Hobbies For Guys: Gambling!

Every guy should have at least one hobby, so we’ve decided to write a series on hobbies that are tailor-made for guys. Hobbies can range from watching sports to playing sports, and from collecting things to buying things. Whatever turns you on, hobbies are there to make it even better. Even if you don’t already have one, this series of article might trigger some deep desire within your soul. So keep reading, and get ready to hobby guy style!

Gamble Like A Pro!
There two types of gamblers on this planet – those that learn how to play and those that don’t. If you fall into the second category, then you are relying blind luck – something that rarely happens to gamblers. Yes, we all here about the some guy from some little town who won an online tournament and gets into the World Poker Championship, and then goes on to win the whole thing. Of course they fail to glorify the 9 million other suckers who didn’t win because that might discourage you from playing. The fact is that most people get their asses handed to them when they gamble, mainly because they don’t take the time to learn how to do it right. For those that do learn, they find very quickly that gambling is a learned skill like any other, and the more you learn (and practice) the more likely you are to win – especially when it comes to poker. So this article will focus on the learning process, and it will end with a section on Texas Hold’em – since poker is rapidly becoming a legitimate sport.

Ground Rules
There are few ground rules we need to cover if you want to take up gambling as a recreational hobby. First, gambling can be a very addictive activity. And like most addictions that run out of control, this one will cost you money – a lot of it – if you are not careful. One way to ensure you don’t have problems down the road is to set up specific times when you will gamble and impose limits on the amount of money you are willing to commit. This is no different than if you joined any other recreational sports league – you wouldn’t play every single day! Second, if you want to try a few things out first, then by all means do it. However, gentleman or professional gamblers tend to stick to things they can improve at and win; like horse racing, poker, and blackjack. Third, be prepared to invest some time learning all you can about your preferred type of gambling. Read books, Internet sites, and talk to pros. Finally, get ready to practice. You know those guys on the World Poker Tour? Guess what? They don’t have day jobs – all they do is play poker. That’s why they win, and that’s why they are rich.

Best Odds vs. Worst Odds
No matter how lucky or good you are at gambling, the odds determine your fate in the long run. Las Vegas is not full of big shiny buildings because they give money away; they are there because the house always wins. Here is a brief best-to-worst ratio of common casino games:

The Worst
Slots: Want a sure-fired way to lose money fast? If you answered yes, then step right up and put your money in the slot. Slots make casinos a lot of money, and you are almost 100% guaranteed to lose. Yes, they advertise great payout rates, but the most common payout is that you get your bet back. The longer you play, the more likely it is you will lose – lots.

Advice: If you must play, only do it for a short period of time and pick machines that have a progressive jackpot that has a history of paying out when it reaches a certain level. That’s what the Vegas locals do. Ask a cocktail waitress for some advice.

Keno: The only time people win big at Keno is when they cheat, and they always get caught.

Advice: Avoid it like the plague.

Caribbean Stud, Let it Ride & other card games: There is no doubt that these games are fun, fast, and exciting. Fast is the key word here. Any game that is fast means you are exposed to the odds – which are terrible for all these new games – more frequently. The end result is you will lose a lot of money. Don’t be fooled by large progressive jackpots, as the odds remain the same for every single hand. That means that the odds of getting a royal flush in C-stud are about 1 in 700,000 hands.

Advice: Mark it for fun only, and don’t spend a lot of money here. If you must, find tables that require a low minimum bet – like .50 cents.

The Best
Roulette: You can win at Roulette, but it is hard. Trying to find patterns in the way the dealer spins is best, then making blanket bets to cover sections. However, most who win here cheat, as it is the only sure way.

Advice: Mark it for fun only, and don’t spend a lot of money here. If you must, find tables that require a low minimum bet – like .50 cents.

Craps: There are lots of strategies for playing this game, but in the end your bet is based on a roll of the dice. The best you can hope for is to lower your risk by betting slowly and waiting until you have a shooter who seems to be lucky.

Advice: Be careful. Although many make the claim, there is no foolproof strategy for craps.

Blackjack: Finally, a game we can win at! You need to learn how to count cards, and you need to practice. Why? If you do these things, you can reduce the house edge to almost zero. That means you have about a 50-50 chance of winning each hand. You also need to learn how to increase and reduce your bets at the right time, as it is truly the only way to make any money. The next most important thing to know is that if you do all of the above, you won’t win online. Real blackjack is played in a casino with other players and a dealer.

Advice: Read as much as you can and practice counting at home. And be careful in the casinos, as most places consider card counting a crime. Play tables that have 1-2 decks.

Sports Betting: Ever hear of a tip sheet? They help, as do learning everything you can about the sport you are interested in. Try not to move between sports. Instead, focus on one or two and find out all you can – injury reports, stats, etc.

Advice: Never bet with your heart, only bet with statistical facts.

Poker: The one true game, where you can eliminate all of the house odds while focusing on your opponents, with a little bit of skill thrown in for good measure. There is only one way to get good at this game, and that is to practice against human beings. Online poker loses the element of humanity, so you miss out on facial expressions and other tells.

Advice: Have your buddies over for poker nights, as they are a great way to learn without losing a fortune. Online is helpful, but you can get creamed. Read books by the pros, and follow their advice. Remember: great poker players are made, not born.

Final Thoughts
In brief, no matter what game you prefer there are always ways to improve your odds. However, even with improved odds some games are just not worth the trouble. Take the time to learn, then get ready to earn!