Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 203

Different edges for the same bets

Even though the house edge at most casino games is unchanging on every play, you'll sometimes see different edges listed by different sources.It's not necessarily that one source or another is wrong. It's just that they start with different assumptions.Ray, who says he's been a regular reader for at least 10 years, e-mailed recently to ask about some of those differences."You list the house edge at baccarat as 1.06 on banker and 1.24% on player," he wrote...read more

Size of the odds bet in craps

Hi Stickman,I just returned from a trip to Vegas and was playing craps at the El Cortez where a $3 minimum line bet was required.The number thrown on the come-out roll was 9, and I made a single odds bet of $2 and was told that I couldn't do that because any odds bet made could not be lower that the line bet...read more

Shills at slots?

QUESTION: This happened a long time ago, but I've always wondered if something was up. Maybe you have some insight.Early 1990s, my wife and I were in a casino for the first time. This other couple came up to us, both carrying buckets of dollar tokens.The woman said, "You wouldn't believe it...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: The house edge on very high denomination slot machines

Question: Hey greetings happy New yr iam just curious .What is the house edge on 500 dollar slot machines. Also if the high limit slots dont get play slot it doesn't matter still with it being set as with the rng? Answer: Happy New Year to you too...read more

Gambling and the Law: Impact of a one percent tax on sports betting

The U.S. Supreme Court appears to be about to rule that the federal law that prevents states from legalizing sports betting, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, is unconstitutional. There are at least a dozen states that appear ready to enact new laws to introduce or expand legal intra-state wagering on sporting events this year, once the High Court decision is announced.This raises, as always, the question of who will get the money.Indiana Rep...read more

Simple slot questions

Simple Slots Question: I know that there something called the RNG that controls the computerized slot machines, but I have no idea what this means and how the results come from this computer thingy. Can you help me on this? I know it doesn’t change the way I play but it would be nice to know what is behind the curtain.Simple Slots Answer: The RNG is the random number generator inside almost all slot machines – it is indeed the “man” behind the curtain...read more

Top 10 tips for cash game poker players

As a follow-up to my recent article about poker tournament success, this week we discuss 10 essential things you should consider when playing cash games.10. Manage your moneyBankroll management is probably as well-known as the Texas Hold’em hand rankings or positions in poker, but very few players follow the right guidelines...read more

Knowing a slot machine's return

There have long been two basic approaches to player rewards programs: Some reveal how many dollars in play it takes to earn a point and how many points it takes to redeem for free play, meals or other comps.Others keep that information confidential, leaving the club free to weigh other factors in awarding benefits.Now there appears to be a third approach, one that gambling author Steve Bourie says enables players to calculate the theoretical payback percentages at slot machines.This third approach is in use at the Seminole Hard Rock casinos in Florida, and Bourie describes in detail the calculation, the work that went into deriving the formula, and the results at https://www.americancasinoguide.com/slot-machines/an-analysis-of-slot-machine-payback-percentages-at-seminole-casinos-in-florida.html.I've never seen it anyplace else...read more

23 facts about blackjack

1. Blackjack originated in French casinos around the 1700s, where it was called "vingt-et-un" (twenty-and-one).2. Emperor Napoleon played and enjoyed it more than any other card game.3. There are approximately 140 countries in the world with casinos that offer blackjack.4. The proper name of the game is “21”; the name “blackjack” was only added as slang in the 1920s.5. The object of the game is not to get 21; the real object is to beat the dealer.6. 20 is the second-best hand in the game.7. 16 is the worst hand in blackjack, followed by 15 as the second-worst hand.8. 11 is the third-best hand in blackjack.9. Mathematically, in 100 hands, the dealer will win 48 hands, the player will win 44 and there will be eight ties...read more

Tracking and no tracking

QUESTION: Why does tracking cards work in blackjack, but tracking doesn't work in other games? If it matters what happens in blackjack, why wouldn't it give you an edge to know how many rolls since the last 7 in craps or how many spins since the last bonus round on slot machines?ANSWER: Counting cards in blackjack works because the odds are constantly changing...read more