I’d like to touch on a departure rule that has served me well in every game I play. Namely: THE THREE STRIKES ... YOU’RE OUT RULE!
So, what exactly is this THREE STRIKES ... YOU’RE OUT RULE and why is it so valuable? Well, the three-strike rule is both a table and daily departure rule which I apply to craps, blackjack and baccarat. I have not found a way of applying it to roulette yet. Simply stated it says that after you have played a total of three tables — no matter what the game — if you are behind any amount of money. you are done with that game for the day.
Sounds tough to follow, huh? But it really works. And not to follow this rule will only find your buy-in grinding down from table to table if you stick with that one game. So if I’m down, let’s say a third of a buy-in after three tables of craps, I then play three tables of blackjack following the same THREE STRIKES AND YOU’RE OUT RULE. If I am down after three tables of blackjack, then I play six units at three different tables of baccarat. If I am down after that, I am done for the day!
But whether you play three or just one game, the three-strike rule is truly a good measuring stick to see if you are going to win that day. Just ask yourself this: How many times have you beaten the casino when you were down after the first three tables of play? I have talked with many gamblers and by far the general consensus is that when you win, you usually show a profit after the first three tables. If you are not ahead after the first three tables, you usually find yourself playing catch-up most of the session or losing the whole buy-in.
I know it sounds too simple to be true. But it is. And the reason the three-strike rule works is this: If you play three tables (an odd number), then you only have to win 66% of the tables to have a chance to show a good profit. But if you play four tables (an even number), you have to win 75% of the tables to have a chance to show a good profit. Moreover, if you play an odd number of five, let’s say, you are risking too much money over these five tables to secure a profit. And if you play an even number of two tables, you don’t have enough of a sample to see if the tables are really going your way.
No, THREE TABLES are perfect. The tables in craps, blackjack or baccarat are a good test to see if the tables are working hard but not too much so you will jeopardize your whole buy-in.
Many times, I have gone to an Atlantic City casino, played three tables of craps and found myself down two or three units. If I don’t feel like playing all three games — I do one of the two: 1) I play one more table of craps and if I lose anything on the “do” side, I stop for the day. If I won on the “do” side, then I continue to play on both the “do” and the “don’t” until I lose my next table. Or: 2) I wait at least two hours and then go to a different casino. I then play three more tables and follow the three-strike rule. If I’m down after three tables, I wait another two hours and go to a third casino and again play the three-strike rule. If I am down after playing three tables at three different casinos, I am done for the day no matter how little I am down.
But again, whether I play just one game, three tables at three different casinos or three tables at three different games is my guiding light. That three-strike rule is my time at bat and if I follow it, I know that I’ll have the money to come back another day and hit a home run! Think about.
Until next time.
Jeff Fisher.
Keywords: baccarat, blackjack, casino, craps, gamblers, roulette, gambling strategy, casino gambling expert
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