BRB, a.k.a. The BankrollBuilder, is a very successful online and live poker player in both cash games and tournaments. He founded his own poker and casino information site, www.thebankrollbuilder.com in 2004, and has been instrumental in helping me understand the most profitable ways to play online casino games. I asked him if he would be interested in writing an article for BullsBetting, and he agreed. I have taken his article, added some of his other inputs to me from over time, and transformed it into an interview. Read, learn and enjoy.



Bull: Blackjack is my personal favorite online casino game because of the low house advantage (HA) and the low variance, but there are some very good casinos and casino bonuses on the internet that do not allow blackjack to be played when clearing their bonus. What should gamblers look for when considering playing at a particular online casino?

BRB: When you sign up to an online casino and accept a bonus the first thing you should do is examine the terms and conditions to see which games you are allowed to play. Many casinos do not allow you to play blackjack which deters many players from signing up since they don’t know which of the remaining games they should play. [Players should] pick the game that will give them the biggest edge depending upon the situation.

Bull: What “situation” is that?

BRB: A very important factor in deciding which game to play is the size of your bankroll. As your bankroll increases you should choose games that have the lowest house advantage, regardless of the variance of the game. If you bust out of a particular casino it won’t affect your operating bankroll, and hence you should choose the game with the lowest house advantage. [However,] if the bonus offered by the casino is a sticky bonus, you should choose the games that have a higher variance, either by the game itself or your bet size.

If you’re just starting out or your bankroll is fairly small, you should probably be willing to give up a little +EV in order to play a game that has less variance and less chance of going bust at that casino. When in doubt between choosing between two games, I would suggest that you play that game that you enjoy more…..remember it is supposed to be entertainment.

Bull: What determines whether your bankroll is large or small? Is there some guidance like the limit holdem thumb rule of 300 X the BB?

BRB: I think bankroll is all relative when it comes to casinos. Basically anybody who plays at an online casino (even with a bonus) should expect that they will bust out of a particular casino at some point.... It’s a matter of will it really piss the guy off, or will it make it so he cant play anymore. Both of those factors come into play (the getting upset about busting out probably even more).

When I use the term small bankroll, I'm more referring to the person who has maybe 1-6 casino buyins) and who would bet a single hand of BJ (when allowed) at $1......probably the way most of us started.

Anybody who would bet 5 bucks a hand of BJ can take the variance of betting $1 on any of those other games.

I think anyone betting 10 bucks a hand of BJ isn’t as worried about if they bust out of a particular casino and can stand the highs and lows of the higher variance game.

I’ve described it in terms relating to a person’s comfort level more so than “you need X amount of buyins,” because it really has to do with how a person can deal with the distinct inevitable feeling of going bust on a particular casino (which will probably happen more than going bust at a poker table).

However if you wanted me to put a number on it.....I would say under 10 casino buyins (1000 bankroll for a $100 casino deposit) would be considered small.

Bull: OK, so if I have a small bankroll (or small toleration for busting out) what are some good low variance alternatives to blackjack?

BRB: If you are playing with a relatively small bankroll the first game you should look for is Casino War. Casino war is a game many of us played as children. The house advantage is quite small (under 3%) and there isn’t the variance that you will find in some of the other games.

Pai gow is another game that doesn’t have the variance of other games. Part of the reason is that many hands will result in a push. Pai gow has a higher house advantage than some of the games, but is a good choice for those of you on a limited bankroll.

Bull: And if my bankroll is large? What are the lowest HA non-blackjack games.

BRB: A game that has one of the lowest house advantages is video poker. However the variance is quite high, and if you choose to play VP do not be upset if you go bust….its the nature of the beast. There are many types of video poker available (and certain types might be restricted), so be sure to check wizard of odds to examine the pay tables to find the house advantage. When in doubt choose Jacks or Better. As well you should always play max coins. Part of the reason the variance is so high is that the house advantage takes into consideration that you will eventually hit a royal flush. You may play for quite a while before hitting one, but when you do you will be extremely pleased you decided to play video poker.

Another game that has a fairly low house advantage is three card poker. Whether you choose to play the ante portion or the pair plus (I usually play both), this is a low house advantage game that is fairly high in variance.

Bull: Are any of the “slots only” bonuses any good?

BRB: This is a very volatile game and it will be more unlikely that you will show a profit with [a slots] bonus. However there are certain situations where you might be able to profit. On occasion you will find a slots only bonus, where playing another game will not void the bonus. In this case play the bonus like a sticky and then grind out the wagering requirement using a slots game like Thunderstruck. Read the terms and conditions closely to ensure that you are allowed to play any game that you choose as long as you complete the wagering requirements by playing slots. Another rare but potentially profitable slots situation is where you find a large bonus percentage that requires a small deposit. For example a fifty dollar deposit that gives you a $250 bonus. As long as the wagering requirements are fairly small you do have a chance to make a profit.

Bull: How can I find out how to play perfect strategy for all these different games?

BRB: To learn the proper strategy for any game (depending upon the house rules) visit www.wizardofodds.com You will also be able to see the particular house advantage for each game listed. All of the games are very easy to learn and you will be able to follow the optimal strategy in no time at all.

House advantage can vary depending upon the software of the casino (number of decks used, payouts etc). In order to figure out if a bonus has potential for profit multiply the house advantage by the wagering requirements. Subtract that number from the bonus offered and if the number is positive you have a situation that is worth your attention.

Bull: Any parting words of advice?

BRB: Do not worry about going bust, as long as you have multiple casinos with bonuses to play at you should show a profit in the long run. Good luck and remember when in doubt play the game you enjoy the most…..it is supposed to be fun.