Would You Play a New Table Game Without Knowing The Odds?
Poll
 | 16 votes (51.61%) | ||
| | 13 votes (41.93%) | ||
| | 2 votes (6.45%) |
31 members have voted
July 6th, 2011 at 9:36:51 AM
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Let's say you walk into a casino and you see a new table game in the pit. It looks like people are having fun playing it. Would you sit down to play without knowing the odds or house advantage? What if there is an optimal strategy that would decrease the house edge?
If you did sit down to play, would you kick yourself later if the house edge was huge, like 12%? Or would you just call it entertainment?
If you did sit down to play, would you kick yourself later if the house edge was huge, like 12%? Or would you just call it entertainment?
July 6th, 2011 at 9:55:38 AM
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I try every new game I see. Never for high stakes, but I'll swallow a ridiculous edge for a few minutes of minimum betting.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
July 6th, 2011 at 9:58:11 AM
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I've played new games without knowing the optimal strategy or house edge: Two Card Joker Poker, Mini Tex 3 Card Hold 'Em, Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, Boston 5 Stud Poker, Tennessee Two Card Poker, and Texas Hold 'Em Bonus. If I liked them, I'd look for the optimal strategy and house edge.
Man Babes #AxelFabulous
July 6th, 2011 at 10:05:21 AM
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Quote: gamblerLet's say you walk into a casino and you see a new table game in the pit. It looks like people are having fun playing it. Would you sit down to play without knowing the odds or house advantage? What if there is an optimal strategy that would decrease the house edge?
If you did sit down to play, would you kick yourself later if the house edge was huge, like 12%? Or would you just call it entertainment?
Sure, if it looks like fun.
Prior to finding the Wizard's sites, I'd only a vague idea of what the house edge was. I knew it was lowest on BJ, and progressing higher more or less in order to craps, roulette and carnival games, but not how much each, nor how bad (or good) the side bets were. I knew slots were terrible and VP was ok. Now I'm more likley to know better.
Still, last trip I hunted down Rock & Roll Dice because I'd seen the Wizard's review of the game. When I found it I'd no clear idea what the edge was or anything, but I sat to play $30 (at the Wynn yet!) just to try it.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
July 6th, 2011 at 10:07:16 AM
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Most new games don't have more than 1 hand/minute (and usually 1 hand/2 minutes). So even if I play for half an hour, 30 hands at $5/hand at 12% edge, I'm only looking at an expected loss of $18. That's not a lot of money especially in the context of competitive analysis. Plus, it usually doesn't take me 30 minutes to decide whether I like a new game.
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
July 6th, 2011 at 10:18:35 AM
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I'll study the handout, try to do some of the math, query the dealer, and watch others play for some time before risking my own money, even if it looks like others are having fun.
The exception would be if I was with a group that included someone who vouched that the game could be profitable, and was fun. I consider a loss while trying something new with the group an entertainment expense.
The exception would be if I was with a group that included someone who vouched that the game could be profitable, and was fun. I consider a loss while trying something new with the group an entertainment expense.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
July 6th, 2011 at 10:22:17 AM
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I like to pretend that I know what I'm doing. I will do at least some rudimentary research before placing a bet.
Someday, joor goin' to see the name of Googie Gomez in lights and joor goin' to say to joorself, "Was that her?" and then joor goin' to answer to joorself, "That was her!" But you know somethin' mister? I was always her yuss nobody knows it! - Googie Gomez
July 6th, 2011 at 11:06:09 AM
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I voted "Other"
I think it's a matter of terminology, but isn't the odds the actual payout on the game. You're most likely referring to the house edge or element of risk, which would not be stated explicitly.
Therefore, I would never play a game that did not post the odds of payouts (like what a flush on a poker style game gets paid vs. a full house). However, I will try a game if it looks fun and entertaining without knowing the house edge. I won't put much money on it, but I still like to have fun.
I think it's a matter of terminology, but isn't the odds the actual payout on the game. You're most likely referring to the house edge or element of risk, which would not be stated explicitly.
