Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 13

Ask the Slot Expert: Why did slot attendant want to see my players card?

Previously on Ask the Slot Expert: I had a perfectly good-looking ticket that none of the video poker machines I wanted to play could read. I tried a Buffalo machine, but it couldn't read the ticket either. When this machine rejected the ticket, it didn't come out of the ticket slot...read more

Roulette Then and Now

There are three roulette games (as far as I know) currently being played in casinos, one of which is also a church staple – called the three-zero (0, 00, 000) wheel. It is the worst one to play and I recommend that you avoid the game as you would avoid, well, anything that you should avoid.The house edge on the triple-zero wheel, which has 39 pockets, is a monstrous 7.69 percent! Again, avoid this game...read more

Improving Three of a Kind in Video Poker

From Laquita G.Hello Stickman,I very much enjoy your articles. I find the information you present interesting and easy to understand.On to my question for you. Every time I am dealt a hand containing a three of a kind, I know I am a winner and I know the winning amount is more than just my initial bet...read more

Two Hands with an Inside Straight – But Different Holds

Preamble: Today’s article is a quiz on proper video poker strategy for two different inside straights. The game is full-pay (9/6) jacks or better. The bet is the maximum of five credits sothat the royal flush pays 800-for-1 rather than 250-for-1.See if you can play each hand properly.Hand #1The first hand for today is:Queen of spades (Qs), 9 of diamonds (9d), jack of hearts (Jh), king of diamonds (Kd), 6 of diamonds (6d)This hand contains four cards of an inside straight with three high cards (Qs, 9d, Jh, Kd), three high cards (Qs, Jh, Kd), and three cards of a flush (9d, Kd, 6d).Which cards would you hold? The answers are after the second hand.Hand #2The second hand for today is:King of hearts (Kh), queen of clubs (Qc), 9 of clubs (9c), jack of hearts (Jh), 2 of clubs (2c)This hand also contains four cards of an inside straight with three high cards (Kh, Qc, 9c, Jh), three high cards (Kh, Qc, Jh), and three cards of a flush (Qc, 9c, 2c)...read more

Sex and Splits

CINDY: Women and slot machines. That’s a strong combination from the past, although I am not quite sure it is as strong now as it was in the past.ABBY: Men played craps in the World War II aftermath. It was almost an exclusive male game. They would send their wives and girlfriends off to play the slots...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Gaslight-ed by casino?

Point multiplier day at my main casino. I went to Auntie Anne's to use a 15% off coupon Anne emailed me. I ordered an original with salt from my favorite employee (she always calls me by name). She asked if I could come back in about five minutes...read more

"Mistakes. I've made a few."

Borrowing the lyrics from the Frank Sinatra hit (to quote “Mistakes? I’ve made a few!”) I want all casino players reading this to know that I have made a few mistakes in my gaming career.One with a couple of people whom I’ve trusted. Some of the very wrong people...read more

Seven Deadly Sins for Video Poker Players: 6. Wrath, 7. Sloth

Preamble: While browsing through the offerings on television the other night I came across Se7en. It is a 1995 movie about detectives hunting a serial killer that uses the seven deadly sins as motivation for killing. While I am not much of a fan of the movie, lessons can be learned from it regarding video poker play and gambling in general.This is a combined article that covers the sixth deadly sin – wrath, and the seventh deadly sin – sloth.6...read more

Fine Dining

CINDY: When I first went to the casinos I was slender. Now I am not slender. I’m not fat but I am no longer slender either. At home I am a moderate eater. In the casino I am not a moderate eater. I am a devourer. I eat breakfast. I eat lunch...read more

Seven Deadly Sins for Video Poker Players: 5. Gluttony

Preamble: While browsing through the offerings on television the other night I came across Se7en. It is a 1995 movie about detectives hunting a serial killer that uses the seven deadly sins as motivation for killing. While I am not much of a fan of the movie, lessons can be learned from it regarding video poker play and gambling in general.This is the fifth in a series of seven articles that each cover one of the seven deadly sins – fifth article, fifth deadly sin – gluttony.According to Merriam-Webster, gluttony is “excess in eating or drinking,” or “greedy or excessive indulgence.”Gluttony is similar to greed.The word “greedy” is even used in the definition...read more