Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 341

Ask the Slot Expert: Does the machine I'm playing affect my chances for hitting a progressive jackpot?

On a progressive video poker machine, does the machine you're playing at have any part in hitting the progressive royal? Regarding the jackpot on a progressive like Megabucks and Wheel of Fortune, does the casino or specific machine have any part in determining who hits the jackpot? Also, if someone hits the jackpot hand but doesn't have all the coins in, does that affect when the jackpot will be hit again for someone with all the coins in? Let's start with how machines in a progressive system determine their results...read more

Craps Characters I've Met

There are many characters at a craps table who believe they know how to win at the game. On a recent trip to Sin City, I decided to check out a recommended casino. Entering, I stretched my way pass the overcrowded roulette table, ringing slots, clouds of smoke, clinging beer bottles, and waitresses dressed in mini black skirts showing their C-cup cleavage in a Victoria’s Secret push-up bra.Through this hot mess, I found a craps table that had my spot open, SL1...read more

John "Skinny" destroys Atlantic City

It is rare that you can flat out say, “So-and-so destroyed the casinos at craps because of his controlled shooting for the last four days!” I am happy to announce that Golden Touch dice control instructor John "Skinny" destroyed Atlantic City during a four-day trip.The Dominator and I were there...read more

Triple Trouble video poker and parlaying sports bets

QUESTION: What can you tell me about Triple Trouble video poker, the one with the devils that multiply your wins? What strategy adjustments do you have to make? I really like the game, but I want to get the most out of it.ANSWER: Triple Trouble has been around for a long time and is found mainly on Bally GameMaker multigame machines...read more

How often do various outcomes occur in games of chance?

Casino players often wonder about the prospects of experiencing various numbers of rounds before some outcome occurs or between results. The event of interest may be desired or dreaded, depending on the situation. As examples, craps aficionados might want to see lots of numbers before a dreaded seven, roulette enthusiasts might hope that hits on a single-spot, a four-spot corner, or some other combination occur in close proximity to one another, and blackjack buffs might wish for runs packed with natural 21s or opportunities for Basic Strategy splits or doubles. The question is often phrased in terms of average – more technically, “most likely” or “expected” – numbers of coups...read more

What should you do if the dealer tips you?

These are posts by Broadway and others on the private, members-only message boards at www.goldentouchcraps.comBROADWAY: I am a GTC tipper all the way. Every roll I have there is a tip on the line for the dealers, and if the roll gets long I increase the number of tips...read more

Playing blackjack one-on-one against the dealer

Playing blackjack one-on-one with a dealer can be both good and bad for the player. With only one at the table, the player can provide a major role in controlling the speed of the game. At times a dealer might rush a player, maybe hoping the player would make a mistake on a given hand...read more

Deal Me In: Casinos are in the math-and-time business

Dear Mark: What is the typical hold for the casino in blackjack? I have heard it is under 10 percent. Nathan M.I am wondering, Nathan, if you might be confusing the "house edge" with the "casino hold." The "house edge" in blackjack can be near zero against those who use perfect basic strategy, and approximately 5 percent against your typical player.The "hold" percentage is the ratio of chips the casino keeps to the total amount of chips sold, generally measured from as little as an eight-hour shift, to weekly, monthly, even yearly.For example, if a blackjack table sold $20,000 in chips and dropped the currency in the box over an eight-hour swing shift, and the table ended up keeping $9,000 of those chips (players cashing in the other $11,000), then that particular table game would have a "hold" of 45 percent for that defined game and period.Month to month, the hold can vary widely between games, casinos and gaming jurisdictions...read more

How to win at video poker

The following key points are what I tell casino players when they ask me how to win at video poker.Many different gamesThere are many different kinds of video poker games on the casino floor. They include the traditional Jacks-or-Better, Bonus, Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, Deuces Wild, and Joker Wild games...read more

Exciting new casino table games

When game developers create new table games, the first look usually is at poker. Poker-based games usually are easy to learn and easy to deal, and have proven to attract players with success such as three-card poker, Caribbean Stud and Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker.So it was no surprise at October’s Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas that new table games had a heavy poker lean...read more