Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 247

Becoming a good blackjack player

The question comes up on how to become a skilled and consistent winning blackjack player. The answer is not that difficult. There are basically three tasks a player must excel in to arrive at that goal. In fact, these three tasks are about the same for any sport or skill one wants to learn and master.It’s a three-step method...read more

Deal Me In: A video poker machine too good to believe

Dear Mark: You have written that with perfect basic strategy some video poker machines will have a payback above 100%. I have also read that the machines can NOT be set to return over 100%. Can you please explain the difference of what I am reading? Dave D.When employing expert play, a player’s strategy can affect payback percentages...read more

Your first time

Do you remember the first game you ever played in a casino?I’m a little fuzzy on the details. Marcy and I played slots and video poker together, and I played blackjack on my own, but I couldn’t say for sure whether it was the slots or video poker I played first.Some readers have more detailed memories of their first time, and a few shared their stories:LAMONT: First time, I went straight to the poker room...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Casinos can't make slot machines pay

Question: My friend is an addict that must be at our local casino two or three times a week. She maintains that management, sitting in their offices, can turn off slots so they won't pay off anything until they decide to turn them back on...read more

Casino safari (1)

I’ve observed casino players over the years, and suddenly it hit me right between the eyes. I noticed something really peculiar about some players, and that is (please do not take this the wrong way): Many resemble certain animals and insects, having characteristics that, well, characterize those animals and insects...read more

Better blackjack play and video poker versus slots

QUESTION: Do you think average blackjack players are improving? It seems to me that I see fewer really terrible players than I used to. There are some, of course, but more seem to play a reasonable approximation of basic strategy, even if they miss some plays.ANSWER: Yes, I do think blackjack players are better, on average, than they were 10 years ago, 20 years ago and certainly better than when I started playing nearly 30 years ago.I think the Internet has had a huge impact on the quality of play...read more

What errors actually cost players

Donald Schlesinger, in his excellent book Blackjack Attack: Playing the Pros’ Way, shows what it costs a player in dollars and cents when he deviates from the basic playing strategy. You’ll be surprised to learn which playing errors are the costliest.The definition of basic strategy is this: It is the mathematically optimal way to play every hand dealt to you, assuming the only information you have is your hand and the dealer’s up card...read more

Deal Me In: Video blackjack machines thwart counters

Dear Mark: In last week’s column, you mentioned that it was impossible to count cards on a continuous shuffle machine. Can you instead count cards on a video blackjack machine since, one) single-deck games are a preferred choice to count cards on, and two) there is no one standing over you to bother your play or ask you to leave the game? Jim G...read more

Buy! Buy! Craps!

Craps is a game with enough nuance that players always are looking beneath the surface for ways to win.Take place bets and buy bets on 4 or 10. If you place those numbers, you face a house edge of 6.67%. But you can buy the numbers instead – you pay a 5% commission, but winners are paid at true odds...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Am I wasting money betting the max on a slot machine?

Question: Last week you wrote that "the output from the RNG is used to determine where the reels stop." Wouldn't it be more accurate to say the RNG sends its numbers to the virtual reel, and that determines where the reels stop? Have read you for years and have never seen you mention virtual reels chip. Answer: I made that statement about the virtual reels chip last week answering a letter from someone who was concerned that there was a computer chip in the slot machines he plays...read more