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Alan Krigman Gaming Guru - Page 50  Do Casino Dealers Shuffle Enough to Randomize the Cards?16 September 2003
Computer-automated shufflers were tested at bridge tournaments in the
early 1970s. Players reportedly were quick to notice, and gripe about, the
highly variable distributions of cards in the hands they received. These
folks weren't just imagining things. But the problem wasn't with
computerization. ... (read more)
Jackpots Are Tougher to Get on Machines that Let You Play Longer9 September 2003
Slot machines are rated according to "return percentage." This is the
fraction of the gross wager paid out to players. Most slots are in the 90
percent range. A figure like 96 percent means that if players bet a total
of $100,000 over enough trials that the law of averages applies ... (read more)
Does Violating Basic Strategy Cause Global Warming?2 September 2003
Gamblers' superstitions are mainly malarkey. They're born when
coincidences are enhanced by selective memory or repetitive recitation.
They grow when players have little or no grasp of the math, or are
flat-out wrong about what it says or how it applies. And they reach
fruition ... (read more)
What Can Gamblers Learn from Superstitious Pigeons?26 August 2003
Superstition is the presumption of a cause-and-effect relation that can
neither be conclusively proved nor refuted. Increased knowledge
occasionally reveals a connection and shows such an inference to be valid.
Often, however, superstitions are without merit and what appears to be
causality is merely coincidence. ... (read more)
Hope and Science in Dollar Stores, Used Car Lots, and Casinos19 August 2003
Everybody occasionally runs into something that seems too good to be true.
Strange how often it's at 99-cent or dollar stores, used car lots, or
casinos. Experience ought to prepare people to know better. But Alexander
Pope had it nailed in 1733 when he wrote, in An Essay on Man, "Hope ... (read more)
How Odds of Winning Rounds Affect Session Prospects12 August 2003
The gamblers' fanny pack of tricks includes ways to manipulate the chance
of winning on any round. Players have opportunities not merely to shave
the odds, but to flip them and be favored to win. It's done by using, not
breaking, the laws of probability. But, better than a 50-50 chance ... (read more)
Don't Downplay the Importance of the Come-Out Roll in Craps5 August 2003
Craps offers a veritable smorgasbord (known in casino circles as a lavish
all-you-can-eat buffet) of bets on how pairs of dice will settle after
single or multiple rolls. The variety of options, singly and in
combination, at once and in successive rounds, contributes mightily to the
mystique of the game. ... (read more)
How Bad Are Common Departures from the Blackjack Gospel?29 July 2003
Blackjack buffs who faithfully follow Basic Strategy are frequently
flabbergasted to find how fine is the line between gospel and blasphemy at
their favorite game. Once a person has the gist of casino blackjack, many
decisions are pure horse sense. And the most common departures from ... (read more)
Why Players Love Bets that Earn Big Bucks for the Bosses22 July 2003
Side bets for progressive jackpots and consolation prizes at Caribbean
Stud are big profit items for the casinos. But, when the jackpot exceeds
$218,047, players have an effective edge. You'll encounter this situation
occasionally, especially if you're in a venue with multiple casinos ... (read more)
Who Pays to Pump the Purse on Progressive Jackpot Slots?15 July 2003
Progressive slot jackpots often seem like manna from heaven, but they're
really money from players' pockets. To understand why the bosses may sign
the checks but the solid citizens pay the piper, start by imagining a
simplified fixed jackpot machine.
Make believe the ... (read more)
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