GAMING GURUS: LATEST FROM OUR STRATEGY EXPERTS

Those Community Machines

Slot machines are constantly changing and evolving. The three-reel games of yore are still with us, but the kings of the slot floor are video gamess with their array of animation, special effects, 3D sound, second-screen bonuses, free spin events, mystery pays and multitiered jackpots.Part of the slot evolution and revolution has been the rise of community-style slots...read more

Craps Payouts and Blackjack Percentages

QUESTION: I make all the craps bets you say I shouldn’t. I know the percentages are lousy, but I play for cheap, never lose too much and when I get a little lucky, I have some big wins. I know I lose more than I win, but the excitement of the big ones does it for me.Anyway, I’m not writing for advice about that...read more

Splitting Those Eights and Other Conundrums in Blackjack

It was late on a Monday night on an overnight casino stay, and the table games pit was mostly empty. I was at a $10 blackjack table with three other players, a man and a woman in their late 20s or early 30s who seemed to be a couple, and a fellow with a shaved head and gray beard who appeared to be in his 50s or early 60s.Mostly, it was an easy-going, jovial atmosphere...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: How Much Should I Tip for a Slot Jackpot?

I noticed at Trump Taj Mahal that the reel-spinning Wheel of Fortune machines have been replaced with video slots. Does that make the jackpot harder to hit? Are all the progressive jackpots linked to all casinos in AC? Thanks, Mike Dear Mike, I haven't seen the PAR sheet for the video Whe...read more

The Changing Landscape of Slot Payouts

Dear FrankFrank - I enjoy and appreciate you disseminating your gambling knowledge and expertise. I've got two questions regarding slot machines.1. I understand that the house edge will change depending upon the denomination of the machine with a nickel machine generally having a higher house edge than a dollar machine...read more

What are the chances of royal flushes in various games?

Question: Video poker and at least two table games have jackpots for royal flushes. What are the odds against pulling such a hand?Answer: At the tables, jackpots are paid for royal flushes in Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride. In both cases, players get five cards with no discards or draws...read more

Deuces Wild and Royal Flushes

QUESTION: I have a question about Deuces Wild. I love the full-pay game. It’s the one I first played in Las Vegas in the ’80s and it’s still the game I play whenever I can find it. I find it less and less, however.I find myself more and more settling for the games that reduce the four of a kind pays to 4-for-1, but also pay 4 on the full houses and pay 3 instead of 2 on flushes.One hand troubles me...read more

To Lay or Not to Lay

Jerry "Stickman",Thank you for your previous advice. I have another question for you.If a point has been establish, like say number 9 and I ask the dealer to lay $10.00 each on the 4 & 10 for a total of $20.00. The shooter's next roll (2nd...read more

Three Card Poker Oddities

I don’t play Three Card Poker very often. Blackjack and video poker are my games of choice, though I do spread my time around to nearly all casino games. I spend the most time on the games that give me the best chance to win, and Three Card Poker moved down the list when it became common for casino...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Can One Slot Machine Affect Another?

Hey John! Regarding the "what's that slot music" question... One suggestion would be to use any of the smart phone "song identifier" apps. I've used the FREE "Sound Hound" app for some time and it works great. Occasionally, I'll hear a song or tune on the TV (usually in a commercial) that I'd love to have, but don't recognize...read more