heather
heather
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Joined: Jun 12, 2011
June 12th, 2011 at 3:39:15 PM permalink
Hi! I've noticed that quite a few online casinos offer 2:1 payouts on baccarat, that is, successful $200 bets on the player and banker pay out $400 and $390 respectively, rather than the expected $200 and $190. I asked one of them whether it was some sort of promotion of if those were their normal payouts, and was told that those were their normal payouts.

So I'm wondering how it's possible for the casino not to lose money by offering those payouts. It seems to me like you could guarantee a profit just by always betting the same amount on either the Player or Banker, since over time, your winnings would have to exceed your losses (and without any fear of pesky table limits getting in the way). I'm thinking that I have to be missing something here, but can't imagine what, which is why I'm asking.

Does any brick-and-mortar casino offer this sort of payout on baccarat? Would any in its right mind?

Thanks greatly in advance!
SOOPOO
SOOPOO
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June 12th, 2011 at 3:41:59 PM permalink
I would surmise it is the difference between 2 TO 1 and 2 FOR 1. You bet $200 on player, and win, you now have $400, not $600.
MathExtremist
MathExtremist
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June 12th, 2011 at 4:48:36 PM permalink
Soopoo is right. The problem with using dashes or colons (e.g. 2-1 or 2:1) in payout notations is that it's not clear whether "for-1" or "to-1" pays are being used. Whenever I need to be absolutely clear, I always specify "N-to-1" or "N-for-1".
"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
FleaStiff
FleaStiff
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June 12th, 2011 at 5:13:07 PM permalink
Yes, its the same unclear notation at video blackjack sometime too.
The machine takes your entire bet and then makes a payout, but the average player on a live blackjack game sees his chips remain in the betting circle and the casino adds to them.
It might be intentional on the part of the slot machine designers.
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