TUTORIAL

Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s

Baccarat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Blackjack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Craps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Keno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Pai Gow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Red Dog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Roulette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

7-Card Stud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Slots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Texas Hold ‘em . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Video Poker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
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Baccarat
Overview
Baccarat is a fast exciting game with simple betting and payoff rules. There is no real playing
strategy because the playing rules are fixed. The only decisions a player can make are the
amount of the bet and the choice of betting on Player, Bank or Push (tie). However, the fast
action and generally large bet amounts do require a sound strategy of betting and money
management techniques. Take time to review the John Patrick video clip discussions about
Money Management that are included with Casino Coach (click on the Video Clips button in
the toolbar).
The generally accepted figures for the house advantage in Baccarat are 1.16% for the Bank
Hand and 1.37% for the Player Hand. These are among the lowest of any casino game. The
Push bet has a very high house advantage and should be avoided unless you want to play a
hunch.

Casino Coach Baccarat Screen

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Playing Baccarat
PLACING BETS
To place a bet, place your money on the Player, Bank, or Push area above your table position.
You can bet on the following:
• Player
• Bank
• Player and Push
• Bank and Push
• Push
You cannot bet on both Player and Bank.
You can switch a bet from Bank to Player (or vice-versa) by clicking on the table in the
appropriate area. Subsequent bets for that player will be placed in the last selected area.
BASIC RULES
After all bets are made, two cards are dealt to each of two hands, called the Player Hand and
the Bank Hand. These names are arbitrary. The hand that has the closest total to 9 wins. Cards
are valued as follows:
• Picture cards and 10’s have a value of 0
• Aces have a value of 1
• All other cards are face value
If the sum of the hand’s cards is more than 9, the first digit is dropped. For example, a 6/5 is
counted as 1; a 7/3 is counted as 0.
If either hand has a count of 8 or 9 after the first two cards are dealt, the hand is called a
Natural and no further cards are dealt. The hand which is closest to 9 wins; if both hands have
the same count, the hand is a push.
If neither hand has a natural, the Third Card Rules come into effect. These rules govern
whether the Player Hand or the Bank Hand draws a third card. The Third Card Rules are
fixed, and dictate—in every case—whether a third card must be dealt to each hand. These
rules are complex and are covered below. After any third cards are drawn, the deal is
complete and the hand with the closest value to 9 wins.

Play Options Help Video Clips Exit

Casino Coach Baccarat Toolbar

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THIRD CARD RULES

The Third Card Rules in Baccarat are mandatory.
Player Hand Rules
If value of the Player Hand is:
• 0 to 5, the Player Hand must draw
• 6 or 7, the Player Hand must stand
Bank Hand Rules
If the Player Hand stands and the Bank Hand has:
• 0 to 5, the Bank Hand must draw
• 6 or 7, the Bank Hand must stand
If the Player Hand draws, the Bank Hand rules are different. If the Bank Hand has:
• 0 to 2, the Bank Hand must draw
• 3 to 6, the value of the third card drawn by the Player Hand determines if the Bank Hand
draws or stands (see table below)
• 7, the Bank Hand must stand.
Third card rules when the Player Hand draws and the Bank Hand has 3 to 6 are as follows:
Bank Hand Value Bank Draws if Player Drew Bank Stands if Player Drew
3 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10 8
4 2,3,4,5,6,7 1,8,9,10
5 4,5,6,7 1,2,3,8,9,10
6 6,7 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10
These Third Card Rules create an unusual game situation. Even if the initial 2-card value for
the Bank Hand is better than the 3-card value for the Player Hand, the Bank Hand may still
have to draw a third card, which may cause it to lose the game. The overall effect of these
rules, however, favors the Bank Hand, which wins more often than the Player Hand. For this
reason, a house commission of 5% is deducted from Bank Hand payoffs.
RESULTS AND PAYOFF
The outcome of the hand is either Player Wins, Bank Wins, or Push.
The payoff on winning bets is 2:1, or even money. The payoff on push bets is 8:1.
As noted above, a house commission of 5% is deducted from the payoff on Bank bets,
therefore the effective payoff is 1.95 :1.
In the casino, winning Bank Hands are paid off at 2:1, but the dealer places a commission
marker equal to 5% of the payoff in a marker box on the table. Players owe the total of their
commission markers to the casino on demand.

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Blackjack
Overview
Blackjack is a fast and exciting game with relatively simple betting rules. However, skill and
knowledge in playing the hands and in betting strategy is required to maximize the player’s
chance of winning. Casino Coach Blackjack allows you to practice all of the various bets and
try different strategies. For the beginner, it allows learning the game at your own pace,
without the distraction of the high-speed action in the casino. For the experienced player, it
allows you to test strategies and develop skills without risking real money. Note that
Blackjack is also known as Twenty-One.

Basic Rules of Blackjack

In the game of Blackjack, both the player and the dealer attempt to get a point value as close
to 21 as possible without going over. Card suits have no significance. The point value of the
cards is the only factor that counts.

Casino Coach Blackjack Screen

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Card values are as follows:

• Cards 2 through 9 have a point value equal to their face value
• Tens, Jacks, Queens and Kings have a point value of 10
• Aces may be counted as either 1 or 11
A hand begins with two cards being dealt to each player as well as to the dealer. The dealer’s
first card is dealt face up and his second card is dealt face down. The dealer then asks each
player in turn whether they want to hit (draw an additional card in order to get closer to 21)
or stand (play with their current cards). Players may hit as many times as they wish, but if
their point count goes over 21, the hand is busted and immediately loses.
When all players have either busted or decided to stand, the dealer turns over his down card.
If the dealer has 17 or more (with Aces counted as either 1 or 11), the dealer hand must stand.
(In some casinos the dealer is required to hit a Soft 17. A Soft 17 occurs when at least one Ace
is counted as 11.) If the dealer has less than 17, he must hit. Dealer play continues until the
dealer hand reaches 17 to 21 or goes bust (over 21). If the dealer busts, all remaining player
hands win. Otherwise the hand with the highest point count wins. If the point counts are
equal, the hand ties. The payoff is even money for wins. In case of a tie, the player’s bet is
returned.
BLACKJACK
Blackjack occurs when the first two cards dealt are an Ace and a 10-value card. If the player
has Blackjack and the dealer doesn’t, the player wins a 3:2 payoff. If the dealer has Blackjack
and the player doesn’t, the player loses. If both have Blackjack the hand is a tie.
INSURANCE
If the dealer’s face up card is an Ace, players are given the opportunity to make an insurance
bet equal to half the original bet. If the dealer has Blackjack the insurance bet wins and pays
2:1; the original bets lose unless the player also has Blackjack. If the dealer doesn’t have
Blackjack, insurance bets lose.
If the player has Blackjack, taking insurance guarantees a profit. For example, a bet of $10.00
pays off $15.00 with Blackjack. If you take insurance and the dealer has Blackjack, your $5.00
insurance bet wins $10.00 Your original bet ties, so your net profit is $10.00. If the dealer
doesn’t have Blackjack you lose your $5.00 insurance bet but win $15.00 on the original bet.
In either case you win $10.00, however, you give up the chance of winning $15.00.
DOUBLE DOWN
Depending on the specific casino rules, players may have the opportunity to double down
their bets. Usually this is allowed when the first two cards have a point value of 9 to 11. If the
player elects to double down, only one hit is allowed.

Play Options Help Video Clips Exit

Casino Coach Blackjack Toolbar

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SPLIT
If the first two cards have an equal point value, the player may split the cards into two
separate hands. Each hand has the same bet as the original bet, so the bet is effectively
doubled. Each split hand receives one more card, then the hands are played out in the normal
way. If Aces are split, most casinos allow only one more card to each hand. If a split hand has
an Ace and a 10-point card it is not counted as Blackjack, instead it is counted as a total of 21
and pays even money if it wins. Most casinos allow split hands to be doubled.

Basic Strategy
There is no universal agreement on the best basic strategies for Blackjack. The Casino Coach
Blackjack program contains a basic strategy table built into the Advice window, and it is also
available for on-screen display. The table contains the strategy recommended by John Patrick.
Basic strategy should be used for a newly shuffled shoe, when card counting is not being
used, or when the count is not significant. The principle in all strategies is to balance the
probability of the player going over 21 against the probability of the dealer having a pat hand
(count between 17 and 21). The player’s decision in hitting or standing is based on the
dealer’s face up card, which determines the probability of the dealer’s final point count.
INSURANCE
Insurance should never be taken unless the player has been counting cards. This bet has a
large casino advantage unless the deck is rich in high cards.
CARD COUNTING
Card counting is the most effective and proven strategy for playing Blackjack. If used
skillfully, it can reduce or eliminate the casino advantage.
Casino Coach Blackjack includes several video clips in which John Patrick describes the
important elements of card counting. The program also includes an optional Show Count
window which you can use to practice and develop your skills. Use the video clips and Show
Count window to learn and practice the basic principles of card counting, then practice
without the window to test your skill. Playing in the casinos is fast; this program lets you
learn at your own speed until you develop the skill to play faster and are ready for the high-
speed casino action.
A complete discussion of card counting theory is beyond the scope of this manual. The
following is a brief discussion of the basic concepts. For more information consult the John
Patrick video clips included with Casino Coach (click the Video Clips button in the toolbar).
As cards are played, the composition of the remaining cards in the shoe changes. If the player
knows the proportion of high and low cards remaining, betting and playing strategy can be
optimized. Effective use of card counting requires concentration and practice. The player
must keep mental track of the high and low cards played, and must also memorize the proper
betting and playing decisions.
A larger proportion of high cards remaining in the shoe favors the player. High cards increase
the probability of getting Blackjack and also improve the chance of drawing a high card on
Doubles. In addition, since the dealer must hit on 12 to 16, the chance of the dealer busting is
greater. The advantage goes to the player because he can stand on 12 to 16. On the other

