Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
one roll, and the numbers pay off differently than their actual odds—4 or 10 pays
9 to 5, 9 pays 7 to 5, 6 or 8 pays 7 to 6.
Hard Way bets have some of the worst odds (9%-11% house edge) and
involve the numbers 4, 6, 8, and 10. A Hard Way wins if the number that a player
picked comes up as a pair (two 4s make 8), and lose if a 7 is rolled or if the num-
ber you bet on is formed without a pair (a 5 and 3 make 8). This bet sticks—it's
not just on a single roll.
In general, experienced craps players only bet on the Pass, Come and Odds
line because the house advantage is lowest. But riskier players looking for bigger
and quicker payoff often can't resist indulging in the other available bets.
In Crapless Craps, rolls of 2, 3, 11, and 12 count as point numbers.
KENO
An ancient Chinese game, legend holds that Keno was used to get reluctant tax-
payers to free up their yen for their country's defense. The money was eventually
used to build the Great Wall of China, they say. Chinese immigrants later brought
the game to America, where residents took to it like, well, like a gambler to Las
Vegas.
Keno is basically the lottery of casino games and is about the most loser-
friendly bet you can make, with a house advantage of 25% to 40%. Why do peo-
ple play, then? Because of the slim chance that you may win, and win
big—$50,000 and more with a ticket that cost a buck or two.
Not too dissimilar from bingo, it can be a social game, where players sit
around and chat as they're waiting to hear the numbers. It's also a very accessible
game, both in ability to understand and also places to play. Many casino coffee
shops and lounges offer keno runner services (people who'll put your bet in for
you), or you can fill out your card directly at the keno counter. (Casinos provide
either crayons or these cute little pens that some of us take advantage of more than
we should.)
Once you receive your card, which consists of 80 different numbers, select up
to 15 (though some casinos allow up to 20) by marking an “x” over your choices.
If you are feeling less than decisive, there's also an option to have the computer do
a “Quick Pick” for you. Then, mark your bet on the card and return the keno card
to the counter or a keno runner, pay them, and they'll hand you a computerized
card with your picks. Wait for the numbered balls to begin flying.
As 20 of the balls fly out of the hopper (one at a time), the numbers are called
and light up the keno boards around the casino. The payout changes depending
on the casino, so consult one of the keno brochures that each casino provides.
Generally, the more numbers you hit, the higher the return; though the total
amount you can win will depend on the ratio of how many numbers you hit ver-
sus the amount you selected overall. For example, if you hit 7 numbers out of the
15 you selected, you'll get to collect, but what you win may not even cover break-
fast. If you hit seven numbers, however, and you only picked seven numbers, win-
nings will be substantial—sometimes in the thousands. The fewer numbers you
pick, the more you need to hit in order to win anything. For example, if you only
picked 3 to 7 numbers, then generally at least three of those numbers need to be
called in order to win. If you marked 13 to 15 numbers, at least 6 need to come
up. The odds of hitting all 20 numbers are 3.5 quintillion to 1. Still want to play?
