Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 262

Deal Me In: High-stakes gambling was Maverick's game

Dear Mark: I watched an episode of the 1950’s TV show Maverick online. In the show, reference was made to the book According to Hoyle as the definitive authority that prior agreement of the players is necessary for a five-card straight to be a winning hand...read more

Putting on an "Act"

To be able to play successful blackjack requires both an accomplished skill and one that needs an “act.” Good money management, playing basic strategy, proper casino and table selection and much more are some of the skills required. Each of these tasks has to be managed smoothly and effortlessly...read more

A friendly craps game

When I hear from craps players about friendly – and sometimes less than friendly – jibes directed at a player because of their wagers, it’s usually about a don’t pass/don’t come bettor being taunted by those betting with the shooter.That’s only to be expected...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: How are slot machines like a pie chart?

As a player for over 40 years, I understand the "randomness" of the machines, par sheets, etc. But I, like many others, still can't quite grasp the concept of every spin being totally random. I can assure you that the chance of a win on more than three consecutive spins is extremely rare...read more

Manners and reminders

FROM KENNETH: Yesterday I was playing in the high-limit table game area. There were only two blackjack tables open and each had one player (one being me!!). At the other table was a well-dressed man betting anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 per hand.He was not doing well, and it seemed like every other word out of his mouth was an F-bomb! This was embarrassing since the dealers and the pit boss were all female...read more

Most valuable players

QUESTION: I found it very interesting a while back when you explained slot players are more valuable to the casino than table players because they make so many more bets per hour. Does the same go for slot player vis a vis video poker players? I know video poker takes extra time to make the draw, and as a video poker player I get a lot less comps than my wife, who plays slots.ANSWER: Wagers per hour are important in determining comps, but so are size of wagers and house edge.Slot players are comped more generously than table players not just because they play so many more hands per hour, but because they’re playing games with an extremely high house edge.Take a high house-edge game like double-zero roulette...read more

The high cost of big jackpots

When it comes to video poker there is a “Heinz 57” variety of games available. There are the basic low-variance Jacks or Better varieties. These games offer only one jackpot, the royal flush. In return, the bankroll swings are pretty tame. Deuces wild games offer two jackpots, the royal flush and four deuces...read more

Deal Me In: More bang for your buck watching sports

Dear Mark: I will be in Las Vegas for Super Bowl Sunday and was wondering where you would recommend that I watch the game, and what kind of games should I be playing? Dean M.As to your gaming question, Dean, I would routinely recommend playing perfect basic strategy at blackjack; a pass line bet and placing the 6 or 8 on a craps game; video poker that offers a decent pay schedule; and baccarat, where the house advantage is either 1.17% when betting the bank hand or 1.36% with a player hand wager...read more

Those inevitable streaks

Not long ago, a reader shared a story of seeing a roulette table where No. 31 had come up four times in a row. He decided to play and see if he could ride the streak.It didn’t work. The streak ended, and the player lost a little money.That’s normal enough...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: When does a slot machine determine the result of a spin?

I get it, by reading your thousands of responses -- "It is all random." I have a thought as to why one can get hot on a machine even though those random spins are stacked against the player. How could I get hot for quite a while? I don't mean hitting a big pay every once in a while to make the session very profitable...read more