Gaming Gurus: Latest From Our Strategy Experts

Touching chips at the craps table

Hi Stickman,I had something happen to me that last time I was at the craps table. There was a wild shooter who had the dice. He would grab the dice and fire them down the table. They would fly all over the place. On one of his throws, the dice hit the chips I had on the don’t pass line.My question is, is it okay for me to restack those chips? Do I have to wait for the dealer or stickman to handle it? I know they don’t want you to play with your pass line bet during the point cycle, but does that also apply to don’t pass bets?ChuckHi Chuck,Regarding your comment about pass line bets, it is okay to change the odds portion of the bet (but not while the dice are out)...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Video poker progressives

Question: Always choose progressives when playing video poker. Crazy how most people don’t know this. Answer: Well, okay. All things being equal, you might as well play the progressive. The problem is that rarely are all things equal. As I wrote the past few weeks, fantastic free play offers from a casino led to my recent dalliance with 25-cent Triple Play Illinois Deuces with a royal progressive on each hand individually and a separate progressive for a royal on all three. I considered three options for using the free play: NSU, some other video poker, and slots...read more

Video poker game recommendation

From Sarah.Hi Mr. Stickman,I am a new video poker player. Well, I am really just a potential video poker player. I play mostly slots now but friends have told me I should consider video poker because it has a better house edge for me.My question is, what game should I learn first...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Answer to last week's puzzler

Last week I described a decision I had to make while playing video poker. I had very good free play offers at a casino and I was using it playing Triple Illinois Deuces Wild with a separate progressive for a royal on each hand and another progressive for being dealt a royal or drawing to three royals. Even though drawing to three royals is a long shot, I've seen it happen...read more

Using video poker strategy cards

From Garrick.Hi Stickman,I very much enjoy playing video poker. Due to my financial situation, I am not able to play as often as I would like, but I try to go as often as possible. I am also very busy with my business and growing family so I do not have much time to practice video poker strategy...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Playing with scared money

I've written in the past about an aspect of playing NSU that I don't like: There are a number of instances in which you sacrifice a paying hand to take a chance that you will get a better-paying hand. Every paytable has them, but NSU has more of them than other paytable strategies I've learned. For example, say you are dealt 2 ♣ 5 ♣ 5 ♠ 7 ♠ 9 ♠...read more

Is video poker becoming extinct?

From WorriedMr. Stickman,This could sound ridiculous, but I am serious. When I started playing video poker, there were lots of machines. Not only that, but they had good pay tables. On a recent trip to a casino, I had to look very hard to find any video poker machines...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Lessons for game shows from gambling - part 2

Some of the lessons we learn from gambling can be used for playing game shows and vice versa. Last week we looked at the importance of knowing the rules of the game you are playing. Know the math This week let's look at the importance of knowing the math of the game you are playing...read more

Video poker quiz: Low pair or three-card open straight flush

Today’s article is a quiz on proper video poker strategy. The game is full-pay (9/6) jacks or better. The bet is the maximum five credits so that the royal flush pays 800-for-1 rather than 250-for-1.See if you can play the two hands properly.Today’s first hand contains:- 3 of diamonds (3d)- 3 of spades (3s)- Jack of hearts (Jh)- 10 of hearts (Th)- 9 of hearts (9h)The only two obvious holds for the hand (3d, 3s, Jh, Th, 9h) are:- Low pair (3d, 3s)- Three-card open straight flush (Jh, Th, 9h)Which hold would you choose?The returns for these two holds for the hand (3d, 3s, Jh, Th, 9h) are:- The low pair (3d, 3s) – returns 4.1184 credits for five credits played on average.- The three-card open straight flush (Jh, Th, 9h) – returns 3.6772 credits on average.There is quite a difference between the two holds...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Lessons for game shows from gambling - part 1

Some of the lessons we learn from gambling can be used for playing game shows. Know the rules The first lesson is to know the rules of the game you're playing backwards and forwards. This is probably most important when playing blackjack because different casinos -- and even different tables within a casino -- can have different rules...read more