FAQ in blackjack, craps, and roulette

You can be among the first to know that I'm about to make some videos, intended for YouTube, of simple gambling advice. Shooting begins next Monday. I hired a lovely actress/model to help me out, to play the role of my student. I wrote out some questions for her to ask me. These are means to be questions the viewer is likely to have himself.

So, my question for the forum is can you suggest any questions you think should be on the list. If you think any are too obscure, I welcome those comments too. Thanks in advance for your help.

Blackjack

Q: When should I take insurance?

Q: Should I take "even money?"

Q. Does it make any difference in which seat I sit in at blackjack?

Q. Is it true an idiot at third base will cause the other players to lose too?

Q. You say the fewer the decks, the lower the house edge, all other things being equal. If I'm not counting cards, what difference does it make?

Q. Why is the basic strategy for one deck different than for multiple decks? If I'm not counting cards, what difference does it make?

Q. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of the various card counting strategies? Which one do you use/recommend?

Q. What do you think of the idea of mimicking the dealer in blackjack? If I follow the same dealer strategy of hitting to 17 I should have the advantage because the player gets paid 3-2 odds on a blackjack and the dealer only wins even money. This seems so obvious, I can't believe all the blackjack experts have overlooked it.

Q. What is the probability of the player/dealer busting in blackjack?

Q. You said before that it is good for the player if the stands stands on a soft 17. But you just said the dealer busts more when he hits a soft 17. It seems to me it would be a good thing if the dealer busts more.

Craps

Q: I've seen a lot of stuff on the Internet about how to throw the dice so that cause some rolls to be more likely than others. How does that supposed to work?

Q: Do you believe in it?

Q: What do you think of the strategy to wait for a shooter to make a point or two before betting on him?

Q: Do casinos count the odds bets for purposes of a players average bet, which would affect his comps?

Q: What are some craps superstitions you are aware of?

Q: How should I tip the dealers in craps?

Q: When you play craps, how do you bet?

Q: What do you think of the strategy of betting equally on the pass and don't pass, and then taking the odds just one way? Wouldn't it be gambling with no house edge?

Roulette

Q: I've noticed some roulette wheels have one zero. Does that change the odds?

Q: When I played in Atlantic City I only lost half sometimes when the ball landed in zero. Why? How does that effect the odds?

Q: I heard something about an "imprisonment" rule in roulette? What is that?

Q: Is there any way to beat roulette?

Q: What is your opinion about doubling your bet until you win in games like roulette? As long as you win eventually, you will come ahead. This seems to me an easy way to get rich.

Q: I saw a web site about another way to make millions in roulette? Do you think it is a scam?

Q: Let's say that the ball has landed in red 20 times in a row. Shouldn't I bet on black the next spin, because it is overdue?

Q: How do you play roulette?

Quote: Wizard

Blackjack
Q. Does it make any difference in which seat I sit in at blackjack?

Q. Is it true an idiot at third base will cause the other players to lose too?

Q. You say the fewer the decks, the lower the house edge, all other things being equal. If I'm not counting cards, what difference does it make?

How big a production is this? Example 1: You could make it interesting
by doing things like having her sit in every chair and edit
it to look like she did it super fast. #2: Have her sitting at 3rd
base with a dunces cap on. #3: Have a two foot high stack of
cards sitting next to a single deck. etc. Make your points by using
absurdity. It gets peoples attention and helps them remember your
points better.

I'd hesitate to call the person in 3rd base an "idiot", although I like Bob's Dunce Cap idea. I also think Bob's idea of example by absurdity is interesting.

Is each question going to be an individual video? Are the questions in sequence? The reason I ask is, you're proposing some esoteric questions, like the AC Roulette rule and Imprison, and end it with the absolute most basic question there is.

Be sure to talk about the differences and similarities of the Pass and Come bets.

You need to address how to tell each player's bets apart in Craps and Roulette. Yeah, in Roulette it's rather simple, but it still shocks me to see guys at the Craps table, who appear to know what they're doing, who still don't get the relationship of where they stand and where the dealer places his bets. These experienced guys still have to ask what bets they have up.

