I have discussed many ways to play roulette and other casino games too. But what do some players think of my ideas and advice? This article will let you know. Just about all veteran casino players have their philosophies and methods of play.
From Jim:
“Hi Frank, Jim here. I do like your ideas in general. But I think you are a little more conservative than me when it comes to playing roulette. Here is what I am talking about.
“You once discussed – or maybe more than once – about trying to keep your roulette play to no more than 40 decisions per hour. This would, as you correctly say, protect your money in the long run. It would also allow you to play more if you want with the same level of expectation if that is what you want.
“I can’t just limit myself when I am playing my favorite games, roulette being one of them.. Every spin that I am not involved in makes me anxious. I want to get into the game. I am also thinking that other players feel the same way. In craps, I like your idea of the 5-Count but I have to have a bet on every roll of the dice. But I am talking about roulette now so here goes some more.
“I do not want to play and count the spins of the wheel. Maybe I should use the word decisions as I did above of the wheel instead of spins, but each decision that I miss I don’t like missing. I feel that could have been my hit. I play three inside numbers and maybe here and there I will go with an outside proposition bet like the dozens or even-money bet.
“Thanks for your years of writing! I have read 20 of your books. The best!”
From Alice:
“My name is Alice. We met once at a (Vegas) casino. I recognized you from one of your television appearances.
“I agree with your idea that the single most important reason that we casino players enjoy playing is the thrill of the anticipation of the next decision and the decision after that and so on. But after a while the thrill pales as time passes. That, to me, is the time to call it quits for that session.
“I also know that before I go to the casinos, and I do go a few months a year, that I do feel that sense of anticipation building in me. I live in Arizona and it is only a hop, skip and a jump from Vegas. I prefer Vegas to all the gambling meccas in the country. I guess that is just me. Maybe not.
“I would also think that if I were having a good night I might call it then and there and enjoy my win. The same would be true if I am having a really bad night. Pull the plug. I can always return later or the next day or the next trip. I do have that kind of discipline.
“I too enjoy playing the proposition bets of even-money and the dozens or columns on occasion. I do keep my betting spread the same so I would split up how I play my money. But if I am betting one bet or three I just evenly split my money or close to it. I want to protect my bankroll. If you are a regular casino player your bankroll is the key to your ability to play.
“I have, as you suggested many years ago, a separate account for my money. I put some of my money each month into that account and I only play the money from the account. Therefore, my normal life is not threatened in any way by my casino play. That is a sharp idea you had and I have followed it for years. It eases the mind.
“I do not want casino playing in any way, shape, or form to interrupt my real non-casino life. I can have both and I enjoy both.”
[Please note: Alice is referring to my idea of the 401G, with the “G” standing for gambling. This would be a separate interest-bearing account for your gambling bankroll and only your gambling bankroll, that you can deposit small amounts in on a regular basis. I strongly believe in this idea basically for the reasons Alice stated. I got this idea from the late Captain, my mentor in gambling.]
From Terrance:
“I can’t stand those even-money bets that you seem to love. I do not want 1-to-1 payouts. Sorry about exploding the bubble in your mind but even-money at a game that can pay 35-to-1 on inside bets? Really? Come on, my man, that seems like a waste of a great opportunity to me.
“And what is that opportunity? You ask me. I’ll answer.
“Hit a few of those 35-to-1 shots during a session and you can have a spectacular evening with Lady Luck at the roulette tables. I have had those too. Not always, I won’t lie here, but enough times to make that the way I enjoy playing.
“I do agree with you on making sure you do not over bet. Bad nights will occur and you do not want to get devastated now do you? I want my gaming pleasure not to be sullied by worrying about money or how losing this or that amount affects the rest of my life. I have a good life. Part of it is going to the casinos and not worrying much about money.”
From Nancy:
“I was a blackjack player and I sampled other games too but none of them rang my bell. I ignored roulette because it seemed dull from what I could see.
“Blackjack was a little annoying because every so often you got these ‘so-called’ brilliant players who had no real idea of how to play but they had to tell everyone at the table how to play their hands – usually the wrong way too!
