Gambling and Math...2 Very Different Things

I have probably read more than a 100 books and more than 1000 articles on gambling over the last 2 decades. Many were enjoyable just as good reading. Many were thoughtful and provided sound advice. Some, of course, were ridiculous scams written by snickering con artists. But here I want to focus on the 'math wizard' variety.

The Mensa Guide to Casino Gambling Winning Ways is a good example. It is a book I recommend....but only to a point. It does give current overview, as well as details on all your major Casino games. And that includes some very useful charts and diagrams. As well as table layouts, procedures, and gambling ediquette where appropriate.

Though we all have our favorite games, or at least imagine we do, and the Mensa guide comes well organised into complete chapters. Of course the natural inclination is to read about games we are most interested in detail and skim the rest. I do not believe that this is the best use of such a book. You should read it carefully cover to cover at least once. This applies to any other book that covers Casino games in a broad and general sense. And here is why.

The number one reason is to discover games you aren't familiar with and finding out that they are more interesting than you may have at first thought. This is more important than you may think, and I'll explain that in more detail in a second. The number two reason is the reverse. Some games get a lot of glamorous PR. Black Jack and Roullette come to mind. Upon further reading and some attending mental play, you may find competent Black Jack play a real mental grind. Or not. Roulette, while offering some big odds payouts, can create some long losing streaks.

The point here is the more you have a feel or affinity for a game the more likely you are going to be able to exercise the discipline and skill required to play it well. The next level of satisfaction will come during play action when your skills are natural and you can focus on deeper levels of flow, risks and opportunities. Hit a few good scores in that zone and your really gambling.

I mentioned that being familiar with more games than you might consider off the top of your noggin just might be of great importance. And it is. Walking away a winner. It's harder than you think. You need to brainwash yourself into having urges to move on to another field of action. With a little break to switch gears.

People stick around to lose their winnings because of the emptyness they face, relatively speaking, of walking away from the warmth and excitement of the game. But having a second or third passion helps you break the spell and move on to test your skills elsewhere. I prefer some loud and crazy craps action, then some layed back mini baccarat, then some mindless slot play. With a little gadding about in between.

This psychology applies to walking away with a modest loss as well. It not only makes gambling more fun, it helps you stay fresh and focused as well.

I also mentioned that I recommended the Mensa Guide...to a point. And this applies to all technical manuals on gambling. Those mathematical charts and models, facts and figures cannot possibly measure the real play. They can't notice that 7's have'nt appeared in 12 rolls. 'Any 7' at a gradual progression is a good bet at that point. They can't sense that alternating between banker/player at baccarat, with a very gradual progression can freqently lead to extended winning sessions.

I feel I owe a tangible example of the false reasoning statistics can lead too. Any savvy baccarat player knows that the banker has a statistical advantage over the player. So bet with the banker. The house edge on the banker hand is a measily 1.06% But the players hand gets gaffed for 1.24%

Now here's the million dollar question. Who in their right mind makes a decision based on a differential of .18% ? Or more descriptively, .0018 to 1. It is 100% mathematically accurate. It just makes no practical sense.

The sophisticated computer applications and algorithms never can 'let it ride' and catch 4 pass line wins in a row when a shooter is hot. It happens. More often than their calculations can reveal. Those mindless computer extrapulations of 10,000,000 hands in a row can never know when to walk away a winner. Never.

In other words, purely mathematically, every game is a guarateed loser. But with an understanding of the game, and careful play strategies, good betting strategies, and most importantly, breaking the psychological spell and being willing to take your winnings with you, or cutting your losses is something no slide rule can do. In fact, computer models most resemble compulsive gamblers that can't quit. And everybody knows that that is a losing game.

Gambling and math.....are two very different things.