Lack of casino poker can leave players foggy

The number of casinos that offer poker has increased exponentially since the 2003 popularity boom, but unfortunately it's still common to run into establishments that don't offer the game. It's like going to a Major League Baseball game, only to find that the stadium doesn't serve hot dogs or beer.

In a town like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, this is never a problem. Simply walk to the casino next door and see if it spreads a poker game. If it doesn't, head to the next one - you won't make it two blocks before you find a game.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of casinos throughout the country that don't provide such flexibility. Gamblers have to settle for what they've got, and that often forces poker players to other games. Thinking as a poker player - where the goal is to keep the odds as much in your favour as possible - there are certain games that should be avoided at all costs.

Slot machines are the most popular form of gambling, but they provide some of the worst odds in a casino. They are purposely programmed to pay out less than the money that's put into them, so it's a game that is impossible to beat over the long term.

The roulette wheel is beloved for its simplicity, but again, the odds will leave the gambler fighting an uphill battle. The alleged 50/50 bets - where players can bet on the colour (black or red) or the number (odd or even) - aren't true coin-flip bets, due to the presence of the two green "zero" numbers. Betting on specific board numbers or combinations of numbers can get borderline suicidal.

That game being played with the dice? It's called "craps" for a reason. There's no shortage of poker stories where players score big at the poker table, only to lose it later in the pit.

Blackjack is a game that can be beaten, and it probably produces just as many professional players as poker. It's easy to play, provided the player has at least a basic understanding of the strategy, and it has one of the slightest house edges found inside casino walls.

A team of math geniuses - the famous MIT blackjack team - proved that players could gain an edge by counting the cards and working together. It's the subject of a great book by Ben Mezrich, titled "Bringing Down the House."

The system is very complicated, though, and not something that can be learned without many hours of practice. There is no law against card counting, but those who attempt it are advised to hide the practice. Casinos have the right to ask suspected counters to leave. The most natural game selection for the seasoned poker player should come as no surprise. Around since the 1970s, video poker lets players sit down and play an old-fashioned game of five-card-draw poker. The payouts are based on the odds.

Hit a big hand like a royal flush or quads, and there's money to be made. Video-poker enthusiasts insist that optimal play can yield a result that leans to the players' advantage. Many of these strategies can be found with a simple Internet search.

A little-known tip for video poker is to shop around for a machine. Not all machines offer the same payouts, so the odds of hitting a flush may pay 5-1 on one machine and 6-1 on the other. The 6-1 machine is what you want.

Then, there is always a final option for the poker player in a pokerless casino: Turn around and walk away without investing a dime in any of the other games.

It's no fun and a waste of gas, but a case can be made that it's the best decision.

News Added: 22 February, 2008

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