Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 119

Playing Blackjack Correctly

Some interesting comments can be made by other players at the blackjack tables. All of the following I have heard or seen written about by “experts” at the game. Which ones are right? Which ones are wrong? Here are some:• “Never hit your twelve against the dealer’s two!”• “If you are on third base you are responsible for the dealer’s hand.”• “If you have a ace and a six never double down against the dealer’s six.”• “Do not split aces when the dealer shows a power card of ten or face card.”• “Do not split eights against power cards as well.”• “Split fives if the dealer is showing a six or lower.”• “Basic strategy is just some egg-heads’ opinion...read more

Reopening of the Casinos

QUESTION: When casinos are allowed to reopen, will they be able to offer a full range of games? Will social distancing make a difference?ANSWER: Every jurisdiction will have its own regulations for reopening. New Jersey, Nevada, Illinois and Oklahoma regulations won’t necessarily all look the same.It would be safe to assume social distancing protocols will be in place, with specifics to be determined...read more

Casino Awareness

Most experts agree that casinos do not cheat players. Gaming is one of America’s most heavily regulated industries. Today casinos are owned and operated by some of the largest shareholder corporations in the world. These companies are not foolish enough to risk their gaming license to cheat a player out of a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars.If the gaming commission found a casino cheating, they would close it down right away...read more

The Virtual Meal

On a Tuesday morning, I was in my home office and a message window popped onto my screen.“Whatcha doin’? Got a little time?”It was Blackjack Bob. Talking blackjack over a buffet lunch is out for now. Serve-yourself lines seem like something from long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away.Messaging we could do.BOB: Is it an oversimplification to say the games with the most complex strategy are the best games? Thinking house edge here.JOHN: It is a bit of an oversimplification, yeah...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Some Las Vegas casinos announce reopening plans

A date to reopen casinos in Las Vegas isn't on the calendar yet (possibly Memorial Day or early June), but some casinos have announced the measures they will take to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. At least 52 casinos around the country, in addition, have already reopened. It makes sense to me that Strip casinos would be very slow to reopen...read more

Do You Need a Casino Host?

I am guessing that if you are a high-roller you probably have a host that sets up your trips, comps you the room and meals, sets up theater and sporting events tickets and in other ways takes proper care of you and yours.Other than maybe a present at holiday times, you do not have to pay the host anything...read more

When Wrong is Right

QUESTION: I’m using some the time from not going to casinos to practice blackjack. I have software that tells me when I’m making a mistake.I seem to have a mental block on soft 17 when the dealer has 7. You’re written often enough that soft 17 is not a standing hand, and I understand that...read more

Are VP Odds Always the Same?

Jerry,I met you years ago at a seminar in AC, but my question today concerns video poker. I can't help thinking it's a dumb one, but I'm going to take a shot anyway:I've read and understood many articles by you and others discussing perfect play and the odds of certain outcomes occurring (like a royal) over a given number of trials...read more

The Good Old Days

I started playing in a casino world where each machine had only one game and one coin denomination.If the game was $1 Red, White and Blue, then that’s what you played unless you wanted to move to a different machine. Same for 25-cent Jacks or Better video poker...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: What do you think will be different when casinos reopen?

Are you freaked out because you still can't get Clorox or another brand of wipes? Many products are effective against SARS-CoV-2, the name of the virus that causes the Covid-19 disease. The EPA has compiled List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2...read more