Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 412

Do slots pay back less today?

I don't think I'm wrong, but it seems as if for the past six years the machines have been paying out a lot less than they used to. I noticed it when playing the Wheel of Fortune machine in particular. Used to be when you got the spin, at least you could wish for something more than 25 or 30...read more

If slots are random, then . . .

Not a month goes by that I don't receive at least one e-mail with a slot machine question that starts, "If your randomness theory is correct, then . . . " I have to issue a disclaimer. That slot machine results are determined by random number generators is not my theory...read more

Moderation in all spins

I've seen them and you've seen them. The bleary; the buzzed; the disheveled; gambling's blanked, blinked and bonkered ones; playing too long; playing too fast; playing too much at the slot machines. Spin after spin after countless spins at a speed almost matching that of light...read more

Jumbotron's Classics. Part 1

I like to tell my friends that I am the best Monday morning quarterback in the business. I truly believe in the analytical process. No matter how bad or well you played a particular session, there are always positives and always room for improvement...read more

Hot or Cold Dealers

In Blackjack, luck can sometimes have a big impact on your game. The real question to be asked is what is the effect of the dealer's luck? A dealer who is hot, and gets nothing but good cards that day, can beat anyone no matter how skilled a player one might be...read more

Deal Me In: Some numbers – take notes – there'll be a quiz

Dear Mark: In video poker, do higher-denomination games always pay more than lower-denomination games? It seems nickel slots never pay as much as quarter slots, which pay less than dollar slot machines, so I assume that holds true with video poker...read more

Blackjack side bets: Are they worth betting?

In an effort to encourage more players to play blackjack -- and also to improve their margins -- many casinos have added side bets on their blackjack tables. These innocent-looking bets usually require a rather small wager (typically only a dollar), and they generally have payoffs that are greater than the customary even-money blackjack payoffs...read more

Can we increase the 5-Count to the 6-Count?

Dear Frank, I am from the UK and have had an interest in playing craps for the last few years. Unfortunately, I only really get the chance to play when I am on vacation as there is no real love of craps in the UK. I came across the 5-Count this evening at work whilst working the overnight shift! Dr...read more

Hitting the jackpot on a progressive bank

On a bank of progressive machines, all being the same kind, when the jackpot is hit, would it be on a certain machine of the bunch or when the money played has reached the payout pre-selected limit? In other words, could it be any machine of the bunch (so it wouldn't matter which machine you played)? Thanks for all the tips you provide to us players. Barrett Dear Barrett, Thanks for the kind words about my columns. Let's further clarify the situation...read more

A shuffle through the gaming mailbag

Q. I was surprised to find a Three Card Poker game that was hand-dealt, going around the table in order just like regular poker. At most other casinos, it is machine-dealt in groups of three cards going around the table with the dealer last...read more