Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 122

Tipping

Todd is a table games player, and he's a tipper."I tended bar for many years and I know what it's like to support a family on tips," he said. "A good dealer can do a lot to make the games more fun. A bad or unpleasant dealer can make you wish you were doing anything else."So I tip...read more

Online versus In-Casino Slots

QUESTION: I just wanted to share my experience of the last year as a slot player in New Jersey. Like everyone else, I've been staying home more and hardly went to casinos at all, but I've been having a good time playing online.One thing I really like is that I can choose from dozens of games without leaving my recliner chair...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Las Vegas casinos are not giving anything away anymore

Question: Years ago our team at work, 12 of us, were all going from Southern California to St. Louis. Someone had the great idea to leave from separate airports. Some from Los Angeles, some from Ontario, and some from Orange County, in case there was an accident all of us wouldn't be dead. We all flew Southwest...read more

The New World Casinos

The coronavirus has severely attacked our health and welfare. Our society has been closed with the exception of “essential workers” and while many states have initiated openings of some businesses, the impact on our economy has been devastating.I live in New York which has about half of the registered deaths as I write this column...read more

The Terrible Two

In every casino game that requires strategy, every possible outcome is considered in devising a plan of attack.In blackjack, every possible outcome of both the player's and dealer's hands are weighed.Analysis doesn't stop at one-card draws...read more

My Advice for Video Poker Play

Shortly after I started playing video poker, I read an article in a gambling rag about a great way to play the game. The article promised that the betting method detailed there would have an excellent chance of winning. It went on to promise that if you did not win, you would definitely be able to play for a very, very long time if you followed the rules.The betting method went something like this.• Bet only one credit on the first hand played.• If it wins, bet one credit on the next hand.• If it loses, bump the amount bet on the next hand to two credits.• If it wins, go back to one credit on the next bet.• If it loses, bump the amount bet on the next hand to three credits.• If it wins, go back to one credit on the next bet.• If it loses, bump the amount of the bet on the next hand to four credits.• If it wins, go back to one credit on the next bet.• If that hand loses, bump the amount of the bet on the next hand to five credits.• Regardless of whether this hand wins or loses, bet one credit on the next hand.I knew all about which games had the best returns...read more

Back-to Back Jackpots!

QUESTION: I just got back from my first casino trip since February, and it was a keeper. I just have to tell you about my back-to=back video poker jackpots, because I know you use those stories sometimes.It was the first chance I had to play Triple Triple Bonus Poker...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Breaking up with my favorite video poker machine

Question: Your column on annoying players who don't use the deal button mirrored my feelings completely. You forgot to mention that those same players always pick the loudest machine in the area. I always have a pair of earplugs in my pocket for when I encounter these individuals, they really help...read more

No, No, (yes) and No

There is no doubt that I’ll play around in many columns about this or that technique, method or system of play, even those that are awful, but I always explain what is truly wrong with these methods. I don’t actually think most ways of play are any good or, rather, less bad.There are methods that can give the player a slight edge (these methods and players are rare indeed), methods that give the house the smallest edge at any given game, methods that sock it to the player one way or another, and money management techniques that preserve the players’ bankrolls.So today I am going to be strict in my advice and answer some of the questions I received from players about how they play or should play...read more

Proper blackjack decisions for 9:9

Not long ago, I wrote about splitting 8s. Sometimes we're playing offense and trying to maximize wins. Sometimes we're playing defense and trying to minimize losses.Either way, basic strategy players always split 8s unless surrender is offered...read more