There are plays you should never make

By John Grochowski

People play casino games for different reasons, with different goals, and that’s something I try keep in mind when writing about the games.

You’re out for some entertainment on the slots? Great, I’m not going to tell you to leave that behind just because the house edge is lower on blackjack. You love roulette? Fine,
I’m not going to drag you to the craps table for better odds.

What I will tell you is that within the range of games people play, there are plays that should never be made. If you’re thinking about doing any of these — don’t.

Playing a progressive slot without betting enough to be eligible for the jackpot. On three-reel slots, you usually have to bet maximum coins to be eligible for a progressive jackpot. On video slots, it sometimes takes a side bet. Whatever it takes, you need to either make the bet or go to a non-progressive game. Progressive slots nearly always bring less in non-jackpot payouts than other slots do.

Betting four coins in video poker. On the first four coins, royal flushes pay 250 coins for each coin wagered On the fifth coin, the jackpot jumps to 4,000 coins. The result: The house makes ALL its money on coins Nos, 1-4, and gives something back to players on coin No. 5. If you’re short-bankrolled and can bet only a coin or two, so be it. But if you’re betting four coins, you’re spotting the house its maximum edge while passing up the good stuff. Ugh.

Betting Big 6 or Big 8 in craps. Big 6 and Big 8 are decided exactly the same way as place bets on 6 or 8 – if the shooter rolls the 6 or 8 before a 7, you win, but if the 7 comes first, you lose. But the place bets pay 7-6 odds, while the “Big” bets pay only even money. You have to bet in multiples of $6 to place 6 or 8, but it’s worth it. This is no time to think big.

Betting on any 7 in craps. All the one-roll propositions are tough on your bankroll, with fast action and high house edges. Any 7 is the worst, at 16.67 percent.

Betting ties in baccarat. Bet on the banker hand, you face a house edge of 1.06 percent. Bet on the player hand, and it’s 1.24 percent. Ties? How does 14.4 percent grab you? You have two of the better bets in the casino, and one that’ll take your bankroll in big chunks. Pretend the option’s not even there.

Making roulette’s five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. There are dozens of options at double-zero roulette that give the house a 5.26 percent edge. There is one bet where you spot the house 7.89 percent instead. Guess which one? There are better ways to spend your money.

Splitting 5s in blackjack. If you have a pair of 5s, you have a two-card 10. That’s a great start to a hand. Split them, and you start two hands with 5 each – a pretty bad building block. Why do it?

The dealer busts only 42 percent of the time with a 6 face up, and 43 percent with a 5 up. More than half the time, the dealer makes a 17 or better, and by splitting the pair, you’ve put yourself in a much worse position when the dealer doesn’t bust.

The time to split 5s? The same as the time to bet four coins in video poker, or bet Big 8 in craps. Never.

- John Grochowski has covered the casino industry for 15 years in newspapers and magazines, and is the author of six books on casino games. Readers can email him at casinoanswerman@casinoanswerman.com.