“I’ve read some of your articles about roulette and you made the game seem interesting. Then I went on a binge and I read most of your articles and longer pieces on the game here and I then decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did.
“The game is not dull at all. There are so many different kinds of bets you can make, from high paying ones on the inside to propositions to one-to-one bets too. I actually enjoy watching the ball spin around the wheel and land in the pockets where it bounces all over the place before coming to rest in one pocket. The winner!
“I use a few bets at the game. At first I go for the propositions like the dozens and the columns bets. If I am ahead on those, I will then take a shot at the higher paying bets on the inside. I might go with two or three straight-up numbers and try to break the bank. Well, I don’t really mean I am trying to break any bank but I would like to go for the big win if I can.
“The question I know you are asking is this: Have I ever actually had a big session at the game? Indeed, I have sir, indeed I have.
“One time I made plenty of money on those proposition bets that I went for the real kill. I bet one, just one!, inside bet; the James Bond bet of 17. It hit right off the bat! I made a 35-to-1 win! Yippee!
“I then picked a number on the other side of the 17 which was the 18 and after about three spins that baby hit too! I can’t tell you how exciting that was. It almost felt as if I were in a dream. I mean it, it almost felt unreal.
“I went one more number, the single green zero. I know that many players think of those green zeroes as casino numbers but what the heck? I went about five spins and you guessed it – that baby hit. I had some extra money on that number too. What was the problem? A little more on the bet and let’s see what happens. Right? What happened was what I wanted to happen.
“I quit then and there. I went to the bar, ordered a very expensive drink, and I then watched all the people playing. Few of them, if any of them, would have the evening that I just had. It was just a great and relaxing feeling. What I experienced is rare for almost all players. It was really a dream time.
“I had two drinks and then I went to my room and fell asleep. I had a deep, peaceful sleep. It was a great night in every way.
“I didn’t even play the next day. I wanted to take my money and go home and remember this trip as the best ever. That’s exactly what I did.
“I never came close to that night since then. But for one time, one great time, I experienced the ultimate in casino play. For one night, I was the heavyweight casino player in the world. At least, the world inside my head!”
From Brett:
“I decided to do something that I had never done before. I was going to do what I called a ‘home run’ approach to the games, four games in all – blackjack, craps, roulette and mini-baccarat. That would be the home run which is four bases and I would play four games.
“I would play one game after another, make a few decisions on each game and then switch to the next game. I’d do this as long as I wasn’t losing too much or if I was up even a little.
“I knew that I would have to do this during the morning and afternoon before the evening players arrived. I really didn’t figure how long this would take but it would take what it took or until I got tired. That was my game plan.
“At a six-deck blackjack game, I’d play the strategy that is on the basic strategy card I bought. I am guessing it is the correct basic strategy. I’d play one shoe and then move on. At craps, I would make one bet on a shooter but when I shot the dice I’d just keep making pass line and come bets, all with odds, until I sevened out. Then over to roulette and I would play the column bets that pay 2-to-1. I’d make 10 column bets and then move to mini-baccarat.
“In mini-baccarat I’d go with 10 hands in a row and then I’d go back to blackjack and start all over again (I hoped). I was able to keep all the bets the same, $25, and I hoped I didn’t get creamed too fast. Winning too fast would be just dandy. Winning is never a problem for me.
“At blackjack I played at a full table, even in the morning. That meant not as many tables were opened this early – about 8 o’clock. I didn’t get one blackjack but I did get to double down twice and I had one split. I was down about $50.
“Craps was terrible. No shooter made me money. I was thankful I made only one bet per shooter. On me? I established my point and sevened-out right away.
“Roulette turned out okay. I hit four of my column bets and made 2-to-1 on each bet. Not bad.
“Mini-baccarat I bet banker all the way. I split 50/50 and wound up losing a little because the casino takes 5% of your banker bet.
“I wasn’t in horrible shape at the end of my first round. I decided to take a break and have breakfast. I thought my idea of the ‘home run’ technique was pretty good but I was really tired after playing it. Weird, right?
“I didn’t continue with this. Instead, I went to bed and then checked out of the hotel and headed home. I had the flu. Oh, well, what could I do? I went to bed and slept and slept.”
All the best in and out of the casinos!
