The first in Jan 2012, second time in Aug 2013, and today in Mar 2016.
Why: Let's just say I was offered a night stay at an extremely luxurious hotel room at Sentosa, completed with steam bath facilities. On top of that, I just felt like getting away from work for a couple of days. And what can you possibly do there if you don't go into the casino, right?
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Obviously, I have done my "homework" prior to going there - reading up on game rules, consulting my "ex-croupier NS mate", finding out which games have the lowest house edge.
Let's be upfront here - there is no game in that place where you can have a positive ROI. To me, it's purely entertainment. Set a fixed amount of entertainment expenses (play the game with the lowest house edge, so that you can play for a long time), any win is purely bonus.
The best one stills goes to Blackjack - where you can lower the house advantage to below 1% if you play correctly. With 'a bit of luck', I was able tip the scales slightly to walk out a small winner (on top of earning back the levy).
My most shocking observation was how many people were playing HORRENDOUSLY, yet still think they are right. I can't even describe the atrocious mistakes they were making mathematically. They boost that they've been playing for years, and I cannot imagine how much money they have thrown to the casino by making such mistakes over and over. RWS need such people to survive I guess. I just pity those old aunties and uncles who are just wasting their 'blood sweat' money on these.
Examples include:
1. Betting on sidebets with terrible odds like "Perfect Pairs".
2. Surrendering when they have 12, 6, 7 and all sort of reasonable hands against a dealer 8, 9, T. Their logic is if I got a 6, I will bust very easily against a dealer 8.
2. Failing to 'hit' their 12-16 against a dealer showing 7 or greater. This is one of the most common beginner mistake.
3. Failing to take advantage of hands where they have the greatest odds of winning. A huge part of blackjack comes from getting as much value as possible from these hands - that includes doubling down and splitting when the dealer has a weak up-card (6, 5, 4, sometimes 3 and 2). I have seen so many cases of people giving up their 'double' chance in such situation. How I wish I could play their hands for them.
AND GUESS WHAT?!
There is no rule saying you can't refer to "basic blackjack strategy" while seated at the table!!!
All along I just refer to the chart for the more difficult cases (like whether to double up for Ax hands).
Seriously, if you want a 'chance' against the casino, at least do a bit of homework. Not rely blindly on gut-feel and luck.
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