**No system can beat the casino. So why play?**
**By Frank Scoblete**
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.” This notion is often attributed to Albert Einstein.
Regardless of its origin, the idea seems logical. Why would a rational person repeatedly engage in the same activity without seeing any progress?
During a seminar I conducted, someone asked, “Are casino players crazy for continually playing, expecting to win despite the odds?” Initially, I thought “yes,” but then reconsidered. Are casino players truly insane? Not necessarily, because they experience varying outcomes even when employing the same strategies.
No strategy can consistently defeat the casino in a purely random game where the house has a mathematical advantage. Betting systems can’t overcome the way casinos structure their payouts. These are harsh realities.
However, casino players don’t always encounter the same outcome in any given session. Even those placing random bets without a strategy aren’t pursuing identical results. They experience different outcomes.
Consider this: A player might win or lose small or large amounts. They face a mix of wins and losses, using strategies they enjoy. As such, they needn’t switch strategies because these yield varied results over time.
Thus, casino players aren’t necessarily irrational. The casino’s advantage stems from the mathematical manipulation of betting percentages and the “taxes” on winning bets, known as “short payouts.”
Take craps, for example. The losses on the Pass Line bet are clear—players win 244 times but lose 251 times, giving the house a 1.41% edge.
On other bets, casinos deduct a portion of the player’s winnings. For instance, placing a bet on the 4 or 10 pays $9 for a $5 win, instead of the fair $10. The house edge functions like a tax on player winnings.
The multitude of craps bets generates significant revenue for casinos. Yet, players still win occasionally, reinforcing their belief in their strategies.
This scenario applies to all casino games, where the house either wins more often or taxes the players’ wins.
In blackjack, the casino wins 48 decisions, loses 44, and ties 8, prompting players to seek other games. To improve appeal, casinos offer perks like doubling bets, splitting pairs, and favorable blackjack payouts. The house edge with basic strategy is about 0.5%.
Roulette players face a house tax on winning inside straight-up bets, paying 35-to-one instead of 37-to-one on American wheels and 36-to-one on European wheels. The house edge is 5.26% on American wheels and 2.7% on European ones.
You can place roulette bets in various ways. While long-term results favor the casino, no single session guarantees player losses. Any strategy might succeed in a given game.
Ultimately, the house advantage prevails across all bets. It’s a structured system, not insanity.
Best of luck both in and out of casinos!
*Frank Scoblete’s website is www.frankscoblete.com. His books are available on smile.amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books, and at bookstores.*
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com