Gaming Gurus: LatestFrom Our Strategy Experts

Odds on Reversible Royals

QUESTION: I have a question about the progressive Reversible Royals video poker machines. I just returned from Vegas and I noticed quite a few of these games in mostly quarter denominations with monster payoffs for the reversible royal. I'm talking about $50,000-$60,000.Are the odds of drawing a reversible royal or being dealt one much greater than the normal 1 in 40 thousand hands? I would imagine with the size of the payouts it has been a really long time before anyone hit one.ANSWER: In Reversible Royals, the usual payback with five credits wagered is 50,000 credits if the royal is on screen in the 10-J-Q-K-A or A-K-Q-J-10...read more

More Questions on Low Pairs versus Inside Straights

Here is a follow-up question to the previous low pair versus inside straight strategy.Thank you, Jerry "Stickman"I have a follow-on question. If it were an outside straight, I was trying for, would it change the decision?Say I was dealt 9, 9,10, J, Q...read more

Casino City’s Friday Five: Sportsbook opening and massive paydays edition

The World Series of Poker continues to roll on and some big winners have been crowned with bracelets, including one from the Millionaire Maker event. Before we get into who won and how much they walked away with, we have some other stories to uncover as well...read more

i Eat Therefore I Am

CINDY: Buffets are the way to a blubbery hell.ABBY: Oh, I agree. Today’s buffets, at the casinos that are still offering them that is, are wonders of encouraging everyone to overeat like crazy.CINDY: It isn’t just that you can eat as much as you want, it’s that the food is a source of pleasure...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Multi-hand video poker thoughts

I've spent the past few weeks playing multi-hand video poker exclusively (well, there's been some Invaders Attack from the Planet Moolah too, but I've pretty much come up MT from the ETs). I've been hitting the multi-hand machines lately for two reasons. First, I've become a bit bored with playing single-hand machines...read more

Picking the Right Machine

People work hard to earn their money. In fact, as my son says, “It’s called work because it is work.”With the exception of some high rollers who might be so rich that spending amazing amounts causes them no pain, the rest of us have to be aware that hard-earned money is being wagered on machines that are programmed to ultimately beat us...read more

Top 10 2022 NBA Draft bets

On Thursday night, 60 players from across the U.S. and the world will hear their named called and become a part of the National Basketball Association. The 2022 NBA Draft is going to be held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. While in recent years, there have been a few clear-cut number one pick choices, this year has a little more debate on who should go No...read more

Some Great New Slots

New slot games debut all the time, with hundreds getting trials every year.Let's take a look at a few recent additions to casino floors. Rather than the very newest, they're games that have had a chance to reach multiple outlets and jurisdictions.There's never a guarantee that players will add a game to their favorites, but these have features worth a look.Rakin' Bacon Deluxe: Pirate Plunder and Golden Blessings, American Gaming Systems.The original Rakin' Bacon game has captured players' imaginations with its Cornsquealious pig icon.Cornsquealious is back in two new games under the Rakin' Bacon Deluxe umbrella theme.Pirate Plunder has graphics filled with treasure chests, anchors and Cornsquealious in a pirate hat.Golden Blessings is Asian themed and Cornsquealious wears a cap with a "good luck" symbol.Each game has its own free spin bonus...read more

Another Big Reader Question

Hi Stickman,I just wanted to comment on your column about the 2 hands in 9/6 JoB.The 2 hands were Kd Ah Td 8h 2h where we hold Ace-King and 2s Jh Qs 4h Th where we hold Jack-Queen.I always play the 2 high cards in the situations you showed, so I got it right.What I didn't know was how close the choices were...read more

Casino City’s Friday Five: Ad bans and new casinos edition

U.S. gambling revenue had one of its best months ever and it is adding more to its arsenal with the construction of a new casino in Oklahoma. In addition to that, we have some other news stories in the iGaming industry to cover. We have India banning online betting ads, a gaming compact signed in California, and a new progressive jackpot at two Florida casinos.Let’s begin with some news from India:5...read more