Gandler
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February 4th, 2014 at 10:27:11 PM permalink
Lets say somebody goes to a casino and has the desire to place one huge bet, maybe even withdrawing their lifesavings.
What would be the best single bet? Normally I would automatically assume blackjack, but with everything bet on one bet they would have no ability to double down or split or buy insurance (I know that is not normally wise ever, but if you are betting your life savings they may feel safer with that option)? I am not sure how much not being able to split or DD would raise the house edge on a single hand?

Also, would placing one single bet be the best way to double your money (lets say that's their goal), or would they be more likley flat betting or using a short term aggressive betting strategy? I am probably the least mathematical savvy person on this site, but I would have to guess that a single bet would be the best because the longer you play the more chances of defeat you have and you would slowly drain your money?

Also, if they have a more complicated goal like tripling their money what would be the best way? Placing 2 even money bets (if they win the first obviously)? Or would they be better off placing one 2-1 bet like on roulette? Or in the case of a desire to triple would 2 hands of blackjack be worthwhile with the hopes of getting splitting hand or a double down hand?


-Just to clarify I have no intention of doing this, I am asking purely out of mathematical interest and curiosity.
sodawater
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February 4th, 2014 at 10:29:12 PM permalink
EZ Bacc, banker
AceCrAAckers
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February 4th, 2014 at 10:31:06 PM permalink
craps with max odds
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sodawater
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February 4th, 2014 at 10:35:10 PM permalink
Quote: AceCrAAckers

craps with max odds



this is just a terrible answer. did you even read the question? OP wants the best chance to double money on a single bet -- craps with max odds is like the last bet in the casino i would use for this.
Tomspur
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February 4th, 2014 at 10:40:44 PM permalink
In my opinion it would have to be baccarat - banker

Also you in all probability won't be given a large enough max bet on blackjack as you would be on Baccarat.

Not very inventive but then again, casinos aren't really in the business of giving money away for free.

Perhaps Banker with a rebate pre agreed upon? - 20% would be dandy :)
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onenickelmiracle
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February 4th, 2014 at 10:44:02 PM permalink
I don't even think you can actually bet your life savings at a certain point all on one bet. Maybe the casino would do it if you ask, but especially in the era of corporate casinos, they already know it's better for them to get it with less risk than just one bet since they'll get it anyways.
The problem I think is you want the lowest house edge and closest to a 50/50 shot to double and I'm not sure there is a game to offer both without some kind of concession from the casino such as ignoring green results on roulette.
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sodawater
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February 4th, 2014 at 10:45:54 PM permalink
Quote: onenickelmiracle

I don't even think you can actually bet your life savings at a certain point all on one bet. Maybe the casino would do it if you ask, but especially in the era of corporate casinos, they already know it's better for them to get it with less risk than just one bet since they'll get it anyways.
The problem I think is you want the lowest house edge and closest to a 50/50 shot to double and I'm not sure there is a game to offer both without some kind of concession from the casino such as ignoring green results on roulette.



You must have a lot higher life savings than me. I could definitely bet it all in one bet.
onenickelmiracle
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February 4th, 2014 at 10:52:42 PM permalink
Quote: sodawater

You must have a lot higher life savings than me. I could definitely bet it all in one bet.

It's more likely I don't get out much and am ignorant to what actually are table maximums in the world. If I had tons of funds, I'd probably give it all away and live in a cabin in the woods without the internet.
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Beethoven9th
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February 4th, 2014 at 11:02:25 PM permalink
Quote: sodawater

You must have a lot higher life savings than me. I could definitely bet it all in one bet.

LOL!