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hand, a high proportion of low cards favors the dealer. Doubles are less favorable and the
dealer’s chance of drawing a low card on 12 to 16 are improved.
CARD COUNTING METHODS
Several card counting methods are reviewed below. Casino Coach Blackjack can be set up to
count cards using any of these methods, or you can set up a custom method.
John Patrick Method
Two groups of cards are defined: low and high. Low cards (Ace through 9) have a count value
of +1. High cards (10’s and picture cards) have a count value of -2. The running count begins
with an offset (start count) of +45 for a single-deck shoe. The shoe begins to become “rich”
when the count reaches +49.
The start count is reduced by four for each additional deck in the shoe. This accounts for the
larger number of low cards that must come out before the count reaches +49 and the shoe
becomes rich.
No. of Decks Start Count
1 +45
2 +41
4 +33
6 +25
8 +27 (see note)
Note: For an 8-deck shoe the start count would be +17 following the rule. However, we adjust
it to +27 to avoid the count going to a minus value, which makes it more difficult to count at
high speed. The shoe then becomes rich at +59 instead of +49.
Low/High Ratio Method
Two groups of cards are defined: low and high. Low cards are 3-6 and high cards are 10 or
picture cards. A single deck contains 16 of each group; a four-deck shoe has 64 of each group.
The low group is treated as the numerator of a fraction and the high group as the denominator.
At the beginning of a new four-deck shoe, the fraction has a value of one, or 64/64. Each
time a low card appears, you deduct one from the numerator and each time a high card
appears you deduct one from the denominator. For example, if the first hand included two 3’s,
one 4, one 10, two Jacks, and one King, the resulting ratio would be 61/60.
A fraction less than one means that more high cards remain than low cards, so the deck is rich
(+count). A fraction greater than one means the deck is poor (-count). The degree to which
the deck is considered rich or poor is determined by the actual value of the fraction. A
fraction of 61/60 would be statistically meaningless, but a fraction of 20/10 would be very
meaningful. As the number of remaining cards decreases towards the shuffle point, the
potential for a meaningful count grows rapidly.
High-Low Count Method
This is an easier but less accurate method of counting cards. Begin with a count of zero.
Whenever a card from the low group appears, add one; whenever a card from the high group
appears, subtract one. When the count is plus, the deck is rich (favorable). When the count is
minus, the deck is poor (unfavorable). The magnitude of the count must be evaluated relative
to the number of cards remaining. A count of +3 with 20 cards or less remaining is highly
favorable but a count of +3 with 100 cards remaining would be insignificant.

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Differential Count Method

This card counting method is quite accurate but more complex. 2’s through 7’s have a count
value of +1, 8’s have a value of 0, and 9’s,10’s, picture cards and Aces have a value of -1.
On each deal count the total number of cards dealt as well as the total number of 9’s, 10’s,
picture cards, and aces. Make a mental note of the number of 8’s. First, subtract the number
of 8’s from the total number of cards dealt. Then subtract the number of high cards (9’s
through aces). The difference will be the number of low cards (2 through 7). The difference
between the high and low groups is the Differential Count for that deal. If the low cards
exceed the high cards, the count is plus; otherwise the count is minus. The count is carried
over to the next deal and updated after each deal. At first this may seem somewhat
complicated, but in practice it is not that difficult. An example is below.
Suppose a deal has been completed and a total of 18 cards were dealt. You scan the cards and
note that there were 6 high cards and one 8. Subtract one for the 8, leaving 17. Since there
were 6 high cards, there must have been 11 low cards (17 minus 6). The count for the hand is
+5 (11 minus 6).
Although this method is more accurate than the simple high-low count, it has the same
caution that the significance of the count depends on the number of cards remaining.
BETTING STRATEGY WITH CARD COUNTING
The skilled card counter increases bets when the remaining cards are rich in high cards, and
decreases bets when the remaining cards are poor in high cards.
PLAYING STRATEGY WITH CARD COUNTING
Basic playing strategy was covered previously. If card counting is being used, the strategy
should be modified in accordance with the proportion of high cards to low cards remaining in
the shoe. Two examples follow:
Example 1
The player is holding 14 against a dealer’s 10. Basic Strategy says the player should hit.
However, if the deck is rich in high cards the player should stand, because the chance of
busting is very high.
Example 2
The player is holding 14 against a dealer’s 5. Basic Strategy says the player should stand.
However, if the deck is poor in high cards the player should hit, because the player and the
dealer both have a good chance of drawing a small card.
Correct usage of these types of modified strategies reduces the casino advantage.
TRUE COUNT
It is essential to recognize that the running count is only meaningful in relation to the number
of cards remaining in the shoe. The fewer cards remaining, the more significant the count.
The generally accepted approach to adjusting the run count is to divide the run count by the
number of half-decks remaining in the shoe. The result of this calculation is called the true
count.

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Craps
Overview
Craps is a fast and exciting game with many different types of bets. Although the betting and
payoff rules are fairly complex, when Craps is played skillfully it offers one of the lowest
house advantages in the casino . It is well worth the effort to learn how to play Craps
correctly. There are four types of bets, Right, Wrong, Proposition, and Single Roll. Each type
of bet is described below.
RIGHT BETS
The player bets with the shooter, winning if 7 or 11 are rolled on the come-out roll (the first
dice roll), and losing if 2, 3, or 12 are rolled. If any other value is rolled, this value becomes
the point. If the point is rolled before a 7, you win. If 7 is rolled before the point, then you
lose. Right bets include the following:
• Pass
• Come
• Odds

Casino Coach Craps Screen

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WRONG BETS
The player bets against the shooter, winning if 2 or 3 are rolled on the come-out roll, and
losing if 7 or 11 are rolled. If 12 is rolled the result is a tie. If any other value is rolled, this
value becomes the point. If 7 is rolled before the point, you win. If the point is rolled before a
7 is rolled, you lose. Wrong bets include the following:
• Don’t Pass
• Don’t Come
• Odds
Note that in the special case of a 12 rolled on a Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet, the wrong
bettor does not win; the bet is carried over to the next roll.
PROPOSITION BETS
The player bet on specific dice values or combinations, independent of whether the shooter
wins or loses. Proposition bets include the following:
• Big 6
• Big 8
• Hardway
• Place
• Buy
• Lay
Note that Buy and Lay are special forms of Right and Wrong bets.
SINGLE ROLL BETS
The player bets on the results of the next roll. Single Roll bets include the following:
• Field
• Horn
• Any Craps
• 2
• 3
• 7
• 11
• 12
LEARN THE TABLE FEATURE
It is sometimes difficult for even an experienced player to remember all of the complex odds
and payoffs in Craps. Casino Coach lets you learn and practice all of the bets used in casino-
style Craps. Detailed explanations of the rules and payoffs are covered in this tutorial. Casino
Coach also includes a special Learn the Table feature, that offers context-sensitive help at the
click of the mouse.
To view helpful information, click the right mouse button on any area on the table (avoid
clicking on a chip stack). A window opens describing the area, the betting rules, and the
payoff odds. If the sound is on, you will also hear John Patrick’s comments on the bet. Click
the mouse button again to close the window.

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Betting Rules and Payoffs

PASS / DON’T PASS / COME / DON’T COME
All of the above listed bets pay even money, or 2:1. Pass and Don’t Pass can be bet only on
the come-out roll. A new come-out roll occurs when the game starts and after existing Pass or
Don’t Pass bets have been decided.
The Pass bet wins if 7 or 11 are rolled on the come-out roll, and loses if 2, 3, or 12 (Craps)
are rolled on the come-out roll. If any other number is rolled on the come-out roll a point is
established. The bet is a carry-over and is left on the table until it is decided. On subsequent
rolls, the bet wins if the point is rolled, and loses if 7 is rolled.
Don’t Pass is the opposite of Pass, with one exception. The bet wins if 2 or 3 are rolled on the
come-out roll, and loses if 7 or 11 are rolled on the come-out roll. If 12 is rolled the bet is a
push (tie) and is left on the table as a carry-over for the next roll. If any other number is
rolled, a point is established. On subsequent rolls, the Don’t Pass bet wins if a 7 is rolled, and
loses if the point is rolled.
Some casinos do not permit both Pass and Don’t Pass bets to be made at the same time. Since
many casinos do permit this, Casino Coach allows both bets on the same come-out roll.
Once a point has been established Pass bets cannot be changed or cancelled. Don’t Pass bets
can be cancelled or reduced, but not increased. If there is an active Odds bet on the Don’t
Pass bet, it must be cancelled before the Don’t Pass bet can be cancelled. If a Don’t Pass bet
is cancelled while a point is in progress, Don’t Pass cannot be bet again until the next come-
out roll.
Come and Don’t Come bets have the same rules as Pass and Don’t Pass bets. However, they
can be bet only after a come-out roll has occurred and a point is established.
After a Come or Don’t Come point is established, you can make unlimited additional Come
or Don’t Come bets. Come bets cannot be cancelled or changed after a point is established.
Don’t Come bets can be cancelled if there is no Odds bet active on the same number.
All of these bets have a low house advantage of about 1.4%. Taking Odds further reduces the
house advantage.
ODDS BETS
Odds bets can be made on Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come bets after a point has
been established. An Odds bet on Pass or Come is a bet that the point will be made before a 7
is rolled. An Odds bet on Don’t Pass or Don’t Come is a bet that 7 will be rolled before the
point. The Odds bets are in addition to the base bet that was made on the original bet. These
bets have no house advantage; the payoff is exactly equal to the odds of winning. It is very
important to practice and understand these bets, as they provide the smallest house advantage.
Taking Full Odds reduces the house advantage to about 0.8%. If Double Odds is offered the
house advantage is reduced to about 0.6%. These are the lowest house advantages available in
most casinos.
The Odds payoff rules are complex because the payoff depends upon the point established on
the base bet. Unless you are an experienced Craps player, repeated practice is necessary to
become familiar with these bets and take full advantage of their potential.

