Popular Casino Beliefs
Many of the popular beliefs relating to casino gambling are completely true, but there seem to be a lot more which have no basis in fact at all. For some reason, there are more myths about playing casino games than there for any other form of gambling.
We can't really explain why this is the case. What we can do, though, is try to dispel some of these myths. In this article we set the record straight in terms of what's true and what's not. We have listed a few of the most commonly held beliefs about casinos, and looked at just how accurate they are.
The House Always Wins
Technically, this is true. The odds are always against the player, as casino games have a built in house edge that is impossible to overcome. The only way to "beat" the games is to cheat or count cards. Most cheaters get caught eventually, and casinos use several techniques to stop card counters. Therefore, the house will always win in the long run.
The key phrase here is "in the long run". It's not like every single player loses every single time they play. You will lose eventually if you play for long enough, but there is nothing to stop you having winning sessions. With a bit of luck on your side, and the discipline to quit at the right time, it is quite possible to walk away a winner.
Casinos Pump Oxygen Into The Room
This is probably one of the biggest casino myths. The popular belief is that casinos pump oxygen into the room in order to keep the customers awake and make them play for longer. It has been repeated often enough that many people believe it to be true, but it's not.
It would, in fact, be illegal for casinos to do this. There are other perfectly legal methods they use to keep their customers playing, such as free drinks and comps for example. They probably don't need to do anything anyway, as there are plenty of people willing to play the games purely because they want to.
Online Casinos Are Fixed
A lot of people are put off playing at online casinos because they believe them to be fixed. There have been a very small number of rogue casinos found to be offering rigged games, but the vast majority of online casinos offer completely fair games. If you stick to the reputable and trustworthy operators this is quite simply not an issue.
When you think about it, the whole idea that online casinos are fixed is fundamentally flawed. There is no reason for them to rig the games, as they already have the advantage of the house edge. They will make far more money in the long run by treating their customers fairly and maintaining a good reputation.
Online Casinos Don't Pay Winners
The idea that online casinos don't pay their winners is another reason why some people choose not to play on the internet. It is also false. Again, there have been a few casinos that have engaged in unethical behavior in this regard, but they are very much in the minority. It's not even close to the truth to suggest that online casinos don't pay winners as a general rule.
The same point we made relating to casinos fixing games applies here too. Casinos that pay out their winners swiftly and without any hassle are likely to gain more by maintaining a good reputation than they would from withholding winnings. A casino that doesn't pay out is going to go out of business very quickly when word gets around – and it always does – so it would be a very short sighted move.
Casino Games Are Games of Chance
This is true, casino games are games of chance. With the exception of card counting in blackjack, there is no skill or strategy that can beat the house edge. Ultimately, the only way you are going to win money in a casino is if luck is on your side.
With that being said, there are several casino games where luck is not the only factor. The fact that you can't beat the house edge doesn't mean there is nothing you can do to improve your chances of winning. If you know the right bets to place and the right moves to make, you can keep the house edge to a minimum. By doing so, you can maximize your chances of winning.
Card Counting Is Illegal
Contrary to popular belief, card counting is not illegal. This is a complete myth; albeit one that the casinos are quite happy for people to believe. Card counters are not exactly popular in the casino industry, for obvious reasons, so anything that discourages them is sure to be just fine by the casinos.
Although card counters are not breaking any laws, casinos are well within their rights to refuse them action. If they catch someone counting cards, or just suspect that they are, they can ask them to leave the premises. They are not obligated to allow anyone to play at their tables.
Cold Slot Machines Are Due A Win
A lot of casino players believe that if a slot machine is running cold (ie. It has not paid out for a while) it must be due to spin a win soon. This is not the case. Slot machines are run on random number generators, so any individual spin is completely independent of previous spins. A cold slot machine is therefore no more likely to pay out than a machine that just has.
Casino Gambling Is For Suckers
This is not at all true. In fact, in our opinion it is complete nonsense. Most players are fully aware that the odds are against them, but they are happy to risk their money for the chance of a win. This doesn't make them suckers.
Playing in the casino is essentially a form of entertainment, which also offers the chance of winning money. Of course the players hope to win, but very few of them actually expect to. They just enjoy the fun and excitement of playing the games, and the buzz they get when a good win does come along.