Me too :D
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98Clubs
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February 4th, 2014 at 11:57:45 PM permalink
I know the BANK bet in BACC. is best, but its 95%, Player bet is 1:1 but 1.24% instead of 1.06%.
Of course, if Player 3-card 8 beats a Bank 2-card 5, and you get 2:1, then the Player H. A. drops to 1.06% also.
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
EvenBob
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February 5th, 2014 at 12:11:19 AM permalink
Wait for 3 single dozens in roulette to repeat, then
split your money between the other 2 dozens and
pray a zero doesn't come up.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
sodawater
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February 5th, 2014 at 12:22:14 AM permalink
Quote: 98Clubs

I know the BANK bet in BACC. is best, but its 95%, Player bet is 1:1 but 1.24% instead of 1.06%.



That's why I recommended EZ bacc which pays even money for banker and has a lower house edge than traditional bacc.
djatc
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February 5th, 2014 at 12:37:34 AM permalink
Quote: sodawater

That's why I recommended EZ bacc which pays even money for banker and has a lower house edge than traditional bacc.



Yes it seems like the best bet to double. Only disadvantage is that banker 3 card 7's tie, which allows you to make another banker bet :)

but then again, betting your life savings on a hand, wouldn't you want some degree of touching the cards like in MIDI bac?
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onenickelmiracle
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February 5th, 2014 at 1:02:46 AM permalink
Quote: EvenBob

Wait for 3 single dozens in roulette to repeat, then
split your money between the other 2 dozens and
pray a zero doesn't come up.

I agree because if you lose, you can grab the ball and choke on it. Thus a free bet being born again and having time to get the money back. You can't lose! lmao
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FleaStiff
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February 5th, 2014 at 1:57:17 AM permalink
Quote: sodawater

EZ Bacc, banker

Probably, but if this were to be some whopping bet with the cooperation of the casino they would want the prolonged uncertainty of the slowly spinning wheel.
With craps at whopping odds you still might not have ONE bet. Even though the odds bet by definition has no house or player edge and is therefore the "best" in the casino.
mickeycrimm
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February 5th, 2014 at 2:47:14 AM permalink
Quote: Gandler

Lets say somebody goes to a casino and has the desire to place one huge bet, maybe even withdrawing their lifesavings.
What would be the best single bet? Normally I would automatically assume blackjack, but with everything bet on one bet they would have no ability to double down or split or buy insurance (I know that is not normally wise ever, but if you are betting your life savings they may feel safer with that option)? I am not sure how much not being able to split or DD would raise the house edge on a single hand?

Also, would placing one single bet be the best way to double your money (lets say that's their goal), or would they be more likley flat betting or using a short term aggressive betting strategy? I am probably the least mathematical savvy person on this site, but I would have to guess that a single bet would be the best because the longer you play the more chances of defeat you have and you would slowly drain your money?

Also, if they have a more complicated goal like tripling their money what would be the best way? Placing 2 even money bets (if they win the first obviously)? Or would they be better off placing one 2-1 bet like on roulette? Or in the case of a desire to triple would 2 hands of blackjack be worthwhile with the hopes of getting splitting hand or a double down hand? Just to clarify I have no intention of doing this, I am asking purely out of mathematical interest and curiosity.



It looks like the Bac Banker bet at 1.06% HE would be the best, probably followed by Don't Pass at Craps which I Think is 1.37%. The best chance to double your money would be to make just one bet for the whole thing. If you break the money down into units then the compound effects of negative expectation set in.
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kubikulann
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February 5th, 2014 at 4:50:54 AM permalink
As is usual with this type of question, the exact meaning of "best" has not been defined.
Do you maximise EV? Do you max the Prob of a certain outcome? Which one? Do you maximise Expected Utility? etc etc.

You say at one moment their goal is to double their money. Again, this is not a "goal" in gambling terms: you have to fix a goal in terms of probability or expectations.
Reperiet qui quaesiverit
AceCrAAckers
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February 5th, 2014 at 5:08:52 AM permalink
Quote: sodawater

this is just a terrible answer. did you even read the question? OP wants the best chance to double money on a single bet -- craps with max odds is like the last bet in the casino i would use for this.



