Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 313

Ask the Slot Expert: Slot machine hit frequency triple play

Are there more wins on a higher-cost machine? In other words, will you hit more payback on a quarter machine versus a penny machine? I don’t mean the amount you win; I mean the number of times you get paid something. The statistic you're referring to is hit frequency, what percentage of spins pays back something -- anything, from the lowest-paying combination to the jackpot. A decade ago, I would have said that there is absolutely no correlation between denomination and hit frequency...read more

The Captain

On February 10, 2010, the greatest craps player whoever lived, the man known as the Captain, passed away peacefully in his bed in his New York City home. He was 88 years old. He was and still is a craps legend and a genius when it came to analyzing craps and figuring out a way to beat it...read more

Craps concerns and video keno

QUESTION: I have a question about craps procedure. I’m pretty new, and I guess my roll was bugging the supervisor. He kept watching, and telling me to get more loft on the roll. I tried, but I guess my trajectory was too flat for his liking...read more

Seven resolutions for 2014

We players need to rejuvenate ourselves every so often, both in body and spirit – especially after experiencing one of those dreaded long and sometimes humiliating losing streaks.With the new year approaching, now would be a good time to make some new resolutions or promises that can help us play better and maintain a positive and winning attitude during the coming year...read more

Video poker strategy

No matter how dedicated the video poker player, it’s all but impossible to memorize the ins and outs of strategy for every game and every pay table. If you’re going to flip back and forth among Jacks or Better, Double Double Bonus Poker and Deuces Wild, you’re bound to make some mistakes.It’s helpful to focus your play and practice time on a few games that you really like...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Comps for slot play

Does a slot machine give you a higher point and comp return for betting 80 penny credits than it does for betting 40 credits? Does playing dollar and 50-cent machines pay more comp credits and point credits than my 40-cent bet on a penny machine? I say it doesn't matter; it is based on the value of the bet and speed you play...read more

Tight comps and aggressive blackjack

Comps for $25 PlayersFROM PATRICK: I just read your response to the quarter bettor who wouldn't be comped at the coffee house.Personally, I've found the pit supervisors to be generous with comps, but since my average bet is $100 or more, my perspective is obviously skewed.It seems that the pit supervisor in question is being short-sighted or if he's following his casino policy, then the casino is being short-sighted...read more

Free slots and bonus events

QUESTION: I’ve been playing some of the free slot apps through Facebook, on my computer and my phone. I see a lot of games that also are in casinos.My question is, do they work the same way as the casino games? Am I essentially getting the same game as I do in a casino?ANSWER: Free games don’t face the same stringent regulations as casino games, and aren’t programmed in exactly the same way...read more

Playing soft 17 at blackjack

The dealer’s play in blackjack is purely mechanical and quite straightforward. They must draw a card if their hand is 16 or lower, and stand on 17 through 21. There is, however, one dealer rule that could differ from one casino to another, and even amongst blackjack tables within the same casino...read more

It's the little things

Sometimes little things can make a big difference in your day in the casino. With that in mind, every so often I like to focus on short tips, with a few little tidbits to help you get the most out of your gambling dollar.For this edition of short tips, let’s focus on a few for roulette, video keno, baccarat and blackjack.A roulette player e-mailed to say he likes to stay with a hot number -- if a number is on the board three or more times in recent spins, he’ll keep betting it. “I’ll bet the surrounding numbers, too,” he said...read more