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Mark Pilarski Gaming Guru - Page 37  Deal Me In: CASINO AHEAD. Reduced speed zone. All penalties doubled.19 June 2009
Dear Mark: What is the best approach-method when playing blackjack using the Table Master from Shuffle Master? Table limits are $5-$200 dollars where I play. My sole motivation is to win moderate amounts while playing and it appears to me that basic strategy may be a possible solution. Myles H.
The ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Just whose ace is it anyway?5 June 2009
Dear Mark: Recently at a Reno blackjack table, I placed a bet in the betting circle and the dealer missed me and didn't give me a card. The card, an ace, was given to the next player and I said, "you missed me." The dealer said "you'll have to wait till the next hand, I'm not giving you HIS ace," even though she hadn't even given herself a card yet. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Spread your action around22 May 2009
Dear Mark: The casino where I play cut back on the perks I normally receive. Is there anything I can do about it? Tim D.
I made mention a few weeks back, Tim, that it baffled me that some casinos are making wholesale changes to their video poker machines, hoping to improve their theoretical hold during these tough times. ... (read more)
Yes, now that you mention it, profit does play a part15 May 2009
Dear Mark: Is there any value to playing poker online for free? Doesn't it improve your Texas Hold'em skills with an outlay of real money? Nate J.
I can't let it pass without mention, Nate, that I don't play poker online, for cash or otherwise. I do shadow some of the online gambling sites to see what's ... (read more)
Deal Me In: The Great Whamerooney, but it still slices like baloney?8 May 2009
Dear Mark: Do the large progressive slot machines offer the most potential with the least risk? Dan O.
Not a bit, Dan, because for the life-altering big score that a machine like Megabucks offers, you are looking at beating the odds of 30,000,000 to 1.
Sure, area progressives are usually the only ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Natural odds, take your bow1 May 2009
Dear Mark: I have been told that the best bet in a casino is to bet "natural odds" at the craps table because the house has no edge. My question is, if this is such a good bet, why do some casinos offer to let you to place bets for up to 10 times your line bet or even higher? Bob F.
It's true; Bob, taking odds is distinct from all other casino wagers in that free odds carry NO house edge. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Those gimmick wagers ride the range again24 April 2009
Dear Mark: I was playing blackjack, and this game had the Pair Plus bet. I usually don't bet these side bets, but pairs were coming up like crazy so I tried it a couple of times. Could you give me the house edge on this bet? James H.
The bet you mentioned isn't called Pair Plus, as the wager of that name you will find on a three-card poker table. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: 21 Madness17 April 2009
Dear Mark: What do you know about 21 Madness? Is it a decent bet for the player? Kenny B.
Here's another one of those side bets in blackjack, Kenny, that sort of looks good, but just can't pass the smell test.
Kenny is referring to a $1 wager the casino allows you to make, in addition to your regular blackjack bet, that you will be dealt a two-card 21. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Alert player sounds the alarm10 April 2009
Dear Mark: I just finished reading your most recent column. You mentioned that it's best for a player to play at a casino with liberal rules, but the number one thing you failed to mention to your readers is to play at tables that pay 3:2 on a blackjack, and not to play any table that pays 6:5 or less. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Fire and ice3 April 2009
Dear Mark: What are your thoughts of making all the numbers 4-5-6-8-9-10 in any order before a seven? This of course is the fire bet, which some casinos now offer. The payoff is 1,000 to 1. Norm M.
Top thought: After doing the back-of-the-napkin math, giving the house a 25% edge on your play, I wouldn't ... (read more)
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