THUNDER BAY – Entertainment – Alright, folks, grab your chips and settle in, because the world of casino players is just like a high-stakes game—you’ve got winners, losers, and the rare pros who know how to tilt the odds in their favor.
Today, we’re diving into the three types of players you’ll find at the tables: the Good, the Bad, and the Advantage Pros.
The Good Players: Betting Smart, Staying Sane
Let’s kick things off with the “Good Players,” the ones who know how to play a solid game without going off the rails.
These players stick to the lowest house-edge bets, keeping their bankroll intact while enjoying the thrill of the game. At the baccarat table, they stick to the Player or Banker bets—never the Tie.
Over at blackjack, they play basic strategy, following a computer-derived playbook to handle every hand against the dealer’s up-card.
Their betting is disciplined and calculated, which means they’re underdogs, sure, but not so deep in the hole that they can’t enjoy a win or two. They know when to walk away and keep their hobbies from turning into horror stories.
The Bad Players: Rolling the Dice on Bad Bets
Next, we’ve got the “Bad Players,” and oh boy, they’re the ones filling the casino’s coffers.
These are the gamblers making long-shot bets with massive house edges. At the craps table, you’ll catch them throwing money on wild proposition bets—what the legendary Captain of Craps from Atlantic City called “crazy crapper bets.”
Double-digit house edges? You bet. These players are usually doomed to go home lighter than they came in.
Advantage Players: The Casino’s Worst Nightmare (Maybe)
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for—the “Advantage Players,” the rare breed who know how to beat the house at its own game.
These players bring advanced strategies to the table. We’re talking blackjack card counters, skilled dice controllers at the craps table, and video poker aficionados playing machines with a slight mathematical edge.
The goal? Turn the odds in their favor and walk out with the casino’s money.
But here’s the kicker: while some Advantage Players are real pros, many sabotage their own success. They might lack the discipline to follow through on proper strategies or overestimate their abilities.
Why Advantage Players Often Strike Out
Take blackjack. Even with card counting, success demands a proper bankroll and strict betting discipline. Wild losing streaks can wipe out underfunded players, no matter how sharp their skills are.
Plus, bad game selection—like playing 6-to-5 blackjack instead of full-payout games—can spell doom for even the most talented counters.
Then there’s craps, where dice control is a hotly debated skill. Some casino “experts” dismiss it as impossible, but trust me, the legends of the game—the Captain, Jimmy P., and the Arm—proved it can be done.
These players mastered the art of setting and throwing the dice with precision, reducing randomness and controlling outcomes.
Unfortunately, many aspiring dice controllers make big mistakes. They aim for long-shot bets with high house edges or fall prey to bad advice from so-called “gurus” selling overpriced courses. Most simply aren’t as good as they think they are, paving their own way to losses.
Final Word: Play Smart, Play Right
Here’s the bottom line: whether you’re a casual gambler or chasing the dream of becoming an Advantage Player, the key to success lies in discipline, strategy, and self-awareness. The good players keep it fun and manageable. The bad players fuel the house’s profits. And the Advantage Players? Well, they’re out there, but only a select few truly have what it takes to win consistently.
So, what kind of player are you? Step up to the table, make your bets, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