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For Odds bets on Pass or Come the payoff rules are as follows:
If the Point is: Payoff is:
4 or 10 2:1
5 or 9 3:2
6 or 8 6:5
For Odds bets on Don’t Pass or Don’t Come, the chances of winning are higher, therefore the
payoffs are lower:
If the Point is: Payoff is:
4 or 10 1:2
5 or 9 2:3
6 or 8 5:6
Some casinos require that Odds bets are off on the come-out roll (meaning they cannot win or
lose). This situation occurs when there are Odds bets on Come or Don’t Come, and the
original Pass or Don’t Pass point is rolled. The Setup menu in Casino Coach Craps has an
option which allows you to set this rule on or off.
ODDS BET LIMITS
Casinos limit the amount on Odds bets because there is no house advantage. Depending on
the casino, two types of limits are generally used: Single Full Odds and Double Full Odds.
Single Full Odds (sometimes called Free Odds) is the most common, but Double Full Odds
are used at some casinos. All of the limits are related to the amount of the base bet on which
you are taking odds. The Casino Coach Craps program automatically sets odds bets to the
maximum allowable amount, unless you use the Odds Override option (explained later),
which allows you to place any amount on the odds bet.
Full Odds—For Pass and Come bets, the odds bet can be larger than the base bet, but only up
to the next higher amount that produces a correct payoff (without fractional dollars). For
example, if $5.00 is bet on Pass and the pass point is 5, you can bet up to $6.00 on the odds
bet. This is permissible because the payoff is 3:2. However, if the pass point is 6.00, you are
limited to $5.00 on the odds bet (6:5 payoff).
Base Bet Point Odds Bet Payoff
5 4/10 5 10
5 5/9 6 9
5 6/8 5 6
For Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets, Single Full Odds also allows the odds bet to be higher
than the base bet, up to the next higher bet that produces both an even payoff and a payoff
which is at least equal to the base bet.
Base Bet Point Odds Bet Payoff
5 4/10 10 5
5 5/9 9 6
5 6/8 6 5
Double Full Odds odds bets can be twice as large as allowed in Single Full Odds. As noted
above, casinos which offer this option provide the lowest overall house advantage if full use
is taken of Odds bets.

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PLACE BETS
A Place bet is a bet that a specific number will be rolled before a 7 is rolled. Place bets can be
made on the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
Place bets can be made anytime except during the come-out roll. The bet wins if the number
you selected is rolled, and loses if a 7 is rolled. Otherwise the bet is carried over to the next
roll. In some casinos, Place bets are off on the come-out roll (meaning then cannot win or
lose). Except during the come-out roll, you can leave the bets in place, change them, cancel
them, or set them off. The Craps program in Casino Coach has a Setup option that allows you
to set the casino rules for Odds and Place Bets.
As in the case of Odds bets, the payoff is determined by the value of the point. However, the
payoff is adjusted to create a house advantage. You must bet the correct amount to get
maximum payoff.
If the Point is: Payoff is:
4/10 9:5
5/9 7:5
6/8 7:6
The house advantage in Place bets varies with the numbers placed. For 6 and 8, the advantage
is about 1.5%, which is very close to Pass and Don’t Pass. However, the house advantage
increases to 4% for 5 and 9, and almost 7% for 4 and 10. Many experienced Craps players
like to use Place bets on 6 and 8 while avoiding Place bets on the other numbers.
HARDWAY BETS
Hardway bets may be made at any time. All of them have the same basic rules. If the hard
combination of the selected number (for example, 3 and 3 for a hard 6) is rolled the bet wins.
If either 7 or an “easy” combination of the number is rolled (5 and 1 or 4 and 2), the bet
loses. If none of these are rolled, the bet is carried over. The payoffs for Hard 6 and Hard 8
are larger than Hard 4 or Hard 10 because there are more easy combinations of 6 and 8.
Bet Payoff
Hard 4 7:1
Hard 6 9:1
Hard 8 9:1
Hard 10 7:1
The house advantages for these bets are high, about 9% for 6 and 8, and 11% for 4 and 10.
Experienced players generally avoid these bets.
BIG 6, BIG 8
Big 6 pays even money. The bet wins if 6 is rolled and loses if 7 is rolled; otherwise the bet is
a push (treated as a carry-over).
Big 8 pays even money. The bet wins if 8 is rolled and loses if 7 is rolled; otherwise the bet is
a push (treated as a carry-over).
These bets have a house advantage of about 9%. Experienced players generally avoid these bets.

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BUY AND LAY BETS

Buy and Lay bets are bets for (Buy) or against (Lay) a specific number coming up before
seven comes up. They can be placed on any of the point numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. The
payoffs are identical to those for Odds bets. Since these bets have no house advantage, the
casino charges a commission (also known as vigorish).
For Buy bets the commission is 5% of the total amount bet. The commission cannot be less
than the table minimum, therefore the minimum Buy bet is 20 times the table minimum. Any
lesser bet would result in a commission greater than 5%. Bets should only be made in
multiples of the table minimum, because the commission is always rounded off to the next
higher multiple of the table minimum. With a table minimum of $1.00, the commission on a
bet of $20.00 would be $1.00. The commission on a bet of $30.00 jumps to $2.00, which is
the same as the commission on a bet of $40.00.
To further illustrate Buy bets, a bet of $20.00 (actually $21.00 with the commission) has the
following payoffs:
Number Payoff Profit
4 or 10 $60.00 $39.00
5 or 9 $50.00 $29.00
6 or 8 $44.00 $23.00
Lay bets are similar to Buy bets, except that the player is betting that seven will come up
before the number. In this case the 5% commission is based on the amount of the payoff
rather than the amount of the bet. Since the minimum commission is still the table minimum,
the minimum bets are those that pay off in multiples of 20 times the table minimum. For a
$1.00 table minimum, the minimum bets are $40.00 on 4 and 10, $30.00 on 5 and 9, and
$24.00 on 6 and 8 (plus the $1.00 commission). The resulting payoff and profit are as
follows:
Number Bet Payoff Profit
4 or 10 $41.00 $60.00 $19.00
5 or 9 $31.00 $50.00 $19.00
6 or 8 $25.00 $44.00 $19.00
The house advantage for Buy bets is actually 4.762%, not 5%, because the average loss is one
unit for every 21 units bet. For Lay bets, the house advantage is even less because the
commission is a smaller percentage of the bet. Lay bets on 4 or 10 have a house advantage of
only 2.44%. Therefore Lay bets are always preferable to Buy bets.
Buy and Lay bets can be placed, taken down, or changed any time during the betting cycle.
In Casino Coach Craps, the commission must be at least $1.00 for Buy and Lay bets. When
these bets are made, the amount of the bet is automatically adjusted to account for the
commission.

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SINGLE ROLL BETS

Single Roll bets can be made at any time. The outcome is determined by the next roll after
the bet. All of these bets have very high house advantages and should be avoided unless
you’re playing hunches.
Field
Pays off even money, except 2:1 if 2 or 12 are rolled.
Wins on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, otherwise loses.
Any Craps
Pays off 8:1. Wins on 2, 3, 12, otherwise loses.
2, 3, 7, 11, 12
Wins if the number is rolled, otherwise loses.
7 pays 4:1
3 and 11 pay 14:1
2 and 12 pay 29:1
Horn
The Horn bet is a bet on the four surrounding bets; 2, 3, 11, and 12. The payoff is the same as
the payoff for 2, 3, 11, and 12 for one-fourth of the Horn bet.

Betting Strategy
All bets in casino craps (except odds bets), have a house advantage with regard to the
probability of winning. As in all casino games, in the long run players will lose more often
than they win. There is, however, a significant difference in the house advantage for each of
the bets, as listed in the following table:
Bet House Advantage
Don’t Pass 1.402%
Don’t Come 1.402%
Pass 1.414%
Come 1.414%
Place 6 Or Place 8 1.515%
Lay 4 Or Lay 10 2.439%
Lay 5 Or Lay 9 3.225%
Lay 6 Or Lay 8 4.000%
All Buy Bets 4.762%
Place 5 Or Place 9 4.000%
Field 5.556%
Place 4 Or Place 10 6.667%
Big 6 Or Big 8 9.091%
Hard 6 Or Hard 8 9.091%
Hard 4 Or Hard 10 11.111%
Any Craps 11.111%
2, 3, 7, 11, Or 12 16.667%

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The higher the house advantage, the harder it is to win. For example, bets on Place 5 or Place
9 have an advantage of 4.000%. This means that, out of every one-hundred bets, the most
likely outcome is fifty-two losses and forty-eight wins.
Obviously, players should emphasize the bets having the lowest house advantage—Don’t
Pass, Don’t Come, Pass, Come, Place 6, and Place 8. All other bets should be avoided by
serious players, except on a “hunch” basis. Of course, no one can predict what will happen on
a single roll; sometimes hunches pay off.
The odds bets are the only ones that have no house advantage. However, since Pass, Come, or
Don’t bets are required before an odds bet can be made, there will always be some house
advantage. By always taking the maximum allowable odds bets, the house advantage can be
reduced to as little as 0.84% for Full Odds and 0.6% for Double Odds.

Play Options Help Video Clips Exit

Casino Coach Craps Toolbar

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 Tutorial

Keno
Overview
Keno, one of the most popular casino games, is a form of lottery that provides an opportunity
to win as much as $50,000.00 for a $1.00 investment. However, Keno provides much more
action than the usual lottery. There are many interesting and different ways to bet the
numbers, all of which are available in Casino Coach. By playing Casino Coach Keno you
will learn how it can be the easiest casino game to play, or one of the most complex. You will
also see how it can be an inexpensive form of gambling with a potentially high payoff, or an
expensive form of gambling that would thrill any high roller.
Keno consists of 80 Ping-Pong balls numbered from 1 through 80, contained in a wire cage
or a transparent bowl (called a Goose). When the game is played, twenty balls are randomly
selected by air pressure blowing them out of the goose (essentially the same method used in
state lotteries) .
Before the game, the player selects one or more groups of numbers by marking them on a
ticket. Depending on how many numbers have been marked, wins occur when a certain
number of the marked numbers are matched by the numbers on the balls drawn.

Casino Coach Keno Screen

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Casino Coach

Marking the Ticket

Before each game is played, you must mark the ticket with one or more groups of numbers.
The marked numbers are called spots. There are several ways to mark Keno tickets with
different groups and combinations. Using various combinations makes the game more
interesting and exciting.
The various ways you can bet tickets are described below.
STRAIGHT TICKETS
This is the simplest method. You mark only one group and the payoff is based on that single
grouping. For example, if you mark six numbers, the payoff is based on how many of the six
numbers are caught (check the Rate Card option). You will have only one bet on the single
group.
SPLIT TICKETS
A Split Ticket has two or more groups marked. The payoff is based on each grouping separate
from the others, as if you had two separate Straight Tickets. For example, you mark one six-
number group and one three-number group. You make two bets, one on each group. Either or
both groups may win a payoff depending on the numbers that are caught.
WAY TICKETS
A Way Ticket has three or more groups, each of which has an equal number of spots. The
payoff is based on each group in combination with the others. This starts to get a little
complicated; an example follows.
Suppose you bet three groups of three numbers each, and those groups were:
1-2-3
7-8-9
20-21-22
A Way bet will have a bet for each of three groups of six numbers. Each six-number group is
obtained as a combination of two of the three groups. The six-number groups would be:
1-2-3-7-8-9
1-2-3-20-21-22
7-8-9-20-21-22
Note that a $1.00 Way bet will actually be a $3.00 bet since you are betting on three different
combinations, and have three chances to win.

