Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 100

Ask the Slot Expert: Bonus Roundus Interruptus

About 11am, Tuesday morning, Suncoast Casino. I had just played 2000 hands of NSU. Another loss. At least it wasn't a shellacking like some recent sessions. Even though I had to feed the machine more times than I think I should have, at least I got some play for my money. Next stops: my preferred Quick Hit machines...read more

Who Cares?

I’m in the elevator waiting to go up to my room. An older couple step in and up we go. My room is all the way at the top of the hotel. So is the older couple’s. They seem like pleasant people. When they stepped into the elevator they smiled and nodded an “hello” and I nodded and smiled back.On the way up the gentleman said to me, “So how are you doing?”Oh for crying out loud...read more

New York's unforced error

Last week I wrote a blog explaining why the plan to issue online sports betting licenses in New York will be a disaster. Not only will the tax rate be the highest in the nation – possibly a ridiculous 71% – but the entire law is on its face unconstitutional.In a case involving fantasy sports, trial court judge Gerald Connolly forcefully concluded that the New York Constitution prevents the State Legislature from legalizing any form of sports betting...read more

Why Draw Poker?

QUESTION: Why do you think draw poker is used for video poker? If you play live poker, they're all stud games like Hold'em, Omaha, Razz and seven-card stud. Wouldn't it make sense that the most popular games in poker rooms would be the most popular in video poker, too?ANSWER: The short answer is that five-card draw games dominate video poker because they are popular...read more

Best Baccarat

This is the fifth article in a series that examines several aspects of popular casino games. Each article briefly explains how the game is played as well as highlighting some of the positive and negative features of that casino game.This article examines baccarat.Game Description:There are three variations of baccarat: punto banco, baccarat chemin de fer (or "chemmy"), and baccarat banque (or à deux tableaux)...read more

Pseudo Random Isn't Random

ABBY: Are casino games really random? Or are we being fooled into thinking this is so?CINDY: Well, that’s a big question, isn’t it? If the casino games are not random doesn’t that open the door to players exploiting the games?ABBY: I use as my first example the idea that the slot machines are actually run by the Random Number Generator...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Why I sometimes don't report a problem with a slot machine

I used to have a blanket recommendation that players alert slot floor staff to problems with machines. I still recommend that players alert the casino when a machine malfunctions. If there's only a minor problem, like a sticky button or a poorly aligned touch screen, I'm more likely to work around the problem than tell the staff on some machines. I used to play one of the two 3-coin $5 video poker machines that Red Rock had in one of its high limit rooms...read more

Dumb Moves by Smart Players

Are there any casino players who have not made some dumb moves in their playing careers? I know I have been guilty of some. For example, when I first played at the Sands Casino in Atlantic City over 30 years ago, I actually used the dreaded Martingale system of doubling up after a loss while playing the red/black wager at roulette.I thought it was a brilliant idea, logical, unassailable, and I mistakenly thought I had invented it...read more

The 3/2 Roulette System

Roulette players love systems play. That shows up in my inbox, where I see half a dozen or more systems from readers each year.I try to send a consistent message: If a system causes you to raise wagers outside your comfort zone, it increases losses and should be avoided...read more

Inside Pai Gow Poker

This is the fourth article in a series that examines several aspects of popular casino games. Each article briefly explains how the game is played as well as highlighting some of the positive and negative features of that casino game.This article explores Pai Gow poker.Pai Gow poker is played with one 52-card deck plus one joker...read more