Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 280

A Short History of Video Poker

Casinos today have a plethora of video poker machines. They come in denominations ranging from a penny to – and beyond – $100. There are scores of variations ranging from the basic Jacks or Better through bonus games through wild card games such as deuces wild and joker’s wild...read more

Deal Me In: Getting gripped in the grind down

Dear Mark: I read with interest your most recent explanation about the $0.80 payout of slot machines when I win. It made some sense; however, what happens to most of us personally? For example, I go into the casino with $100 earmarked to spend...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Call to action against IRS W-2G proposal

A few weeks ago I reported that the IRS is considering lowering the W-2G threshold on slot winnings from $1,200 to $600. The IRS has a legitimate rationale for lowering the threshold -- $600 is the threshold for sweepstakes and lotteries. Bringing the two tresholds in line eliminates some confusion...read more

The wonderful craps 5-Count

FROM MATT (First E-mail): I ordered your book "Casino Craps: Shoot to Win" and found it entertaining and informative. I did have some comments to make but first I want you to know a little about me.I am 70 years young and about 30 years ago I started frequenting Resorts International and the other casinos in Atlantic City...read more

Winning on mistakes

Winning is always a good feeling. Winning when you think you’ve made a very costly mistake – well, there’s a large dose of relief that goes with any extra cash.A reader recently sent me a story about a big win he’d witnessed that falls firmly in the extraordinary category.“An older woman is play was playing a Ten Play Poker slant top quarter machine behind me,” he wrote...read more

Fortune Pai Gow

QUESTION: Can you explain the Fortune Pai Gow side bet? I’ve only played Pai Gow Poker a few times, and it’s easy enough once you get used to setting the hands. Last time I played, the table had the side bet, and some other players were making it...read more

It’s A Whole New World Thanks to Social Media

It’s time gaming properties face the hard truth that casino reviews at social media sites are having a significant impact on their reputation and their marketing efforts. In fact, I would classify this as a sea change. And the damage is already being done.In an era in which sites such as Facebook, Yelp and TripAdvisor are taking the place of traditional marketing tools, casino reviews and casino reputation play an increasingly important role...read more

Betting progressions

Betting progressions are nothing new at blackjack. Ever since the game was devised, players have been trying to hit on a magic formula for when to increase their bets.Truth be told, there is no magic formula. Without a card counter’s knowledge of deck composition, raising and lowering your bets can’t dent the house edge.Nevertheless, players try, and a virtual friend of mine recently came across a betting scheme he’d never seen...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: When should I give up on a slot machine?

I have terrible luck at slot machines. I can honestly say that I haven't won in a long time. A friend told me that I don't sit at a machine long enough. You have to sit there and play and play. If I put $20 in a machine and haven't really won anything, should I find another machine? How do you know when to give up on a machine? Let me take a brief digression before I answer your questions. I hear many of today's slot players complain about losing consistently...read more

Speed, time shares and slot free play

FROM ANDY: I have never played mini-baccarat in my life, but I've watched it often. You say it is an extremely fast game. What I have observed is that the Asians (the majority of players) are incredibly slow at placing their bets, and that it is an extremely slow game...read more