Why do people play the video versions of blackjack and craps? There’s no camaraderie and the odds are terrible.
[Editor's Note: This answer is penned by our friend and gambling expert Arnold Snyder.]
Many people prefer slot versions of casino table games because the machines are less stressful. You can always see when it’s your turn to make a betting or playing decision. No one is watching you make mistakes or complaining if you do something out of turn. Table games generally include socializing with the other players and sometimes the dealer or pit personnel. So people are attracted to slots is precisely because there’s no camaraderie.
Also, many people — probably most of the adults in this country — have little knowledge of “the odds.” I’ve always been of the opinion that probability and statistics should be taught in high school, perhaps right after algebra. Geometry and calculus are commonly taught in many high schools, but are rarely used by most people once they’re out in the world.
Statistics, on the other hand, virtually never taught in high school, are constantly referred to in mainstream media when discussing politics, business, economics, health, education, the military, and dozens of other topics that affect people’s lives. The media provide polls and surveys and refer to the sample sizes and degrees of error — and many people have no way of knowing how meaningful such data is.
Finally, the video versions of casino table games can often be played at much lower stakes. It’s hard to find blackjack tables these days that take bets under $10. Video blackjack can often be found on machines that take bets as low as 25¢ a hand. This, in fact, may be the biggest factor for most people who choose to play the machines.
But you do make a good point about the video versions of casino table games generally offering worse odds than the table-game versions. Again, most players don't realize that.
One of LVA's "Top Ten Values" is the Hooters/OYO $1 even-money Blackjack game. My cousin plays low-stakes six-to-five Blackjack, even after having it explained to him repeatedly. My significant other plays even-money video Blackjack ("How often am I going to get a Blackjack?"), and Video Poker with one coin in ("How often am I going to get a Royal?") And she's a Ph.D. And I myself have been known to play some pretty marginal low-stakes Video Poker while waiting, if I go out of the poker tournament first; but that was long ago. Nowadays, I would have the bankroll handy and play a better game for higher stakes and comp points. Cheers.