Debunking 13 Popular Casino Myths

Although casinos were once shrouded in mystery, that’s not really the case anymore, but some of the old myths are still around. Learn about 13 casino myths and why they’re just not true.

Casinos and their games were once shrouded in mystery, and many people didn’t know how they really operated. But now, the house edge, gaming strategies, and random number generators (RNG) are common knowledge. However, there are many myths about casinos and gambling that have existed for years, and we’re here to debunk them.

Check out these 13 debunked myths about casinos and your favorite online casino games to get in the know.

Myth 1: A Streak of Red on the Roulette Wheel Means It Has To Hit Black Soon

This myth stems from the idea that consistent hits on one thing means it’s bound to hit on something else. But the math just doesn’t support this theory. The probability of winning resets after every spin, and previous hits on one color have no bearing on where the ball will land on the next spin.

And since online roulette uses RNGs, like all other online games and gaming machines at land-based casinos, you can rest assured that roulette, both in person and online, is still very much a game of luck.

Myth 2: A Slot Machine That Hasn’t Paid Out in a While Must Pay Out Big Very Soon

Similar to the previous myth, knowing that a slot machine hasn’t paid out in a long time means it’s due to happen by some sort of statistical probability. But slot machines are also made with RNGs, so the probability of hitting a big win is totally random.

However, there are online slots with progressive jackpots called Must-Drop Jackpots that have deadlines to randomly trigger the bonus round or jackpot for players.

Myth 3: If You’re on a Losing Streak, You’re Due To Win Soon

Again, the idea of “if something is going a certain way for a while, it’s bound to change soon” is not based on any mathematical probability, so it’s not a given in any circumstance. And this adage is actually a common mantra for many players who find themselves continuously betting even though it looks like their luck has run out.

Myth 4: You’re More Likely To Win on Slots at a Busy Casino

This one could technically be right, only because a busy casino means there are more games being played and more jackpots being randomly triggered. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your odds of winning are the same, whether you’re one of 20,000 players or the only one on the casino floor.

Myth 5: Switching Seats at the Poker Table Can Improve Your Hand

Some poker players believe that switching their seat at the table between hands can improve the next hand they’re dealt. Just like the roulette wheel, the cards in poker are shuffled and your odds of getting a great hand reset during each shuffle. So don’t hustle to take the vacated seat of an opponent who wiped the table because it’s not the seat that’s lucky, it’s likely the player’s skill that helped them win.

But there are some good reasons to switch your seat at the table after a few hands:

• If you spot an aggressive player, sit on their left (so they’re on your right) so you can react to their bets and better understand how much it’ll cost to stay in the game.
• If you have a tight, stable player at the table, sit to their right (so they’re on your left) so you can bet before them.

Myth 6: Roulette Dealers Can Choose When To Stop the Wheel

There are many random factors that play into where the ball lands on the spinning wheel. First, the dealer spins the wheel and drops the ball, which goes in the opposite direction of the spinning wheel, causing the ball to bounce around wildly and make the game truly random.

But some people believe that a roulette dealer can stop the wheel at a specific time, causing the ball to land on a particular spot and avoid big payouts. However, that’s just not possible because of how wildly the ball moves and how random its landing is. There’s no way to get the ball into a desired slot every time.

Not only would this action be illegal and very easy to abuse, the random odds of roulette are in the casino’s favor. That means that no casino would allow any level of predictability like this. And online casinos, since their roulette games use RNGs, are also not susceptible to this kind of cheating.

Myth 7: Dealers Can Impact the Outcome of Games

The previous myth and its subsequent debunking also applies to dealers of other games. They are all trained to operate the games according to regulations and are under strict rules not to cheat. So, if you have a bad hand or an opponent cleans you out, know that it’s not the dealer’s fault, it’s just the (lack of) luck of the cards.

Myth 8: Gaming Machines Are Rigged

This is probably one of the most widely accepted myths that definitely needs debunking. Many people, even frequent slots players, believe this myth and blame losses on the game’s rigging. But the good news is that casino gaming machines are not rigged. Regulation authorities prevent legitimate land-based and online casinos from rigging their games.

However, online casino games are programmed with a house edge so the casino can still make money. But these games are developed and maintained by third-party companies, so a casino cannot take advantage of players and increase the house edge.

Myth 9: Card Counting Is Illegal

Card counting is the ability to quickly determine the probability of winning a hand based on the cards on the table. While card counting is most commonly used in blackjack, people can also count cards in poker to calculate the probability of winning over other players.

You’ve likely seen card counting in your favorite casino-inspired movies. You may have heard about it in casino lore. But the truth is that, even if someone is caught counting cards, it’s not illegal and someone cannot be sent to jail for it. However, if a casino catches someone counting cards, they can throw them out and ban them from coming back.

Myth 10: Casinos Pump Oxygen Into the Gaming Floor

Another common myth is that casinos secretly pump more oxygen out onto the gaming floor to keep players awake for longer and spending more money. It’s not really known where this myth came from, but it’s definitely not true. Especially because pumping pure oxygen into the air is a serious fire hazard.

If you’re sticking to an online casino to play slots or another game, then you wouldn’t have to worry about this myth anyhow.

Myth 11: Casino Games Are All About Luck

Luck does have a lot to do with winning many types of casino games, such as slots and roulette. However, there are many fun table games, like poker and blackjack, that require a good deal of skill to play and win. You need to know the winning rank of each hand and watch out for signs of bluffing or overexcitement to better determine your opponents’ hands. It’s not likely that a new player without a strategy, who’s not paying attention to their opponents, or who’s betting willy-nilly is going to win big.

Myth 12: You Have To Spend More To Win More

This is another of the most common casino myths that doesn’t quite ring true. Some believe that you can only win if you make higher bets or bet large amounts of money overall. But this would mean that casino games aren’t random, which they definitely are. It would also mean that casinos reward players with big payouts if they spend more money, which they definitely don’t.

However, if you believe that making a higher bet means that you could win a larger amount of money when you do win, then you’d be right. Many slot games are programmed with payback percentages, called return to player (RTP). When you bet 10 times the minimum, your winnings will be 10 times more.

At table games like poker, you can raise your bet throughout the hand, making your opponents match your raise, raise again, or fold. By raising and matching, the pot grows and your potential winnings increase.

Myth 13: Having a Betting System Can Overcome the House Edge

There are unique betting systems for roulette based on popular probability theories, and while these systems can help you structure your game, they can’t guarantee a big win or help you overcome the house edge. But if you’re looking to reduce the house edge, you can also just play games like baccarat, which has a lower house edge than other games.

Now that you’ve debunked many of your long-held casino myths, you can focus on enjoying your time playing your favorite games at an online New Jersey casino.