Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game A Strategic Approach to Winning at Craps, Roulette, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Baccarat, Slots, Keno, & Let It Ride Peter Svoboda

ISBN: 0-7570-0005-3 Length: 288 Pages Size: 7.5 X 9-inch Format: Quality Paperback Category: Games / Gambling Price: $19.95 Availability: In Print Click below for: Synopsis • Contents Introduction • Reviews

Synopsis

All casinos set up their games with one goal in mind--to take your money and make it theirs. But you already know that. What you may not know is that by understanding how to avoid their carefully designed traps, you can greatly decrease their odds of winning. More important, by learning proven systems of play, you can greatly increase your own chance of winning. In other words, you can beat the casinos at their own game. Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game is an easy-to-follow guide to winning at casino games.

For each game, from roulette to craps and more, gambling expert Peter Svoboda first clearly explains the rules of play so that the novice gambler as well as the veteran can enter a casino with confidence. He then details the "smart" way to approach that game, including unique strategies that will increase your chance of winning. The author demonstrates which games offer the best odds, and how you can make the most calculated wagers. You’ll even learn how to manage your gambling allowance--an important key to gambling success. With the ever-increasing popularity of Las Vegas; Atlantic City; and casinos on cruise ships, reservations, and more, it’s clear that the gambling industry is taking the country by storm. It is also clear that casinos are reaping profits simply because most gamblers don’t have the right strategies they need to succeed. Now Peter Svoboda tells you not only how to get in on the action, but also how to cash in on the profits and walk away a winner.

Peter Svoboda is a licensed professional engineer with degrees in Mechanical and Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. A veteran gambler with over twenty-five years of experience in casinos all over North America, Peter has studied the odds and probabilities of the various games to develop proven strategies of play.

Contents

Introduction

1. Hook, Line, and Sinker
2. Basic Gambling Rules and Casino Protocol
3. Craps: The Game
4. Craps: Systems and Strategies
5. Roulette: The Game
6. Roulette: Systems and Strategies
7. Slots
8. Blackjack
9. Baccarat
10. Let It Ride
11. Caribbean Stud Poker
12. Keno, Red Dog, and Wheel of Fortune

References
Index

Introduction

Many people have experienced gambling in one form or another. Some have even started at an early age. Have you ever played marbles? What about the card game War? Have you ever said, "I’ll bet you five cents that..."? Maybe you have wagered money on the outcome of the Super Bowl or other sporting events. And how many times have you been lured by the multimillion-dollar attraction of winning your state lottery?

People who run businesses take gambles constantly. In an effort to promote their products, some companies risk thousands or even millions of dollars on marketing campaigns. When these selling strategies work, however, they result in big payoffs. Catchy slogans like Coca-Cola’s "The Real Thing," Nike’s "Just Do It," McDonald’s "Have It Your Way," and Apple computer’s "Think Different" are ingrained in the minds of most people. Did these companies take financial gambles on these marketing approaches? You bet they did! But they had done their homework. They studied the markets, measured the odds--and consequently won. The people who own and run casinos are also strategic gamblers, and they are very good at it. Experts on human nature, casino owners are keenly aware of people’s strengths and weaknesses. They know what turns people on, and they use every available tool in their arsenal to vie for as many "clients" as they can attract.

My inspiration for writing this book came suddenly, like divine intervention. A well-seasoned casino gambler for many years, I had just spent a week-long gambling spree in Puerto Rico, which was followed by another trip to Las Vegas. While walking through one of the plush and lavish casinos on the Vegas strip, suddenly my senses became keenly aware of the sights and sounds that surrounded me--the brilliant lights and enticing music emanating from the slot machines, the jingling waterfall of coins dropping into the trays of these one-armed bandits, the gentle whizzing of balls spinning along the perimeter of roulette wheels, the rustling of chips being gathered by dealers, and the shuffling of cards sounding like a flock of birds taking off in flight.

Along with these mesmerizing sights and sounds, I was also aware of the people, and the common look of disappointment on so many of their faces. They had entered the casinos full of hope but were leaving with the weight of broken dreams and empty pockets. I am well aware that the odds of winning are stacked in favor of the house--that although players may get lucky and experience occasional winning streaks, in the long run, the odds are against them. The truth is, most casino gamblers actually throw their money away. They go down without a fight. Why? Because they don’t know the "smart" way to play the games. They don’t realize which games offer them the best odds or how to make the most calculated wagers. Furthermore, most people are not aware of the importance of managing their gambling allowance. Knowing how to play "smart" is the one way to increase your chances of winning. That is what this book is all about--it is my attempt to help educate anyone who wants to gain the advantage in casino gambling.

The people who have built these vast casino empires are nothing short of geniuses. They understand human nature and know how to appeal to the average person’s inherent fantasy of getting rich. Obviously, their efforts are working. Just look at the pace at which casinos are being built and the extremes through which their owners go to lure their clients. Today, in an effort to attract more patrons, most gambling meccas provide appeal to people from all walks of life--not just gamblers. In addition to their casinos, hotels in most gambling locales provide hundreds of attractions to their guests, from fabulous stage-show extravaganzas and outrageously decorated guest rooms to elegant four-star restaurants and lavish health spas. One Las Vegas hotel even has an amusement park built into its lobby to appeal to the "family" vacationers. There are points of interest at every turn, but why not drop a few dollars into that slot machine you pass along the way? Walk into any casino and see how long it takes you to make your way through the maze of slot machines and gambling tables.

The word "gambling" has a negative connotation because it is associated with the loss of money, but this is not the way it has to be. With this book, you can increase your odds of walking away from any casino a winner. If you are going to gamble your hard-earned money, at least give yourself a fighting chance to win. Study the games. Know what you are doing. Casinos reap great profits because most gamblers are not well educated in the games they play. They count on this fact. Consider the economic benefits casinos provide. Their effect on the economy is nothing short of extraordinary, and it is your money that is creating this explosive and unprecedented growth. Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game will show you how to cash in on some of these profits.

I am not a professional gambler. What I am is a responsible family man with a job, a mortgage, and the burden of monthly bills. I work hard for my money and certainly don’t want to throw it away foolishly. I have always enjoyed games of chance and have played them for many years. When it comes to casinos, I’ve seen my fair share. I have played in Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, the Caribbean, and Atlantic City. I’ve played on cruise ships and Indian Reservations, as well. Over the years, I have spent a substantial amount of time breaking down and analyzing casino games in order to maximize my odds. In Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game, I share with you the knowledge I have gained and the lessons I have learned. It is a book intended for both novice gamblers as well as experienced players who could benefit from a fresh outlook on gaming habits and probabilities. It will help you learn how to level the playing field in order to survive in the casinos and gain a return on your investment. It’s about becoming a strategic, calculating gambler.

If you are going to gamble, be smart about it. Before entering another casino, arm yourself with the knowledge and strategies presented in this book. Read on and learn. Study the odds, study the methods, and then bet with your head. The time you invest in this book is sure to pay for itself many times over when playing games of chance. Use it wisely, and let it become your gaming bible.

Reviews

"If you’re inexperienced at these games, you can take an expert with you... It has all the basic playing information you need to improve your chances of winning."

--Casino Detroit Magazine

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