To master different casino games takes skill and practice, but successful players know another element is also important to triumph at the tables: a good understanding of math. Being able to perform some mental mathematics while playing can help them to understand the probabilities of certain outcomes and whether a certain wager, strategy or play is worth pursuing.
Of course, to do the math, these players must control their emotions at the table and remain calm under pressure so they’re present enough mentally to perform the calculations! Below is a look at math in casino gaming, its importance, the concept and significance of “house edge” and at the math involved in different casino games.
Why being good at math will help you in a casino
The main feature of a game is the odds of winning. Applying probabilities and statistics can produce an expected outcome. If you can do this, you can calculate your chances of winning and bet accordingly.
Equally important is being able to manage your bankroll. Math will help you to perform a risk analysis. You can calculate your losses, profits and expected returns. Then you can decide whether to keep on playing, walk away altogether or just take a small break from the table.
Understanding house edge
In casino gaming, there’s a concept called “house edge,” but you might also see some resources refer to it as “casino advantage.” Whether it’s a table game, a slot or other casino game, all casino games have a built-in advantage that favors the casino. The lower house edge is, the better this is for you.
The casino doesn’t set this edge, however. It’s a product of the games themselves and can tell you how much a game pays out over its lifespan and also the best returns on bets. If you understand the concept of house edge, you can choose the most profitable games and avoid the ones that will see more of the money go the casino’s way than yours.
Using math in different casino games
Of course, math will come into play in different ways in casino games. Below is a look at various casino games and the math at play in them.
Blackjack
Blackjack is an absolute gift to casino gamers because it has a house edge in the “zero something” range. In blackjack, it’s just you against the dealer, and both of you are trying to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. You’ve got to calculate the probabilities of you and the dealer getting certain cards and make strategic decisions about whether to hit, stand, split pairs, double down or just concede. If you understand the probabilities connected to each decision, you can optimize your own gameplay and bring the house edge down.
Baccarat
In baccarat, the house edge can range from anything between 1 and almost 16%, so make sure your math skills are sharp to play this one. In this game, you’re betting on who whether the player or the banker will have the closest two-card hand to nine. Although the mathematics of the game are more complicated than in blackjack, the strategic aspect of it is more straightforward.
American roulette
American roulette possesses a house edge of around 5%, and that’s because of an extra “00” on the roulette wheel that European and French roulette don’t have. Roulette is simple. All you’re doing is betting on where the ball will land when the roulette wheel stops spinning, which makes calculating the probability of winning from one spin relatively straightforward. You just have to divide the instances of a type of number by the total number of numbers on the roulette wheel. If you go for more complicated bets, the math will also get more complicated. Into the mix, there are different betting systems you might wish to consider.
Texas Hold’em poker
Initially, the basic house edge of online Texas Hold’em poker is just over 2%, and a player’s strategy, their checks and raises are incremental to this. However, the house edge falls during the game because of the additional bets placed and it becomes closer to the house edge of blackjack.
Slots
Slots have a house edge as high as 15%. The random number generator (RNG) of a slot makes the outcomes completely unpredictable (and also keep the game fair). The number of paylines and reels affect the house edge, and there’s no hard and fast way to increase your odds of winning. You just have to select the number of paylines you want, hit the button and hope.
Math plays a crucial role in casino gaming, allowing you to determine your chances of winning. Be sure to understand the house edge of a game, as this allows you to choose a game where you have more of an edge over the casino and, as a result, a better chance of winning.