Mention working and not-working and the unusual Vegas rule about hard ways on a mid-roll come out.


Above all, remember: K.I.S.S.!

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Above all, remember: K.I.S.S.!

Point being, these types of videos can be can be
extremely boring. Best to make a show out of it
rather than a classroom situation.

For blackjack:

Q: 3:2, 6:5 - what's the big deal?

Q: Are there any side bets worth playing?

Q: What difference does it make if the cards are dealt face up or face down?

The questions seem to be largely in reverse order.

I've generally thought your Gambling 102 was a bit too shallow, so I hope you will aim a bit higher.

Its nice to have something attractive there asking questions but please don't have her come across as an utter bimbo. You might have her do the "intro" to the game, such as "come close to 21 but not go over" ... and then have you, the instructor, step in there with " beat the dealer". Or have her do a girlishly "I get so nervous when I'm at 16 which is just one away from where I should stop" and then you step in with a "hitting on 16 is only a teensy bit better than standing on 16".

Props might be nice, but I don't know what a casino would let you bring in. Perhaps do some "casino shooting" and some "dealer school shooting" or "home game room shooting" where dunce caps and humungous stacks of cards can be brought in. Can you do a craps "blow up" where the player stations are numbered and the corresponding numbers are shown in the layout for one of the boxes? Can you "shoot" with those three inch square felt dice such as might dangle from a car's mirror? Looks better on a video than the teensy real dice.

In addition to individual games you might work in a discussion of game choice, bankroll management, comps, etc. So that its not just "how to press a little red button" for slots. And perhaps use roulette as a means of showing how time at table and variance will change in a situation wherein its all 5.26 percent whether 1:1 or 35:1.

Don't make it too dry. When I stayed at 4 queens, they have one of their own channels on tv and one segment is how to play a handful of different table games. It was done pretty well and had fair instructions, unlike you may find in real life situations at the table-notibly craps, but it was pretty dry.

It seems the advice sought is mostly about suggesting FAQs, but don't forget to have us vet the thing while changes can be made... would hate to see it start off with a "Gambing" misspelling.

I can remember what it was like to know almost nothing. Etiquette should be covered, I can tell you that.

Blackjack

Q: What are the hand signals and why do I have to use them?

Q: If I want to split can't I just take the cards and separate them myself?

Q: What if I am slow with adding up my card values?

Q: How and when do I buy in?

Craps

Q: How and when do I buy in?

Q: Can I just roll the dice and not make a bet? Can I just make a middle table bet and roll the dice?

Q: At home board games all of us cup the dice in two hands and shake 'em good, when it's my turn is that a good way here too?

Q: Everybody got mad at that guy because the dice throw hit his hands while he was putting out a bet. Was he being stupid?

Q: There are so many complicated bets going on, it's intimidating. What bets should I start with?

Q: Why not bet every time on rolling a '7' too, along with my other bets, for a good hedge?

Craps

Q: Is betting on the big red 6 and 8 in the corner of the table, the same as having the dealer place the 6 and 8 for me?

Q: How come when I make certain prop bets like a horn bet, When I win they dont pay me the full amount. For example, I gave the stick man $4 for a horn bet and a 12 was rolled. but the dealer only paid me $27. Why is this?

Craps

Q: What bets that are still on the table during the come out roll are on/off(working/not working) by default?

Q: Should I keep my bets turned on(or working) at all times, even on the come out roll if they're off(not working) by default? Do I have that option?

delet

Quote: odiousgambit

I can remember what it was like to know almost nothing. Etiquette should be covered, I can tell you that.

Yes, as well as lack of etiquette and "real world" variations. For instance, many boxmen will let a pretty girl shoot the dice even though only her boyfriend's money is on the line and he is waiving his turn to shoot. Not strictly legal, but no one really minds. A mid-roll buy in is rude but will be allowed since its often the fasted thing to do and sometimes the buy-in amount is more than that particularly table has seen all day long. At a five dollar table anyone buying in for more than five grand will not be told to wait for the shooter to make his point.

