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Mark Pilarski Gaming Guru - Page 6  Deal Me In: Where's my refill?25 September 2015
Dear Mark: I just wanted to share a story about your column regarding tipping. We were not at a casino, but my mom and I occasionally go to dinner or lunch. She always offers to pay, and I say I'll get it, so she says "I'll leave the tip." Probably the third time we went out we stood up to leave, and I looked down to see a quarter. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Is there such a thing as a controlled shooter in craps?18 September 2015
Dear Mark: I am an avid craps player. My usual game is a Pass line bet with full odds plus one or two Come bets also with full odds. I also enjoy reading anything related to craps in hopes of gaining an "edge.” I just finished a book on controlled shooting. In your experience, is it possible to gain an edge being a "controlled shooter?” Michael F. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Toilets don't flush themselves11 September 2015
Dear Mark: It seems everywhere you go in the casino one is expected to tip. You seem to encourage it, stating in a column, “Consider it a contribution to Lady Luck.” I would like to think of myself as generous; twenty percent for food servers, slot attendants on payoffs get their share, and of course, dealers always get a piece of my winnings. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Progressively riding your streak4 September 2015
Dear Mark: My brother-in-law swears that after every second win, you double your bet. He says you are keeping the first win after raising the bet and then using house money for the raise. So, his method is $5, $5, $10, $10, $20, $20. If you win six hands in a row, you win $70. Losing six hands in a row costs you $30. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Overruling 'it lays it plays'28 August 2015
Dear Mark: OK, former Pit Boss, please handle the situation I had with one of your peers on a craps table. I had been playing for about an hour making $5 pass line bets until that final seven ended my night. However, like every other gambler, I would figure one more try might swing luck back my way. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Buy-er beware21 August 2015
Dear Mark: I have heard, although not seen, that certain casinos offer different commissions on a 4 and 10 buy bet. Of three casinos near where I live, they all offer a buy bet with a 5% commission. Was I misinformed? Nick F. Essentially, Nick, a buy bet resembles a place bet except that you pay a 5% commission on the amount of your wager. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Is free slot play rigged?14 August 2015
Dear Mark: When a casino gives free slot play, does the slot machine “know” you are playing with the casinos free given “money”? It seems that spins on the slot machine change when I put my money in the machine. Say, for instance, I get $5 free play. With ten spins at $.50 each, I don’t seem to win anything. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Streaks end — but when?7 August 2015
Dear Mark: This regular reader and occasional correspondent continues to view in awe the breadth of your knowledge about all casino operations, but occasionally I take issue with your comments. The newest case in point is your observation: “Streaks, Jeremy, are nothing more than hindsight of past performance. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: Player strategery31 July 2015
Dear Mark: I like to play penny slots. My system is that I only lose five dollars from my highest credits. For example, I insert $5, lose it, then move to another machine. I will either win a little, or only lose five dollars from the highest credit score. My question is: Am I better off moving to different machines or staying put on just one machine? Jeremy P. ... (read more)
Deal Me In: 'Loose slots' aren't necessarily a good bet24 July 2015
Dear Mark: In your recent article you told a reader that “there is no magic switch that's flipped from some secret location” to get more dough out of people. My question is this. Here in Reno, casinos talk and advertise about “we've loosened our slots,” or, we have “the loosest slots in town." Is this a ... (read more)
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