Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 293

More Lottery Nonsense

I recently received the following email from one of my readers S. Paul SmithHiI found your website and liked very much the “lottery nonsense” article. The only thing that could slightly increase your chances is to play multiple games at once (picking several different series in the same game).I have a question regarding the odd/even distribution in a 6/49 though...read more

It IS what meets the eye

QUESTION: I came across a slot machine that had both free-spin and second-screen bonuses. To get the free spins, you had to have special symbols and the first, third and fifth reels. For the second screen, the bonus symbols had to be on the second, third and fourth reels.Is that a way to make sure you get the bonuses less often? It seems like I have more chances if I need three bonus systems and they can come on any of the five reels.ANSWER: Probably not...read more

Smart craps play

For players who take craps seriously, the next step after learning the basics of how to play usually is to probe deeper into the possibilities presented by the dozens of bets and hundreds of potential combinations available.Is there a weakness that can be exploited? Is there a synergy between Bet A and Bet B that covers the loss-producing potholes in each and paves the road to riches? Can combining a high risk but high-paying bet with more of an even-keel, grind-it-out wager give you the best of both worlds.When readers send their favored combinations to me, it usually involves a bet on any 7 in an attempt to cover up the loser 7s on pass and place bets...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: A bizarre video poker experience

I play at Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, MO. I like to play Double-Double video poker and have read many of your articles. They have helped a lot. I had what can only be described as a bizarre experience recently. The casino has several 9-5 games and only a few 9-6 games (and many more much worse!)...read more

Poor craps play and live dealers

FROM CANCUN SKIP: Congratulations on your new book "Confessions of a Wayward Catholic." As an alumnus of Catholic schools and college I am looking forward to reading your confessions. We need more books by good authors like you; particularly on gambling!I am back from a weeklong trip to Las Vegas and had a great time playing Video Poker and Craps...read more

Everyone has a system

When I first started writing about casinos and casino games, I used to have people pitching systems to me all the time.“You’ll want to talk to me,” one fellow’s phone message started. “I’m the only one who knows how to beat craps.”He phoned me off and on for three years, and finally sent me a detailed computer simulation...read more

How to bet at blackjack

In this article, I’m going to look at the different ways that recreational players bet when they play blackjack and offer you my opinion on which way is best. (I’m going to assume that you know the basic playing strategy and are facing a half-percent house edge when you play.)Always Bet Same AmountA player who always bets the same amount is known as a “flat bettor.” Regardless of how much he wins and loses, he always bets the same amount of money (chips) on each hand.This is a conservative way to bet at blackjack, but most players don’t find it very exciting...read more

Expert strategy at video poker

I often receive requests asking just what is meant by “expert strategy” in video poker. Does what you hold really make a difference? Is the strategy different in different games?The answers are yes, and yes. In licensed casinos in nearly all U.S...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Slot machine volatility

Note: I'm having problems with my e-mail address, slotexpert@comcast.net. You'll get an error saying that the e-mail address is not available if you send a message to it. Comcast should have the problem fixed by Thursday, 01/02/14. If you got the error, please try sending your message again on Thursday. Happy New Year! John Some slot machines let you choose volatility...read more

Making bad bets into good bets

Most gambling writers, me included, love to discuss house edges as if these are the be-all and end-all of what you need to know to play the games. If the house edge is higher than 2 percent I generally tell players not to make the bet.Superficially, not making bets that have house edges over 2 percent is a good thing but what if you have a bet that has a 1.5 percent edge for the house and a bet that has 9.1 percent for the house – is there any way for those bets to reverse themselves? That is, can the higher house edge bet become a better bet than the lower house-edge bet?Yes, such a thing is not only possible but it happens all the time, usually without the players realizing it.There is a way of looking at house edges not in traditional terms but in money-lost-per-hour terms...read more