In BJ, mid shoe buyins are often hated by both players and the house alike. Even if the house is okay with it, its often a courtesy to ask but I think its an equal courtesy to always say "Sure, the more the merrier. Good luck to you". If the house wants to say no thats fine, but players should be accommodating and cheerful, even if its really not universal.

Exuberance is to be expected and excited utterances do take place but there should be some indication that it is to be expected that players will maintain a proper decorum, even if no young ladies are actually present at the table. That a gentleman who allows his emotions to cause a lapse in his judgment may or may not get a warning depending upon the degree of the lapse and whether an expletive was directed at the world in general or was instead directed at a casino employee.

I think part of the etiquette considerations should be to encourage the inexperienced player to reveal their status to the dealer so as to obtain directions and additional time as needed without causing more major disruptions.

Quote: FleaStiff

For instance, many boxmen will let a pretty girl shoot the dice even though only her boyfriend's money is on the line and he is waiving his turn to shoot. Not strictly legal, but no one really minds.

Mind? Hell no! An opportunity to see a gal and her gals bouncing up and down? The box/stick would get killed if he passed her by.

Quote: FleaStiff

A mid-roll buy in is rude but will be allowed since its often the fasted thing to do and sometimes the buy-in amount is more than that particularly table has seen all day long. At a five dollar table anyone buying in for more than five grand will not be told to wait for the shooter to make his point.

Really? I've never seen anyone told to wait, even if it's just a $20 buy-in. The worst I've seen is that it will be called "Change only, no action" with the player getting in the game after the roll.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Mention working and not-working and the unusual Vegas rule about hard ways on a mid-roll come out.

What rule are you referring to? Do you mean that hard ways are ON for come out rolls?

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Above all, remember: K.I.S.S.!

Quote: FleaStiff

I've generally thought your Gambling 102 was a bit too shallow, so I hope you will aim a bit higher.

It just goes to show I'm not going to please everybody either way. I have to say that my general philosophy will be KISS, as I'm trying to reach more readers with these videos, and think will catch more fish going for the common man. I will throw in some pointers for more advanced players too.

Quote: Alan

Don't make it too dry. When I stayed at 4 queens, they have one of their own channels on tv and one segment is how to play a handful of different table games. It was done pretty well and had fair instructions, unlike you may find in real life situations at the table-notibly craps, but it was pretty dry.

Yes, I remember those videos, and mine will be in large part based on them. However, I will have only one model and I will be going for something more casual and hopefully fun to watch.

Regarding all the suggestions by Odius, I am also planning to do segments on rules and strategy. The Q&A are more of a way to touch on miscellaneous comments I might miss in those two parts.

Quote: FleaStiff

Yes, as well as lack of etiquette and "real world" variations. For instance, many boxmen will let a pretty girl shoot the dice even though only her boyfriend's money is on the line and he is waiving his turn to shoot.

Hopefully he will short-stick her.

Quote: DJ

Really? I've never seen anyone told to wait, even if it's just a $20 buy-in. The worst I've seen is that it will be called "Change only, no action" with the player getting in the game after the roll.

Good point. Personally, I want until a seven-out to buy in. Is that the proper etiquette or am I going too far?

Quote: FleaStiff

A mid-roll buy in is rude but will be allowed since its often the fasted thing to do and sometimes the buy-in amount is more than that particularly table has seen all day long. At a five dollar table anyone buying in for more than five grand will not be told to wait for the shooter to make his point.

Really? I have bought in mid roll may times......and have never got a weird look....and never seen or gave anyone a sideways look when buying in mid roll.......So If I walk up to a table and the puck is "on a point"......and I want chips to make a come bet or two.....To "buy in" would be considered rude? Hmmm.....anyone else feel is it is not proper Etiquette to "buy in" mid roll?

Quote: Wizard

Good point. Personally, I want[sic] until a seven-out to buy in. Is that the proper etiquette or am I going too far?

