Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 187

Simple questions, simple answers

We face a new year ahead of us, the number 2018. For me, such a date is the equivalent of living in a science fiction novel of my childhood: home computers, smart phones with video and photography, laptops, and a host of other sci-fi technology.And casinos, which at this writing number some 1,000 that are spread out over 50 states...read more

Low-denomination video poker

Video poker players who opt for a little low-cost fun at nickel machines usually encounter pay tables that are a couple of notches below those on games that require bigger bets.There are exceptions, mostly at casinos that cater to Las Vegas locals...read more

Getting cash in a casino

What’s the one thing you positively must have if you want to gamble? Of course, it’sc-a-s-h.Most folks just use folding money. Nothing wrong with that, but there are other options, some better, some worse. And what about managing that cash when you gamble on the tables or machines? Do you have a plan for what you are going to do if you start losing? What about winning? And what would you do if you won some serious money? How would you get it home, safely? The point is that how you get, use, access, and manage your money when you gamble is just as important as which games you play and how you play them.Every player – high roller, low roller, table or machine player – must do the following if they want to partake in the casino action.1. Convert money into a playing bankroll.2. Manage that bankroll when they play.3. Convert what’s left of the bankroll into cash and head home.Step 1...read more

I surrender!

QUESTION: I was in a blackjack game that allowed late surrender. Other rules weren't very good: eight decks, dealer hits soft 17, double downs restricted to hard 10 and 11, split pairs only once, no double after split.At least I had the surrender option, and I took full advantage...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Do casinos remove slot machines when they pay too much?

Question: My friends and I won a lot of money from a slot machine. When we went back to the casino a few weeks later, the machine was gone. Do you think the casino removed this machine because it was paying too much? Answer: No, I don't...read more

A walk with the Captain

The Captain of Craps, the Atlantic City legend and my mentor, passed away on February 10, 2010, during a raging snowstorm in New York City. In ancient literature, great men are born and die with huge perturbations in nature, such as traveling stars, storms, earthquakes, blizzards and the like...read more

Is this Mary's jackpot?

Mary has played slot machines for more years than she cares to count."I was playing when all the slots were three reels, you pulled handles and were paid in coins that dropped out of the machine. I was playing when you had to wash your hands practically every hour or so...read more

Limited bankroll craps

Hi Stickman,I'm sure you've simulated most every popular system out there. If you had a max bankroll of $2,000, what craps system or strategy would you recommend playing?I've simulated playing a don't pass bet with odds along with a don't come bet, with a positive outcome...read more

3x, 4x, 5x odds at craps

QUESTION: I went back and read about 3x, 4x and 5x odds in craps, and how they make the payoffs easy. Is easy really the point, though? What if I wanted to make a 3x odds bets on a point of 5 or 9? Would they refuse your money?ANSWER: The dealers wouldn't refuse your money, but they might urge a different bet, to the point of helping you size it correctly.Ease of payment is one issue...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Are extra bets on slots worth making?

Question: If the RNG determines at the nanosecond I spin if I win or lose, then it seems I should only play one line at a time. If I'm playing a dollar machine with five lines, then did I just waste $4 automatically? If it is either going to win or lose, wouldn't one line be sufficient? Answer: Your statements illustrate why I object to the way that some slot writers try to simplify the way slots work...read more