Dear Mark,
Let's say two players were playing Caribbean Stud Poker
and both were betting the side bet, and by some striking coincidence, both
got a royal flush. Would they both get the full amount on the progressive
meter? Adrian P.
In Caribbean Stud Poker, all players have the choice of making a $1 side
bet that pays for hands of a flush or higher. Though the specific payoff
tables vary from casino to casino, they all feature a progressive
jackpot. Once there's a hit, 100% of the jackpot goes for a royal flush,
or, for a straight flush, 10% of the total current jackpot.
Although to the best of my knowledge your question's premise has never
occurred, if that virtually impossible fantasy WERE to occur, and two
hysterical players DID each have a royal flush on the same hand, well
. . . In the casinos I worked in, the first player to the dealer's left
would win the jackpot. The second player would win whatever the jackpot
is re-seeded at, which is generally $10,000 or $20,000.
I did pose your question to one casino executive who thought if the
unlikely were to occur in his casino, that he would split the jackpot
between the two players. But he also confided he really didn't have the
slightest idea what the actual rules were when two players both got
royal flushes in the same hand.
Now logical reasoning, Adrian, would tell you to sit as close as
possible to the dealer's left. But not so fast, my friend. The
clearheaded would not make the progressive wager at all considering the
average house edge is over 26%, depending, of course, on the size of the
jackpot.
Regardless, Adrian, it's a sucker bet the vast majority of time and I
advise against making it.
Dear Mark,
A small Nevada casino where I typically play no longer
offers roulette. Doesn't the game of roulette make any money for the
casino? Dan H.
Depends, Dan. If the real estate the table occupies does not bring home
the bacon, no matter whether it's a blackjack or craps, or as in your
question, a roulette table, off to dumpster heaven it goes. Moreover,
Dan, as to its popularity rank among table games; roulette is a distant
third behind blackjack and craps. As for money wagered, it's fourth,
behind that aging tradition — baccarat.
Expert conjecture here is that your closer inspection will probably
disclose that a bank of slot machines has replaced the roulette table,
and most likely brings in more booty than the roulette table ever did.
Dear Mark,
Explain please what a "total" bet is in sports wagering? Jake K.
By betting $11 to win $10, you can wager on the combined total of points
scored by both teams. Winning an "over" bet requires that more points be
scored than the bookmaker's total, and winning the "under" bet requires
that fewer points be scored. Using football as an example, let us say
total posted for the Green Bay versus San Francisco game is 42. You can
wager that the total score of both teams added together will be either
over or under that posted total. In the event that the final score falls
right on that total (e.g. Green Bay 28 + San Francisco 14 = 42), a tie
is declared and all bets are returned.
By the way, Jake, here is a little gambling patois for you. Betting the
over is known as "betting on the ball," betting under is known as
"betting on the clock." Go wow 'em.
Gambling quote of the week: "When a guy finally gets his rushes
in gambling, nothing can stop him for a while." Damon Runyon