It's proper etiquette, but too few people know it.

And when someone buys in in the middle of a roll I think A)you're an asshole or B)you've never played this game before.

So please teach it.

Quote: vert1276

Really? I have bought in mid roll may times......and have never got a weird look....and never seen or gave anyone a sideways look when buying in mid roll.......So If I walk up to a table and the puck is "on a point"......and I want chips to make a come bet or two.....To "buy in" would be considered rude? Hmmm.....anyone else feel is it is not proper Etiquette to "buy in" mid roll?

I dont do it, I hate seeing cash on the table when the puck is on. Lots of people do it though, dealers dont seem to care.

Wizard-

For the craps section

"What is a come bet/Don't come bet?"

Quote: Wizard

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Mention working and not-working and the unusual Vegas rule about hard ways on a mid-roll come out.

What rule are you referring to? Do you mean that hard ways are ON for come out rolls?

Yeah, that's what I meant. Quite frankly, I've always wondered why Vegas does it that way.

I mean, if the dealers realize that they have to remind players all the time, and since other optional bets are off for the come-out, why is it done that way? Yeah, I realize the answer is "tradition," but it's a stupid tradition.

Quote: Wizard

Quote: DJ

Really? I've never seen anyone told to wait, even if it's just a $20 buy-in. The worst I've seen is that it will be called "Change only, no action" with the player getting in the game after the roll.

Good point. Personally, I want until a seven-out to buy in. Is that the proper etiquette or am I going too far?

Frankly, yeah, I DO think it's taking etiquette too far.

The proper thing to do is to merely wait until the dealer is done paying and taking as a result of the one roll. Have the money out already, and throw it in, before the stickman startes to move the dice to the shooter. Go ahead and either call a simple bet or call 'no action'. That is to say, the right thing to do is to not hold up the game.

Etiquette? That would mean that either the casino misses an opportunity to take your money, or you'll miss a hot roller. That's a bad thing either way. If you wait and the shooter throws a 7-out, yeah, you're happy, but in a shoulder shrugging sort of way.


Personally, I approach a craps table, and just watch for a couple rolls. THEN I take out my money. A smart dealer will recognize that I already sat out a couple rolls, so sitting out one more roll isn't going to upset me.

Quote: vert1276

Really? I have bought in mid roll may times......and have never got a weird look....and never seen or gave anyone a sideways look when buying in mid roll.......So If I walk up to a table and the puck is "on a point"......and I want chips to make a come bet or two.....To "buy in" would be considered rude? Hmmm.....anyone else feel is it is not proper Etiquette to "buy in" mid roll?

If I walk up to the table when the puck is "on", I'll wait there with my cash and players card displayed and wait for the dealer to make the call. It's about 50/50 waiting till the point's resolved. Sometimes when there are alot of prop bets being cleaned up after a roll, I'll hear "would you like to buy in now,sir?" Otherwise I wait for the puck to go black. I've nver thrown cash down without being invited to by the crew.

Quote: PeteM

If I walk up to the table when the puck is "on", I'll wait there with my cash and players card displayed and wait for the dealer to make the call. It's about 50/50 waiting till the point's resolved. Sometimes when there are alot of prop bets being cleaned up after a roll, I'll hear "would you like to buy in now,sir?" Otherwise I wait for the puck to go black. I've nver thrown cash down without being invited to by the crew.

Good job! Someone like me appreciates that.

Quote: Alan

It's proper etiquette, but too few people know it.

How about this. Let's say I already have chips in hand from another game. Is it okay to jump in after the come out roll, or do player players resent any mid-round entry? Perhaps along the same lines why blackjack players don't like new players coming in mid-shoe.

Quote: PeteM

If I walk up to the table when the puck is "on", I'll wait there with my cash and players card displayed and wait for the dealer to make the call. It's about 50/50 waiting till the point's resolved. Sometimes when there are alot of prop bets being cleaned up after a roll, I'll hear "would you like to buy in now,sir?" Otherwise I wait for the puck to go black. I've nver thrown cash down without being invited to by the crew.

