Casino gaming strategies

BH got me pondering this when he posted this in a different thread.

BoneheadNW said:

Bob, please put a quarter into the second slot machine closest to the casino entrance.

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I know some have lucky charms and such to make them think they're odds are better but do you have any thoughts/strategies on how to win on games that are (theoretically) pure chance (e.g. slot machines).

How about strategies at other games?

I believe the slot machines near the entrances have a higher pay-out. I only play slots if I can't get a seat at a table but almost always win when using the machines near the entrance.

For blackjack, I like 3rd base. I don't count cards but I can see a lot of cards from the previous players if/when I need to get an idea on whether to hit or stand.

I have tried to improve my luck by throwing kosher salt over my left shoulder. Unfortuantely, the casino did not appreciate my strategy and asked me to stop. I guess the salt helped because I didn't lose any more money after that (I didn't gamble any more either).
Bonehead

bcZoom said:

For blackjack, I like 3rd base. I don't count cards but I can see a lot of cards from the previous players if/when I need to get an idea on whether to hit or stand.

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I never realized I "counted cards" until a pit boss pointed out card counting is not acceptable. I don't do it intentionally...my mind calculates approx. percentages of cards played in 4 categories - Aces; deuces thru fives; sixes thru nines; and tens/face cards. Guess it comes from being a statistician for years. I did learn to keep my mouth shut though...

How does counting cards help? Don't they use those dealer dohicky things that hold 3 or more decks of cards at one time?

How can they tell your counting?

When we go to Las Vegas, I like the slots.. I look for the "well used" machines, and I watch the players at the machines too. Never can tell. "luck of the pull" lol

Just burn $500 in your backyard. You can get the whole Casino experience without leaving home.

Gatorboy said:

Just burn $500 in your backyard. You can get the whole Casino experience without leaving home.

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I disagree.

I've done pretty well in casinos and I'm still ahead.

I avoid casinos like the plague; but do get dragged to them occasionally.
I have had the least bad luck, by playing slots close to entrances, like BC said; but also machines close to bathrooms and transitions to restaurants. I actually heard an interview of a retiree who toured the country by motor home playing slots; and these were observations he had formulated after much experience. As to other games, Caribbean stud, let it ride, three card poker etc. etc. my feelings are that those games have been statistically analyzed so thoroughly prior to introduction, that if you set there long enough you will be broke.

bczoom said:

I disagree.

I've done pretty well in casinos and I'm still ahead.

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If you dont mind me asking, what do you play?

Glink said:

If you dont mind me asking, what do you play?

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98% of the time I play blackjack. The other 2% is normally slots or some sort of video poker.