Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 332

Money management

Jeff is an old friend, one I meet for lunch three or four times a year, just to catch up. He’s not really a casino player, though he’ll tag along with his wife and play the slots once in a blue moon.Our conversation rarely centers on gambling, but this time he had a question from Darcy, his wife.“She wants me to ask you about money management,” he said...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Wrapping up tipping at slot machines

Here are some more comments about tipping: Regarding the tipping of attendants at slot machines, my personal rule is if they come back with my payout quickly, then I tip them. If they take forever, then I don't. I tell them this. I have waited at machines for over an hour at times to get my payout, which is a ridiculous length of time...read more

New roulette number arrangement

Hello Frank,My name is Thomas and I live in the south island city of Christchurch, New Zealand.We have only one casino here aptly named "Christchurch Casino" and there is something I'd like to ask you in regards to roulette. I have been very familiar with who you are for some years now, and read your book "Spin Roulette Gold" and read many other articles and comments of yours, always with interest regarding other games you have expertise in.Anyhow as you may know New Zealand has always been seen as single-zero roulette territory, but a few months ago a double zero wheel appeared in the gaming area and one of the staff told me it was just experimental and was most probably only temporary, but a few weeks ago another double zero wheel appeared, both minimum $2.00 tables but on weekends when things are more busy they will open another couple of single zero $2.00 tables along with one $5.00 table.Now to the interesting part, I know of course that the numbers are placed around the wheel on the double zero wheels in your country, in different positions to the single zero wheels we've had here, but what they have done with these two double zero wheels here is to retain exactly the same number positioning clockwise from the single zero to 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34 and so on and then they have jammed the two zeros at the bottom between numbers 5 and 24.So was just wondering does this seem a bit odd or unusual to you Frank, or have you heard of or seen this type of thing before, also there are new major shareholders that have taken over recently.I have also heard that they have toughened up in certain areas on the slot machines also, not that I play them or are familiar with the slots.Anyhow hope to be able to read your comments soon Frank, when you have time okay.Yours Truly,ThomasDear Thomas:I have never seen what you are referring to and I do hope they decide to take those double-zero roulette wheels out...read more

The Number of Craps Rolls

In January and February of the year 2000 I wrote a two part article dedicated to calculating the average length of a player’s Craps hand in terms of the number of rolls. The answer turns out to be a figure of about 8.526. Recently a reader by the name of Martin K wrote a letter to me challenging this figure, part of which I’ll quote below."I currently play at a casino (Maryland Live) that has a craps game (Interblok) that uses an analog set of dice and a digital interface (no dealers, sticks, etc.) It keeps tracl of the number of rolls and displays it over the game...read more

Blackjack early surrender and max coin on slots

I don’t remember the last time I saw early surrender offered in a bricks-and-mortar casino, and I can’t vouch for its existence online, where I don’t play. “Surrender” means that after seeing his first two cards and the dealer’s up card, the player may give up half his bet instead of playing out the hand...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Tipping for hand pays on slot machines

When I win a large hand pay on a slot I usually tip the attendant something, but not necessarily in the hundreds of dollars. I've thought about this for a bit and wonder why any tip should be given. A tip is supposed to be an added amount paid for good service or for service above and beyond the average...read more

Surrender is good

Dear Frank:First of all, thanks for providing a great site for the recreational gambler. I am sure there is a more politically correct term for us but that is what we are.I live in Florida now but visit relatives in Delaware and PA often. While in Delaware, I like to play at Delaware Downs because the blackjack game there offers surrender and I tell my poker buddies that this is a big advantage for the player...read more

The truth about blackjack and slots

QUESTION: The blackjack rules I play under yield about a .38 percent house advantage.Does that (somehow) include the variables of doubling down, splitting and 3 to 2 blackjack payoff?I thought that I could overcome that house edge using those variables but it looks like I might be wrong and therefore doomed to eventual failure in coming out ahead...read more

Top blackjack questions, part II

To say I’ve answered many questions from blackjack players over the past 38 years is an understatement. I figure I answered, on average, about five questions a month, so that’s 60 a year, or roughly 2,300 over the past 38 years that I’ve been a blackjack writer (whew!)...read more

Those community machines

Slot machines are constantly changing and evolving. The three-reel games of yore are still with us, but the kings of the slot floor are video gamess with their array of animation, special effects, 3D sound, second-screen bonuses, free spin events, mystery pays and multitiered jackpots.Part of the slot evolution and revolution has been the rise of community-style slots...read more