Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 322

100X Odds and You

Hi Jerry,I've played craps a bit in Vegas and usually see max odds at 3x, 4x, 5x. In the new Cleveland Horseshoe casino the max odds bet is 100x. The tables are usually at $15 minimum bet, sometimes $10. How does the house edge vary, and what is the best way to play, with these odds?--GeorgeHi George,In a random game of craps, the lowest house edge is typically the pass/come bet at 1.41 percent without odds...read more

The history of slots, part two

Slot machines have come a long way since Charles Fey’s three-reel Liberty Bell of 1895, and there’s been many a milestone passed on the journey to modern slots. Last week, I looked at a few of the most significant -- the Liberty Bell, Money Honey and its coin hopper, the rapid-hit progressive Blazing 7s, and the virtual reel.Let’s continue the journey with stops at more of the most important slot innovations.Double Diamond: With a classic, elegant look and a “doubler” format, Double Diamond has stood the test of time since its 1989 introduction...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Computing a slot machine's long-term payback

How is slot payback computed? I know it is 90 percent, but 90 percent of what? Can the casino lose money on slots, or is it guaranteed a profit? A slot machine's long-term payback is calculated by taking the value of all the winning combinations and dividing by the total number of combinations possible...read more

Short takes about casinos and players

FROM AC LADY: Regarding your article “Strange Letters from Strange People” (July 23) – I love your columns but really – people just kant bee that stoopid, LOL - gess I'll stick wit my slut machines !!!!!!!I cannot stop laughing!FRANK RESPONDS: Some of those letter were from Atlantic City players too...read more

The best games

QUESTION: My buddy and I were talking blackjack, and he said in this day and age counting cards is useless. He said player tracking is all computerized now, and they can spot an advantage player's patterns right away. Is that right? Can they spot that in real time? Do they?ANSWER: Software does exist to analyze your play in real time...read more

Collecting can be fun and profitable

There are many treasured items that can be collected when visiting a casino today. The best, of course, is casino chips. It’s good to collect as many of them as possible. The reason is that the casino will always buy them back from you anytime you like, which is very nice of them...read more

The history of slots, part one

Any journey begins with a single step, and the journey to from the first mechanical slot machines to modern games with bonus events, multiple progressive jackpots, high-definition video and other bells and whistles has been longer than most.We’ve had to step into stepper slots and hop up payouts through coin hoppers to punch our printed ticket to modern games.Along the way, there have been milestones, stops on the journey that have been special in themselves...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Why was I asked to play off a slot jackpot?

I recently hit a jackpot, which was hand-paid. After I was paid, the guard and attendant said I had to play once in front of them. Why? Congratulations on your jackpot. Many (most? all?) slot players are superstitious. Some believe that a machine that has recently hit a jackpot will not hit another one soon, so they won't play a machine that has a jackpot showing on its reels...read more

Venting is fun

FROM RAY: Personally I think your physicist friend is an arrogant snob.My wife does not like sports in general, doesn't understand what I see in them, yet accepts that watching them brings me joy. And vice-versa for many of the things she likes...read more

Can you be comped for not gambling?

QUESTION: In 9-5 Double Double Bonus Poker with a three-way progressive on the royal, four aces with kicker and four aces, no kicker, I was dealt ace-2-3-4 of clubs and the ace of diamonds. I know the play is the four-card straight flush in a non-progressive game, but if the ace progressives get big enough, would you ever just hold the aces?ANSWER: There are turning points where holding the aces becomes better play, but it’s an interaction of the two ace jackpots...read more