Stretching the bankroll.

Hi, brand new to the forum and looking for some advice. I'm heading to Laughlin in a few months and want to get some recommendations on the best ways to get the most bang for my buck. I'm going to be playing VP, Blackjack, and craps, with the occasional Megabucks slot play, because, hey, ya never know. =) I feel pretty comfortable with my Blackjack skills, VP I am still getting the hang of optimal (or near optimal strategy) thanks to Wizard of Odds, and craps I am a noob, but trying to learn before I go.

Just wanted to get some insight on the best betting strategies for each game that will help to stretch the bankroll over the most amount of time, and hopefully rack up some comps to pay for the hotel, meals etc. I plan to allocate $XXX for each day, and whatever I have left when I go to sleep goes home with me. Here are my thoughts on the best way to play, and hopefully some of you can confirm or correct them.

Blackjack - min bets with basic strategy, no side bets.

VP - DW or DDBP (unless they have better bonus games?), max coins, between $.25-$1 denom, depending on the ratio of bankroll to remaining trip time.

Craps - Min. pass line at full odds with max of 3 come bets at full odds depending on how deep the shooter goes into the roll. No other side bets.

While these do seem like boring bets, my overall goal is to just last through the trip and, if I'm lucky, have a little left over. If there are any recommendations for sites that already have this info, I would greatly appreciate those links as well.

Also, I have been to Laughlin a few times, but would greatly appreciate any recommendations for a starting bankroll amount given how I expect to play, as well as the best casino(s) for each of the above games.

Thank you to all replies in advance, and good luck out there!

Quote: guitarfreek15

Blackjack - min bets with basic strategy, no side bets.

VP - DW or DDBP (unless they have better bonus games?), max coins, between $.25-$1 denom, depending on the ratio of bankroll to remaining trip time.

Craps - Min. pass line at full odds with max of 3 come bets at full odds depending on how deep the shooter goes into the roll. No other side bets.

VP - A very quick look at the WoO site doesn't seem to have VP variance listed, so: http://www.videopokerinfo.com/gamevariance.htm (Note: No idea how accurate that site is.) Assuming that their numbers are valid, you may wish to reconsider the DDBP, since it's pretty high variance-- catch a bad swing, and you could end up down quite a bit. (Or up a lot, but since your primary goal for VP appears to be running out the clock while getting what comps you can...)

Craps - Could just save the come bets if you want to stretch your play out that much longer. Or even run DP, if you like being contrary (or winning, if the table's in that kind of a mood). Just have a thick skin though-- a few weeks back, these kids at South Point were openly threatening me because I kept throwing box numbers while they were Martingaling on the field. (They only went up to 80$ though. Pity.)

Have you ever tried Pai Gow Poker? I was playing that earlier today and ended up pushing for about 40 minutes straight. I mean, it's great to not lose, but it was getting kind of ridiculous. It's a great way to bleed slowly, but I suspect the comps on it are positively awful at anything less than black chip play.

Yeah, if you're trying to stretch your bankroll, DDB isn't that great. And if you don't plan to play at Aquarius, I'd consider skipping Deuces too since it looks like Laughlin has very little "Not So Ugly Ducks".

http://www.vpfree2.com/casinos/by-region/laughlin.html

Quote: Venthus

so: http://www.videopokerinfo.com/gamevariance.htm (Note: No idea how accurate that site is.)

Numbers look generally correct to me.

In terms of relative order of variance for the major variants:

Double Double Bonus >>> Double Bonus >> Deuces Wild >> Bonus Poker > Jacks or Better

I definitely wouldn't pick any game with variance higher than DDB if you are trying to have a long-lasting bankroll. So no Triple Double Bonus, or Loose Deuces, obv. I would also generally avoid DDB if bankroll preservation is important. Aquarius offers 100% JoB, the game may be boring, but that's going to keep your bankroll in tact the longest. They also have 10/7 DB or 40/10/6 DDB if he wants to be a little more aggressive.

Pure bankroll preservation dictates you only play 9/6 JoB since it has the highest return/lowest variance ratio.

but then again you'll probably want to play some blackjack and craps. Basic strategy + pass with odds might be your best bet.

I would set some money aside for high variance games because they are fun when it swings in your favor, so put a couple hundred into DDB or DB with some hardways and some sidebets in BJ just for fun. Always a rush to have the 8 backed up with odds while trying to hit a hard 8.

>Blackjack - min bets with basic strategy, no side bets.
Dont make side bets but feel free to sit at a table that features them so as slow down the rate of play.

>Craps - Min. pass line at full odds with max of 3 come bets at full odds depending on how deep the shooter goes into the roll.
This could prove expensive. Feel free to go to the Don't PassLine. Feel free to hesitate on the odds or to go less than full odds. Its not quite pure mathematically but it will protect your bankroll since odds are an optional bet that of an in itself has no "house edge" and no "player edge" either.
Feel free to Place the Six and Seven.

With ONLY passline bets and no odds bets, and ONE Come Bet without odds, you need 50 units to last for four hours and have a 90 percent chance of avoiding Gamblers Ruin by sheer normal variance. So good luck.