Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 385

Deviating from basic strategy

It was mid-morning on a Monday, and I found myself at a six-deck blackjack table. It was just an average kind of game, with the dealer standing on all 17s, double downs allowed on any first two cards, including after splitting pairs. There was an average mix of other players, too...read more

The 12 superstitions about craps: #9 - Those darkside devils

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. A Darkside player at the table will increase the appearance of the seven...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Is it rude to stare at a slot player?

Hi John: I was wondering your stance on if it's considered bad etiquette when people stand behind you while you are playing and literally stare at you the entire time you play. I notice this in certain casinos in PA and NJ, and find it absurd...read more

What do you think of these craps strategies?

The following letter is from Michigan Mike and since it has several questions I have decided to answer them as they are given. -- Frank Dear Mr. Scoblete, Where do I begin? I hope you are doing well. I have been an admirer of the game of craps since 1991,and have appreciated your first craps book over the years, never reading it all at once, just a chapter here and there, bits and pieces at a time...read more

What Would You Do If... You Hit a Jackpot?

I grew up in an era when there were no video games or computers. As a youth my friends and I would sit around playing board games, cards or word games to entertain ourselves on a rainy afternoon. One of the games I enjoyed playing was a simple "word" game...read more

A shuffle through the gaming mailbag

Q. At the Atlantic City casinos there is a Let It Ride side bet known as the three card bonus. What is your opinion of this bet? Should this bet be made or is it best to avoid it? A. There are several different pay tables on the three-card bonus bet...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: More on gambling losses, taxes, and keeping a record

John, Personally I feel taxpayers should be able to use the capital gains/losses for our gambling venture. Primarily because it's not required to itemize. My observation at casinos is that the clientele are mostly OLD codgers who more than likely are past the stage of itemizing...read more

A sympathetic ear for two slot players

When readers share stories about their casino exploits, it's usually about big wins. Let's face it, the wins are more memorable and more fun to talk about than the more common losing sessions. Still, every now and then a reader looking for a sympathetic ear will e-mail me with a tale of a day when nothing went right...read more

The 12 superstitions about craps: #8 - All alone

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 open a table when you are alone or play when you are alone at a table...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: A tax preparer comments on taxes on gambling winnings

My feelings on gambling winnings and losses is the winnings are a capital gain and should be taxed. I don't feel it's our government's fault that you lost money gambling. They should not allow us to deduct gambling losses. We are taking a chance when we gamble...read more