Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 310

Double Bonus double fun

Getting the most out of Double Bonus Poker requires one of the quirkiest, most finely detailed strategies in all of video poker. Yet if you just play 9-6 Jacks or Better strategy on 10-7-5 Double Bonus, the falloff is small, down to 99.63 percent from the 100.17 average return with a more specialized method of play.Accounting for the idiosyncrasies is part of what make the game fun for me...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Does 4-coin slot machine hit jackpot more frequently than 3-coin machine?

I am trying to find my “Win-Loss” statement for 2012 from the Atlantic Club Casino, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The casino closed in January, and I have not been able to find any phone number or contact information for them. Quite a turn of events in Atlantic City...read more

Place bets versus Come bets versus comps

FROM CANCUN SKIP: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your new book, “Confessions of a Wayward Catholic.” I received it as Christmas present from a friend.My question relates to your recent article on Place bets versus Come bets. I understand that Come bets have a lower house advantage than Place bets but there are two other factors to consider in favor of Place bets.1...read more

Doubling on 11 versus dealer Ace and enjoying penny slots

QUESTION: A friend of a friend said he used to just hit 11 when the dealer showed an Ace, and now he doubles down almost all the time. We didn’t have time for a long conversation, but my friend said his friend is a good blackjack player who knows all that basic strategy stuff.So my question is, why the change? Has basic strategy changed? My friend didn’t know, either...read more

Class III Slot Machines

Stickman,My understanding is that there are in fact a number of class II machines in other than Indian Casinos? Are not all NY state class II. All racinos in Ohio also. As well as the three casinos in WV? Am I way off base?AlHi Al,Class II games may not be limited to Indian casinos...read more

Baccarat, mini-baccarat and midi-baccarat

When I’m at a party or some other gathering that includes people I don’t know, I’m often introduced with, “John writes about gambling.” Most of the time, the response is, “Oh! Tell me how to win.” Then we’ll all laugh and move on.At a January bowl game viewing at a friend’s house, the conversation took a different turn...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Does the IRS accept win/loss statements?

Will the IRS accept win/loss statements? According to Topic 419 - Gambling Income and Losses on the IRS web site, "it is important to keep an accurate diary or similar record of your gambling wins and losses." Just doing a quick search for relevant sites, I found a number of cases in which the IRS and tax courts did not accept a win/loss statement as proof of a loss...read more

Mind your own business

Today is the day after St. Patrick’s Day. Some folks are happy and content with their celebration yesterday of the Patron Saint of Ireland who drove out the rats. Others are (shall we say) paying the price for partying too much. That used to be me.Now casinos have “rats” in them too; “rats” that I wish a modern St...read more

Players' clubs and splitting 10s at blackjack

QUESTION: I’m at a loss to explain what’s happening in my players' club, and hoped maybe you could help. My wife and I go to a casino together, maybe two or three times a month. She plays slots the whole time, mainly on pennies. She likes the entertainment, but doesn’t really like to spend much money, so sets a budget for herself...read more

Is Your Casino’s Valet Service Driving Guests Away?

The old adage that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression is true. And it couldn’t be more true for casinos when guests drive up to their property and use the valet service.For many guests, valet employees provide that first important impression that can play an important role in a customer’s decision to return and play again...read more