Speaking of keno
Another thought on keno, which will be offered in parlors all over Arkansas before long if legislators like Speaker Robbie Wills have their way.
It's a sucker game -- addictive some think -- that tends to favor the house more than many other forms of gambling. You bet on whether randomly generated numbers -- either from a machine with blowing numbered balls or from a computer -- will be drawn. The more you hit, the more you win.
Today's D-G article today noted that keno already has been approved by the state Racing Commission for Southland Park in West Memphis. This, nominally, means that it is considered an "electronic game of skill," the only type of gambling allowed at the dog and horse racinos. A pure lottery play in which winners are based on random drawings is a game of skill? If that's so, bring on the craps, roulette and slots. These are distinctions with no discernible difference, except that craps involves a bit more skill with numbers.
In Nevada, keno games often include the use of mini-skirted "runners" who pick up gamblers' wagering cards and deliver drinks. Just saying. Coffee and Slurpees only in Faulkner County, of course, unless the game is in one of Conway's private clubs.
Comments
Every game in a casino where you play against the house is a sucker's game.
That is the only reason a casino has them, to make money.
Posted by: Citizen1![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 23, 2009 12:03 PM
Actually, there are two situations where a player may have a slight (0.1% or so) edge over the house.
If you count cards in Blackjack and execute "perfect" play against the dealer's up card, there are times when the odds are slightly in your favor. Those are the times you increased your basic bet. Which is why known counters are banned. Contrary to myth, even with eight decks, you can still count.
The other situation is craps, when playing the "Don't." If your "Don't" bet makes it past the come-out roll, you are allowed to remove your bet if you wish (because the odds are now in your favor on that bet). That's the only bet on the craps table that a player is allowed to remove, for the very reason that the odds slightly favor that bet.
Posted by: NormaBates![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 23, 2009 02:01 PM
How much of the revenue from the Keno machines in convenience stores will be going into scholarships for Arkansas students?
Posted by: MysteryShopper![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 24, 2009 06:31 AM