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Gaming Guru
Casino loyalty deserves slot club compensation14 January 2000
Dear Mark,
Missing something? Yes! Just by being a
certified card-carrying member of a slot club you can receive up to a
one percent cash rebate while playing video poker. On a full-pay Jacks
or better 9/6 video poker machine with an expected return of 99.6%, you
now command a positive expectation of 100.1%. Yes, George, this is a
mathematical edge against a cybernetic one-armed bandit the whole time
you're playing.
In the future, George, make yourself a
sought-after guest. Simply fill out as many slot club application cards
as you can get your hands on and start making the casinos compete for
your business. Join me in the VIP line at the buffet.
Dear Mark, Most casino slots today have a fully automated player tracking system, or SMART-Slot Marketing and Revenue Tracking. With the swipe of your slot club card, onboard software knows your name, address, interests, denomination of play, favorite machines, how much you have invested, your winnings at any given hour and if you have a dog named Sparky. Tell a slot host any pertinent information about yourself and it's fair game for the casino's computer database. On the plus side, your information helps them with direct-mail campaigns informing you of promotions, upcoming slot tournaments, parties, reduced room rates, casino events and most importantly, comps, comps, comps. Shades of 1984? Probably, but player gratuities far outweigh Big Brother knowing the date of your wedding anniversary.
Dear Mark, Assuming programming integrity, all spins are random, which, Barry, is what you can expect in regulated casinos as there is no reason for the house to risk breaking the law and lose their valuable casino license by programming the machines to beat you. As for the best bet in roulette, there really isn't any. All bets on a double zero roulette table hold the same 5.26% house advantage, with one exception; the five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3). The casino edge on that wager is 7.9%.
Dear Mark, The ONLY advantage the casino has over the player in blackjack is that the casino plays last. If you bust and so does the dealer, the house already has your money in the tray. Player skills, or lack of them, are really what are going to determine your success in a casino. The casino, Bart, doesn't beat you; it merely gives you the opportunity to beat yourself. Recent Articles
Mark Pilarski |
Mark Pilarski |