Go figure the bet with the smallest HE is the last bet you would use.
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anonimuss
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February 5th, 2014 at 6:58:10 AM permalink
Look up maximum boldness.
Gandler
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February 5th, 2014 at 7:49:03 AM permalink
Quote: kubikulann

As is usual with this type of question, the exact meaning of "best" has not been defined.
Do you maximise EV? Do you max the Prob of a certain outcome? Which one? Do you maximise Expected Utility? etc etc.

You say at one moment their goal is to double their money. Again, this is not a "goal" in gambling terms: you have to fix a goal in terms of probability or expectations.


That is partially what I was asking? I am honestly not sure what the best would mean either? I would guess the best would be a bet that wins (or allows the greatest likelihood for it) and allows them to make their goal of doubling? (and I honestly don't know how that would be worded in terms of expectations, that goes over my head lol)?
bushman
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February 5th, 2014 at 8:40:10 AM permalink
Me, I would agree with Baccarat. However, do it right, like this guy http://www.cbsnews.com/news/he-bets-life-savings-wins-270k/. Work it out so that you get some kind of rebate, as previously discussed, and get with some television station to air it. Make sure you get a cut of the tv revenues. The casino might love to have the marketing value, presuming the bet wins. Huge negative if he loses, I guess..."That's the casino who bankrupted John Q. Public."
Never count your winnings at hour 23 of a 24-hour drive.
Gandler
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February 5th, 2014 at 9:10:05 AM permalink
Quote: bushman

Me, I would agree with Baccarat. However, do it right, like this guy http://www.cbsnews.com/news/he-bets-life-savings-wins-270k/. Work it out so that you get some kind of rebate, as previously discussed, and get with some television station to air it. Make sure you get a cut of the tv revenues. The casino might love to have the marketing value, presuming the bet wins. Huge negative if he loses, I guess..."That's the casino who bankrupted John Q. Public."


That seems very risky to do in Las Vegas? was it on a double zero wheel?
In AC there are double zero wheels but they are surrender rule (you only lose 50% when 0 hits)? I was always told LV did not do that? Roulette seems like a super risky game for that especially in LV with those rules?
bushman
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February 5th, 2014 at 9:21:59 AM permalink
Quote: Gandler

That seems very risky to do in Las Vegas? was it on a double zero wheel?
In AC there are double zero wheels but they are surrender rule (you only lose 50% when 0 hits)? I was always told LV did not do that? Roulette seems like a super risky game for that especially in LV with those rules?


Yes, it was in Las Vegas. Looks like it was double-zero. I failed to mention that I would get everything set up with all the hoopla, but, instead of roulette play baccarat. May be a bit boring or confusing to the masses when compared to roulette or craps. However, it could still be built up to a big climax. Nothing raises the heart rate on the turn of the cards (or spin of the ball; pulling a lever; or throw of the dice) especially when one's life savings is at risk. So, play Banker on baccarat, drag out the length of the cards coming out of the shoe. Have lots of media, sell your story and work out a deal with the casino for a percentage refund.
Never count your winnings at hour 23 of a 24-hour drive.
sodawater
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February 5th, 2014 at 1:36:16 PM permalink
Quote: AceCrAAckers

Go figure the bet with the smallest HE is the last bet you would use.



I still don't think you've read the question. OP wants a single bet that gives the best chance of doubling bankroll. Craps with max odds cannot accomplish that. Either you're on the don't and have to survive the come out roll, where you're at a major disadvantage. Or you're on the pass and you are an underdog to make any given point.

Pass line with max odds would win way more than double your money, at a cost of being a big underdog to make any point -- and you could still lose on the come-out roll.

Don't pass with max odds would be great for OP's purposes, if only we could skip the come-out roll.

Either way, no game where you can increase your bet -- be it craps with odds, blackjack, 3CP, whatever -- is going to work for OP's single-bet double-up goal.
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