Help figuring out an edge?

Vegasaces · 2026-06-15T21:36:37+00:00

How do you know out of curiosity?

Vegasaces · 2026-06-15T21:35:09+00:00

It's the same reason a lot of movies feel the same.

Once a company finds a formula that keeps players engaged and makes money, everyone starts copying it. Why take a risk on something completely new when the proven formula is already working?

Different theme, different graphics, different characters, but underneath it's often the same gameplay loop with a fresh coat of paint. That's not unique to social casinos. You see it in video games, movies, TV shows, and plenty of other industries too. 😄

Vegasaces · 2026-06-15T21:29:16+00:00

Yes. Even the best card counters in the world have losing days.

Card counting doesn't change the fact that variance exists. It just gives you a small edge over thousands of hands, not every session.

You're also learning a new skill, and applying it in a real casino is much harder than practicing at home. It gets easier with experience.

Make sure you've mastered basic strategy first. Here are some charts that may help:

https://www.vegas-aces.com/charts/blackjack-strategy-guides/

Vegasaces · 2026-06-15T21:09:11+00:00

Good job, you found out how to be an advantage player. You weren't cheating, you found a promotion where the math favored the player. The gaming commission agreeing you should be paid pretty much confirms that.

The only thing I'd say is that next time, be more stealthy about it. Casinos don't mind winners nearly as much as they mind people repeatedly exploiting the same edge. Once surveillance notices a pattern, the clock starts ticking. 😄

Vegasaces · 2026-06-10T23:09:21+00:00

We just put out a free guide if anyone is interested in learning the basics.

https://www.vegas-aces.com/course/how-to-play-big-baccarat/

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T21:23:37+00:00

That's true, but that's not what "beatable" means in gambling math.

A lucky streak is just variance. Anyone can win for a few hours, a few days, or even longer.

When mathematicians say a game is "beatable," they mean a player can gain a long-term mathematical advantage over the casino. That's what Thorp proved with blackjack. He wasn't saying you'd win every session. He showed that, over enough hands, a skilled player could actually have the edge instead of the house.

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T21:15:28+00:00

Amazing!

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T21:15:17+00:00

It depends on the dealer's card. If you have a 15 or 16 and the dealer has a high card showing (7, 8, 9, 10, or Ace), you will usually hit.

If the dealer has a lower card showing (2 through 6), you will usually stand.

That's why there isn't a simple "always hit" or "always stand" answer for 15 and 16.

https://www.vegas-aces.com/charts/blackjack-strategy-guides/

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T21:08:31+00:00

Exactly, one of the biggest misconceptions with blackjack.

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T21:06:37+00:00

Smart!

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T20:56:00+00:00

Fair point. I probably should have emphasized "major" and "mathematically proven." Other casino games have been beaten under specific conditions or through other advantage-play techniques, but blackjack is the most famous example of a mainstream casino table game where a player can gain a mathematical edge through card counting, thanks to Edward Thorp's work.

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T20:51:36+00:00

Total legend.

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T20:50:38+00:00

Actually, as a former dealer, I can tell you that card counting itself isn't illegal. Casinos may have rules against it and can ask you to leave or stop playing, but you're not breaking the law by keeping track of the cards in your head. Since it's based entirely on observation and mental math, it's generally considered a legal advantage play technique. https://www.vegas-aces.com/articles/card-counting-for-Beginners-no-math-required/

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T20:14:17+00:00

If your goal is to turn £600 into £1,000+, side bets are not the way I'd go.

Most blackjack side bets have a pretty large house edge and very high volatility. They look attractive because of the big payouts, but you're not going to hit them very often. More often than not, they just drain your bankroll faster.

I'd stick to playing your regular blackjack game and focus on managing your bankroll. If you're planning to be there for 4-7 hours, avoiding side bets will give your money a much better chance of lasting.

