New bonus strategy - play blackjack instead

[kirby]

Over the past six months I've come to the personal conclusion that most signup bonus are not worth the effort. That generalization applies to the standard 100% match with 15x wagering requirement and game restrictions. Bonuses over 100% - well maybe!

That $25 deposit and a $25 bonus becomes a $750 gambling requirement. Assume for a moment a 10% house edge on slots (with a $50 bankroll the odds of major bonus win before busting are pretty small). You're theoretical loss is more than your bankroll. I call that a slow painful death as your credits go into a slow motion death spiral. For that torturous demise you have voluntarily restricted your choice of games. Attractive upfront but ultimately disappointing.

Now consider another option. $25 deposit with no bonus. You can play anything you want. For me a $25 hand of blackjack is the best choice. Win that hand and I've achieved the 100% match in minute. In fact, if I get a blackjack, I've just gotten a $150% bonus. Lose that hand and it's like a death by guillotine, quick.

Note that I'm saying ONE hand of blackjack, double or nothing. If I win, then I can play anthing I want and cash out whenever I want. Seems like a better deal than the signup bonus that comes with a chain boat anchor.

Finally, I'll take the bonus if (1) the bonus is 200% or more simply because I fell less likely to bust before completing the 15x wagering requirement or (2) the casino lets me count blackjack or video poker towards the 15x. To me that's a fair contest.

P.S. I only open one new account a month so that death by guillotine remains within my emotional comfort zone.

[CasinoForumu]

I dont think slots or blackjack is best option to olay with bonuses for wagering requirements.
Casinowar is the best deal for wagering requirements IMO.

[kirby]

Since most terms and conditions attach penalties to playing blackjack with the bonus money, it's not usually an option. I was talking about declining the bonus and getting rid of the wagering requirement. Then I can bet my $25 and take my chances.

You're right about slots being a bad idea but with autospin it takes a bit less concentration and betting penny slots may work out allright

Casino war has a higher house edge than blackjack basic strategy but I can see where you're coming from.

[PackerBacker]

Kirby, I agree with you regarding bonuses. I only claim them when I've reached my personal alloted gambling limit.

If I'm still under my limit, and I claim a $200 bonus at one of my vip casinos, hit a jackpot and then have to gamble x times that, I am po'd because I know if I had not claimed the bonus, I still would have deposited my $200 into that casino, and I would have hit the jackpot with no restrictions.

[Vesuvio]

Assume for a moment a 10% house edge on slots

...or you could assume the actual house edge of 4-5% on most slots.

Now consider another option. $25 deposit with no bonus. You can play anything you want. For me a $25 hand of blackjack is the best choice. Win that hand and I've achieved the 100% match in minute. In fact, if I get a blackjack, I've just gotten a $150% bonus. Lose that hand and it's like a death by guillotine, quick.

I take it you're joking? Your clever plan just loses you about 12 cents at every casino you play at - assuming you always withdraw immediately after achieving the "bonus".

I wouldn't particularly try to encourage anyone to play with bonuses, but they're still the only chance you have of putting the odds in your favour.

[kirby]

...or you could assume the actual house edge of 4-5% on most slots.

I know that's what Price-Waterhouse certifies but I imagine it (1) includes video poker with a 98% payou, (2) averages higher payouts on $1 lines and lower payouts on penny lines and (3) assume successful bonus rounds which are not really too likely on a $50 bankroll. So for my penny slots I'll stick with Vegas average of 90%. Actual mileage may vary.

I take it you're joking? Your clever plan just loses you about 12 cents at every casino you play at - assuming you always withdraw immediately after achieving the "bonus".

Not really. I don't understand how single bets at each casino with a 0.5% edge transltes into a 12% edge overall. Seems to me I'lll win half the time and lose half the time. Factor in blackjacks at 3:2 payout an I'm marginally ahead.

[tennis_balls]

i assume you plan on making another $25 deposit should you need to double-down?.......otherwise that's a bad strategy

[kirby]

I guess I'd have to play the hand straight without the double-down. Know it hurts in the long-termbut I'm only intereested in the one-time shot at doublingthe bankroll.

[Geoff Hall]

Not really. I don't understand how single bets at each casino with a 0.5% edge transltes into a 12% edge overall. Seems to me I'lll win half the time and lose half the time. Factor in blackjacks at 3:2 payout an I'm marginally ahead.

The 12% is not the edge but the 'hold' that the casino gets on the game in an average month. For example, you cash in $500 and place 100 $25 bets in an hour's play. On average, at 0.5% house edge, (which is normally higher with bad players), you will have bet a total of $2,500 and will be down 0.5% of that i.e. $12.50. After, say, 4 hours of play, you get up losing $50, so the 'hold' that the casino keeps is $50 which equates to 10% of your buy-in.

With Blackjack you do not win 1/2 the time and lose 1/2 the time - you lose more often than you win. The 3/2 payout on 'Blackjack' is already factored in with the house edge of 0.5%. If you got paid 'Blackjacks' at 'even money' then you would be a horrific 2.3% worse off i.e. house edge of 2.8%

[Slotster!]

It all depends why you claim bonuses really... For me, it's a bit of extra 'playing money' to mess about with and hopefully hit it big. I honestly don't ever think about wagering requirements and, touch wood, have never had an issue cashing out. Mind you, I've zero'd out far more often than I've cashed out!