Gaming Gurus: Latest From Our Strategy Experts

One for the Road

I remember a time when people had “one drink for the road” as they smashed out their cigarette in the ashtray or on the sidewalk outside the bar or dance hall.Those were the days! Nobody got killed on the roads just because Harold was allowed to drive plastered before seat belts were mandatoryIn fact, I know one man who doesn’t believe we should have to wear seat belts...read more

Survey Part 8

Casino Survey Part 8 – What is Your Favorite Casino Game and Why?Casinos have a wide range of games designed to attract nearly every type of gambler. Since there is such a variety, I thought it might be interesting to survey casino goers to find out their favorite games and why they play them.This is the eighth article in a series of articles that explores this topic.Responses from a recent casino sampling.Daniel from California:“When I first started going to casinos several years ago, I would play several different table games during each visit.I would usually spend 30 minutes or more at each game...read more

Debating Roulette Strategies

CINDY: Okay, we finally met someone who seriously disagrees with us about how to play roulette.ABBY: It had to come sooner or later I guess.CINDY: Her name is Marian and she learned how to play the game at her church when they held Las Vegas nights.ABBY: Churches have sent casinos a lot of players.CINDY: God and gambling.ABBY: Don’t say that too loud.CINDY: Marian will talk for herself...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Monty Hall on Survivor?

One of the twists in the new era of Survivor is the journey, in which one castaway from each tribe is taken to another island and given a task to do. The castaway usually leaves the island with an advantage or a disadvantage. On a recent episode, the task involved choosing scrolls from a bag...read more

Let's Discuss

Blackjack is a game where people can play silently, existing in their own heads, enjoying the game or not enjoying the game depending on wins or losses, and the people who enjoy such silence enjoy such a game.With a full table of 7 (or 6), there are always occasions for conversations, most of them cordial and pleasant, but some of these conversations are atrocious and those who contribute to the atrociousness tend to be those who perceive of themselves as expert blackjack players who will not hesitate to give their opinions on how to play their fellow players’ hands.And these “experts” are rarely experts in the sense that they understand how to really play each and every hand correctly...read more

How the Casino Wins Your Money

Casinos are a business; just like the businesses in your community and those throughout the world. Their goal is simple, it really is and that goal is this – to make your money their money.They sell a product, gambling on games where they have the advantage over the players...read more

One Foot Towards the Door

I am going to share with you a very simple concept that I stumbled upon early in my career as a casino gaming columnist. I now call it “my foot facing the door.”Okay, what does this mean precisely? “Foot facing the door.”When I am playing I am always ready to leave the table if things are not going right, or don’t seem to be going right, or if I am uncomfortable for any reason whatsoever...read more

Casino Survey Part 7: Why Play What You Play?

Casinos have a wide range of games designed to attract nearly every type of gambler. Since there is such a variety, I thought it might be interesting to survey casino goers to find out their favorite games and why they play them.This is the seventh article in a series of articles that explores this topic.Responses from a recent casino sampling.Jerry from North Dakota:“I started coming to casinos several decades ago...read more

"Same Old, Same Old"

CINDY: When someone says to you that they are the “same old, same old” what are they telling you? I am guessing that as it applies to the casinos, there is “nothing new under the sun.” They are bored. They aren’t having a wild good time. Things are pretty dull.ABBY: And that means that their casino play is leaving something in the dust; pleasure, challenge, changing circumstances...read more

Whatever Happened to Timmy?

CINDY: This is an oldie.ABBY: Go ahead.CINDY: Whatever happened to Timmy?ABBY: Oh, my, I remember him. Wow!CINDY: He was a mainstay when we first started playing in the old days.ABBY: The good old days in Atlantic City.CINDY: He was always at the Claridge or Sands in Atlantic City...read more