Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
advantage (5.26% if there are double zeros on the wheel, 2.7% if it's a single zero),
the game is fun and can be fairly social with the right crowd.
Players each get their own color of chips to distinguish them from each other.
The dealer (or croupier) spins the wheel one way and sends a surprisingly loud
ball on a track above the wheel in the opposite direction, which swirls around and
eventually bounces into one of the slots marked by green zeroes or the red or black
numbers. There are usually 38 slots—numbered 1 through 36, plus 0 and 00.
Before the ball settles, players have the option of placing bets on the outside
of the table or requesting that the dealer place them on the inside, where the indi-
vidual numbers are. Bets for both areas are straightforward. On the inside, you
can select a single number to bet on (called a straight bet) or straddle your bet
between two, three, or four numbers.
Your outside options are to bet on red or black, or to choose odd or even num-
bers. You can also select the inside numbers by placing your bet on 1 to 18, or the
outside numbers by placing it on 19 to 36. The numbers are also divided in
thirds, if you'd prefer to pick the first 12, second 12, or third 12. On the right side
of the table are the “2 to 1” boxes, which place wagers on the entire column, and
pay accordingly.
As with all games, the lower the odds of winning, the higher the payout. The
payout for straight bets is 35 to 1 (despite the fact that the actual odds are 38 to
1); split bets (placed between two numbers) pay out at 17 to 1; street bets, which
cover one of the 12 columns pay 11 to 1; corner bets cover four numbers and pay
8 to1; odd/even, red/black and low/high are all pay even money. But keep in
mind that the presence of the green 0 and 00 throw those odds off, skewing them
towards the house.
SLOT MACHINES
If you don't venture off the Strip you'd never know it, but slot machines are every-
where in Vegas: grocery stores, convenience stores, bars, restaurants,
Laundromats. Just about anywhere that there might be money—though they've
managed to keep them out of churches . . . so far.
The slot machine has actually been around for more than 100 years, and was
invented in the 1890s by Charles Fey, a San Francisco car mechanic. The machine
had three spinning reels with hearts, diamonds, spades, and a cracked Liberty Bell
on them, and the jackpot was 50¢. The machines and technology have, of course,
come a long way since then.
It's no surprise that this is now one of the most popular casino games, bring-
ing in about 70% of their revenue. Players simply select a machine, let it suck in
their bills, decide how many credits they want to play (credit just means coin, but
the synonym is meant to distance the player from the fact that he's actually spend-
ing money), hit the “Spin” button, and the machine tells them if they won. No
thinking or social interaction required. Keep in mind that slot machines fit in the
gambling category called “negative expectation” games, which means that, over
time, you will lose money.
Regardless, it's a game where players can make the most of the escapism that
Vegas delivers, getting lost in the sounds and lights that signify the possibility of
riches. Plus, slot machines offer choices. You can choose the denomination you
