Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 304

Edward Francis' podcasts of interest for gamblers

Guest columnist Edward Francis enjoys many Internet “podcasts” and in the next three weeks he will alert you to which ones you also might want to check out. ******It was not too long ago that gambling enthusiasts had to wait for the appearance of an annual vacation travel guide or the occasional publishing of gaming related books to get information about their favorite casino games or destinations...read more

Blackjack tipping and 4% baccarat bank bet

QUESTION: I usually bet $10 or $15 a hand in blackjack, and I’ve gotten into a pattern when it comes to tipping the dealer. Unless I’m on a bad losing streak, I tip after every blackjack. If I’m betting $10, I usually just add a $1 bet for the dealer on the next hand...read more

Bet you didn't know about dice

The oldest confirmed record of a game of chance in which dice were used was in 1573 B.C. by the Egyptians. These Theban dice, as they are known today, are resting for all to see (but not to play with) in the Egyptian Museum in Berlin, Germany.But the legacy of this game lives on...read more

Must a player point out dealer mistakes?

I received an e-mail in early January from a blackjack player who was having a crisis of conscience.“There’s a dealer at my regular hangout who tips his hole card,” the player wrote. “He doesn’t do it on every hand, but he does often enough to make a real difference...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Are slot machine results affected by time of day?

I try to use basic strategies as much as possible when playing video poker and stick mainly with Jacks or Better. I can pretty much remember the strategy table most of the time and don't really want to carry it with me to double check. I have trouble deciding what to do on certain combinations, such as three non-suited face cards with two lower cards...read more

Slot players vs. table game players

FROM LEW: My friend says that there is a difference between table-game players and slot players. I think they are all alike. They want to bet money and win money, what else is there to know? Gambling is gambling no matter how you slice it.FRANK RESPONDS: True, gambling is gambling; but there are some fundamental differences between slot players and table-game players...read more

Slot payouts are changing

QUESTION: On slot machines that have a "stop spin" button, does it make a difference or will you get what you would have gotten if it completed its spin on its own?ANSWER: It makes no difference. The reels are going to show what the random number generator tells them to, regardless of whether you stop them.There are a few rare exceptions...read more

The Best Game in the Casino

Best Bet in the CasinoStickman,What is the best bet in the casino? A roll at the craps table or a hand of blackjack takes approximately the same amount of time. So, if I played basic strategy blackjack the house edge is half a percent. Placing the 6 at craps has a house edge of one and a half percent...read more

Slot machines where skill counts

Nearly all slot machines are designed to be as close to pure games of chance as programmers can get. You have no control over where the reels are going to stop, and neither does the casino operator. A random number generator determines the outcome, and the odds are the same on every spin.A tiny percentage of slots incorporate elements of skill...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Identifying high-volatility slot machines

I am trying to put together a quick primer on how to identify a high variance slot machine from a low variance slot machine. Can you help me? Why? Because there are some good play methods where if I had $100, I might want to play $40 on the high variance and then finish out the remaining $60 on a low variance. What do you think of that strategy? I can help you identify high-variance (volatility) slot machines...read more