Play Options Help Video Clips Exit

Casino Coach Keno Toolbar

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 Tutorial

COMBINATION TICKETS
Similar to Way tickets, Combination Tickets have two or more groups marked. The payoff is
based on each group taken in combination with each other group. Combination Tickets,
however, can have groups of unequal size; an example follows.
Suppose you mark three groups as follows:
1-2
9-10-11
20-21-22-23
A Combination Ticket can have a bet for:
Each of the three groups separately
1-2
9-10-11
20-21-22-23
Each group together with another group
1-2-9-10-11
1-2-20-21-22-23
9-10-11-20-21-22-23
All groups taken together
1-2-9-10-11-20-21-22-23
Note: If you make all the bets you will have a total of seven bets.
KING TICKETS
King Tickets are a special case of Combination Tickets, where one or more groups has a
single number (called a King). The King number can then be bet in combination with any
other groups.
The maximum size of a group is 15 numbers, and the maximum numbers in a bet is also 15.
Therefore, any combinations that would create bets containing more than 15 numbers, are not
recognized.

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Payoffs
The payoff odds for Keno depend upon how many numbers have been spotted (marked), and
the number of catches. A catch occurs when a number is drawn that matches one of the spots
(numbers) that the player has selected.
The table below lists the payoffs as they are set up in Casino Coach, based on a $1.00 bet.
This schedule is typical of most casinos, although there is some variation among casinos.
Before you play Keno at a casino you should ask for their Rate Card, which will list their
payoff schedule.
Mark Winning Spots Ticket Pays
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .720
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1480
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .380
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8000
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1480
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25000
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4000
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25000

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Mark Winning Spots Ticket Pays

10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .960
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4000
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25000
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1800
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12000
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28000
12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1480
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12000
12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36000
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .720
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4000
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8000
12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25000
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36000
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1000
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3200
12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16000
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25000
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40000

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Mark Winning Spots Ticket Pays

15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2600
12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8000
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25000
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32000
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40000

As evident from studying the table, big payoffs come only when a player marks and bets on a
large number of spots.
To view the Casino Coach Keno Rate Card, click on the Options button in the toolbar, and
select the Rate Card tab.
Although you can bet more than $1.00, casinos generally limit the payoff on any one game to
$50,000.00. If you made a $2.00 bet and hit the $40,000.00 payoff, your winning amount will
only be $50,000.00 (less other player’s winnings on that hand).

House Advantage
Keno has the highest house advantage of any casino game, generally ranging between 25%
and 37%, depending on the specific payoff amounts provided by the casino. The
compensating factor for the player is that Keno has an extremely high payoff potential. Keno
is one of the most popular games because, like all lotteries, players can win a great deal of
money for a small bet.
There is no way to play Keno to beat the house advantage other than the uncertain charting
approach discussed below. However, there are some bets that should be avoided. A one-spot
pays only 2:1. For this kind of return, the player is better off with other games such as
Roulette, which has a much lower house advantage. Similar logic applies to two-spot bets.
We suggest that you play for the bigger payoffs, six-spots or above. The six-spot returns
nearly $1,500.00 for a $1.00 bet, so a hit there is well worth the investment.
Some players chart the games in order to detect hot numbers that seem to come up more often
than others. The theory behind this is that Keno balls are physical objects. They can get dirty
or slightly worn. These changes could affect the weight and the probability of the ball being
drawn. Of course charting will have no effect on the computer program, since the drawing of
the balls is totally random. However, it is something you might like to try at the casino.
Although charting is a very uncertain approach, it can’t increase the house advantage and
may provide a modest improvement for the serious player.

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Pai Gow Poker

Overview
Pai Gow Poker is derived from an ancient Chinese game. Its an exciting game that has
become increasingly popular in casinos. It offers fast action and interesting strategic
challenges in playing the hands.

Pai Gow Rules

BASIC PLAY
In Pai Gow Poker there are one or more players and a banker. The banker is usually the
dealer, although players are periodically given the opportunity to be the banker. The players
and banker are each dealt seven cards. These must be set by dividing them into two separate
poker hands, a two-card hand and a five-card hand. The two-card hand (known as the low or
front hand) must rank lower than the five-card hand (known as the high hand). If it does not,
the hand is considered fouled and it automatically loses.

Casino Coach Pai Gow Screen

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Casino Coach

Note that there cannot be straights, flushes, etc. in the two-card hand. The highest possible
two-card hand is a pair of Aces.
Hands are ranked using standard poker hand rankings. The player wins if both his low hand
and high hand are ranked higher than the banker’s hands. If the player wins only one hand,
the result is a push (tie). If the player loses both hands, the result is a loss.
In the special case of a copy hand, where both the player and banker have identical rankings,
the banker hand wins. This usually occurs in the low hand (for example, both player and
banker have Ace-Queen).
Payoffs are even money, but the house takes a 5% commission on all winning hands.
USING THE JOKER
Most casinos use a 53-card deck with one Joker. The Joker is wild only when used in
Straights, Flushes, Straight Flushes, or Royal Flushes. In Straights, Straight Flushes, or Royal
Flushes the Joker becomes the highest value and suit of the card required to complete the
hand. In Flushes it becomes the highest value card that is absent. When used alone, the Joker
becomes an Ace. The Joker cannot be used to create pairs, nor can it be used to create three,
four, or five of a kinds with cards other than Aces.
CASINO PROCEDURES
In the casino, the dealer first shuffles the deck, then deals seven face-down stacks of seven
cards each in front of the chip rack. There are always seven stacks regardless of the number
of players. The dealer then rolls a dice cup with three dice and distributes the stacks to the
players in a sequence determined by the total of the dice rolled.
The players set their hands and place them face down on the table. After all players have set
their hands, the dealer turns over his stack and sets the hand in accordance with
predetermined house rules. As with Blackjack, the dealer has no discretion and must use the
house rules. Each casino has its own set of house rules which may vary from aggressive to
conservative (these strategies are explained later in this tutorial). The dealer then compares
the hands and determines wins and losses.
The house (dealer) is the banker for the first hand played at a table. Thereafter, the bank
alternates between the dealer and each player in turn around the table. A player may pass on
the opportunity, in which case the next player is given the option of banking. After a player
plays a hand as the banker, the next hand always reverts to the dealer as banker. Therefore the
house will be banker at least 50% of the time. When a player is the banker, the house
becomes another player. The player banker must have sufficient funds to cover all other bets
on the table (including the house bet). The player banker may also co-bank with the house,
reducing the funds required to 50% of the total bets. In the co-bank situation, all wins and
losses are divided equally between the player banker and the house. A player can bank only
once for each rotation around the table.
Note: The house collects its 5% commission regardless of who is banking.

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Casino Coach Pai Gow Set Hand Dialog Box

CASINO COACH PROCEDURES

In Casino Coach, the procedures have been simplified to speed up play. The card stacking and
dice rolls are not used; the cards are dealt directly to the players and the dealer. The bank
does not alternate; however, an option is provided which allows the player to be banker and
play against the dealer.
The main objective in playing Casino Coach is to provide the opportunity to practice setting
hands and observe the results of various strategies.

Strategies
Strategies for setting hands can range from conservative to aggressive. In a conservative
strategy (also known as the Fair Way) the objective is to make at least one of the hands as
strong as possible. This increases the probability of a push and decreases the probability of
losing both hands. Of course the probability of a win is also decreased. An aggressive
strategy tries to make both hands reasonably strong, often resulting in neither hand being as
strong as possible. This increases the probability of winning or losing both hands and
decreases the probability of a push.
Most casinos use a form of conservative strategy as their house strategy. Some may use an
aggressive strategy (an example is Maxim’s in Las Vegas). Most casinos will provide players
with a written copy of their hand setting rules upon request. Casinos will also assist a player
in setting a hand.

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The video clips provided with Casino Coach contain a number of strategy recommendations
by Bill Zender, the casino manager at Maxim’s, as well as sound clips by John Patrick with
advice for each type of hand you may be dealt (click on the Video Clips button in the toolbar).
The following examples illustrate the difference between the conservative and aggressive
strategies:
Cards dealt: 5-5-6-6-7-Q-2
• A conservative strategy would keep two pair in the high hand, and the Q-7 in the low hand.
• An aggressive strategy would split the pairs, putting a pair of 6’s in the high hand, and a
pair of 5’s in the low hand.
Cards dealt: 7-8-9-10-J-10-7
• A conservative strategy would place the Straight in the high hand, and 10-7 in the low hand.
• An aggressive strategy would split the Straight, putting a pair of 10’s in the high hand, and
a pair of 7’s in the low hand.
Cards dealt: 8-8-Joker-10-J-Q-Q
• A conservative strategy would use the Joker as a 9, place the Straight in the high hand, and
Q-8 in the low hand.
• An aggressive strategy would split the Straight, putting a pair of Queens in the high hand
and a pair of 8’s in the low hand.
Because of the vast number of possible combinations, the strategies can become quite
complex. It is beyond the scope of this tutorial to cover all the possible strategies.
Typical conservative and aggressive house strategies, excerpted from Bill Zender’s book
“Pai Gow Power—Understanding Procedures and Strategies” are described below. Note that
the conservative strategy described is designated as the “Fair Way” in Casino Coach.
CONSERVATIVE STRATEGY
No Pair
• Use second and third highest ranked cards in the low hand.
One Pair
• Always use the pair in the high hand and the next two highest ranking cards in the low
hand.
Two Pairs
• Keep the two pairs in the high hand if the pairs are both 5’s or less; otherwise split and play
the lower pair in the low hand. If you have an Ace (not one of the pairs), play it in the low
hand and play both pairs in the high hand, if one of the following conditions occurs: (a)
both pairs are 7 or less, or (b) the high pair is 10’s or better and the low pair is 6’s or lower.
• All other combinations split the pairs and play the lowest pair in the low hand.

