Safer bets: Go ahead make your day.
A casino is a stormy ocean of bad bets, lousy payouts, and unfair odds. But four games do offer a safe harbor. If you made one hundred $1 bets at these recommended games, your average loss would only be about a buck. These odds aren’t good enough to retire on, but they stretch your bankroll as far as possible, even if you’re on a limited budget. However, remember that life and gambling don’t offer any guarantees, and your actual daily results may be far different than your theoretical loss, so plan accordingly.

Craps

The smartest strategy is to stick to the following bets in craps:
Pass line bet with odds bet
Come bet with odds
Don’t pass bet with odds

Blackjack

Play the table with the least number of decks. Stay away from gimmick games like 6-5 blackjack, Spanish 21, or Super Fun blackjack. Remember the following important tips:
• Double down on 10 or 11 when the dealer shows 2 to 9.
• Stand on 13 to 16 when the dealer shows 2 to 6.
• Hit on 12 to 16 when the dealer shows 7 or higher.
• Never take insurance.

Baccarat

You may be intimidated by baccarat with its glitz, glamour, and European aura, but behind the stiff exterior lies a decent game for the average bettor.
Always bet on the banker (house edge is 1.06 percent, meaning if you made a hundred bets of $1, your average loss would be about a buck).
You can also bet on the player’s hand. (The house edge is only slightly worse than the banker’s hand at 1.24 percent.)

Worst Games: Stay Away at Alt Costs
Most games have a high house edge (percentage advantage the casino has on each bet). Here are some games that I suggest you avoid, unless you want to go home with a lighter wallet:
Three-Card poker
Caribbean Stud poker
Let it Ride
Big Six Wheel
Red Dog
Keno

“Disguised as Safe, but Stay AWay” Bets

Although the four games in the “Safer Bets: Go Ahead, Make Your Day” section on this Cheat Sheet offer some of the smartest bets in a casino, they also offer bets that can drain your wallet.
Jacks or Better Video Poker (6/5 Version): The payouts are much worse on some versions of video poker.
For example, when you make a full house on a 6/5 machine, you get paid only six coins instead of nine.
Blackjack — the insurance bet: This side bet pays back 2 to 1 when the dealer has a blackjack, but the
true odds are closer to 2.2 to 1, making this a losing bet over time.
Craps — the field and proposition bets: The house edge can be as high as 16 percent for these seductive
bad bets. (Can you say ouch?)
Baccarat — tie bets: If you want to keep your money, steer clear of this bet; the house has an edge of 14.36 percent on tie bets.

Managing your Money
A successful gambler must understand the math and odds behind the games, but staying disciplined is also critical.
Losing control is easy after you’re inside the casino, so here are a few tips to keep you in the safe zone.
Never borrow money while gambling. Chances are good that you’ll lose it, making a bad situation even
worse.
Only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling with scared money, any portion of your gambling stake
you can’t afford to lose, is neither enjoyable nor wise.
Set and stick to a budget. Write it on your forehead if you have to, but no matter what, when you hit that number, leave the casino.
Avoid ATM machines or lines of credit. Using credit is a real easy way to get financially overextended
while gambling.
Limit your playing time. Taking a break keeps your mind sharp.
Hotel rooms have beds — use them.
When you only gamble a few times a year, it’s tempting to play marathon sessions.
But your body and your bankroll aren’t built to handle the casino’s pulsating 24/7 schedule, so make sure you sleep and rest.
Don’t drink and gamble. If the casinos serve drinks for free, you should be very suspicious.
Remember the law of gravity — what goes up must come down.
Casino profits soar when players get greedy.
Quitting with a small win is far better than losing the farm.
Don’t play any game you don’t understand.
One of the fastest ways to burn through your cash is to jump into a game where the rules or strategies confuse you.
Never lie about your wins or losses.
If you find yourself deluding a person or several people in your life about your gambling, take pause and reevaluate your gambling.