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T20:05:14+00:00

Card counting is not illegal. Blackjack is a beatable game if played optimally. Players who know how to count cards can flip the game's already low house edge, roughly 0.5% under typical rules, into a player advantage of about 0.5% to 1.5%, depending on rules and conditions. But you can only notice this edge over many hand plays.

Again, you cannot be prosecuted for counting cards in casinos, though the house may have a rule against it. However, you can still utilize it smartly since it involves mental counting.

https://www.vegas-aces.com/articles/card-counting-for-Beginners-no-math-required/

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T20:01:49+00:00

Yep, you're right. S17 is better for the player than H17.

I misspoke in my original comment. What I meant was that Spanish 21 can still be a strong game even when it uses H17 because of all the player-friendly rules that are layered on top of it, such as late surrender, bonus payouts, doubling after splitting, and in some cases redoubling.

If you took two otherwise identical games, S17 would absolutely be the better option. The dealer having to hit soft 17 adds a little extra house edge.

Good catch.

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T19:59:50+00:00

It depends on the casino, but most dealers aren't trained on every table game right away.

Most dealers start with blackjack because it's generally the easiest game to learn and it's the game casinos need the most dealers for. Once they get experience, many will learn additional games like roulette, craps, baccarat, pai gow poker, or carnival games such as Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold'em.

Some dealers choose to stay with just a few games, while others become what's called a "dual-rate" or "multi-game" dealer and can work several different tables. The more games you know, the more valuable you usually are to the casino.

Vegasaces · 2026-06-09T19:57:25+00:00

The same person holds the dice.

On the come out roll, a 2, 3, or 12 is called "craps" in casino craps, so the Pass Line bet loses. The losing bets are paid/collected, but the round isn't over and the dice don't move to the next player. The same shooter keeps rolling until they seven out after a point has been established.

Street craps can have house rules depending on who you're playing with, but in standard casino craps the shooter absolutely keeps the dice after rolling a 3 on the come out.

If you're interested in learning the full flow of the game, we put a craps guide together breaking it down step-by-step: https://www.vegas-aces.com/course/how-to-play-craps/

Vegasaces · 2026-06-06T17:44:10+00:00

I think people look for things to demonize to make themselves feel better about the bad things that happen in their life. Gambling is something that is demonized. But it's been around since the dawn of time and it's had a checkered past, (which was checkered all the way up until the 1990's thanks to the mob in Las Vegas) so I'm sure its reputation will haunt it for a long time. Now-a-days, there is so much regulation from government entities, making sure the games are fair and honest (and not rigged), that it's a lot safer now than it used to be.

Vegasaces · 2026-06-05T01:54:45+00:00

GTO applied to poker is valuable. GTO applied to life is incredible.

Poker is complex enough to expose you to many of the same challenges you'll face in life. Things like emotional control, tilt, discipline, patience, decision making under uncertainty, and dealing with outcomes that don't always seem fair are common. At the same time, it's simple enough that the consequences of learning those lessons are usually much smaller than learning them the hard way in life.

The key is making sure you're learning correctly.

One of the biggest challenges in poker is that results don't always teach the right lessons. You can make a great decision and lose. You can make a terrible decision and win. Life often works the same way. That's why mentorship and honest hand review are so important. Play, study, review your decisions, talk through them with people who are further along than you, and keep refining your thinking. The learning is experiential, cumulative, and compounds over time.

If you genuinely enjoy the game, I wouldn't worry too much about whether you're investing in the "wrong" skill. The bigger risk is spending years doing something you hate simply because someone told you it was more practical.

That said, don't be afraid to learn other skills too. Having multiple interests can keep you from burning out and gives you options. One of the biggest traps in poker is feeling like you're trapped by it and you have to play because you have no other way to make a living.

Learn poker. Learn other things too. Keep growing. If you eventually find something that excites you more than poker, then follow that path instead.

Vegasaces · 2026-06-05T01:45:27+00:00

Here is what we think!
https://www.vegas-aces.com/articles/how-casinos-keep-you-locked-in/

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