Therefore, I would never play a game that did not post the odds of payouts (like what a flush on a poker style game gets paid vs. a full house). However, I will try a game if it looks fun and entertaining without knowing the house edge. I won't put much money on it, but I still like to have fun.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
July 6th, 2011 at 11:16:49 AM
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If it looks like the players are having fun, sure. Hell, before I found WoO, that was my only mode of operation.
If the table is empty, I'll do a quick look-see. If I decide that it's empty simply because I'm there at an odd hour, I'll ask the dealer about it.
I did exactly that one time. I forget the game, but the dealer's explanation made me move on. He said, "You put your money down, and the casino makes it go away."
If the table is empty, I'll do a quick look-see. If I decide that it's empty simply because I'm there at an odd hour, I'll ask the dealer about it.
I did exactly that one time. I forget the game, but the dealer's explanation made me move on. He said, "You put your money down, and the casino makes it go away."
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
July 6th, 2011 at 11:29:04 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearI did exactly that one time. I forget the game, but the dealer's explanation made me move on. He said, "You put your money down, and the casino makes it go away."
That's true of every game. But given the dealer's honesty, he deserved a tip ;)
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
July 6th, 2011 at 12:58:19 PM
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Not any more. Now that I know the Wiz and you guys will analyze any game that makes it to a casino floor, I think I would wait to read, unless it is something I can figure out for myself, like craps. I did start playing pai gow poker not knowing a 'house way' or the casino's odds, but that was decades ago.
July 6th, 2011 at 2:47:15 PM
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Just dive in, if it's any fun then i'll go home and do the homework. It's a waste of time figuring out the odds if i wasn't going to be playing anyway (although i confess reading many of the wizard's writeups on games that aren't even available in canada). Also, it's fun figuring out an optimum strategy on your own, before comparing it to the correct one.
July 6th, 2011 at 3:18:07 PM
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Quote: gamblerLet's say you walk into a casino and you see a new table game in the pit. It looks like people are having fun playing it. Would you sit down to play without knowing the odds or house advantage? What if there is an optimal strategy that would decrease the house edge?
Playing a game with no idea about the rules and house edge is about as much fun to me as walking down a blind alley and hoping not to get mugged. Obviously other people feel differently.
July 6th, 2011 at 4:58:23 PM
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Quote: gamblerLet's say you walk into a casino and you see a new table game in the pit. It looks like people are having fun playing it. Would you sit down to play without knowing the odds or house advantage? What if there is an optimal strategy that would decrease the house edge?
If you did sit down to play, would you kick yourself later if the house edge was huge, like 12%? Or would you just call it entertainment?
I am almost completely incapable of even looking at a game and at least doing some mental calculation as to what the edge looks like and where it lies. I still remember first time I saw "Casino War" played. Saw tables before, all were closed. My buddy was like, "OK, we saw it!" but I had to find the edge. Took a few hands to see the edge lied in "going to war."
Losing money is never entertainment to me.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
July 6th, 2011 at 6:07:05 PM
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Depends.
If I had been drinking, yes.
If I'm with a few friends who want to join in, I'd have no real choice.
If I'm on my own, probably would but I might ask a few questions.
After all, even that darned Big Six wheel can still make you some money from time to time.
If I had been drinking, yes.
If I'm with a few friends who want to join in, I'd have no real choice.
If I'm on my own, probably would but I might ask a few questions.
After all, even that darned Big Six wheel can still make you some money from time to time.
July 6th, 2011 at 6:50:14 PM
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Sure, but not for big bucks. Part of the allure of gambling for me is entertainment.
"Bite my Glorious Golden Ass!" - Bender Bending Rodriguez
July 22nd, 2011 at 2:10:36 PM
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I played double exposure blackjack about 10 years ago cuz it looked fun. While playing, I intuitively figured some things out that others at the table didn't. I got home and looked it up on the Wiz's site. It had about the same HE as regular blackjack, but the chart is 4x longer and would be very hard to memorize. I wonder if that game exists anywhere.
