GAMING GURUS: LATEST FROM OUR STRATEGY EXPERTS

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

Not Random, Fine Eating, and the "Imaginary Line"

FROM LAWRENCE: In reference to reader Pat who emailed with an inquiry about the randomness of electronic craps games, I don't think that you answered the letter. Are these games in fact random at a racino (let's take NY for the example) where we know that the video poker is in fact not.I was at the racino at Aqueduct (yes, we are neighbors, I stay in Valley Stream most of the time...read more

5-Count Don't Betting and Big VP and Slot Wins!

Hi Frank:I read your book “Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!” and was fascinated by the 5-Count. It will save me some money! But if the 5-Count reduces one’s exposure by betting on only 43 percent of the random rolls, wouldn’t it be advantageous to bet the Don’t Pass on the other 57 percent? It woul...read more

Top-10 observations from the WSOP Circuit Main Event in Pennsylvania

Since I started covering the gambling industry in 2006, I've spent my share of time at the World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. I have a good sense of what to expect in a tournament, and even though I usually only spend one week there, I do enough wandering around...read more

Why do high “counts” at blackjack help players and not dealers?

Question: Blackjack "card counters" increase their bets when they determine that shoes are rich in 10s. Assuming players bet only on single spots, why is this situation advantageous? Don't players and dealers have equal chances of receiving high hands in these circumstances?Answer: The advantage in...read more

Doubling for Less at Blackjack

QUESTION: When is the right time to double for less? I was at a $10 blackjack table, and there was one big player, betting $50 or $100 a hand. Sometimes when he had a $100 bet, he’d double down for $50 instead of $100.I noticed he was mostly doing it when the dealer had a 7, 8 or 9 face up...read more

Top Blackjack Questions Part One

To say I’ve answered many questions from blackjack players over the past 38 years is an understatement. I figure I answered, on average, about five questions a month, so that’s 60 a year, or roughly 2300 over the past 38 years that I’ve been a blackjack writer (whew!)...read more

How Many Lines to Play on Video Slots

For a large majority of players, a trip to the casino means some time on five-reel video slots. It’s not just that they are an entry level game, easy to play with no strategy required. Most players stick with them. Electronic gaming devices account for about 80 percent of casino revenue nowadays --- more in some jurisdictions...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Calculating the Long-Term Payback of an Online Slot

I was trying to deconstruct some slot machines to be able to calculate probabilities and return. I recorded a video [of some Boss Media-based slots] and started taking note of each symbol in the order they showed on the reels, and noticed that the sequence seemed to be random because I couldn't find a pattern to determine the whole reel strip...read more

The 5-Count and Rolling Six Numbers in a Row

Dear Frank:Your book (“Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!”) stirred up some good debates with a friend of mine this weekend. Like I mentioned in an earlier email I have a table that was my grandfather’s in my garage. We put some time in practicing and talking it was a blast...read more