Strategy important when playing video poker, roulette 

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Playing roulette conservatively can pay off in the long run. | File photo

Updated: November 24, 2011 3:34AM

Whenever the subject of the expansion of state-sanctioned casino gambling in Illinois comes up, the opposition usually references video poker and how it can contribute to obsessive gambling behavior.

Video poker’s reputation as being beatable long term is known by casual and skilled players alike.

Unfortunately, a majority of people play the game haphazardly and don’t take the time to learn and master the skilled strategies unique to each game and pay table.

They don’t take the skill factor seriously or realize the mathematical or probability ramifications of their playing decisions.

Their perception is that just because they play the game with their own kitchen table draw poker mentality they can win.

Some players don’t realize that mastering skilled play unique to the game of video poker in all its forms is an essential.

Many devotees of video poker perceive the game as beatable and take the time to learn how and why. Most people perceive the game as beatable but their definition of skill is very arbitrary.

On another subject, readers periodically send e-mails inquiring about the strategy to use when playing the game of roulette.

The following guidelines apply both to tournament play as well as non-tournament play.

Early on I advise playing conservatively. Catching a number “straight-up” (35 to 1) makes you the most money but is the hardest to pull off.

I start out by trying to build up some “chip equity.” I like to play a combination of one column and one section. If you get lucky and catch both, you win 2-1 on each. If you catch one, you still make some money.

You also may try some of the even- money props (black/red, odd/even) or some “streets” and “corners” inside to increase your chip stack.

As play progresses in a tournament specifically, pay close attention to the chip stacks of the other players and the size of their bets.

You will have to adjust your play accordingly depending on where you stand.

If you’ve built up some equity, try some lucky numbers straight up. Don’t spread yourself too thin inside. Remember, it’s all a game of luck.

If you find yourself down late, it is best to load up straight-up on one or two lucky numbers and hope to catch lightning in a bottle in one fell swoop instead of spreading chips over 15 numbers.

The house edge at roulette is consistent on all bets (5.26 percent) with the exception of one (combination of 0,00,1,2,3), which zooms up to more than 7 percent.

Money management is the key, coupled with bird-dogging your opponents and adjusting your play accordingly.

Bottom line: Begin conservatively, get more daring depending on your chip equity during the middle game, and then go for broke or preserve your lead (depending on the situation) during the end game.

John G. Brokopp’s Beat the Odds tips air at 8:20 a.m., 2:50 p.m. and 10:42 p.m. Sundays on WBBM-AM (780). The freelance casino columnist and author can be reached at jbrokopp@comcast.net.