Well I wasn't implying that I would just walk up mid roll and throw cash down behind the line, and expect the dealer to give me cheques!...But if the dealer is done making payout and taking bets and the dice are not out.....he can surly take my buy in.....If im not holding up the game......Of course I'm not gonna be rude and just throw money down on the table while the dealer is making pay outs and expect service LOL......I though you guys were implying it was bad etiquette because of some sort of superstition....of someone buying in mid roll......I think ANYONE who plays craps would not do anything to slow the game...

Quote: Wizard

How about this. Let's say I already have chips in hand from another game. Is it okay to jump in after the come out roll, or do player players resent any mid-round entry? Perhaps along the same lines why blackjack players don't like new players coming in mid-shoe.

I don't consider this the same(meaning it is okay), since you know that a lot of folks at the table are going to place new bets after each throw anyway.

Quote: Wizard

How about this. Let's say I already have chips in hand from another game. Is it okay to jump in after the come out roll, or do player players resent any mid-round entry? Perhaps along the same lines why blackjack players don't like new players coming in mid-shoe.

Yes, I find that acceptable.

Quote: Alan

Quote: Wizard

Good point. Personally, I wait until a seven-out to buy in. Is that the proper etiquette or am I going too far?

It's proper etiquette, but too few people know it.
And when someone buys in in the middle of a roll I think A)you're an asshole or B)you've never played this game before.
So please teach it.

Its a fine point but I would agree: Teach what is proper: wait until a shooter finishes his roll before attempting to buy in unless a dealer indicates otherwise. Teach also however that those who do attempt to buy in during a roll will usually be accommodated by the crew because that is faster and simpler than arguing with them and perhaps having them leave and take their money with them. At any rate when you do put your money down in the Come area it is proper to say Change even though the crew knows that and it is proper to do it when the dice are in the center. Any stickman knows that once a big wad of cash hits the table, you reverse the motion of the stick and bring those dice back to the center but fast. Rude player, ignorant player, drunk player.... it makes no difference. If you can't wait to a point is either made or lost to buy in, then at least buy in without interfering with the game.

Etiquette has declined in some casinos. I've already mentioned the Mini-Bacc dealer who pushed out a whole heck of alot of chips to a guy who had just won a Tie Bet and had been winning big all night long. When the dealer saw he was getting a tip and had not got one tip his entire shift, he loudly referred to the player as "Mxxxxx Fxxxxx", this brought the Floor over who spoke to the dealer and after having learned what happened loudly said "Which one of all these "Mxxxxx Fxxxxxxx"? Normally that sort of thing would get the dealer and the Floor processed right out the door, not just written up, but absolutely nothing happened.

So even though it may be a losing proposition, it is right to teach proper etiquette. Excitement and alcohol may make someone buy in mid roll but atleast the video should indicate what proper etiquette is.

Its also proper to make certain the dealer hands off your buy in stacks to you, don't reach into the come area but if the dealer rudely leaves it there for you, be sure to call out no action in the come if the dice start moving.

You might mention that a good dealer will anticipate your needs but if a waitress appears you can drop down a five and announce 'cheque change" at a less than hectic moment and he will have five whites for you as soon as he can. The important thing to stress is that the player should keep track of what is happening but should also realize that the dealers have priorities and a certain sequence to adhere to.

I'd also teach that BJ is not a team game and is played solely against the dealer, not against or with other players. So no one is "destined" to receive a particular card and no great emotional attachment should be displayed or great emotional difficulty at the loss of a particular card that a player might have thought was pre-ordained as being his. However, real world etiquette should probably acknowledge that there is a trend to rude BJ players.

Roulette: What is the racetrack for/how do you make the call bets? I'm not sure that you've discussed the call bets before.

Quote: heather

Roulette: What is the racetrack for/how do you make the call bets? I'm not sure that you've discussed the call bets before.

