How to Win Money in a Las Vegas Casino

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While there are so many fun and exciting things to do in Las Vegas, gambling is still a big draw for many people. If you're headed to Sin City with dreams of winning big , it's important to know what you're getting into. The casino, or the house, always has the edge over gamblers, but there are ways to decrease their advantage. That means knowing which games to play, which bets to place, and how to keep a level head when you're surrounded by all the glitzy lights and excitement of the casinos.

A Guide to Winning Money in Vegas

  • Play games that have good odds, like blackjack, craps, or poker.
  • Go to smaller casinos off the strip, as they tend to have better odds.
  • Set a budget and time limit for each game. Avoid drinking alcohol, too.
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Setting Yourself up for Success

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  1. In nearly every Vegas casino game, the house has the edge -- but the edge varies by game, so it’s important to choose the right games to increase your chances of winning. Limit your time at slots and roulette, which have the worst odds, and try your luck at blackjack, craps, baccarat, or poker. [1]
  2. The larger hotel casinos on the Vegas strip tend to offer the worst odds because they cater to tourists. Smaller, off-strip casinos are usually frequented by locals, so the odds are a little better in order to keep them coming back. [2]
    • If you want to play poker, though, it's best to avoid playing at smaller, off-strip casinos, where locals are probably very experienced.
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  3. The best way to ensure that you leave a Vegas casino with money in your pocket is to commit to a firm gambling budget. Determine how much money you can spend in the casino in a given gambling session, and only gamble that much. Avoid trips to the ATM to take out any more cash. [3]
    • If you’re going to be gambling in Vegas for multiple days, come up with a gambling budget per day. Separate the money into envelopes and only carry that day’s bankroll with you to the casino floor.
  4. Cocktails are free when you’re gambling in Vegas casinos, so it’s tempting to take advantage of the free alcohol. The casino is actually hoping that you overindulge because it may impair your judgement. Keep a clear head by limiting yourself to water and soft drinks. [4]
  5. If you spend all day in a casino, chances are good that you’re going to lose your money. Fortunately, there are plenty of non-gambling activities in Las Vegas. Plan to gamble for a couple of hours in the morning and maybe a couple more at night, but spend the rest of the day enjoying all the other attractions Sin City has to offer. [5]
    • If you want to take an entire day off from gambling, you can even take a day trip to the Grand Canyon.
  6. When you’re winning, it’s easy to assume that you’re on a hot streak and shouldn’t stop gambling -- but the only way to walk away from the casino with any money is to leave when you’re up. Set a goal in mind, such as doubling your money, and as soon as you reach it, hightail it out of the casino. [6]
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Part 2
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Getting an Edge at the Tables

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  1. While luck is necessary to win at any game in a Vegas casino, table games require some skill too. Practicing at blackjack, craps, baccarat, and poker can make you more comfortable when you actually sit down to play at the casino, increasing your chances of winning. There are a variety of online sites that allow you to “train” at these games without actually gambling. [7]
    • If you’re unfamiliar with the rules of a certain table game, many Vegas casinos offer free gaming classes to help you learn how to play.
  2. Look for clumsy dealers in blackjack. A sloppy blackjack dealer might accidentally reveal the face-down as he’s dealing, which can give you back some of the edge. Try watching a few rounds of blackjack to see the dealer’s skills before sitting down at the table. [8]
  3. If the dealer has an ace showing, you can opt for an “insurance” bet in the event that the dealer has a 10 in the hole. It’s a side bet that’s treated independently of the main bet, and may seem like a conservative move. However, it can actually increase the house’s edge by up to 7%. [9]
  4. Choose Pass/Don’t Pass or Come/Don’t Come bets in craps. For the best chance to win, you should always opt for these bets. They can lower the house edge to as little as 1.4%, putting you in a much better position to take home some money. [10]
  5. Resist the “tie” bet in baccarat. The “tie” bet, which assumes the dealer and player will tie, carries up to 14.4% house advantage. So while it may seem like a smart bet, you can wind up losing big money. [11]
  6. If poker’s your game, you’re better off playing at strip casinos where most of the players will be tourists. At off-strip casinos that are mostly frequented by locals, the players are usually highly experienced and play daily. Unless you’re an expert poker player yourself, they’ll have an advantage over you. [12]
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Part 3
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Improving Your Chances at Slots

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  1. Higher denomination slots have a higher payback percentage than lower denomination games. For example, you’re better off paying a dollar slot than a quarter slot. This is true even if you make a lower bet on the dollar game. [13]
    • For example, you might make a $2 better on a dollar machine and a $3 bet on a quarter machine, but you’ll still have a better chance of winning on the dollar slot.
  2. Since the slots at the end of rows are most visible to people walking through the casino, management often puts games with higher payback percentages on the end of the row to attract players. There might be a row that contains all the same game, but the machine on the end may give you a bit more of an advantage. [14]
  3. If you have dreams of winning the jackpot on a slot, you must make the maximum bet on each spin. There’s usually a “Max Bet” button on the slot, so you can be certain that you’re playing the right amount. [15]
    • Max bets are especially important on progressive slots, where a percentage of each bet is added to the jackpot(s). They typically have a minimum bet that you must make in order to be eligible.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the minimum bet for blackjack in Las Vegas?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the casino. On the Strip, $5 minimums are common; if you do find $3 tables, the rules are slanted to favor the house even more. If you hit Fremont Street or off-Strip casinos, you can still find $3 minimum tables.
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      Tips

      • Remember that gaming in Vegas is meant to be fun, not a way to reliably make money. While there are ways to increase your odds, the house always has the edge, so the chances of winning a large sum of money aren’t good.
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      • Vegas casinos are hoping that you’re lose track of time -- and your wallet -- and typically don’t have any clocks. Make sure that you have a watch or your phone handy, so you can keep track of how long you’re playing.
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      Warning

      • Always game responsibly. Gambling can become an addiction for some people, so seek help if you feel like you can’t control yourself.

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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20130919-what-las-vegas-casinos-wont-tell-you-about-gambling
      2. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20130919-what-las-vegas-casinos-wont-tell-you-about-gambling
      3. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20130919-what-las-vegas-casinos-wont-tell-you-about-gambling
      4. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20130919-what-las-vegas-casinos-wont-tell-you-about-gambling
      5. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/56376/10-tips-beat-odds-casino
      6. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/56376/10-tips-beat-odds-casino
      7. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20130919-what-las-vegas-casinos-wont-tell-you-about-gambling
      8. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/56376/10-tips-beat-odds-casino
      9. ↑ https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/las-vegas-casino-tips-tricks
      1. ↑ https://www.casinosmash.com/casino-strategy/how-to-beat-a-casino-at-craps
      2. ↑ https://www.888casino.com/blog/strategy-tips-on-how-to-play-baccarat/
      3. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/nov/16/top-10-vegas-casino-secrets
      4. ↑ https://www.888casino.com/blog/slot-tips-dos-and-donts
      5. ↑ https://www.888casino.com/blog/slot-tips-dos-and-donts
      6. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20130919-what-las-vegas-casinos-wont-tell-you-about-gambling

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      While the house always has an advantage at a Las Vegas casino, you can increase your odds of winning money by knowing which games to play and avoiding common pitfalls. Before you head to the casino, pick a game with good odds of winning, like blackjack or craps, and practice at home. The better you know these games, the less you’ll have to rely on luck to win. You should also set a budget for each day of gambling and avoid drinking too much alcohol, as these things will help you stay focused. If you start winning, always quit while you’re ahead because you can lose everything with just 1 wrong bet. For more tips, like how to improve your odds at slots, read on!

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