Every month Station Casinos sends me four free bets or two free bets and two match plays for use on table games. A free bet coupon can be used just like a chip, but in this case for one bet only. Win or lose, the dealer takes the coupon. A match play works the same way, but can be used only with chips equal to or greater than the amount of the coupon.
On Thursday I took my $15 free bet to a Stations property with the intent of playing only one hand of blackjack. I rarely do this, figuring that the free bets and match plays will dry up if I don't give the casino a reasonable amount of play. With Stations, about 50 minutes once a week has been enough to keep these coupons coming for years.
But I was headed out of town the next morning and had a long list of offers to take advantage of Thursday. So I walked up to a $10 double-deck table and put down my free bet. The dealer flips over a 6, one of the best cards for the players. I'm dealt an 8 and a 2, creating an ripe double-down opportunity. So I reach into my wallet and throw three $5 bills onto the table. The dealer turns over a five and then, as sure as night follows day, deals himself a "monkey" (face card) for 21. The only card that could have helped me was an ace, and I didn't get it. So my "free" bet wound up costing me $15.
The unexpected, both good and bad, happens often in gambling, but in the long run, any mathematical advantage you can get will play out. Free bets and match plays are definitely worth using, even though you will often lose with them and -- on rare occasions -- they can actually cost you money.
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