Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 212

Heads or tails?

Dear Jerry Stickman,Hi. My friends and I have been having long hours trying to work out the math logic behind a simple betting scenario, but alas to no avail. We hope you can shed some light.Scenario:In a make-believe game where there are two equal options, being RED or BLACK, a croupier, in an unimaginable scenario, has already drawn nine REDs in a row...read more

The Martingale and full-pay Deuces

QUESTION: I have a question about the double-up Martingale, where you keep doubling bets until you win.I’ve looked online and I know you recommend against it, as do lot of gambling experts. But suppose I decide to try, starting with betting $5 on black in roulette...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Using earplugs while playing video poker

Question: I was playing in the high limit area in Caesars AC a couple of years ago and someone hit something like two cherries and a Double Diamond on one of their $100 machines. Many people came to see what the hit was, but hung back in awesome respect of someone even playing a $100 machine...read more

How to be a good dealer

If you think it is easy being a casino dealer then just give it a try. The public can be a real pain in the “you-know-what” in all situations but in a casino, losing money, the player-public can be downright nasty.Nasty players blame the dealers for bad luck, scold other players for making the “wrong” decisions, and generally make a nuisance or worse of themselves.Still, there are dealers who can also be described as pains in the “you-know-what” and these dealers are not fun to be with...read more

Top 10 pre-flop strategies for poker

Pre-flop strategy is one of the most important poker skills to learn before jumping into games. If you are making mistakes pre-flop, it is going to be extremely difficult to play effectively post-flop as well, because you will end up with unbalanced ranges, having too many bluffs, with too many mediocre hands or in undesirable spots.To avoid this, I will try to explain 10 of the most important things you should always take into consideration when making decisions pre-flop...read more

Their first time

A while back, I relayed a story from a slot player who had a pretty bad time on her first casino visit. She’s a regular player today only because a friend convinced her to give it another try, and she had more fun the second go-round.That drew responses from many readers who wanted to share their own first-time experiences.Kari: Like that woman, my first time was on a bus trip...read more

Today's gambling

The United States has had a long history of gambling. For example, the Virginia colony was financed by a lottery that was held in England in 1612. The American Revolution was paid for largely by state lotteries. Later, numerous states and towns followed this lead, and paid for roads and public works projects through the sale of lottery tickets.All 13 original colonies established lotteries, usually more than one, to raise revenue...read more

Video keno and blackjack

QUESTION: In video keno, are you better off playing the same numbers every time, or changing them up? I like to bet hot numbers. If I see a number come up two or three times in a row, I include it in my set. If I see three numbers come up twice in a row, I bet them in a three spot.My niece works the other way...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Birthday luck on a video poker machine

Question: I had to laugh when I read your recent column that mentioned "birthday luck" as I have experienced it only once in my life (well, so far that is!). I was at Trop in A/C on my birthday about six or seven years ago playing video poker and feeling a bit reckless after a nice birthday dinner and drinks...read more

Hidden dangers and hidden pleasures

There is math galore in casino games. The mathematics is the reason why and how casinos have the edge over the players. There are money management systems galore too – just about all players manage their money in some way or other, even if it is just to throw it away.But there are hidden dangers in casino games – germane hidden dangers at that; and there are hidden pleasures as well...read more