Play Options Help Video Clips Exit

Casino Coach Pai Gow Toolbar

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Three Pairs
• Play the highest pair in the low hand.
Three Of A Kind
• Always keep in the high hand unless you have 3 Aces.
• If you have 3 Aces, play one Ace in the low hand and a pair of Aces in the high hand.
• With two Three of a Kinds, play a pair of the highest three in the low hand.
Straights
• Always play the Straight in the high hand, unless the condition noted below occurs.
• With additional Straight cards, play the highest other two cards in the low hand.
• With two pairs and a Straight, keep the Straight in the high hand unless the two pairs are
both 10’s or better. If the two pairs are 10’s or better, split the Straight; play the low pair in
the low hand and the high pair in the high hand.
Flushes
• Always play the Flush in the high hand, unless the following conditions occur.
– When holding extra Flush cards, play the highest two other cards in the low hand.
– With two pairs and a Flush, keep the Flush in the high hand unless the two pairs are
both 10’s or better. If the two pairs are 10’s or better, split the Flush; play the low pair in
the low hand and the high pair in the high hand.
Full House
• Always split and play the pair in the low hand.
• With two pairs and three of a kind, play the highest pair in the low hand.
Four Of A Kind
• With four 8’s or less, play the four of a kind in the high hand.
• With four 9’s or better and no Ace or other pair, split and play one pair in the low hand and
one pair in the high hand.
• With four 9’s or better and an Ace or another pair, play the four of a kind in the high hand
and the Ace or pair in the low hand.
• Always split four Ace’s.
Straight and Royal Flushes
• Always play the Flush in the high hand.
• When holding extra Flush cards, play the highest two other cards in the low hand.
Five Aces
• Always split and play two Aces in the low hand.
AGGRESSIVE STRATEGY
No Pair
• Use second and third highest ranked cards in the low hand.
One Pair
• Always use the pair in the high hand, and the next two highest ranking cards in the low
hand.

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Two Pairs
• Always split and play the lowest pair in the low hand, unless one of the following
conditions occur:
– If the pairs are both 5’s or less, or if one pair is 5’s or less and the other pair is 10 or
less, keep both pairs in the high hand if a King (not part of the two pairs) or better can
be played in the low hand.
– If the pairs are both 6’s through 10’s, or if one pair is 5’s or less and the other pair is
Jacks or better, keep both pairs in the high hand if an Ace (not part of the two pairs) can
be played in the low hand.
Three Pairs
• When holding three pairs, play the highest pair in the low hand and the remaining pairs in
the high hand.
Three Of A Kind
• Always keep in the high hand unless you have 3 Aces.
• If you have 3 Aces, play one Ace in the low hand and a pair of Aces in the high hand.
• With two three of a kinds, play a pair of the highest three in the low hand.
All Straights, Flushes, and Straight Flushes (Including Royal Flushes)
• When there is a choice of playing either a Straight, Flush, or Straight Flush, play the hand
which allows the highest two cards in the low hand.
• With a Straight or Straight Flush which is Ace high and includes a Joker, play two Aces
(the Ace and Joker) in the high hand and the next two highest cards in the low hand. If the
hand can be played as a lower Straight, play the Straight in the high hand and the Ace in
the low hand.
• With Ace or Joker and a pair of 10’s through King’s, play Ace or Joker in the low hand and
the pair in the high hand. Play the pair in the high hand only if the low hand can be
improved.
• With two pairs, three pairs, three of a kind, or Full House along with a Straight, Flush, or
Straight Flush, use the two pairs, three pairs, three of a kind, or Full House rule.
Full House
• Always split and play the pair in the low hand.
• With two pairs and three of a kind, play the highest pair in the low hand.
Four Of A Kind
• With four 7’s or less, play the four of a kind in the high hand.
• With four 8’s or better and no Ace or other pair, split and play one pair in the low hand and
one pair in the high hand.
• With four 8’s or better and an Ace or another pair, play the four of a kind in the high hand
and the Ace or pair in the low hand.
• Always split four Ace’s.
Five Aces
• Always split and play two Aces in the low hand.

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Red Dog
Overview
Red Dog is now available in many casinos. The playing rules are relatively easy and the
action is lightning fast. The hand starts with two cards being dealt face-up on the table. If the
cards are non-consecutive (and do not match), players then get the chance to bet on whether a
third dealt card will fall between the values of the first two cards. The payoff depends on the
spread between the first two cards. Players can raise their bets before the third card is dealt.
This game is also known as Acey-Deucey or In-Between.

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Basic Rules
After all bets are made, two cards are dealt face-up on the table. Card values are as follows:
Card Value
2 through 10 Face value
Jacks 11
Queens 12
Kings 13
Aces 14

The spread is the separation between the two cards. The payoff is based on the spread, as
follows:
Spread Payoff
1 5:1
2 4:1
3 2:1
4-11 1:1

Before the third card is dealt, players have the opportunity to raise their bets up to the amount
of their original bet.
If the first two cards are consecutive (in other words, the spread equals 0), the hand is a tie
and the player’s bet is returned. If the first two cards have the same value, the player cannot
lose; however, the bet cannot be raised. A third card is dealt immediately. If it matches the
first two cards the bet is paid off at 11:1, otherwise the hand is a tie.
RAISING BETS
Bets can be raised before the third card is played. The raise can be any the amount up to the
original bet, but it cannot be larger than the individual bet.

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Probabilities and Strategy

In order to maximize your chances of winning at Red Dog, you must raise your bets in
relationship to the spread. If you play without raising any bets, the house advantage is about
8.1%. This means that, on the average, if you play 1,000 hands and bet $1, you will lose $81.
If you raised every bet to the maximum, the house advantage will remain essentially the
same. However, if you raise only when the spread is in your favor, i.e., the probability of
winning is greater than 50%, the house advantage is reduced to 2.6%. The following table
illustrates this point.
Spread Probability of Winning
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1/13 = 7.69%
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2/13 = 15.38%
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/13 = 23.08%
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4/13 = 30.77%
5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/13 = 38.46%
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6/13 = 46.15%
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7/13 = 53.85%
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8/13 = 61.54%
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8/13 = 69.23%
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10/13 = 76.92%
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11/13 = 84.62%
12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12/13 = 92.31%

The probability of winning is greater than 50% only when the spread is 7 to 11. This indicates
that you should raise a bet only when the spread is 7 or more. This is the mathematically
correct strategy to minimize the house advantage.
While the correct strategy is optimum in the long run, of course it doesn’t predict what will
happen in the short run. It doesn’t account for “hunches” and “streaks” which, as all gamblers
know, can produce surprising results for a short run of hands. Playing Red Dog with Casino
Coach gives you the change to try different strategies for different players.
A valid question can be raised as to whether card counting can reduce the house advantage. It
can have some effect as you near the bottom of the shoe, particularly with small spreads. For
example, if the first two cards were 5 and 7 with a spread of one and you knew that no 6’s
had been dealt as yet, you might want to take a chance and raise your bet. Mathematical
studies, however, have shown that using card counting will have only a minor effect on the
house advantage. Nevertheless, you might want to experiment on your own. Take advantage
of playing on the computer and experiment without risking real money.

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Roulette
Overview
Roulette is fun and easy to learn, although the house advantage is higher than games such as
Blackjack and Craps. The basic rules are straightforward. The table layout consists of areas
which represent a number or group of numbers. Bets are made by placing a chip stack on the
table. When all bets have been placed, a wheel with the corresponding numbers is spun. You
win if the number resulting from the spin matches one or more of your bets. The payoff odds
vary depending on the type of bet.
This tutorial covers the details of setup and play. Additionally, each type of bet is detailed.
AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN GAMES
The standard American Roulette game uses thirty-eight numbers: 1 through 36, plus 0 and 00.
The European version uses thirty-seven numbers: 1 through 36, plus 0. (Note that there is no
00 in the European game.) Casino Coach Roulette is the American game.
EN PRISON
The En Prison feature, offered by some casinos, returns half the player’s bet when the bet is
an even money bet and 0 or 00 comes up. Casino Coach includes the En Prison feature.

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Bets and Payoffs

Single Number Bets Payoff 35:1
The American game has thirty-eight single-number bets: each of the 36 numbers, plus 0 and
00. Place chips directly on the number.
Two Number Bets Payoff 17:1
There are sixty-two ways to bet two numbers. To place a two-number bet, place chips on the
center of the line between two adjacent number boxes. Allowable bets also include 3/00, 2/00,
0/00, 2/0, and 1/0.
Three Number Bets Payoff 11:1
There are fifteen ways to bet three numbers. To place twelve of the three number bets, place
chips on the center of the line at the bottom of a number column. Other allowable three-
number bets are 00/3/2, 00/0/2, and 0/2/1. To make these bets, place chips at the intersection
of the three boxes.
Four Number Bets Payoff 8:1
There are twenty-two ways to bet four numbers. To place a four-number bet, place chips at
the intersection of four adjacent number boxes.
Five Number Bet Payoff 6:1
One five number bet is available. The combination 0/00/1/2/3 is bet by placing chips at the
lower left table corner.
Six Number Bets Payoff 5:1
There are eleven ways to bet six numbers. To place a six-number bet, place chips on the
bottom line of the table, at the intersection of two adjacent columns.
Twelve Number Bets Payoff 2:1
There are six ways to bet twelve numbers. The three boxes labeled 1st 12, 2nd 12, and 3rd
12; and the three boxes at the right of the table labeled 2 to 1. The 1st 12 box covers numbers
1 through 12, the 2nd 12 box covers numbers 13 through 24, and the 3rd 12 box covers
numbers 25 through 36. The 2 to 1 boxes cover the 12 numbers in the corresponding row. To
make these bets, place chips inside these boxes.
Eighteen Number Bets Payoff 1:1
These are the six even money bets shown in the bottom row of boxes. They include Red,
Black, Even, Odd, 1-18, and 19-36. To place these bets, place chips inside the boxes. All of
these bets lose on 0 or 00 unless the “En Prison” feature is selected (in which case only half
the bet is lost).

