Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 248

Can you beat games with betting strategies?

There are two ways that casino players think they can beat the casinos’ games. The first and most popular is to figure out a betting scheme that (they think, they wish, they hope and they believe) will overcome the negative expectation. The second is trying to learn (or develop) real advantage-play techniques such as card counting at blackjack that can be shown mathematically that they do, indeed, turn the tables on the casinos and give the player the edge.Real advantage-play methods actually do work as they give players edges at the games...read more

Was that a biased roulette wheel?

QUESTION: I usually play craps, but when I was walking from the table, the roulette wheel caught my eye. The board showed black 31 had come up four times in a row.I got some chips and started to bet 31 and the numbers around it, 29, 28, 32, 34 and 35...read more

Healthy body equals happy gambling

Since you are stuck with the body you have now, it’s a good idea to treat it well.Gambling in a casino or at a racetrack or betting on a sports event can and does put a big strain on your mind as well as your body. To be able to do some gambling at the top of your ability, try to make the length of your session reasonable with frequent breaks.At most jobs they offer a couple of break periods throughout the shift...read more

Deal Me In: Kinship doesn't count for comps

Dear Mark: Sometimes I mistakenly use my dad's player's card in a slot machine. Would I have any trouble getting a big payoff if they see the card isn't mine? Wayne S.On just about every players' club card brochure, you will find font size 4 print with these words: NON-TRANSFERABLE! Members may not distribute, lend or in any way allow another person to use their card.These "revocable" perks-for-play are a privilege granted by the casino in exchange for your father's past and hopefully future action...read more

The royal treatment at video poker

Each year when I go to the Global Gaming Expo, I spend six nights in Las Vegas. I always have some extra projects and meetings going on around expo time, and I play a lot less than you would think. It’s a busy, busy time.Nonetheless, I manage to squeeze in a little play time, mainly on my first couple of nights in town...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Playing the high-limit slots

Just started getting into $1, $5 and sometimes $10 slots. Playing mostly in Mohegan Sun and Atlantic City. I was wondering what slots are best to play and if I should always play max bet when playing these slots? The best machines to play are the ones you enjoy playing...read more

Why we gamble

About 54 million Americans and Canadians go to casinos every year. That’s about 40% of the joint adult population of these countries. So why do all these people go to casinos when they know the house has an edge that will grind them down, sometimes fast, sometimes slow and sometimes moderately? But over time, they are almost assured to be losers.LARRY: I have lost money playing blackjack and roulette but I enjoy the atmosphere and the challenge...read more

Deal Me In: 5 + 5? How about 17 x 17?

Dear Mark: I was amused by the question from Mary P. Here is why.At the Windsor Casino, I went to the executive office to ask the similar question on claiming a Grand Prize in the Car Promotions that they hold every couple of months. The nice thing about Windsor is that if you win the car or cash it is all tax-free in Canada...read more

Splitting reduces house edge at blackjack

QUESTION: I've been playing blackjack for nearly 20 years. I have a casino in my area, Valley Forge Casino Resort, that offers splitting twice for a total of three hands, including re-splitting aces. I've never seen this offered before and I wonder if this offers an advantage over splitting three times for a total of four hands as in Atlantic City.They also offer late surrender...read more

Are comps an endangered species?

In the late ‘80s when I first got serious about advantage casino play, casino comps were fairly easy to get. At that time I played $1 blackjack and quarter video poker. The blackjack games were fantastic, single-deck, and the dealers would deal almost the entire deck before shuffling up...read more