19 ways to make your money last
By: Kyle Western
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.d ... 281eac____

Odds are you're going home a loser, but accepting this fact is one of the best bets you can make. "Gambling is usually a losing proposition, but knowing what games to play and what bets to make can offer more bang for the buck and stretch your bankroll," says Kevin Blackwood, World Series of Blackjack semifinalist and author of Casino Gambling for Dummies. Value gambling as another form of entertainment, viewing rolls and pulls akin to concerts and ball games, and you'l spare yourself the experience of throwing good money after bad; couple that with the insider wisdom we've laid out and you've got a sure thing for a great time.


Lay On the Breaks
It isn't just marathon sessions that can bog you down, researchers in Germany found that heart rate and cortisol levels (factors that contribute to a gambling addiction) rise after only 30 minutes of play and are further elevated after an hour. "Placing some small bets in the sports book encourages you get up and check-in periodically" advises Blackwood.


Regulate Your Cash Flow
By swapping chips for cash, the casino makes it easier to separate you from your wad. "?It's a lot easier to part with two $25 chips than a $50 bill," notes Blackwood. Instead, change-out 25% of your daily bankroll at a time and resist gambling winnings once you've broken even for the day.



Cage Related: While you can buy-in at a table, you can't cash out there. Winners are forced to face long lines at the cage lines or face the temptation and ease of letting it ride.


Traverse the Learning Curve Online
Hone your skills at home with free sites like pogo.com and bodog.com and you'll dampen the learning curve. "It's a lot better to practice the fundamentals before your trip than blow $500 on a local 'education,'" says Blackwood. Pass on any site that requires credit card registration for free play.


Cheap Out at Dawn
While your odds won't change depending on the time of day, the stakes will. In the morning, use this to your advantage to play more hands at lower minimums or learn new games in a more forgiving environment. Bet a few hands for the dealer (a common way of tipping in Vegas) and you might find yourself on the receiving end of some seasoned advice.


Slot Tickets
Paper tickets allow gamblers to play (and lose) more rounds in an hour than coins since no coin reloading is required. By delaying payment as long as possible (slips must be cashed like chips), tickets afford more opportunities for that "one last pull."


Blackjack
As one of the only table games in which skill is a factor, blackjack can provide tremendous odds (house edge ~ .5%). Pocket cards are useful, but improve your odds by finding games with the fewest decks and rules that force the dealer to stand on a soft 17 (ace always an 11). Skip single deck games paying 6-5, the lower payout mauls the odds and negates the single deck advantage. Always stick to the original game paying 3-2 and slow your pace of play by joining nearly full tables.


Craps
Craps can be a frenzied, drawn out game with great odds if properly bet, making it ideal for big-time thrill seekers with minor-league bankrolls. There are over 100 possible bets, but the beginner only needs to know two: pass-line and don't pass-line (house edge of 1.41% and 1.36%, respectively). Pass-line bettors are betting that the first number rolled will hit again before 7 does, don't pass-line wagers bank on a 7 to be rolled first. Because you're waiting for one of two numbers after the initial role, the dice can be thrown dozens of times before a winner is declared, elevating suspense and maximizing table-time.


Roulette
House advantage is a stiff 5.26%, but by staggering your single-spin play between an even money bet (odd/even, black/white) and a 2-1 gamble (dozens, columns) you can cover the wheel and create variety. Seek out single 0 wheels for better odds (2.7%), those that allow the "en prison" will return half your even money bet if the ball lands on zero, cutting the house edge further to 1.35%.


Baccarat
The high rollers' best-kept secret, baccarat boasts great odds (1.06%-14.36%) and a unique experience. With only three ways to wager (player, dealer, or tie) and no decision-making required, it's the simplest game on the floor. Dress to the nines, wager on any hand except tie (house edge: 14/36%), and participate in the rituals of the game and you'll get a taste of Monte Carlo in Vegas.