Video poker, dice control and one million in cash!

11 June 2013

By Frank Scoblete

Hi Frank:

Always enjoy learning from you.

About a year ago, I wrote to you about how "video poker" machines were working in a NY Racino, and you explained they were "bingo based or lottery based" machines, which simply meant that the outcome of that particular hand was pre-determined when the cards were dealt, and that the "hold" cards played no role in the outcome.

I tested your answer over and over and found you were exactly right. My question now is this: Do you know if the "video slots" are also different from Las Vegas machines. In other words, if I were to play a penny "Grand Monarch" machine in NY at $2.00 per spin, or a "Quick-Hit" machine, would I have basically the same odds of winning, as when I play the same machine in a Las Vegas Casino, provided the pay tables are the same?

Thanks for your column Frank.

Jim M.
Stockbridge, MA

Dear Jim:

I am guessing that the odds would be the same.

For your letter I am sending you a free copy of my new book "The Virgin Kiss."

Frank



Frank,

I always enjoy reading your books on blackjack and craps and your articles on the Casino City Times website.

My question for you is: What happened to the one hundred $10,000 bills that were on display at the Horseshoe Casino in downtown Las Vegas?

Thanks for all your great articles.

Anthony


Dear Anthony:

I took them and put them in my safe deposit box at the bank. There they rest comfortably waiting for me to spend every last cent.

So much for dreaming. I really have no idea what happened to those bills. I don’t even know if the government prints bills of that denomination anymore. Maybe the Binion family used them to pay off debts? I just don’t know.

For your great letter I am sending you a copy of my book “The Virgin Kiss.”

All the best in and out of the casinos,

Frank Scoblete


Dear Frank:

Good morning. I was wondering if you could answer a question for me please.

I am a dice control craps shooter. I was at the Parx casino last week and got into a 75 minute shoot. Yeah! I know they like for both dice to hit the wall but sometimes it doesn’t happen. I know they tried to intimidate me by telling me both dice have to hit the back wall.

If I don’t what can they do?

I am looking forward to your answer.

Thank you in advance.

Howard

Dear Howard:

Unless they were nasty to you when they told you to hit the back wall, they were only doing their jobs. A part of shooting the dice is hitting the back wall. The casinos want that because when the dice hit the back wall they think the game then becomes random -- and for non-dice-controllers it certainly does.

If the casino is not happy with you, they have the right to take the dice away from you and not let you shoot; they have the right to tell you they don’t want you to play craps in their casino at all, and they can also tell you never to return.

I am giving you a free copy of my new book “The Virgin Kiss” for your letter.

All the best in and out of the casinos,

Frank Scoblete