Stupid Question

[bpb]

So, we know the casino has an edge on us before we even start to play, and everyone including the casinos know of the perfect BJ strategy, so how can you make money against casinos?

Through advantage play.

Essentially, a casino will give you a bonus $X if you wager $Y on a game with a house advantage of Z.

Example ... deposit $100, get a $100 bonus which you can withdraw after wagering $6,000. You play blackjack, where your expected loss is around 50 cents per $100 wagered. So, you'll expect to lose $30 while wagering the $6,000. But the casino has given you a $100 bonus. So after you're done wagering, you'll have an expected win of $70.

Note however that just because the odds are in your favor doesn't guarantee a win. Just as people win big at casinos when the odds are against them, you can still lose big while advantage playing. The universal maxim of don't gamble with money you can't afford to lose applies, regardless of whether you have an edge or not.

[vgyhnji]

‘I'd discuss bonus hunting, but I'm afraid I'd be tarred, feathered and lynched by half the regular posters on here’.

Macgyver - good luck to them and let me do it for you, let them post what they like because there is nothing wrong with it at all.

Hi parkmyjag

welcome back, sorry to hear you have no jag yet, neither do I!

'Basically, I need to get a second income going to help ease some of the bills I got.'

We all want you to make money here, but, as others have already said, be careful. There are no guarantees, the hard fact is its gambling and you may well lose. So from the very start NEVER risk money you cannot afford to lose. This may well mean you have no money, or very little to start a bankroll with. So be it, wait until you have a bit of spare that you really can afford to lose (the casino’s will still be here!)- because you must be prepared to lose it and accept it if it happens - if you win that’s a bonus.

I suggest you begin by visiting the http://www.wizardofodds.com/blackjack site and copying out the basic strategy for Blackjack. Sign up at a casino and play-for-fun whilst you learn by heart the basic strategy you have copied. You will make mistakes until you have played many hands (and even after that!) and I suggest that these mistakes are best made without risking your own money.

Play-for-fun for many hours and you should become proficient to play without continually referring to the strategy table so often.

Now you are ready to play for real, start with the best initial sign-up bonuses you can find from casinos listed on this site that allow BJ play for WR, copy and read thoroughly the terms of your bonus, play BJ to minimum stakes until you achieve the WR. Assuming you have any balance left, cash-out (YOU WIN NOTHING TILL YOU CASH OUT), do not play more than you have to and do not reverse the cash-out.

You should make money overall from all the bonuses available. Once you have exhausted initial sign-up bonuses things get harder but by then you have either developed a patience, understanding and mental state that can make you more money. Or you have become an addicted loser having already burnt back your winnings and some and should never have started this in the first place.

Its by no means a ‘get rich quick’ scenario so don’t expect it to be.

Whatever you do – best of luck.


PS:
'If casino games are supposed to be totally random, then why is it when you increase the stakes, the casinos systemactically part you with your money?'

Before succumbing to this fallacy I suggest you record in more detail the results of hands you play.

[KasinoKing]

So, we know the casino has an edge on us before we even start to play, and everyone including the casinos know of the perfect BJ strategy, so how can you make money against casinos?

Pretty much everyone here agrees that in the long run you can not beat the house, no matter what betting strategy you use.
But what you can do is make use of (not abuse) bonuses by meeting WR's before losing all the bonus. It just needs a little self-control. (Well OK, a lot of self control! )
For example, you mentioned Casino on Net which (believe it or not) I only joined for the first time in January! 100% bonus on $200 deposit. I met the $2000 WR playing BlackJack, Stud, PaiGow and even a bit of Roulette! I ended up with a bankroll of $375. That's $175 profit for just a few hours work.
Good luck again - but PLEASE don't play with money you can not afford to lose.

[mitch]

It just needs a little self-control. (Well OK, a lot of self control! )
PLEASE don't play with money you can not afford to lose.

Quite right KK.

Unfortunately I let my standards slip the other night And your record is now safe as I had a losing month in January after 23 consecutive winning months.

I lost $14000 on 29/01/05, I was previously ahead $9500 for the month so my overall loss was $4500.

It was the deadly brew that led to my loss as it overcame my usual self control. It just shows that willpower is the probably the most important element in gambling.

I console myself that my profit for the last year is still $28000 even after this $14000 loss. Still hard to take however.

Mitch

[parkmyjag]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry to hear about your loss Mitch, I'm sure you will get it back and then some.

Well, I would like to report that lasseter's casino has given me a $30 no deposit bonus. You can play their roulette for 1c and BJ for 2c. So I think this will be a good test for me.

Any ideas which BJ or roulette strategies I should use on this casino?

I do realise this is free money so no pressure and I am keeping with the "only bet with the money you can afford to lose!"

Thanks,

park

[bpb]

Hi Everyone,
Any ideas which BJ or roulette strategies I should use on this casino?

The only roulette strategy is don't bet on the 0/0/1/2/3 5-way. Otherwise, every single bet you make on the table has the same expectation.

For BJ, check out the strategy cards at www.wizardofodds.com. Following the correct basic strategy will minimize your expected loss.

[KasinoKing]

Well, I would like to report that lasseter's casino has given me a $30 no deposit bonus. You can play their roulette for 1c and BJ for 2c. So I think this will be a good test for me.

Roulette for 1c?? Never heard of that before! Thanks for the tip-off - I may be heading there soon! (How did you get the free $30?)

As for strategy - I use my own WAG system (Wild Ass Guess) - but for beginners, use the Wiz like bpb said.
Unless you have lots of expeience, I would advise you do not touch Roulette at all in real money play - this is such an up 'n' down game, far more dependant on luck than strategy. In any event, most casinos do not allow it for WR if you are taking a sign-up bonus.

[parkmyjag]

Hi bpb and kk,

Thanks for the heads up.

To get the free $30 just sign-up as a fun account and play there for a few days. In a week or so you will get an email from them offering you this free money if you upgrade to a real account.

The free money varies from $10 - $30, so make sure to email them back if they only offer you $10. Just tell them that a friend referred you to them because he got $30. You do not have to mention anyone. Lo and behold, as night follows day, you should get a email back telling you that on their next promotion you will get the $30.

I am up 30cents so far , not much but starting with $30 only let's see how far I can hold on before I blow it all

park

[KasinoKing]

I am up 30cents so far , not much but starting with $30 only let's see how far I can hold on before I blow it all
park

WTG!
And thanks for the info.
Actually I just checked them out (and their clone AusVegas), and think I may not be paying them a (real money) visit after all, after being totally underwelmed by their vast variety of 7 games!
So with their T&C's ruling out half, and me being unhappy with 30x WR on BlackCrap - that only leaves VP, Keno & Slots. Hmmmm.....