Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 233

Those pesky slot odds

QUESTION: My brother and I have been playing slots for donkey’s years, and we’ve been having the same argument about what “random” means all this time.He says that if you have a reel with nine 7s and one lemon, that means for the game to be truly random a 7 should come up nine times out of 10...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Do low top jackpots on slots hit more frequently?

Question: I read your articles on 88 Fortunes. I hit the Major Jackpot recently at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. I was playing 68 cents and won $900 plus. I did not realize that I didn't have a shot at the Grand prize of $10,000 plus...read more

Gift of the Slots Magi

Slot machines have changed very little and a lot over the years that they have been in existence. This dichotomy is easily explained. People play the machines to win money, a given that has never changed; but the mechanisms of the machines have changed from simple mechanical devices to electro-mechanical devices to super-sophisticated computer-controlled devices that can even link up with other machines in other locations around a given venue or in multiple venues.The jackpots have gone sky-high over the years too and with computerized slots, millions of dollars can be on the line...read more

Successful slot machines

There are lots of ingredients that go into the success of a slot machine. A great theme to entice players to try a game is a start, and attractive graphics, animation and sound help, too.Ask game manufacturers, and they’ll tell you about the importance of having the right math model...read more

The next best in video poker

Casinos routinely change their inventory of slot machines. Usually this is done to add exciting new games or to eliminate games that aren’t played enough.Video poker games are also routinely changed. They may be moved to different locations...read more

About those side bets

QUESTION: I know side bets like Lucky Ladies, 21 + 3, Royal Match and so on have higher house edges than regular blackjack. Still, I can just play regular blackjack at those tables and not make the side bets. They don’t hurt me at all.My question is, why don’t they have side bets at every table? Then the house could make extra money from the players who don’t know any better or who want to chase the bigger payoffs...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Any big wins on video keno?

Question: I play video keno at a few of the casinos in San Diego. Almost three years ago, I hit seven jackpots ranging from $1300 to $4500. I've not hit another since. It seemed as if every time I walked into the place, I hit over a two-month period...read more

Gift of the Magi

I met my future wife the Beautiful AP when I was part owner of The Other Vic Theatre Company in New York. AP applied for the job of stage manager. When I saw her I loved her at first sight. She was a good stage manager and a good actress. As a wife she is beyond compare.She auditioned for the role of depressed chorus girl Fran Walker in the play The Only Game in Town by Frank D...read more

Let's Applaud Those Good Dealers

If you play much blackjack, you’ve had dealers who make the experience breezy fun. They’re friendly as well as efficient. They move the game along but will take time for inexperienced players.Players and dealers sometimes seem for form a community as the dealer asks players about their interests and gets the .When dealers are friendly, attentive, cheer player wins and give thanks for tips, it makes the experience more pleasant.But sometimes it feels like the dealers would rather the players weren’t there at all...read more

Baccarat: A Simple Fun Game

An early account of baccarat claims that it was based on an old Etruscan ritual of the nine gods, who prayed to a blonde virgin on their tiptoes waiting for her to throw a nine-sided die. The result of the die decided her fate. If an eight or a nine was thrown, she would become the priestess; if she threw a six or seven, she would be banned from any further religious activities; if she threw any number less than six, she would walk into the sea.”Casino boss Tommy Renzoni claimed he was the one who brought baccarat to Las Vegas from Cuba in 1959...read more