Casino Player July 2022

GOING FOR THE GOLD

A re you looking to take a shot at a progres sive jackpot like the ones we often see in our“Winners”department at the back of the magazine?You know the ones,where a player makes a side bet while playing at the tables and the gambling gods shift to their favor and they walk away with a six-figure jackpot. Here’s a quick primer on playing some of those games that may be offered at your favorite casino.And remember: bettors must place a side bet on all these games to qualify for a progressive jackpot.You don’t want to miss out on your shot at big money!

I decided to double up for one last bet, $20 each on 6 and 18, and 6 came up again! I won $1,400.I was so nervous,my hands were shaking. I just couldn’t go on. I took the money and ran.I didn’t even want to know if the streak went on. I just needed to calm down. I may never play single numbers again,but wow,that was exciting. DEE The dealer matched my blackjack four times in a row and five out of six.This is over about an hour and a half at the table. The first two times, the dealer had an Ace up.I know better than to insure my blackjack and take even money. My dad taught me my overall results are better than even money if I stay the course and play my blackjacks. The dealer didn’t even bat an eye when I de clined even money. I’m sure she’s seen it thou sands of times.But there was another player who decided to razz me about it.The first time the dealer matched my blackjack, she said, “That’s why you take even money.”I just shrugged it off. Next time, as soon as I declined, the other player said, “Come on, you have to take even money there.”When the dealer turned up a King, he said,“See? See?Take the guarantee.” The next two blackjack pushes started with the dealer having a 10 up.That didn’t stop the comments. I heard,“This ought to be teaching you something”and“This isn’t your day on black jacks, is it?” Finally, I got a blackjack that paid off.Dealer had a Queen up and an 8 down.Mr. Even Money said something about a blind squirrel,but the oth ers were all happy for me. Even the dealer said, “About time, honey.”Another player who I no ticed was playing basic strategy said,“Keep mak ing the right plays.” On my last blackjack, the dealer had anAce up again, so when I waved off even money I heard,“Haven’t you learnedANYTHING?”I really, really wanted to win that, regardless of the money.Alas, one more dealer 10 down. Five pushes in six blackjacks is a pretty tough streak. Accompanied by a heckler, well, let’s say it wasn’t my favorite session. ´

Let It Ride In this game, the player makes three equal-sized bets and is dealt three cards. Based on those, you pull the first bet back or“let it ride.”One community card is dealt that can be used by all players.Once again, the player can pull the sec ond wager or let it ride.After the second community card, players are paid accord ing to the five-card poker hand and remaining bets. Players’winnings are determined by the value of their hands according to a pay table. Three Card Poker As the name implies, players are dealt three cards.However, you are playing against the dealer in this version of poker. Players place an ante before a hand and then can bet another amount equal to that to“play” the hand, or they can fold without making that wager, but lose the ante.The kicker is, the dealer must have at least a queen to play or there is no action. Players can receive bonuses based on the strength of their hands. Four Card Poker This game is similar to its three-card cousin, but players actually receive five cards face down and form their best four-card hand.The dealer is dealt six cards with one face up and makes his best four-card hand. In this game, the dealer doesn’t have to hold a certain hand to qualify. Ultimate Texas Hold’em This game is similar to traditional Texas Hold’em, but is played against the dealer with some slightly different rules than what one might find in the poker room. A player is basically hoping to make his best poker hand with a flop, turn and river, but a chance at some bonuses along the way. Mississippi Stud Poker In this poker variant, players receive two cards and make their best hands after three community cards are dealt.They have the option of betting as each commu nity card is dealt. Players must make higher than a pair of 10s to be paid,which is determined by a pay table.A pair of sixes through 10s is a push and anything below that is a loss. Richard Henke became the lucky winner of the mega jackpot on Let It Ride at the Flamingo Las Vegas on April 30, resulting in a win of $831,570.

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