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Casino Coach Roulette Wheel

Betting Strategy
HOUSE ADVANTAGE
In the American game the house advantage is always 5.26%, except for the 5-number bet.
The payoffs are based on 36 numbers while there are actually 38 numbers including 0 and 00.
Therefore the player will lose, on the long-term average, 2 out of every 38 bets. For the 5-
number bet the payoff is based on 35 numbers, the average loss is 3 out of 38 bets, and the
house advantage is 7.89%. There is no reason to play the 5-number unless you have a hunch.
Compared to Blackjack and Craps, which have a house advantage around 1% (or less if
played skillfully), the Roulette player is working against a much higher chance of losing.
Nevertheless, the ease and speed of the game make it one of the most popular games for the
average player.
BETTING SYSTEMS
Mathematicians say that the house advantage in Roulette means that you cannot win, on the
average. This is true if you play for an infinitely long time. However, if you play for a
reasonable time, set realistic win/loss targets, and use a consistent betting system, you have a
chance of reaching your win target before you reach your loss target.
Throughout the long history of Roulette, many good betting systems have been devised. The
scope of this manual does not allow covering all of the popular systems. However, there are
many books on the subject which do go into complete detail.
Most of the systems are progressive; bets are increased, in accordance with wins or losses, in
a predetermined manner. If you consistently bet $1.00 on an even money bet, you can
probably play for a long time and your risk is low. You may end up with a small gain, but
more likely you’ll end up with a small loss. To win a large amount, you have to take a chance
on losing a large amount.

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The basic strategies of three classic betting systems are described below. Practice these
systems until you understand them and see how they work. Then research other systems or
make up your own variations. Note that all of these systems are based on even money bets (it
doesn’t matter which ones). Additional ideas on betting systems are provided in the Casino
Coach video clips.
D’Alembert Betting System
In this system, bets are raised one unit after each loss, and lowered one unit after each win.
This ensures that winning bets are always larger than losing bets. The profit should be about
one-half unit for each bet made, provided that wins and losses are about evenly divided. The
potential problem is that a long string of losses can quickly wipe out gains made over a long
period of time. If your win target is realistic compared to your loss target, for example
$200.00 for a $1000.00 stake, you have a reasonable chance of winning.
Martingale Betting System
This is a classic system in which the bet is doubled every time you lose. When you win, you
return to your base bet. A typical sequence might be 5, 10, 20, 40, 80. Every time you win,
your net profit is increased by $5.00. Unless there is a long sequence of losses, your winnings
will accumulate slowly but steadily. The goal is to reach your win target before a long string
of losses wipes you out. This is an example of the “up-as-you-lose” type of system. It is
conservative in the sense that winnings build up slowly. However, it takes a lot of nerve
(when using real money) to continue the sequence as a string of losses continues.
Parlay Betting System
Parlay systems are the opposite of Martingale-type systems, in that bets are increased as you
win. With a “straight-up” doubling sequence—such as 5, 10, 20, 40, 80—you’ll win $160.00
any time there is a run of 5 consecutive wins. You’ll lose only $5.00 each time the bet loses.
Therefore, losses will mount slowly and you can probably play for a long time before you
reach your loss target. The chance of winning is less than for Martingale-type systems, but
there is a chance of winning large amounts quickly.
A more conservative approach would be to increase the bet only after you have won twice in
a row. One interesting sequence to try is 5, 5, 10, 10, 20, 30, 40. If you win the whole
sequence, your profit will be $120.00. If you win only the first two bets, then lose on the
third, you’ll break even. If you lose on the fourth or fifth bet, you’ll win $10.00. You’ll win
$20.00 if you lose on the sixth bet and $40.00 if you lose on the seventh bet.
OTHER BETS
The non-even money bets do not readily fit into progressive betting systems. Complex
systems can be devised in which the progression is tied to the payoff odds, but these systems
have no particular advantage. If you are well ahead, you might try a few high payoff bets.
One method for playing numbers or combinations is known as the “sleeper” system. If you
keep track of the results for a number of spins, say 38, and there are one or more numbers
which did not come up, these numbers are said to be “sleeping”. The method presumes that
these numbers will “wake up” and come up during the next 38 or so spins.

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7 Card Stud
Overview
If you’ve ever played poker, you’ve probably played the classic game of 7 Card Stud. The
rules for playing 7 Card Stud in a casino are somewhat different than they are in the usual
at-home games. The primary differences deal with betting; casino betting rules are specific
and mandatory. Additionally, you will find that when you win, you receive only 95% of the
pot; the casino receives the remaining 5%. The casino does not participate in the play; their
role is to deal the cards and keep track of the money. For this they receive a 5% commission
(also known as vigorish) from the pot.

Basic Play
The casino version of 7 Card Stud is a straight-up game with no wild cards or jokers. Play
begins with each player being dealt three cards. Two of these cards are dealt face down, and
one is dealt face up. This juncture in the game is called Third Street. After each round of
betting is complete, one more card is dealt to each player. The 4th, 5th, and 6th cards are
dealt face up and the 7th card is dealt face down. The betting rounds are called Fourth Street,
Fifth Street, Sixth Street, and Seventh Street. After all betting has been completed, the
remaining players show their hands and the player with the best 5-card poker hand takes the
pot. In the rare occasion of a tie, the pot is split.

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Casino Betting Rules

Before each hand, all players must ante an amount usually equal to 10% of the upper bet limit
($1.00 in a $10.00–$20.00 game). At Third Street the player with the lowest face card begins
the betting round. This player must make a minimum bet ($2.00 in a $10.00–$20.00 game).
The other players may fold, call, or raise. A raise would bring the Third Street bet to the
lower bet limit ($10.00 in a $10.00–$20.00 game). If there is a raise the opening bettor may
call or fold.
At Fourth Street the basic bet is the lower bet limit if there are no pairs showing. If a pair is
showing the basic bet is the upper bet limit.
From Fifth Street through Seventh Street the basic bet is the upper bet limit ($20.00 in a
$10.00–$20.00 game).
When the game is over, the casino takes 5% of the pot and the balance goes to the winner.

Strategy
7 Card Stud players are generally classified as tight (conservative), or loose (aggressive) in
their style of playing. A tight player folds unless they have a very strong hand and does not
generally bluff. A loose player stays in longer, raises aggressively, and often bluffs. Naturally
there are shades of gray between these extremes. It is important to determine the type of
player you want to be, and stick to that strategy whether you are winning or losing.
The most common fault of non-professional players is waiting too long to fold a weak hand.
Even an aggressive player must learn to recognize if their chance of winning is slight and cut
their losses early in a hand.
Take time to review the John Patrick video clip discussions about 7 Card Stud that are
included with Casino Coach (click on the Video Clips button in the toolbar). In addition to a
general overview of the game, the video selections include tips on:
• Tight/Loose Betting
• General Betting Strategy
• Tips
• Betting Strategy At Various Streets
• Odds Of Pulling Hands
• Money Management
One of the most important things to know about 7 Card Stud is that the average winning hand
is three nines. If you have anything weaker than that, the odds are good that you will lose. Of
course there will be many situations where there is the possibility of drawing a stronger hand
than three nines with the remaining cards, but you should be aware of the odds (and of course
also aware of the cards that have been played). Unless you want to be very aggressive, it is
not smart to go against the odds by trying for a long shot, such as an inside straight.

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Slots
Overview
Slot Machines are probably the most popular of all casino games. They can provide hours of
entertainment with the smallest investments in the casino, and they offer the opportunity of
hitting a big jackpot win. Slots require no playing knowledge or strategy; all you have to do
is put in your money and pull the lever.
It is important to realize that slot machines are designed to make money for the casino. Every
one of them pays out less than they take in, usually about 85-90%. If you play long enough,
you will very likely lose money. Most players play the slots for fun and accept the chance
they’re going to lose, in return for the small chance of a big win. However, there are money
management strategies that can be used to improve your chances of winning a modest amount.

Playing Slot Machines

Playing slot machines is essentially the same for all machine types. Simply insert one or more
coins and pull the handle (or tap the spin button). Depending on the machine type, you can
insert from 1 to 3 or 5 coins. If you have a winning combination you’ll hear the welcome
sound of coins coming out of the machine. If you’re lucky enough to hit a jackpot, a siren or
horn may sound, signaling a casino employee to assist you.

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Money Management
As noted earlier, the house advantage in Slots guarantees that players will lose money if they
play long enough. There are, however, money management methods that can be used to
improve your chances of winning. Take time to review the John Patrick video clip discussions
about Money Management that are included with Casino Coach (click on the Video Clips
button in the toolbar). The key to money management is to set win and loss targets before you
start playing, and to have the discipline to stick to those targets.
While it is beyond the scope of this tutorial to cover the numerous money management
strategies developed by professional gamblers and gambling instructors, basic money
management principles will be touched upon, and a few examples will be provided.
Win and loss targets should be set as a percentage of your stake (bankroll). For example,
reasonable targets might be a 50% loss target and a 20% win target. The objective is to play
until one of the targets is reached. If you start with a bankroll of $100.00, this guarantees a loss
of not more than $50.00. If you reach the win target before reaching the loss target, you have
some options. You can walk away with the winnings, or you can pocket some of the winnings
and play with the house’s money. For example, you could put $10.00 in your pocket (along with
your original bankroll), and play with the remaining $10.00. Even if you lose the $10.00, you
still walk away with $10.00 of winnings. That may not seem a lot to win, but it is definitely
better than losing. If you win another $10.00 while playing with the house’s money, stash $5.00
away. You will now be $15.00 ahead, and can continue playing with the extra $5.00.
Most people play Slots with the hope of hitting a big payoff. The odds against this, especially
with a modest bankroll, are extremely high. If your objective is to make a profit, and also to
limit your losses, using a form of money management is the only reasonable way to play
Slots. Use the Casino Coach Slots game to test and practice various money management
techniques. Try different bankrolls and targets and see how many times you can walk away a
winner. Above all, play and have fun!

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Te x a s H o l d ‘ e m
Overview
Texas Hold ‘em is the most popular poker game at casinos. The game is fast-moving and
exciting. Playing well requires good nerves and a clear understanding of the rules and the
relative strength of hands.

