How to Win at the Casino When Traveling
Most travelers are not big gamblers but there are some places where you will no doubt end up in a casino (think Las Vegas or Macau). I figure if you are going to gamble then you may as well do it to win so I have created this guide on how to win at the casino when traveling.
The aim here is not to become a “professional gambler”. If you want to do that then you should read Beat the Dealer by Edward O Thorpe and then spend many hours learning intricate systems until you are like Rainman.
Featured Image: Casino on Sentosa Island in Singapore.
Right Image: A ‘pop-up’ casino in Bagasbas Beach, Philippines.
How to Win at the Casino When Traveling
The idea of how to win at the casino when traveling is more about having fun than winning big. Hopefully this guide on how to win at the casino when traveling will allow you to have a few hours of fun at the casino every now and again without losing your airfare, and even walking out a modest winner most of the time.
We do this with Blackjack.
This guide assumes you know the basic rules of Blackjack including what doubling down and splitting is.
Blackjack is the only game in the casino where the player can actually gain a small advantage over the dealer, assuming he/she knows three things.
Blackjack Strategy, i.e., whether to hit, stand, double, etc. depending on yours and the dealers cards.
Card Counting. Figuring out if the remaining cards to be dealt are in your favour or not.
Betting System. When to raise or lower your bets.
Blackjack Basic Strategy
There is a tried and true blackjack strategy table readily available on the internet. It is the same (or should be) everywhere because some smart bloke (or gal) scientifically and mathematically figured it out to perfection a long time ago.
Blackjack strategy changes slightly depending on how many decks there are, but once you memorise the basics it’s fairly easy. It follows a pattern so it actually isn’t too hard to memorise.
If you want you can buy a physical strategy card – or just find it on the internet.
It is important to know when to double down and split as these are the times you make the most money. You can have a big losing streak and then get a great hand with multiple splits and double down opportunities to bring you back (and on top), but if you don’t know how then you are screwed.
Learning basic blackjack strategy is a MUST if you want to stand any chance of beating the casino. Without it everything else don’t mean squat.
Card Counting
There are many different card counting systems and most of the good ones are fairly intricate taking lots of practice to master such as the fundamental Hi-Lo count. The one used here is simple and still pretty effective. It is called the OPP system. Explained here is actually a slight variation of the OPP system which makes it even easier to do and since we are not serious gamblers I omit things like back-counting, table-hopping and alike.
I won’t go into details of how it works, if you want to know that you can google it. Instead I will just explain how to do it and a simple betting system to go with it.
The information given here is mainly based on what i read on BlackJackForumonline.com/content/card_counting_technique_easyOPP.htm
Most card counting systems give a point value based on the cards dealt with a different negative or positive point assigned depending on the card. With the OPP system the point value is based on the hand, and you only need to consider the “low cards”.
Low cards are 2-6 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
Doing the Count
Start your count at +6. The main reason for this is because it is easier to count in the positive and starting with +6 will lessen the chances of have to negatively count. It is best to start just after the cards have been shuffled.
However many hands are being played, subtract that number from your count. This is your running count. Note that a single player may be playing multiple hands.
As each hand is played just add the number of low cards dealt to your running count.
When a new round is dealt you just repeat the above subtracting and adding from your running count.
When the cards get shuffled reset your count to +6.
Example
I approach a table and there are 3 players (including myself and the dealer). 6 (my starting count) -3 (number of players) = 3 (my running count).
Player one has 2 low cards. 3 + 2 = 5
I have no low cards. Running count stays at 5.
Dealer has 1 low card. Running count = 4.
Split hands are counted as separate hands and the original hand is ignored.
Betting System
To keep things simple we use a very basic progressive betting system. The amount of decks used is not considered although it is based on a six deck game. Having a more intricate betting strategy will give yield better results, but is harder to implement. If you happen to come across a two deck or a single deck game then you may want to raise your bet at a slightly lower count.
First decide on your minimum bet.
Bet the minimum bet, or one unit, when your running count is +11 or lower.
When the count is +12 bet two units.
Bet three units when the count is +13.
Continue this progression.
If the count reaches zero or less for two consecutive rounds then stop playing until the new shuffle/shoe.
If the count is +18 or more then take insurance when the dealer has an ace showing.
Bankroll
Bankroll refers to how much money you bring to the table.
Statistically, the more you bring the longer you can play and the less likely you are of ruin (losing all your money).
I recommend having a bankroll of at least 50 times your betting unit. This would be the very least. It would be much more preferable to have 50 times your maximum bet as it would greatly decrease your risk of ruin.
There are two things to remember.
In order to enjoy yourself (remember, we are not professional gambler, we just want to have some fun) you must be willing to lose your bankroll.
The larger your bankroll is in terms of multiplication of your minimum bet means the longer play-time you can have which equals a greater your chances of walking out a winner.
Final Tips for How to Win at the Casino When Traveling
Give yourself a bit of practice first. I just use a free Blackjack app on my phone. There are lots to choose from.
Decide how much you are willing to lose before you start gambling and walk away if you lose it all. Do not try to win it back.
Give yourself cut off limit for when you win. I mean, set yourself goal and once you reach it, stop gambling.
Think of it as paying for entertainment. If you happen to win it is a bonus. You decide what you are willing to spend and once you’ve “spent” that much you walk away, happy with your purchase. If you happen to reach your winning goal you walk away a modest winner. Don’t get greedy, you will lose.
Pick the right table. The most advantageous table is one than uses the least amount of decks and the least amount of players. If there are other players do your best to get the seat where you are dealt to last.
Don’t drink too much. If you aim is to get drunk at the casino then play the 1c slots, claim your free drinks and tip the waitresses (assuming you are in a casino where they give free drinks to players.)
Don’t try this with online casinos. Card counting does not work with online casinos because the cards are shuffled after every hand.
If you really want to win at the casino when traveling (I mean win BIG) then I suggest reading Beat the Dealer by Edward O Thorpe.
What strategies do you use to win at the casino when traveling? We’d love to hear about them or your thoughts on this strategy in the comments 