Call bets in craps are verbal bets made and booked "with the chips to come later".
Call bets in roulette are bets made verbally but immediately backed by a stack of chips provided to the croupier by the player but the physical distribution of those chips is dispensed with.
This distinction should be made in the videos.
In the roulette video its mainly European players who do all these unusually named call bets but they should certainly be mentioned if not fully explained.

Quote: Wizard

How about this. Let's say I already have chips in hand from another game. Is it okay to jump in after the come out roll, or do player players resent any mid-round entry? Perhaps along the same lines why blackjack players don't like new players coming in mid-shoe.

Oh, if you have chips already then just step right up and position the chips as you desire.

Its the act of exchanging cash for chips that is considered a delay to the shooter's rhythm since the stick man has to just stand there slowly turning the dice to kill time as the cash is counted and can't push the dice out to the waiting shooter so he can continue his roll. Its not that all shooters or all players mind this, its just that its considered a bit gauche to do it. The casino wants the cash of course but its considered impolite to interrupt a shooter's roll by imposing a delay on the shooter getting his dice back.

Quote: FleaStiff

Oh, if you have chips already then just step right up and position the chips as you desire.

Its the act of exchanging cash for chips that is considered a delay to the shooter's rhythm since the stick man has to just stand there slowly turning the dice to kill time as the cash is counted and can't push the dice out to the waiting shooter so he can continue his roll. Its not that all shooters or all players mind this, its just that its considered a bit gauche to do it. The casino wants the cash of course but its considered impolite to interrupt a shooter's roll by imposing a delay on the shooter getting his dice back.

Right on...so...

....here's the skit.

You(Wiz) and a bunch of other guys and your model girl are playing craps...the girl is the shooter...she is kicking ass, having a roll of a lifetime and everyone at the table is raking in the bucks...a (drunk (added for color)) guy walks up to the table in the middle of the roll..throws down a crumpled up wad of different denominations of cash [all the original players look at the guy with a wtf are you doing kind of look]...dealer has to straighten out the guys money to count it(needless to say this is delaying the game)..dealer finally figures how much the guy has and is about to give the guy his chips..(drunk) guy doesn't like the denomintation of chips he receives from the dealer so he(guy) tells the dealer what denomination of chips he wants....okay, finally, guy places a come bet...the dice go back out to the gal, she rolls, 7-out, guy wins on his (come) bet and everyone else loses...everyone at the table then beats the shit out of him :-)

Quote: Alan

Right on...so...

....here's the skit.

You(Wiz) and a bunch of other guys and your model girl are playing craps...the girl is the shooter...she is kicking ass, having a roll of a lifetime and everyone at the table is raking in the bucks...a (drunk (added for color)) guy walks up to the table in the middle of the roll..throws down a crumpled up wad of different denominations of cash [all the original players look at the guy with a wtf are you doing kind of look]...dealer has to straighten out the guys money to count it(needless to say this is delaying the game)..dealer finally figures how much the guy has and is about to give the guy his chips..(drunk) guy doesn't like the denomintation of chips he receives from the dealer so he(guy) tells the dealer what denomination of chips he wants....okay, finally, guy places a come bet...the dice go back out to the gal, she rolls, 7-out, guy wins on his (come) bet and everyone else loses...everyone at the table then beats the shit out of him :-)

Ya I can see how it can slow down the game.....and as a craps shooter...I too hate when the game is slowed by slow players(dice setters).....Only becasue I love action.....But by your post are you implying that it was the slowing of the shooters "rhythm" that caused her to roll a seven?......The game being slowed down or speed up has NO affect on the dice.....Now the game being slowed down is annoying, becasue it makes the game boring. But if someone slowed the game and then the shooter rolled a seven only a idiot(ya that's an insult:0 ) would blame the "slowing" of the game for the "7 out" IMO

P.S. the insult was only half hearted since you pretty much called me an asshole earlier in the thread ;)

All of us here know that craps players are a superstitious bunch, so I added that(7-out) for emphasis and how that guy would be blamed for it, although as you stated it makes no difference.

P.S. It wasn't meant personally, so I won't take yours personally ;-)

I wonder how making the videos is going?