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John Grochowski Gaming Guru - Page 112  Charting progressive slot machines28 February 2012
A reader phoned me in December, and said he had a gift for me.
"I know how to beat the slot machines," he said, introducing himself only as Ned.
I'd heard that claim a few hundred times before, and they've never really delivered. They can't. Except for an ever-decreasing number of games with banked bonuses, slot machines can't be beaten in the long run. ... (read more)
A shuffle through the gaming mailbag23 February 2012
Q. I have read about roulette but I have never played. I plan to play only with money won on something else like on football, horse racing or slot machines, and only if I am ahead. I am afraid if I lose on roulette, it will be sudden, and I might not be able to win it back that day because you have to play ... (read more)
Combining bets can't reduce the house edge21 February 2012
It's one of the mathematical truisms of craps that combination bets can't reduce the overall house edge below that of the best bet in the combination.
If you bet the field, a one-roll bet with a house edge of 2.78% provided the house pays 3-1 on 12, and bet an equal amount on any 7, with a house edge of ... (read more)
A shuffle through the gaming mailbag16 February 2012
Q. As a video poker player, I live for the hands that really make a difference. I guess that's not unusual. Royal flushes are exciting, and if I don't get a royal then a few big four of a kinds can make my day. If I'm not getting four of a kind, then I'm not making any money.
My question is this: Can ... (read more)
Slot games may have different paybacks in different casinos14 February 2012
There's a large subset of my e-mail that comes from slot players who start by saying, "I get that the games are random, but —"
Then they tell of a slot experience that doesn't seem quite right to them.
The latest came from a reader named Barb, who said she played the same games at different ... (read more)
A shuffle through the gaming mailbag9 February 2012
Q. My wife and her girlfriend play at the same casino. The girlfriend plays strictly 2-cent slots while my wife plays about 80% 2-cent slots and 20% dollar slots. This year my wife earned about 40,000 base points; her girlfriend earned just over 11,000 base points. The girlfriend plays once a week, my ... (read more)
Publications for the casino value seeker7 February 2012
As a casino value seeker both by inclination and by bankroll, I look forward each year to the new edition of the American Casino Guide and the member's rewards booklet from the Las Vegas Advisor.
Both are on my desk now, and I look forward to plotting out how best to use the coupons they contain.
... (read more)
A shuffle through the gaming mailbag2 February 2012
Q. I've seen the house edge of Let It Ride listed at 3.5% of one bet. What does that actually mean? Why specify one bet?
A. In Let It Ride, players start with three wagers of equal size. After you've seen your three face-down cards, you have the option of pulling back one wager. After you've seen the ... (read more)
Deviating from basic strategy31 January 2012
It was mid-morning on a Monday, and I found myself at a six-deck blackjack table. It was just an average kind of game, with the dealer standing on all 17s, double downs allowed on any first two cards, including after splitting pairs.
There was an average mix of other players, too. One played flawless basic strategy. ... (read more)
A shuffle through the gaming mailbag26 January 2012
Q. At the Atlantic City casinos there is a Let It Ride side bet known as the three card bonus. What is your opinion of this bet? Should this bet be made or is it best to avoid it?
A. There are several different pay tables on the three-card bonus bet. The most common brings you even money on a pair, ... (read more)
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