Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 272

Ask the Slot Expert: Do MyVegas rewards decrease Mlife comps?

First, let me say that I love your articles! It sometimes creates disputes between my wife and me because she refuses to believe slot machine outcomes are random. It's very entertaining. I was wondering whether the sudden explosion of popularity of Mlife's MyVegas slots on Facebook has an effect on the comps you receive while playing real slots in the casino...read more

The lowdown on Never Ever Craps

FROM DANNY: I read your articles all the time. Could you do one on the craps games called Never Ever Craps? This is the one where every number is a point. Is this a better game than traditional craps?Thanks so much.FRANK RESPONDS: Never Ever Craps is often called Crapless Craps because you cannot lose on a craps number during a come-out roll...read more

Flush penalty cards and trend betting

QUESTION: In a recent column, you talked about a flush penalty card. What is that?ANSWER: In video poker, a flush penalty card is one in your initial hand that is the same suit as other cards you are considering holding and would decrease your chances of drawing a flush if you discarded it.For example, if you're dealt Jack-10-8-4 of hearts and 2 of diamonds, and you're trying to decide whether to hold Jack-10-8 to go for a straight flush, one of the considerations is that even if you don't draw the straight flush, it's possible to draw a flush...read more

Blackjack misinformation

It amazes me how many blackjack players believe the misinformation dispensed by fellow players, and even dealers, about the game of blackjack. Here are a just a few nuggets of misinformation.“Picture Cards Always Follow Picture Cards.”Some players will refuse to hit their stiff hands if they just saw a picture card come out of the shoe...read more

Slot machine love

Some of my favorite slot machines in the video era were the tests of knowledge and skill Mikohn Gaming rolled out in the early 2000s. They weren’t for everyone, but those who liked them REALLY liked them. There was Battleship, where you could use a strategy to zero in on ships in the bonus event; Ripley’s Believe It or Not, where those whose heads are filled with trivia could build their bonuses; Yahtzee, where choosing which dice to reroll made a real difference in your reward; and more.Mikohn is gone, bought out by Progressive Gaming which later sold its assets to International Gaming Technology.However, American Gaming Systems has picked up the ball for those of us who like our slots with a little quiz on the side...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: There is no proof that slot machines are not rigged

You would make a great politician. While trying to answer the reader's question "Is there proof that slot machines are not rigged?" you did everything except answer the question honestly. You gave the typical political runaround while trying to build your case for slot regulations, government regulators, state gaming commissions, as all being completely honest and above reproach...read more

What's it all about?

For over a quarter of a century I have been writing books, articles, television shows and DVDs about casino gambling, from game strategies to my take concerning the industry. I’ve logged scores of my adventures (many with my beautiful wife AP) in the world of casinos (the good, the bad and the even worse) and how I think people should play and comport themselves in the Temples of Chance.I have made no bones that my mentor, the late, great Captain of craps, took me by the hand and led me in the right direction...read more

Pro video poker and great luck

QUESTION: I agree with most of what you wrote [in an advising a player who was drawing royal flushes about once per 30 days against playing video poker professionally], but disagree that pros play only games with positive EV such as full-pay Deuces Wild and 10-7-5 Double Bonus Poker...read more

Deck estimations in blackjack

When it comes to card counting in blackjack, you must be able to judge the correct number of decks remaining in a shoe to help determine the true count. To accomplish this, you need to recognize the correct size in the discount tray, study the stacks and practice...read more

Deal Me In: Buy-er beware

Dear Mark: I have heard, although not seen, that certain casinos offer different commissions on a 4 and 10 buy bet. Of three casinos near where I live, they all offer a buy bet with a 5% commission. Was I misinformed? Nick F. Essentially, Nick, a buy bet resembles a place bet except that you pay a 5% commission on the amount of your wager...read more