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Mark Pilarski Gaming Guru - Page 43  Deal Me In: Count and discount25 January 2008
Dear Mark: Who was it that came up with the 10-card (10, J, Q, K) being the most important card to follow when counting cards in blackjack? Jake M.
It was Dr. Edward Thorp who, in 1962, developed the first method of card counting using an IBM 704 computer, and then followed up on his finding by writing the classic, Beat the Dealer. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Are casino dice on the level?22 January 2008
Dear Mark: I'm a big craps player. I was talking to my Uncle (who is in naval intelligence) about craps. He said they did studies on dice and said there are easy steps that can be done to "slightly" change the outcome of rolls over a period of time, such as: felt tip pen mark on one of the dice, hitting a certain side with some force, etc. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Reader asks if the anti-gimmickry gimmick is gimmicked4 January 2008
Dear Mark: As an avid slot player, I have a theory which I would like you to evaluate. We all know that slot symbols are picked by a RNG and that each spin is independent of the previous one, but what if the RNG is not always playing with a "full deck" so to speak. Is it possible that at certain times the ... (read more)
Machines do matter14 December 2007
Dear Mark: Per your advice, I'm learning blackjack on a video machine at 25 cents a hand versus live play at $5 a hand. I was wondering if I am allowed to use a blackjack strategy card in the casino while I play? Does it matter how many coins I put in? Any other advice would be appreciated. Paul G.
One of ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Cheating maneuver allowed on this variant of blackjack7 December 2007
Dear Mark: Have you ever heard of a blackjack game where you are allowed to switch cards between two of your own hands? My friend says he's played it, but I can't believe a casino would allow you to do it. Tim A.
Yes, Tim, there is such a game where casino allows the players to do what would normally put ... (read more)
Deal Me In: The wise and benevolent reign of strategy28 November 2007
Dear Mark: Do you feel that video poker is a good place to start learning poker skills for the table game? I figure it's about the cheapest way to learn. Gary A.
Video poker is based on the classic game five-card stud, which challenges players to compose the best possible five-card hand. The player is ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Those teachable electrons16 November 2007
Dear Mark: I played on a video poker game where you were guaranteed at least one deuce. If, as you say, the machine deals each randomly, how can I be guaranteed a deuce? Gary N.
The casinos where I live, Gary, don't offer the variation of video poker you write of: Deuce on the Deal from Bally's, where you ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Too good to be true?9 November 2007
Dear Mark: Could you please give me some information on "Let It Ride." I tried it recently and liked it, but I had the unpleasant feeling that something this easy couldn't be "too good to be true." Tom Z.
Let It Ride is a variation of five-card stud poker where the player wagers on a poker hand ... (read more)
Terms of (casino) endearment6 November 2007
Dear Mark: Often you, as well as other gaming writers and newspaper articles related to casino gambling, freely use gambling terms, and do so without including a definition. Here are but a few that I have seen of late that I would like an explanation of as to what they mean: pay cycle, handle, hold and the payout percentage. ... (read more)
Cash out, then clear out19 October 2007
Dear Mark: So I sit down at a bank of video poker machines and quickly hit a four-of-a-kind for $800. Every bone in my body says I should move to the next machine if I want to keep playing, but I know your counsel is that it won't matter as far as the odds go. Are all video poker and slot machines hooked ... (read more)
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