Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 266

Ask the Slot Expert: How many RNGs in a multi-game machine?

I’m a keno junkie. It seems to me that my favorite Game King keno machine is easier to hit playing nickels. When I use quarters it seems to pay less often. There is only one RNG per machine, right? Or is there one RNG for each denomination? And another variation on the same theme: I play Game Kings...read more

Pressing bets

I get several e-mails a month asking me what the best pressing method is. These usually refer to the table games, mostly craps, blackjack, mini-baccarat and roulette. I usually write back the following:“Do not bother to press because the extra money you put out there is subject to the exact same house edge as the original money...read more

The odds are the same

QUESTION: I have been playing slots for the past four years and I have noticed that virtually all of my big wins of $500 or more happen within the first few spins. I have not been able to “force” a machine to win by playing long periods at the same machine...read more

Tipping the dealers

I receive many questions from blackjack players; some involve interactions with blackjack dealers. Here are a few of them that you might find interesting and educational.QUESTION: Should you tip a blackjack dealer, and if so, how much?There isn’t any rule that says you must tip a blackjack dealer, just like there are no rules that say you must tip a waiter or taxi driver...read more

Deal Me In: Streaks end — but when?

Dear Mark: This regular reader and occasional correspondent continues to view in awe the breadth of your knowledge about all casino operations, but occasionally I take issue with your comments. The newest case in point is your observation: “Streaks, Jeremy, are nothing more than hindsight of past performance...read more

Getting those comps

Comps are part of the fun of playing in casinos. When it comes to mealtime, free is the right price — even if you’re a low-limit player who snags that buffet comp only once every three or four visits.But casinos can’t comp you if they don’t know who you are...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Can casinos change slot paybacks electronically?

Your article in American Casino Guide mentioned that the slot managers would order chips to change the win rate on their machines. With electronic machines in place, I would think that win rate adjustments could be changed electronically rather than by ordering specific chips to control the machine. Is this by law that the machine producer must be involved in such changes? It would appear that the electronic adjustment would allow more flexibility to the slot managers. Many aspects of slot technology on the slot floor trail behind what can be done because security measures have to be devised and slot regulators have to approve the new technology. In the early days of computer-controlled slots, the virtual reel layout table was stored on a chip...read more

Readers' experiences in casinos

FROM NEIL: Frank, love your columns and expertise. I just wanted to share my last trip to Las Vegas with you.I had the best outcome with VP-DDBP/Craps/Let It Ride, and this spanned the Silverton and Main St. Station.However, what was another winning experience was the visit to an Asian restaurant — mentioned in the Eating Las Vegas series — China Mama, on South Jones Blvd...read more

The IRS and baccarat

QUESTION: Years back, I traded on stocks and options on Wall Street, and became aware of the cat-and-mouse games played between the IRS and lawyers for the large firms on the street. Each time a restrictive covenant pushed through in favor of the IRS, hordes of legal maneuvering took place in search of loopholes.My thinking on casino taxes is as follows: Should the IRS prevail in its desire to lower the W-2G jackpot threshold to $600, can't the casinos have any payout above $599.99 through $1,199.99 split up somehow so it reflects as two bonuses lower than $600 and thus does not trigger a W-2G?There would need be a reprogramming effort by the slot/vp machine manufacturers, but I'm guessing that would not be too big a deal.ANSWER: I don't think the IRS would buy that...read more

Indian strategy card

I was recently traveling in Washington State and stopped by an Indian casino to partake in some of their gaming. The state has two types of gambling: card rooms and Native American casinos. The card rooms have a variety of games, all dealing with playing cards...read more