Reason #2 why the Wizard likes Bovada:

No-hassle practice games

Most online casinos spend more effort trying to separate you from your money than they do trying to give you a good experience. They have all kinds of popup windows, they usually make you download their software, and if they do offer play-in-browser games then you have to register an account before you can play. And if you register they start sending you emails trying to get you to deposit real money.

But Bovada is different. They have no popup windows at all, and their practice games play right in your browser, with no download, and no registration required. You don’t even have to give up your email address. It couldn’t be simpler: just one click and you’re playing the game.

I wish all online casinos showed this much respect for their players. Other casinos practically ask for your first born child to play for free. Meanwhile Bovada is patient and does not twist anybody’s arm to play for real money. You can play as long as you like for free with no obligation. The real-money games are available if that’s your preference, but if not, you can play the free practice games for as long as you like without hassle.

Visit Bovada

Ask the Wizard #11

Edition Date: Apr 22, 2000

It seems to me that the winner pays the 10% commission, not the loser. What am I missing?
— Bob from Lake Charles, Louisiana

It doesn’t make any difference who pays. Lets suppose Atlanta is playing Miami and you want to bet on Atlanta and want to win $100. Either way you have to bet $110 to win $100. However it is easier to explain the bet as the loser pays.

What happens to a place bet to win on a six if the shooter makes his point other than six. What happens to an initial come bet when the shooter makes his point on that roll. What happens to a come bet after it is moved to a number (lets say 5) and the shooter makes his point of lets say 4. As per "craps strategies from crappers delight" I have read that the average shooter rolls the dice five (5) times before sevening out. Your comments.
— Gman from Lockport, New York

For the purposes of place and come bets it doesn’t make any difference of the shooter makes a point as long as it was on another number. However the odds on come and don’t come bets are turned off on a come out roll, unless otherwise requested. Yes, the expected number of points the shooter will roll before rolling a 7 is 5. However this does not mean that after rolling 5 points a 7 is overdue, the odds of rolling a 7 are always 1/6.

How much do casino dealers generally get paid?
— Eric from Columbia, USA

For this question I deferred to a friend of mine who is a blackjack dealer in Biloxi, here is what she says:

Every casino differs as far as tokes however there is somewhat of an average. Your typical dealer will average anywhere from $9 - $11 in tips and makes an hourly wage of $4.50 to $5.00 per hour. So I always like to think we average $15 an hour. Some of the bigger casino’s like the Grand and Beau Rivage however, make more than that. Their toke rates stay at $14, $15 and $16 per hour so they make close to $20 an hour (that’s including their hourly base pay). You only get benefits (insurance, 401-K) if you are a full-time employee. Some casino’s will make you a full-time employee automatically after 90 days while other casino’s will keep you part-time until full-time positions are available.

Do casinos have the right to change minor prize odds on multi-casino progressive linked games such as megabucks or wheel of fortune or are the odds set the same for all casinos. The prizes I’m refering to are the bar, double bar Tripple bar hits. Also do the video poker games such as triply play poker the same odds for all casinos or does each casino have the right to vary their own odds for the game.
— James from Cherry Hill

In general the casino can choose their own payback percentages from the manufacturer. They are still confined to certain minimums determined by the gaming authorities but most are well above those limits anyway. I speculate that there is no exception for linked progressive machines on the smaller prizes but that the probability on the jackpot may be constant. The odds on video poker can be calculated based on the payoff table which vary from place to place.


Home Gambling Info Odds Gambling Online Ask the Wizard Play for Fun Blog Radio Video
Reason #2 why the Wizard likes Bovada: No-hassle practice games Most online casinos spend more effort trying to separate you from your money than they do trying to give you a good experience. They have all kinds of popup windows, they usually make you download their software, and if they do offer play-in-browser games then you have to register an account before you can play. And if you register they start sending you emails trying to get you to deposit real money. But Bovada is different. They have no popup windows at all, and their practice games play right in your browser, with no download, and no registration required. You don’t even have to give up your email address. It couldn’t be simpler: just one click and you’re playing the game. I wish all online casinos showed this much respect for their players. Other casinos practically ask for your first born child to play for free. Meanwhile Bovada is patient and does not twist anybody’s arm to play for real money. You can play as long as you like for free with no obligation. The real-money games are available if that’s your preference, but if not, you can play the free practice games for as long as you like without hassle. Visit Bovada	Ask the Wizard #11 Edition Date: Apr 22, 2000 It seems to me that the winner pays the 10% commission, not the loser. What am I missing? — Bob from Lake Charles, Louisiana It doesn’t make any difference who pays. Lets suppose Atlanta is playing Miami and you want to bet on Atlanta and want to win $100. Either way you have to bet $110 to win $100. However it is easier to explain the bet as the loser pays. What happens to a place bet to win on a six if the shooter makes his point other than six. What happens to an initial come bet when the shooter makes his point on that roll. What happens to a come bet after it is moved to a number (lets say 5) and the shooter makes his point of lets say 4. As per "craps strategies from crappers delight" I have read that the average shooter rolls the dice five (5) times before sevening out. Your comments. — Gman from Lockport, New York For the purposes of place and come bets it doesn’t make any difference of the shooter makes a point as long as it was on another number. However the odds on come and don’t come bets are turned off on a come out roll, unless otherwise requested. Yes, the expected number of points the shooter will roll before rolling a 7 is 5. However this does not mean that after rolling 5 points a 7 is overdue, the odds of rolling a 7 are always 1/6. How much do casino dealers generally get paid? — Eric from Columbia, USA For this question I deferred to a friend of mine who is a blackjack dealer in Biloxi, here is what she says: Every casino differs as far as tokes however there is somewhat of an average. Your typical dealer will average anywhere from $9 - $11 in tips and makes an hourly wage of $4.50 to $5.00 per hour. So I always like to think we average $15 an hour. Some of the bigger casino’s like the Grand and Beau Rivage however, make more than that. Their toke rates stay at $14, $15 and $16 per hour so they make close to $20 an hour (that’s including their hourly base pay). You only get benefits (insurance, 401-K) if you are a full-time employee. Some casino’s will make you a full-time employee automatically after 90 days while other casino’s will keep you part-time until full-time positions are available. Do casinos have the right to change minor prize odds on multi-casino progressive linked games such as megabucks or wheel of fortune or are the odds set the same for all casinos. The prizes I’m refering to are the bar, double bar Tripple bar hits. Also do the video poker games such as triply play poker the same odds for all casinos or does each casino have the right to vary their own odds for the game. — James from Cherry Hill In general the casino can choose their own payback percentages from the manufacturer. They are still confined to certain minimums determined by the gaming authorities but most are well above those limits anyway. I speculate that there is no exception for linked progressive machines on the smaller prizes but that the probability on the jackpot may be constant. The odds on video poker can be calculated based on the payoff table which vary from place to place.
Copyright © 1998-2012 Wizard of Odds Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved. • About \| Privacy & Terms \| Site Map \| Links \| Contact The Wizard’s other sites: Wizard of Vegas \| Wizard of Macau \| Math Problems • Recommended: Vegas Click

Ask the Wizard #11

It seems to me that the winner pays the 10% commission, not the loser. What am I missing? — Bob from Lake Charles, Louisiana

How much do casino dealers generally get paid? — Eric from Columbia, USA

It seems to me that the winner pays the 10% commission, not the loser. What am I missing?
— Bob from Lake Charles, Louisiana

How much do casino dealers generally get paid?
— Eric from Columbia, USA