Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 380

Deal Me In: Husband gripes over wife's generous tip

Dear Mark: Please tell me how this tipping experience should have played out. I was playing roulette and having decent success. While playing, I asked the dealer what his favorite number was (13), a number I never play because I think it is unlucky...read more

A shuffle through the gaming mailbag

Q. We're planning a bachelor party, and some guys want to play blackjack, but nobody wants to bet big money. We're narrowed down to two places that will let us play $5 a hand. One will cost us $20 an hour per person for the reservation, then the game is six decks, dealer stands on all 17s, double after split, resplit to four hands...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Why do RNGs generate such large numbers?

Why does the RNG have to pick a number from 0 to 4 billion and then map it to the virtual reel? Couldn't the RNG easily pick a random number between 1 and the number of virtual stops? Does the fact it picks such a large number affect the volatility of the game? Thanks, Jim Dear Jim, I can think of three reasons why the output of an RNG falls into such a large range...read more

Gamblers' New Year's resolutions

Casinos are filled with temptations. They're fantasy zones, where most of the time we don't bet with actual money. We play with chips, or credits on a meter. Those chips and credits are bought with money, and can be exchanged for the real thing, but while we're playing it sometimes doesn't feel like we're spending money...read more

The 12 superstitions about craps: #5 - Never EVER say seven!

The 12 most popular superstitions at the game of craps are adhered to or believed by most craps players -- so if you want to play the game and not be thought a craps barbarian, you should know them. Keep in mind that individuals add their own superstitions too so you might hear someone yelling some incoherent thing at the table which to him will ward off the coming of the ominous 7 or bring it on if he is a Darkside player. Never mention the number 7 when a shooter is shooting. Obviously, this concept has no real effect except that players fear the very word "seven" while the game is in progress...read more

What About the Player?

You may have heard on the news that the state of Massachusetts has approved a bill that authorizes casino gaming in the state. Agreements on the details of the bill were worked out between Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and the bill was then signed into law by Governor Duval Patrick...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: To deduct slot losses, don't rely on a win/loss statement

John: The casino win/loss statement is NOT an acceptable document for the IRS at tax time. Casinos vary on their methodology for capturing customers win/loss. There are no accepted standards for the casinos to follow and thus the results vary from casino to casino. The acceptable form of win/loss statement is for the gambler to record his money into the game, time played per session, and money out...read more

Casino Marketing, I Hate You, I Love You!

I do not play for comps, I play to win money. I do not adjust my play in any way to receive more comps. I do not play longer or bet more in the name of comps. I am not a high roller; I am just an average American tax-paying citizen who enjoys taking the casino's money...read more

A shuffle through the gaming mailbag

Q. I have a question on slot payout percentages. On any given slot machine, is there a minimum payout percentage that is mandated by the gaming commission, or can the casino set the payback percentage to whatever they want? One other question: Are all slot machines of one denomination set at the same payback percentage? Are all 2-cent slots set to pay back at the same percentage? A...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Changing a machine's payback

I have a question regarding updating software on machines. I play at Firekeepers casino in Battle Creek, Michigan. I've read many times in your articles that machines can't be altered for change of payout without paperwork being filed. I've played on a machine that would pay out a pretty good amount of money, if you have the money to stay on it to get to that point...read more