Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 415

Darkside don't betting isn't easy

If you are a darkside "don't" player, which means you are betting against the shooter making his point, you are the most disliked man or woman in the game of craps. And don't kid yourself into thinking the other players realize that you are also playing against the house edge and not playing against them...read more

When Should You Press?

A common question among dice controllers and craps players in general is when should you press your bets. The term pressing refers to adding money to your bets or raising your bets. In a random game every bet has a negative expectation, so regression would be your play...read more

A different type of blackjack quiz (answers)

Understanding some of the basic blackjack statistics will help you become a better player. But I have to admit that numbers are boring to most folks, so I crafted this article as a fun quiz (at least I hope you find it entertaining, as well as informative)...read more

A different type of blackjack quiz

Understanding some of the basic blackjack statistics will help you become a better player. But I have to admit that numbers are boring to most folks, so I crafted this article as a fun quiz (at least I hope you find it entertaining, as well as informative)...read more

Craps player can't shake off double pitch

Hi Mr. Scoblete, I have read most of your books on craps and have been playing craps in Macau for over two years now. Craps is getting even more popular in Macau this past year. Although I practice at home I still can’t shake off the double pitch...read more

Increasing the $1,200 W-2G threshold

It seems that the amount of a slot win subject to taxes has been $1,200 for at least 25-30 years. Is there any chance that amount could be raised to $2,500 or even $5,000? If so, what would the approval process be? I understand change is unlikely in these economic times when the government does not want to reduce tax collections. I suspect increasing the threshold could actually increase the amount of play in casinos. Your thoughts? This is a very timely question with tax day just a few days away. I don't know how or when $1,200 was chosen as the W-2G threshold...read more

Why blackjack players learn basic strategy

For every player who gets serious about blackjack, there comes a big question: How do they give themselves a better chance to win? That starts with learning basic strategy and knowing when to hit, stand, double down or split pairs. But how does someone who doesn't even know basic strategy exists make that step? I asked blackjack players what pushed them toward improving their games...read more

Isn't the odds bet at craps a big mistake?

Dear Frank: I don't see how you can say that the odds bet at craps is a good bet. It only makes it appear that it reduces the house edge but in fact the amount of money you lose is always the same. If I make a $25 pass line bet my expected loss is 35 cents...read more

Additional Information on the Field Bet

Hi Stickman, One thing I would add to your article on the Field Bet is that the bet is resolved on every roll. Compare a $5 Place 5 bet (HA=4.00%) to a $5 3x12 Field (HA=2.78%) bet over a perfectly distributed 36 rolls. Place 5 wins $7 four times and loses $5 six times for a net loss of $2. Field wins $15 once, $10 once, and $5 fourteen times; and loses $5 twenty times for a net loss of $5. Van Hi Van, You bring up a good point...read more

Jest for Fun

Sign seen written on men's room wall in a Las Vegas casino: "It's only a gambling problem if you're losing." * * * * * Math teacher to gambler's son, "Billy, tell the class how much is two and two." Billy: "Snake eyes." * * * * * The Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas was built by the notorious mobster Bugsy Siegel...read more