Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 220

Video poker too good to be true

QUESTION: Once it became common knowledge to only play Jacks or Better video poker machines with a 9/6 pay table, Las Vegas casinos promptly responded by removing Jacks or Better games from their casinos. What is the next best game we should all look out for?ANSWER: It’s an oversimplification to say that casinos promptly removed 9/6 Jacks or Better when they found the game was paying out more than expected – some casinos still have it – but let’s tackle the basic question.The question boils down to this: In video poker, there was a period when casinos didn’t have a solid grasp of how much the games would pay...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Hot tips for a Vegas visitor

Question: A few weeks ago you had an article about someone who had a friend who pushed the button on his slot machine and the friend got a jackpot and the casino paid the friend. What happens when a stranger hits the button? A few years ago I was playing Wheel of Fortune at Ballys in AC...read more

Your not-so-quiet time

The world-famous totally bald monk Swami Ylurt Enasni heads for his cave high in the Himalayan Mountains. He finds his favorite spot in his special place, his very own special place in his special beloved cave, where he assumes the lotus position and begins his slow and steady meditation to his very own personal mantra – an inner sound that takes him elsewhere.Outside the fierce winds loudly blow and the snow sweeps through the air with tempestuous force...read more

Odd blackjack happenings

Every veteran blackjack player has seen odd things happen at the tables. Other players’ quirks, our own mistakes and interactions with players, dealers, pit supervisors and others lodge in our memories.Let’s take a look at a few of those experiences readers have shared in the last couple of months.MARTY: I play at one of those places that used to be a riverboat...read more

Deuces Wild strategy with two and three deuces dealt

Deuces Wild is a popular video poker game. The payback for full-pay Deuces Wild is more than 100%. The variance (which directly affects how much bankroll is required) is relatively low and the playing strategy is reasonably simple. But the real attraction of Deuces Wild is the additional bonus you win for getting four deuces.Because many higher-paying hands are possible because of the four wild cards (the twos) in the deck, the lowest-paying hand in Deuces Wild is a three of a kind...read more

Three-hand blackjack

QUESTION: I heard about a new blackjack game where you play three hands at once. Do you know it?ANSWER: The game is called Multi-Bet Blackjack, designed by SugarHouse casino and first available to New Jersey online players at playsugarhouse.com.Not only can you play three hands at once, you can make up to 12 wagers before the deal...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: These are a few of my favorite slots

Question: I'm a fan of the Top Dollar and two- or three-coin Double Diamond games. What are your favorite games? Answer: For video poker, I like Not So Ugly Ducks (NSUD) because that is frequently the highest-paying video poker pay table that gives full slot club credit in the Las Vegas locals casinos...read more

Some things I don't know

I am not a genius, although some people (including myself) think so. They base this on the fact that I have good knowledge about casino games and have invented, borrowed and learned what I consider to be the best methods of playing various games...read more

No ray of sunshine

Among all the casino players I’ve met, Ray is unique. He plays about twice a month, mainly at blackjack, but says he hates to gamble.“I’d rather stay home and watch TV, mow the lawn, do chores – anything,” he said when I met him at a party...read more

The number of decks in blackjack

Playing blackjack in today’s modern casinos, you will find a variety of decks, ranging from one, two, four, six and eight. What is the difference and which is best?Going back to the early 60s, all blackjack games in Las Vegas, Reno and other Nevada locations were played with a single deck...read more