Some gamblers are obsessed with advantage play because it can lead to long-term profits. Techniques like card counting and ace sequencing offer guaranteed winnings when done right.
It makes perfect sense why one would dedicate time to these advantage gambling methods when considering that they actually work.
But there are other forms of advantage play that don’t work. The reasons why are that they’re either unrealistic or completely fake.
Keep reading as I cover fake or unrealistic techniques that have been pushed over the years. Avoiding these advantage gambling methods will keep you from blowing your time and money.
Dice Control
Dice control (a.k.a. controlled shooting) involves tossing dice in a consistent manner to reduce randomness. Doing so gives you a chance to produce more-consistent craps results.
Controlled shooters measure their success by a Sevens: Rolls Ratio (a.k.a. RSR), which is the ratio of rolls that result in a seven versus those that don’t.
The chances of rolling a seven with a pair of six-sided dice is 6:1. Therefore, the average player has an RSR of 6:1. But reducing this ratio just slightly gives you an edge over the house.
Dealer Signatures
Roulette dealers spin the ball around the wheel anywhere from 40-60 times per hour. Therefore, it seems possible that a croupier would eventually spin the ball in a monotonous, predictable pattern.
This forms the basis for dealer signatures, which refer to a croupier spinning the ball and wheel in a pattern. Spotting signatures gives you a better idea on where the ball will end up.
Here are the three main things you want to look for when trying to recognize signatures:
- Difference (in pockets) between where the ball is released versus where it ends up.
- If the ball spins at a consistent velocity (count number of revolutions).
- If the wheel spins at a consistent velocity (revolutions).
Noting the difference between where the dealer releases the ball and where it lands is extremely important to this strategy. Spotting a consistent pattern allows you to quickly bet on the appropriate section after the ball is released.
Edge Sorting
Edge sorting involves looking at face-down cards in an effort to spot flaws on card-backs. You can use these irregularities to guess card values before they’re flipped over.
Card-backs are supposed to be symmetrical throughout a deck. However, many manufacturers have unintentional flaws in their backs, which usually occur on the long edges of cards.
An edge sorter can spot these irregularities with some degree of success, especially when cards are rotated 180 degrees. These advantage gamblers may also ask the dealer to rotate cards for superstitious reasons.
Any dealer that obliges is unknowingly helping the player out. It also helps when an automatic shuffling machine is used because this doesn’t change the orientation of the cards.