Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 248

Don't throw it away

People cut out coupons on the Internet to save themselves a few dollars. They go to yard sales to see if they can get a bargain for this or that. They will haggle about prices in those places that allow such haggling. They restrict their dining out to one or two times a week...read more

Progressive blackjack

QUESTION: I was surfing the Web for blackjack insights and I came across this on video blackjack. “Look for games with progressive jackpots on specific hands, and play when the jackpots are big enough.” Is this sound advice? Can you really get an edge, or do they put bad rules on those games so the house makes its money?ANSWER: I don’t see a lot of progressive jackpots on video blackjack, and when I do, they’re on multiplayer games that offer side bets.The same caution that applies to side bets on table games applies to the video versions...read more

Playing 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker

From Eric,StickmanI gamble solely in Las Vegas four or more times a year. I am a top-tier player at one of the major casino chains in Las Vegas. I gamble only at casinos in this chain, but I do gamble both on and off the Strip at this casino chain.I play craps (where I set the dice), blackjack and video poker (mostly Bonus Poker) for points to achieve my tier score rating.I have NOT seen a 9/6 Jacks or Better in years...read more

Deal Me In: The quicker you go, the behinder you get

Dear Mark: If a card counter has an advantage over the casino, wouldn’t it be to their advantage to have more hands per hour via a continuous shuffler? Travis C.You’ve read it here before, Travis, and you’ll read it again: Speed kills in a casino environment...read more

Do opposites detract?

From time to time, readers have asked about betting opposites, and I’ve written about why it doesn’t work.Betting red while partner bets black in roulette doesn’t work because you both lose on the zeroes. Betting pass while a partner bets don’t pass in craps doesn’t work because when the pass player loses with a 12 on the comeout, the don’t player doesn’t win...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: You will never convince me about RNGs in slot machines

Question: On May 18, 2016, I won $4,715 on a nickel machine. My players card was inserted. After my winnings were building up, I noticed the words ABANDON CARD on the screen, then the screen went back to showing points. When the attendant came to my machine, I asked what ABANDON CARD meant...read more

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

OK, enough with my being a conservative, highly intelligent advocate of sound gambling principles and proper casino decorum. Enough, I say!So many of my readers have written me letters saying, “Frank, enough with being a conservative, highly intelligent advocate of sound gambling principles and proper casino decorum.” They then add, “Why don’t you go nuts once in a while? Why not let it all hang out? Go ape, Frank, go ape, my man! Your ideas lead to gambling constipation...read more

Are these VP players brilliant or lucky?

QUESTION: We just returned from a two-week casino vacation. One morning, quite early, there was quite a stir, we were told just about every bank of video poker machines was paying out massively, on hand pays.There were guys sitting around just waiting to be paid out...read more

Best casino and poker movies

Over the years there have been numerous movies made with a gambling theme. Many have become classics and are as popular today as they were when first released. Some of the stories are pure fiction while others have some bases of true events in the past...read more

Deal Me In: The math always favors the casino winning it back

Dear Mark: I enjoyed your response last week when you played referee on what Gary R. thought was a misdeal when the dealer had a 17, kept hitting, busted, but the dealer still took his bet. I am sure you would agree that not all casinos would have scooped up his wager...read more