Casino Games of Skill and Chance

In any casino, there are games that are purely random, where each event is completely independent of any other events, much like the tossing of a coin. These are called games of chance and include games like roulette, craps, slots, keno, and bingo. The probability of the outcome of these events will always remain constant, no matter how many times the event might occur. For instance, the toss of the dice or the pull of a slot arm cannot be influenced by anything that has happened before, and neither does it affect anything that will come after. The probability of each of these events is exactly the same every single time the event happens.

What does this mean to you, as a player? Simply put, there is nothing that you can do (other than to cheat) that will alter the outcome. That means that the smart move would be to understand what the odds are of any "event" and then place your wagers based on these probabilities. For example, if you are playing craps, you know that you have an 11% chance to throw a 2, 3, or 12; however, the probability of throwing a 7 is 17%. Therefore, when you are rolling out in craps, you have a greater chance of hitting a 7 than you do of "crapping out" with a 2, 3, or 12. Therefore, you will have a better chance of winning on a bet placed on the pass line than you would when placing a bet on a "crap" spot.

There are always going to be anomalies that will show up in any game, and that is when those "streaks" will surface. Please don't try to look for any patterns in these streaks, since they are still just random outcomes with odds that don't change. It is pure luck that the number 7 is rolled 5 times in a row, or that the color red shows up 10 consecutive times on the roulette wheel. There is no "sure-fire" system that con beat a game of chance, no matter how logical it may look at the time. Remember, the only logic in a game of chance is that the probability of any particular outcome in an event will never alter!

Unlike a game of chance, your knowledge and proficiency will greatly improve your odds of winning in a game of skill. Games like blackjack, poker, video poker, or sports betting can all be considered games of skill. You will find that as you gain knowledge and experience in these games, then you will become a more proficient player and your chances to win increase in the long run. For example, in the game of blackjack, understanding and following basic strategy rules will give you a better chance of winning. Likewise, you will win more at the poker table once you have gained some experience and wisdom in betting and strategy.

While there is always a certain amount of luck involved, knowing and understanding the difference between games of chance and those of skill will greatly increase your awareness. You will make better decisions on when and how to wager, which will ultimately give you the best possible chance that you need to be a winner. Good luck to you!