GAMING GURUS: LATEST FROM OUR STRATEGY EXPERTS

My Advice for Video Poker Play

Shortly after I started playing video poker, I read an article in a gambling rag about a great way to play the game. The article promised that the betting method detailed there would have an excellent chance of winning. It went on to promise that if you did not win, you would definitely be able to play for a very, very long time if you followed the rules.The betting method went something like this.• Bet only one credit on the first hand played.• If it wins, bet one credit on the next hand.• If it loses, bump the amount bet on the next hand to two credits.• If it wins, go back to one credit on the next bet.• If it loses, bump the amount bet on the next hand to three credits.• If it wins, go back to one credit on the next bet.• If it loses, bump the amount of the bet on the next hand to four credits.• If it wins, go back to one credit on the next bet.• If that hand loses, bump the amount of the bet on the next hand to five credits.• Regardless of whether this hand wins or loses, bet one credit on the next hand.I knew all about which games had the best returns...read more

Casino City’s Friday Five: Positive momentum for online poker and sports betting in Michigan and New York edition

The gambling industry is hoping to take big strides in two U.S. states in the near future. The goal is to launch regulated online poker in Michigan along with online sports betting in New York. Before we get into the details on those, we also saw a World Series of Poker Main Event champion crowned, another huge Las Vegas jackpot winner, and a new casino in Philadelphia announcing its grand opening date.Let’s begin with a massive payout:5...read more

Back-to Back Jackpots!

QUESTION: I just got back from my first casino trip since February, and it was a keeper. I just have to tell you about my back-to=back video poker jackpots, because I know you use those stories sometimes.It was the first chance I had to play Triple Triple Bonus Poker...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Breaking up with my favorite video poker machine

Question: Your column on annoying players who don't use the deal button mirrored my feelings completely. You forgot to mention that those same players always pick the loudest machine in the area. I always have a pair of earplugs in my pocket for when I encounter these individuals, they really help...read more

No, No, (yes) and No

There is no doubt that I’ll play around in many columns about this or that technique, method or system of play, even those that are awful, but I always explain what is truly wrong with these methods. I don’t actually think most ways of play are any good or, rather, less bad.There are methods that can give the player a slight edge (these methods and players are rare indeed), methods that give the house the smallest edge at any given game, methods that sock it to the player one way or another, and money management techniques that preserve the players’ bankrolls.So today I am going to be strict in my advice and answer some of the questions I received from players about how they play or should play...read more

Top 10 NFL betting season in review and playoff betting tidbits

Somehow, some way, the National Football League completed its entire regular season on Sunday.It wasn’t a typical NFL season, however, as a number of games were moved to mid-week due to COVID-19, and some teams were even forced to play games without a legit QB or an entire set of wide receivers.Nonetheless, the regular season came to an exciting end on Sunday night and now 14 teams and 13 games remain.Hopefully, the NFL can continue to maneuver its way to playing a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay in February...read more

Proper blackjack decisions for 9:9

Not long ago, I wrote about splitting 8s. Sometimes we're playing offense and trying to maximize wins. Sometimes we're playing defense and trying to minimize losses.Either way, basic strategy players always split 8s unless surrender is offered...read more

Craps Betting Systems

Craps is a great casino game. It is a social game. Players cheer for other players to make their point (because it is also their point).Craps also has a seemingly unlimited number of possible bets. There are pass line bets, don’t pass bets, as well as come and don’t come bets...read more

Cutting Losses

QUESTION: I was faced with a Mississippi Stud hand that I had some doubts about.My first two cards were 7 and 9 of spades. I made a 1x bet because the strategy says to be equal to your ante if you have at least two points in the first two cards.The first common card turned up was an 8 of spades...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: The Cash Out-Fake-Out

Have you ever been fooled by the Cash Out-Fake Out? There's someone's playing a machine and, for whatever reason, you really wish they weren't. Maybe you want to play that machine. Maybe they have a behavior that annoys you. I can't think of anything a slot player has done that annoyed me, but there are some things video poker players have done that I have found irksome...read more