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Mark Pilarski Gaming Guru - Page 47  Beware the dragon's tooth23 January 2007
Dear Mark: In some casinos that offer pai gow poker, the dealer deals a second hand that is offered to the player. Exactly what is it, and is it worth playing? Billy F.
That second hand you observed, Billy, is called "the Dragon," and it's an additional hand that each player in turn has the option of playing. ... (read more)
Dumbo on third, the "back door" and Texas rules15 January 2007
Dumbo on third, the "back door" and Texas rules
Dear Mark: I disagree with you in that a player at third base in blackjack has no effect on the outcome of the game. I've seen dumb players take the dealer's bust card far too many times to believe otherwise. Willy H.
I'll stick by my past statement that poor play on third base does not affect the overall outcome of all hands dealt. ... (read more)
"Stingy" slots, "tight" videos, and that ever-trusty pass line29 December 2006
Dear Mark: Are not slot machines programmed to pay off a particular percentage of money bet, and then after a jackpot has been hit the machine will tighten up and not pay out a jackpot until one has not been hit for a long time? Rachael S.
Part of your question gets a yes, Rachael, in that a slot machine is programmed to pay off a particular percentage. ... (read more)
Gut feeling gamblers26 December 2006
Dear Mark: I just encountered it again on a Vegas talk board. Posters were talking about how often the number hits of roulette when for some reason they had a hunch and did not play it or have played it for an hour and just quit. Just talking about randomness may not be enough to really explain what is happening. ... (read more)
Best not to murmur while card-counting23 December 2006
Dear Mark: Unfortunately, the video poker machines where I play are all "tight." Therefore, I have been considering going back to the $5 blackjack tables. I try to count, most of the time, and I'd say I was fairly proficient at it but I've always wondered . . . if you had your druthers, which table seat would you like to have (first base, third base, anywhere, when you're counting). ... (read more)
What has odds of 1 to 2,598,960? Give up? Read on22 December 2006
Dear Mark: Is there a difference in payback between a standard $1 slot machine and a $1 Megabucks machine? Sally O.
A wide-area progressive, such as a Megabucks machine, typically coughs up 87% to the player, which, compared to a standard one-dollar slot that roughly pays back 94%, representing a 7% loss in long-term return. ... (read more)
Sure thing isn't so sure21 December 2006
Dear Mark: I received an offer in the mail that if I use this person's strategy at video poker, and play on machines that hypothetically return close to 100%, that I will be a winner every time, GUARANTEED! What is the deal here? Ken G.
GUARANTEED? Ah, another swindler scamming their system.
Before you get sucked in, here's the real deal. ... (read more)
Slot comps and the wily 6-520 December 2006
Dear Mark: Last week you mentioned comps and how to get them for blackjack players. How about for those of us who play slots, how do we get them? Fran F.
Slot players get their share of goodies by signing up for a player's card and inserting it into the machine's card reader while playing. Doing so ... (read more)
Gut feeling gamblers17 November 2006
Dear Mark: I just encountered it again on a Vegas talk board. Posters were talking about how often the number hits of roulette when for some reason they had a hunch and did not play it or have played it for an hour and just quit. Just talking about randomness may not be enough to really explain what is happening. ... (read more)
Pilarski mailbag: House edge, burn cards and multiple-deck blackjack10 November 2006
Dear Mark: For the lowest casino advantage, which game do you recommend that I play, craps, baccarat or single deck blackjack? Ray L.
There are oodles of variables, Ray, but with only finite space to hash over them, here's the bottom line, life preserver attached: It depends on how the games are played, and which bets you make on those games.
... (read more)
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