Playing Rules
Texas Hold ‘em is a variation of 7-card stud where, in addition to their own two cards,
players share five common cards called community cards. The dealer’s position is designated
by a dealer button which is moved clockwise to the next player after each hand. As you will
see later, a player’s position relative to the dealer’s position has important significance.
Before any cards are dealt, the two players sitting to the left of the dealer must post two
mandatory initial bets, called Blinds. (They are called blinds because they take place before
any cards are dealt, so players are blind to the possibilities of the hand.) The first player to the
left of the dealer posts the Small Blind, which is usually equal to half of the minimum bet for
the table. The next player to the left places the Big Blind, which is usually equal to the

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minimum bet for the table. In Casino Coach the Little Blind is half the value of the Big Blind.
For example, in a $10.00–$20.00 game the Big Blind is $10.00 and the Little Blind is $5.00.
Note: The amount of the blind bets vary among casinos.
After the initial required bets have been placed, two cards are dealt face down to each player.
The player to the left of the Big Blind begins the bidding. Note that this means the player
who anted the Big Blind bets last. Players that bet toward the end of the betting round have a
significant advantage because they can see how many players have folded and whether there
have been any raises. The first player betting must either call, raise, or fold. Betting then
continues clockwise around the table.
After the first round of bets is completed, three community cards—called the Flop—are dealt
face up in the center of the table. These cards are used by all players as part of their hand.
The player remaining in the game that is seated to the immediate left of the dealer begins the
next betting round, known as Fifth Street. The player can either check or bet. Betting again
continues clockwise around the table.
After that round of betting, a fourth card—called the Turn—is dealt face up in the center of
the table and the betting round known as Sixth Street takes place. Finally a fifth card—called
the River—is dealt. All players now have seven cards (the two they were dealt and the five
community cards in the center). The final round of betting, known as Seventh Street, then
takes place. The remaining players declare their hands and the player with the best 5-card
poker hand wins the pot. In the rare occasion of a tie, the pot is split.

Betting Rules
The betting amounts are set by the casino’s game bet limits, which dictate both an upper level
and a lower level. Casino Coach has three optional bet limits, $10.00–$20.00, $20.00–$40.00,
and $30.00–$60.00. The lower level determines the blind bets as well as the basic bets on the
Flop and the Turn. After the Turn is displayed, the basic bet is the upper limit.
A raise is equal to the basic bet at the current stage, that is, the lower limit through the turn
(through sixth street) and the upper limit for the final round (seventh street).
After the blinds are bet, players can either call, raise, or fold. If the Big Blind has not been
raised, the player in the Big Blind position has the option to raise his own bet.
When you win you receive 95% of the money in the pot; the casino receives the remaining
5%. The casino does not participate in the play; their role is to deal the cards and keep track
of the money. For this they receive a 5% commission (also known as vigorish) from the pot.

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Strategy
Texas Hold ‘em players are generally classified as loose or tight in their style of playing. A
tight (or conservative) player, folds unless they have a very strong hand and does not
generally bluff. A loose (or aggressive) player stays in longer, raises aggressively, and often
bluffs. Naturally there are shades of gray between these extremes. It is important to determine
what type of player you want to be and stick to that strategy whether you’re winning or
losing.
The most common fault of non-professional players is waiting too long to fold a weak hand.
Even an aggressive player must learn to recognize when their chance of winning is slight and
cut their losses early in a hand.
Take time to review the John Patrick video clip discussions about Texas Hold ‘em that are
included with Casino Coach (click on the video clips button in the toolbar). In addition to a
general overview of the game, the video selections include tips on:
• Table Position
• Hand Ranking
• The Flop
• The Turn
• The River
• Money Management
The most important decision in Texas Hold ‘em is whether to fold on the initial round of
betting. If you do not have a strong hand in the first two cards dealt, then you should
probably fold. A strong hand is a pair, an Ace-King combination, or two high cards of the
same suit (such as the Queen and Jack of clubs). Once you stay in after the first round, it is
easy to get drawn in to staying the whole way. Remember, if your first two cards are weak,
the probability of winning is low. Your position on the table relative to the dealer should also
be taken into account. If you are one of the early bidders, you will be more likely to fold
unless you have a very strong hand. If you are in a late position, you may choose to stay in
with a slightly weaker hand if a lot of players have folded and there haven’t been any raises.

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Video Poker
Overview
Video Poker is a fast and exciting game with simple betting rules. The playing rules are the
same as those used in Draw Poker. The player decides how much to bet and which cards to
discard after the initial deal. The key to playing well is knowing which cards to hold in order
to have the best chance of winning. Each hand is played with a new 52-card deck (except
Joker Poker games which use a 53-card deck).
The house advantage in Video Poker depends upon the particular game and the payoff odds
provided by the casino. The advantage is generally considered to be about 1% if all hands are
played correctly.

Games and Payoffs

There are many different types of games offered on Video Poker machines. The payoff
amount for winning hands is displayed on the machine and will vary depending on the
particular game. Four of the most common games, all of which are included in Casino Coach,
are covered in this tutorial.

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JACKS OR BETTER
Jacks or Better is the most common game. You must have at least a pair of Jacks or higher to
win. A high pair (Jacks, Queens, Kings, Aces) normally pays even money. All higher hands in
standard poker ranking pay off, including the following:
• 2 pair
• 3 of a Kind
• Straight
• Flush
• Full House
• 4 of a Kind
• Straight Flush
• Royal Flush
DEUCES WILD
In this game, each of the four deuces (2’s) is a wild card that can represent any card in the
deck. For example, if a hand contains 2-5-6-7-8, the deuce can represent a 3 or 9 therefore
making a straight. If a hand has four hearts and a 2 of clubs, the deuce can represent a heart,
therefore making a flush.
Since winning hands are much easier to obtain in this game, as opposed to Jacks or Better,
the payoffs are quite different. A player must have at least 3 of a Kind to win (such as one
pair and a deuce), and the bet normally pays even money. The payoff amounts for many of
the hands are considerably lower than they are in Jacks or Better. It is even possible to get 5
of a Kind in this game. Note that there is a special payoff for 4 deuces (much higher than 5 of
a Kind), as well as different payoffs for a natural Royal Flush (no deuces, maximum payoff)
versus a Royal Flush created by using one or more deuces (lower payoff).
Deuces Wild can be an up and down game with long winning and losing streaks; it all
depends upon the number of deuces initially dealt to you. A single deuce in the initial hand
only has a 54% chance of drawing a winning hand, while 3 deuces in the initial hand is a sure
winner with at least 4 of a Kind.
JOKER POKER—ACES AND KINGS
This game uses a 53-card deck with a Joker as the wild card. A player must have at least a
pair of Kings or a pair of Aces to win even money. The payoffs are lower than they are in
Jacks or Better, but higher than they are in Deuces Wild. As in Deuces Wild, it is possible to
get 5 of a Kind and two types of Royal Flushes.
JOKER POKER—TWO PAIRS
This game uses a 53-card deck with a Joker as the wild card. A player must have at least two
pairs to win even money. The payoffs are higher than they are in the Aces and Kings version
of this game because it is more difficult to get an even money winning hand. In this game it
is possible to get 5 of a Kind and two types of Royal Flushes. Many experts avoid this game
because of the lack of a payout for anything below two pair.

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Playing Strategy
To have the best chance of winning at Video Poker, a player must make the correct decisions
regarding which cards to hold. Mathematical studies of probability have developed ranking
charts based on the Expected Value (EV) of specific hands. The EV is calculated by assuming
that every possible draw might come up, adding up all the payoffs, and dividing by the
number of possible draws. An EV of 0.8, for example, means that you can only expect to get
80% back on that particular hand in that game with the given standard payoff table.
As a player, you don’t have to be concerned with all of the math, since Expected Values have
been calculated for all possible hands. Expected Values for each of the games in Casino
Coach Video Poker are listed below. Hands that do not require a decision (such as 5
unmatched low cards—Draw 5), and winning hands that use all 5 cards (such a Full House,
Straight Flush, etc.), are not listed.
Note that these tables are only valid for the default payoffs. Changing the payoffs will make
the tables inaccurate. Two examples of using the tables follow:
Example 1
Suppose that in a game of Jacks or Better, a player is dealt a Four-Card Flush with no high
cards, and a pair of 5’s. The player must decide whether to hold the pair, or the possible
straight. The EV table shows that the four-card straight has an EV of 0.7+ (the plus sign
indicates that the value is a little higher than 0.7), and the low pair has an EV of 0.8+. So,
according to the table, the player should hold the pair because it has a higher EV. Of course
this doesn’t predict what will actually be drawn on a single hand; it only suggests that holding
the pair has a better chance of winning.
Example 2
Suppose that in a game of Deuces Wild, a player is dealt one deuce, the 10-J-Q of hearts, and
the 10 of clubs. The player must decide whether to hold the three 10’s, or to hold the 4-card
Royal Flush. According to the table, the EV for three of a kind is 2+ while the EV for a 4-
card Royal Flush is 3+. So the player should go for the royal flush, even though the 3 of a
kind is a guaranteed winner.
Print out the tables and use them while playing Casino Coach. (You can even take them to a
casino.)

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Casino Coach Video Poker Toolbar

47
Casino Coach

JACKS OR BETTER EXPECTED VALUE TABLE

Hold Hands EV
4 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Full House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
3 of a Kind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4+
Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
4 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-
Two Pairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-
4 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2+
Pair Jacks+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5
3 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5-
4 card Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.2
4 card Straight (3 high cards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.9-
Low Pair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.8+
4 card Straight (2 high cards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.8+
4 card Straight (1 high card) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.7+
4 card Straight (0 high cards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.7-
3 card Double Inside Straight Flush (2 high cards) . . . . . .0.6+
3 card Inside Straight Flush (1 high card) . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6+
2 card Royal Flush (KQ, KJ, QJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6+
4 card Inside Straight (Ace high) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6-
2 card Royal Flush (Ace high, no 10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5+
3 card Double Inside Straight Flush (1 high card) . . . . . . .0.5+
4 card Inside Straight (3 high cards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5+
3 card Inside Straight Flush (0 high cards) . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5+
3 high cards, no Ace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5+
2 high cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5-
2 card Royal Flush (with 10 no Ace) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5-
1 high card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5-
3 card Double Inside Straight Flush (0 high cards) . . . . . .0.4+

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DEUCES WILD EXPECTED VALUE TABLE

Hold Hands EV
3 Bare Deuces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
2 Deuces, 4 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4+
2 Bare Deuces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3+
1 DEUCE
4 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3+
4 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2+
3 of a Kind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2+
Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
4 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-
3 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1+
3 card Straight Flush (not 6 high) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1+
1 Bare Deuce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
0 DEUCES
4 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19+
3 of a Kind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2+
Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
4 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-
4 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1+
3 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1+
Pair (don’t hold 2 pair) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6
4 card Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5+
4 card Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5+
3 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5
3 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.4+
2 card Royal Flush (Q, J high) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.4-

