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Mark Pilarski Gaming Guru - Page 40  Deal Me In: Give those machines a more thorough physical3 October 2008
Dear Mark: As a video poker player, if finding a 9/6 machine is not too tough, finding one that pays 2 coins (for each coin bet) on two pair is even tougher. Most machines look like 9/6 but 1 coin returned for two pairs. When the "best" machine in the casino is a 9/6/1, is there a better advantage to playing ... (read more)
Deal Me In: There's no guarantee when it comes to card counting26 September 2008
Dear Mark: If card counters have a mathematical edge against the casino, isn't it impossible for them to lose? I guess my question is, as long as a player has that edge, they would always win, right? David D.
Yes, but you could go broke first. "Huh?"
Let's begin this exercise by flipping a coin and betting a buck a pop. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Should I go for the sure thing or go for the gusto?19 September 2008
Dear Mark: Our local newspaper has been carrying your column for years and I must say, the education you dole out every week is a welcome relief to losing money every time I go in the casino. Count me in the "make only bets that have less than a 2% casino advantage" club that you always espouse. Anyway, my husband and I have argued this VP hand for years. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: One toss from the poorhouse12 September 2008
Dear Mark: The casino I play in offers 100x odds, and I figure that by taking them I am offering myself the best opportunity to win. So what are your thoughts on a sole $2 pass line wager backed up with 100x odds? I feel I have a better chance of coming out ahead than by betting $2 and double odds and trying to grind it out. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Card counting isn't all it's cracked up to be5 September 2008
Dear Mark: As a hobby, and only at home, I like to count down a deck of cards. As I said, I only do this at home and have never tried it on a live blackjack game. Before I do, I was curious as to if most blackjack players who learn to count cards actually end up being successful at beating the house, or am ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Common sense is legal, but not encouraged in casinos22 August 2008
Dear Mark: Why is the betting the seven considered a "sucker bet" in craps? Jason F.
Bet quality, Jason, reminds me of rating the value of baseball cards. Poor, being a Yankee Red Ruffing retrieved 40 years ago from spokes of your Schwinn Sting-ray, or a mint Mantle, still in the wrapper, gum included.
... (read more)
Deal Me In: The games they play to change your winning ways15 August 2008
Dear Mark: I play roulette when I feel lucky, which is hardly ever. However, I noticed that at one local casino where I play, if you watch real close, they change balls every time they spin the wheel. I also noticed they are different sized balls. Is this common practice, and do all the casinos do this? I have in the past seen them change the balls, but usually when they have a dealer change. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: You can pitch cardboard at any age8 August 2008
Dear Mark: I am a recently laid off autoworker in Detroit who is being forced to look for a new career. I am considering dealing blackjack. My question is, is there any age limit to dealing cards? I am 57, and I was wondering if that is too old, and if at that age I would lack certain skills needed to deal ... (read more)
No filet mignon this time1 August 2008
Dear Mark: What is the best way to play $25 on the crap game. I say place it on the pass line, while my friend believes you should place it on either the 6 or 8? Your decision gets one of us a steak dinner. Jeff F.
You are in the know, Jeff, sort of, but only for a Whopper at Burger King and not a steak dinner, and here's why. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Coins will slow you down — and that's a good thing18 July 2008
Dear Mark: I liked your column last week where you told Ruth to slow down her play by inserting coins instead of using credits. Unfortunately, where I play, they only use bill acceptors. Still, it's good advice, just not here. Denny B.
A friend of mine has a yellow ski boot where he hoards all his change ... (read more)
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