Originally posted by: Texas Transplant
Kevin,
You're right about how incongruent the "Wheel" BJ bet is at 4Q, given the otherwise good property it is. I hope it isn't a forerunner of other nickle and dime issues to come there.
I appreciate the analogy you drew of punching the player in the nuts for an 11. Created a great visual image. Most good humor / satire is built around an unfortunate kernel of truth.
When the casino presents a new (bad) bet to the player they make it successful with bright graphics, and even better, with a lot of motion. The $1 "wheel" bet covers all the bases.
Maybe there's a business opportunity here. Need to come up with a truly outrageous bet/game, give it a catchy name, provide the house an 30 - 45%+ minimum advantage, then then add every bit of "eye-candy" and sound effects possible on the table...create the whole "package".
Example:
Could create a hybrid BJ table/pinball machine. Make a clear BJ table for the initial bet, and add a modified pinball machine underneath it for the side bet payout. Flashing lights, exciting sounds, pinball action, it would have ALL the elements for instant success with the lemmings. Odds would be totally unimportant, they'd be hypnotized. Just need to trademark it and watch the residuals pour in.
Somebody is probably working on this already...
Virtually every state lottery fulfills your requirements. Lotsa hype, 40% house edge, designed to appeal to the tiny-brained folk. I guess the casinos could modify keno by speeding it up and introducing dancing girls or something.