Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 190

Ask the Slot Expert: What is a penalty card in video poker?

Question: I have seen some video poker pocket guides that talk about a penalty card. Can you explain what they mean by a penalty card? Answer: Considering penalty cards in video poker strategy is the perfect example of the 80/20 rule...read more

Even more on comps

If you really want to be a savvy comp commander, I’m going to show you a secret way that only I know about to discover what exact formula the casinos you play in use to rate you. Here goes: Ask them!Yes, no one knows this secret, but you can actually ask to see your rating...read more

Their first time

For every player in every game, there has to be a first time.In craps, there are many players who were reluctant to take that first plunge. There are dozens of betting options and it takes time to get the hang of multi-roll bets such as pass and don't pass.I recently contacted several craps players of my acquaintance and asked them if they were wary of the game at first, and how they overcame any reluctance to play.GARY: I never even thought about not knowing the rules...read more

Beating blackjack tournaments

If you are planning to enter your first blackjack tournament, here are some tips to help you win.1. Read the tournament rules.When you arrive at the tournament and get your seat assignment, ask for a copy of the tournament playing rules. Carefully read them before the tournament begins...read more

Payout differences

QUESTION: You've written a number of times that there are different pay tables on Pair Plus in Three Card Poker, and that the most common one isn't as good as it used to be. Why is that? Why isn't the pay table standard?ANSWER: There are very few games in which payoffs are standard in all casinos...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: How bet size can legally affect chances for a bonus on a slot machine

Question: We've always wondered how it works when a machine says, "Higher Bet Improves Chances for Bonus." For example, Triple Quick Hits has three games going plus the moneybags on the side. Something must change in the programming in order to give you more chances at the bonus...read more

More on comps

Here is the basic formula for comps: average bet times the number of decisions per hour times number of hours you play times house edge equals your theoretical loss times whatever percent of your theoretical loss the casinos will give back, which (finally, thank God!) equals how much the casino will give you in comps.Now most casinos will give back between 30% (the really cheap ones) and 50% – known as the “Jackie Gleasons” because these are the “great ones” for comping – of your theoretical loss.So, let us speculate that your casino gives back 40% of $105, which is $42, in comps...read more

Love me, love my slots

If you are married to, or a friend of, someone who enjoys playing slot machines, you know that such people must tolerate you. If your companion or friend plays other games or they are in fact non-players, they have to show great patience if you enjoy significant time at the machines...read more

Gavin's story

Anybody who plays casino table games very often sees some odd things happen. I've heard from players who have told me of three of a kind on two and three hands in a row at Three Card Poker, a roulette player who accidentally wandered behind the table and was escorted away, and a blackjack player in a party pit who joined in with an Elvis imitator.Gavin is a craps player who said he'd never seen any of the strange things others talk about...read more

The random number generator

Hi Stickman,I took your slot class a while back. I remember you saying that the number generator in the slot machine is constantly "churning" numbers and that it is possible to hit back-to-back jackpots.My question is if someone walks up to the slot machine and puts in $100 and spins four times and hits the jackpot, would I have hit the same jackpot had I put the same amount into the machine and hit the same sequence of plays? It is not the number of hits but the timing of the spin that activates the number generator.Therefore, I would have had to hit the spin buttons at the exact same times as the other player to win...read more