Casino bonus question

[Jim Morgan]

On another forum, someone said that you can get a higher EV by playing standard bonuses as if they were a sticky bonus.

When I try to duplicate such a claim, I find the EV is unaffected. For example, if I get a $100 bonus on a $100 deposit with a total WR of 2000, I can flat bet BJ and get an expectation of $100 - HA. (house advantage)

If I choose to treat it like a sticky and make $25 until I bust or reach $400, my expectation is 0.5 * 300 - 0.5 * 100
= $100. Once again we need to subtract HA.

I do see this as being an improvment in 2 ways. First, if I bust out the bonus, I will be done a lot faster. If I reach my target, I will finish up with small bets and pay the same overall HA. However, doing this twice will rate to save me a few bucks and some time, assuming 1 win and one loss.

Are there other advantages to using a "sticky" strategy for a standard type bonus?

Is this strategy also better for "cover", or does the switch to small bets at a target make it actually easier to be marked as a bonus player?

Jim

[gotme]

Whoever told you this doesn't know what they're talking about.

Also, don't worry too much about cover play.

The general strategies for bonus clearing are the most effective/proper.

[jman220]

[ QUOTE ]
On another forum, someone said that you can get a higher EV by playing standard bonuses as if they were a sticky bonus.

When I try to duplicate such a claim, I find the EV is unaffected. For example, if I get a $100 bonus on a $100 deposit with a total WR of 2000, I can flat bet BJ and get an expectation of $100 - HA. (house advantage)

If I choose to treat it like a sticky and make $25 until I bust or reach $400, my expectation is 0.5 * 300 - 0.5 * 100
= $100. Once again we need to subtract HA.

I do see this as being an improvment in 2 ways. First, if I bust out the bonus, I will be done a lot faster. If I reach my target, I will finish up with small bets and pay the same overall HA. However, doing this twice will rate to save me a few bucks and some time, assuming 1 win and one loss.

Are there other advantages to using a "sticky" strategy for a standard type bonus?

Is this strategy also better for "cover", or does the switch to small bets at a target make it actually easier to be marked as a bonus player?

Jim

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you might be confusing what someone else said. What they may have said, is that you can play a standard bonus with a very high WR as though it is a sticky bonus, this way you dont' have to complete the WR; provided that the terms of the casino allow you to withdraw your winnings wihout completing the WR, and just forfeit the bonus. But if the bonus has a decent WR, I think you're better off just playign it normally. Sorry for the runon sentence, I am tired, I hope I made sense.

[Homer]

Here's a basic example that illustrates the point.

You have a 100/100/2000 bonus. The best available game has a 2% HA.

Method 1 - Double up, then grind $1/hand

51% of the time, you'll bust when trying to double up and will lose $100.

49% of the time, you'll double up to $400, then will lose an average of $36 (1800*.02) while grinding through the remaining 1800 of the WR, giving you a profit of $264.

Your EV is then .51*(-100)+ .49*(264) = <font color="blue">$78.36</font>

Method 2 - Grind $1/hand

Your EV is 100-2000*.02 = <font color="blue">$60</font>

__________________________________________________ ______________________________

Essentially, EV = B - HA*(Average Amount Wagered)

When you gamble it up, you are decreasing the average amount wagered. Using the first method, you are wagering $1082 (.51*200 + .49*2000), on average. EV is then 100 - 1082*.02, which yields $78.36 as it should.

[Homer]

[ QUOTE ]
Whoever told you this doesn't know what they're talking about.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.westcoastmccsale.org/Mirror.jpg

[ QUOTE ]
The general strategies for bonus clearing are the most effective/proper.

[/ QUOTE ]

No.

[Jim Morgan]

Nice clear example.

Thanks Homer.