I'm not saying there is a, "Good," or, "Bad," way to play Roulette, because there is not (other than don't make the Basket Bet), so that's a game that I would agree is simple. Video Keno is a simple game, but one can change games/numbers/# of picks/bet amount/denom...etc, so absent a huge hit almost immediately, I doubt if the majority of people look at it as a two-minute affair.

However, I don't see what is simple (compared to some other games) about a game like Blackjack, PGP, PGT, Poker or VP. Blackjack Basic Strategy is something that is not inherent to the vast majority of people and must be learned, and then one can card-count and make composition-dependent plays which add a new degree of difficulty to the game. I don't see what makes it stupid. Pai-Gow Poker is the same thing with Optimal Strategy, as with Pai-Gow Tiles. VP can have different strategies for every variant, and in terms of knowing every correct play from an ER standpoint, I'd have to consider that less inherent than just about anything else on the floor.

Since when is having fun stupid. And there are people self medicating at casinos. Gambling hits the brain in the same way as meds for depression.

In a basic way casino games are simplistic to a degree that its played in rounds with a winner and loser quickly determined. I love games. Been playing games my whole life for entertainment. My favorite games run the whole gamut, board games, card games, computer games, xbox games , casino games ect. They all give different types of entertainment value. My favorite all time game is a computer game called Civilization V. Very complicated but entertaining at the same time. Even though I love the computer game Civ 5, I also enjoy casino games which are kind of on the opposit end of the spectrum. Long term strategy as opposed to short term strategy. Variety is the spice of life and a variety of gaming is a great spice.

Stupid... no. Simple... yes.
War, Craps, 3-CP, Carrib. Stud, Bacc., Keno are simple games with simple or moderate rules.

Vid. Pkr, TH, PGP, 21, PGT, all require choices that minimize the house advantage and/or win and yet look deceptively simple to play.

Stupidity is a human process. Games are not stupid, but some of those people that play them are.

Quote: Mission146

That could technically depend on whether or not one is learning information on how to count certain Baccarat side bets, and whether or not said information comes in book form or in the form of apheat.net or discountgambling.net

Well, that being said, do you think that someone is thus making a real go of it at the casinos? Or, that someone who is seriously trying to, given similarly short-sighted advice, isn't going to stick out like a sore thumb, and be quickly shown the door also at the casinos?

I haven't found anyone on any of the gambling boards who even knows someone like that. They seem to be playing online games for 10 cents a spin, no significant income. Have very little else to live for, little to offer others. Not surprisingly, and on the supposedly better blackjack boards, a few energetic disputes between the leaders about grossly exaggerated claims of such income.

The skeptics seem to be faring better. The "Amazing Randi" offers a million dollars paranormal challenge in general compared to the Wizard's $30,000 for only gambling.

Quote: Mission146

I doubt if the majority of people look at it as a two-minute affair.

How many gamblers don't spend all of their free time gambling; and the rest of it dwelling on the next trip, and posting on gambling boards? I have read that everyone is capable of becoming an addict... it all depends on the individual's experience with it and related activities.

Quote: Buzzard

Since when is having fun stupid. And there are people self medicating at casinos. Gambling hits the brain in the same way as meds for depression.

Yep, self-medicated today. Had a 4.88% chance of winning the winner's share of an Omaha8 BBJ today. Obv didn't get there, but my flopped quad queens had his flopped boat drawing dead at least. And had a nice fight with my g/f afterward because I suck at communicating with her and/or reading her mind. Lovely.

They are not stupid or too simple, but they are designed so that the enjoyment comes by beating the odds. Hitting 16 and getting a 5, going on an hour roll in craps, hitting the jackpot on a slot machine. A lot of the times I leave the casino with no enjoyment whatsoever, when I lose all my money in ten minutes. It isn't bad game design, it's bad luck. Just like nobody would have fun playing a baseball game if they were losing 20 to nothing in the second inning. Just like chess would be stupid if you couldn't even take an opponents pawn.