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Casino Coach

JOKER POKER—ACES AND KINGS EXPECTED VALUE TABLE

Hold Hands EV
NO JOKER
4 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20+
Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
4 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4+
3 of a Kind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-
4 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3+
Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Two Pairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.6
3 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5
Pair Aces/Kings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.4
4 card Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1+
3 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.7+
Pair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.7+
4 card Straight (King high) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6+
3 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6+
3 card Double Inside Straight Flush (King high) . . . . . . . .0.6
4 card Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6-
2 card Royal Flush Ace-King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6-
3 card Double Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5-
2 card Royal Flush (Ace or King) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5-
Ace or King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.4+
2 card Royal Flush (no Ace of King) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.3+
JOKER HANDS
4 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-
4 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-
Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
4 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-
4 card Double Inside Straight Flush (King high) . . . . . . . .4+
3 of a Kind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-
4 card Double Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-
Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
4 card Flush (Ace or King) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2+
3 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2+
3 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-
3 card Triple Inside Straight Flush (with King) . . . . . . . . .2-
3 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.7
High Pair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.7
3 card Double Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5+
4 card Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5+
4 card Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5+

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JOKER POKER—TWO PAIRS EXPECTED VALUE TABLE

Hold Hands EV
NO JOKER
4 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23+
Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
4 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-
3 of a Kind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-
4 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-
Two Pairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-
3 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-
4 card Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1+
4 card Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-
3 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.9-
3 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.8-
Pair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.7+
3 card Double Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6
4 card Inside Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.5+
3 card Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.4
2 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.4-
2 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.4-
3 card Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.3+
2 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.3+
2 card Double Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.3-
3 card Inside Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.25
JOKER HANDS
Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
4 card Royal Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6+
4 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6+
4 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5+
Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
4 card Double Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4+
3 of a Kind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-
4 card Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2+
3 card Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-
4 card Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-
3 card Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-
4 card Inside Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-
3 card Double Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.6
3 card Triple Inside Straight Flush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.6-
3 card Straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5

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Casino Coach

Glossary
Card Abbreviations use in this Glossary:
A = Ace
K=K
Q = Queen
J = Jack
Cards 2 through 10 are noted by number.

ANTE
A small bet all players are required to make before a hand is dealt. Not all games have an
ante.
BET
To put money into the pot.
BLACKJACK
1) A game also known as Twenty-one. 2) In the game of Blackjack, a hand consisting of an
Ace and a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen or King) totaling 21.
BLIND
A mandatory bet made one or more player(s) sitting to the left of the Button before each new
hand is dealt. Used in place of antes or in conjunction with antes. Also see Button.
BRING-IN
In seven-card stud, the first round of betting (after the third card is dealt).
BUMP
Slang for Raise.
BURN
To place the top card of the deck out of play (face down) prior to dealing. This is usually
done for every dealing round except the first. This is done so that if somehow the cards are
illegally marked no one will know what card will be dealt next, only what card will be
burned.
BUST
In Blackjack, slang for when a hand’s value exceeds 21 (a losing hand).

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BUTTON
When a house dealer is being used, the Button is a distinctive token placed in front of the
player sitting in the theoretical dealer’s position. The button rotates around the table so that
every player has an opportunity to be the last to act.
CALL
To put into the pot the minimum amount of money necessary to continue playing. See also:
See.
CHECK
The person starting a betting round can choose not to bet, thereby passing the option to the
next active player to his left. The player retains the option to call or raise once the betting
comes back around. If every player around the table checks, the betting round is over and the
next card is dealt. If any player bets, all players must respond to stay in the game. A check is
indicated by saying “check” or by knocking your knuckles on the table.
COMMUNITY CARDS
Cards dealt face up in the middle of the table for every player to use in making a hand.
COPY
In Pai Gow Poker, a hand that matches the dealer’s hand is called a copy. All copies are won
by the dealer.
CUT
To break the deck into 2 stacks of at least 5 cards each. Usually performed by the player to
the dealer’s right to insure that the deck is not stacked.
DEUCE
Slang for a two card.
DOOR CARD
The first card dealt face up to a player in a stud game.
DOWN CARDS
The cards dealt face down (not showing) to each player. Also see Hole Cards.
EVEN-MONEY
A bet that pays off exactly the amount wagered. For example. “Double or nothing” is an
even-money bet.
FACE CARD
A jack, queen or king.

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FIFTH STREET
In stud poker, the fifth card to be dealt to each player. Sometimes this term is used to refer to
the last card dealt in Hold ‘em, although the more common term for this is River. Also see
Fourth Street, Sixth Street and Seventh Street.
FLOP
The first three community cards, dealt simultaneously, in Hold ‘Em games.
FLUSH
A hand consisting of five cards all in one suit. For example, 3-4-7-10-J, all hearts. In the
event of a tie, the hand holding the highest card wins.
FOLD
Dropping out of a hand by declining to see (or call) a bet. Also see Call and See.
FOUR OF A KIND
A hand containing all four cards of the same rank. For example: Q spades, Q hearts, Q
diamonds, Q clubs. If more than one hand holds four of a kind, the hand containing the
higher card wins.
FOURTH STREET
In stud poker, the fourth card dealt to each player. Sometimes this term is used to refer to the
fourth community card dealt in Hold ‘em games, although the more common term for this is
Turn. Also see Fifth Street, Sixth Street and Seventh Street.
FULL HOUSE
A hand consisting one 3-of-a-kind and one pair. For example: three eights and one jack. In
the event of a tie, the hand holding the higher three of a kind wins.
HARD HAND
In Blackjack, a hand that does not contain the flexible ace (either because the ace in that
particular hand can only be counted as a one, or because the hand does not contain an ace as
all).w
HIGH CARD
A hand that contains none of the ranking poker hands (straight flush, four of a kind, full
house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair.) If no hand contains a pair or better,
the highest card wins. In the event of a tie, the second highest card wins. If there is still a tie,
you go onto the next highest card, etc.
HIT
In Blackjack, to request another card.
HOLE CARDS
The cards dealt face down (not showing) to each player. Also see Down Cards.

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INSIDE STRAIGHT
Four cards to a straight, where only one rank will complete the hand. For example, 4-5-6-8 is
an inside straight since only a 7 will complete the hand.
INSURANCE
In Blackjack, when the dealer shows an Ace as the upcard, you can bet up to one-half the
amount of your original wager that the dealer has a Blackjack. Insurance pays 2-1 if the
dealer does, in fact, have blackjack. If he doesn’t, the house collects the insurance bet.
JOKER
A 53rd card in the deck, distinct from the others, used as a wild card or as a BUG.
LARGE BLIND
‘In games with two blinds the second blind is called the Large Blind because the amount
being bet is usually double (or even more) of the first or Small Blind. Also see Small Blind.
LIVE CARD
In stud, a card probably not held by other players.
LIVE BLIND
The last and largest blind bet may or may not be Live. If Live, the player has the option of
raising his own blind when it is his turn. This is sometimes stated as “blinds are live”.
NATURAL
In the game of Blackjack, a Blackjack dealt with the original two cards. An ace and a face
card.
OPEN-ENDED STRAIGHT
Four cards to a straight which can be completed by drawing a card at either end. For example,
6-7-8-9 is an open-ended straight.
PAIR (OR ONE PAIR)
A hand consisting of two cards of the same rank, plus three distinct cards. For example J-J-4-
6-9. In the event of a tie, the hand holding the highest pair wins. If both pairs are the same,
the hand holding the highest card wins.
PAT HAND
In Blackjack, a hand with a total of 17 to 21.
POT
All of the money bet in a hand.
PUSH
A tie hand.

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RAISE
To wager more than the minimum amount required to call, forcing other players to put in
more money as well. See also: Call and See.
RERAISE
To raise a previous raise.
RIVER
The last card dealt in a hand of stud or Hold ‘Em.
ROYAL FLUSH
An ace-high straight flush. For example, A-K-Q-J-10, all hearts. Also see Straight Flush.
SEE
To put into the pot the minimum amount of money necessary to continue playing. See also:
Call.
SEVENTH STREET
The seventh card dealt in 7-card stud. Also see Fourth Street, Fifth Street and Sixth Street.
SHOWDOWN
The time at the end of the hand where all active players reveal their cards and the pot is
awarded to the winner(s).
SIXTH STREET
The sixth card dealt in 7-card stud. Also see Fourth Street, Fifth Street and Seventh Street.
SMALL BLIND
In games with two blinds the first blind is called the Small Blind because the amount being
bet is usually one-half (or even less) of the second or Large Blind. Also see Large Blind.
SOFT HAND
In Blackjack, a hand in which any Ace is counted as an 11 and not as a 1.
STAND
In Blackjack, to decline another card.
STIFF
In Blackjack, a hand that could go bust by adding one more card. For example any hard 12-
16 combination is a stiff.
STRAIGHT
A hand consisting of 5 cards in order but not of the same suit. For example, 4-5 of hearts, 6-7
of spades, 8 or diamonds. An ace may be high or low. In the event of a tie, the hand with the
higher straight wins. If two hands are exactly the same, they split the pot. Also see Straight
Flush and Royal Flush.

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STRAIGHT FLUSH
A hand consisting of 5 cards in sequence (such as 5-6-7-8-9) and the same suit (for example,
all hearts). Ace can be high or low. Also see Royal Flush.
STUD
Any of several poker games in which some of each players’ cards are exposed.
THREE OF A KIND.
A hand consisting of three cards all the same rank, matched with two cards that are not a pair.
For example: 10-10-10-8-K. In the event of a tie, the hand holding the higher three of a kind
wins. If both hands are of the same value, the hand holding the highest card wins.
THIRD STREET
In stud, the third card dealt to each player.
TREY
Slang for a three card.
TURN
The fourth community card in Hold ‘Em.
TWO PAIR
A hand consisting of two pairs, plus one other distinct card. For example: J-J-9-9-5. The hand
holding the highest pair wins. If both hands have the same high pair, the highest second pair
wins. If both hands have the same pairs, the hand holding the highest card wins.
UPCARD
A card dealt face up for all to see.
WILDCARD
A joker or standard card that can be used to represent any other card in the deck.

57