Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 424

Splitting 8s in blackjack

My friend Ralph has played blackjack for decades, probably longer than I have. He'd never really studied the game, but absorbed enough through all that play that he was zeroed in on basic strategy, as long as we were talking only about hard totals...read more

Mary describes her controlled shooting success

Hi Frank, I am taking your advice about creating a gambling account (401-G). I have about $500 saved up so far. I am really going to try to do your class in October in Las Vegas. Like you say, the craps tables aren't going anywhere. My husband and I still go to the casino, but I don't play craps...read more

Correction to Homework - Part 2

In my June 11th article I addressed two questions about the situation where all 52 cards in a deck of cards are dealt out to four people (such as in a game of Bridge). One of the questions asked was to calculate the probability that one player's hand contained all four Aces...read more

More on estimating a machine's long-term payback

John, I'm a long time reader and look forward to your insight. In a recent column, you stated: "A while ago I wrote that you can estimate a machine's long-term payback by estimating how likely each symbol on each reel is to land on the payline...read more

Why Sports Betting is Profitable

Sports betting appeals to the smart bettor because it is not a game with a fixed house edge where the casinos are raking off a fixed percentage. Sports betting requires more skill than luck, similar to Blackjack and live poker. The skilled handicapper won't win every time, but he has a huge advantage over the recreational bettor...read more

The greatest blackjack game of all time

Do you want to know what constituted the greatest blackjack game of all time? It was a combination of wonderful rules, amazingly deep penetration into the deck, and a highly sophisticated casino attitude on the part of the executives and pit people. I played this perfect blackjack game once, long ago, in Vegas...read more

Race Track Casinos Gain in Popularity Nationwide

Racetrack casinos, a tax revenue generating component in 12 states, out-performed the gaming industry as a whole for the second straight year according to figures in the newly released 2010 State of the States report compiled by the American Gaming Association. While overall revenue from gaming in 2009 declined by 5.5 per cent, consumer spending at racetrack casinos rose five per cent...read more

There are no free comps

It was a busy night in Las Vegas, at the end of a busy day. I hadn't eaten since breakfast, all the restaurants were crowded, and I found myself dining at the counter of a casino coffee shop. From my stool, I couldn't help but overhear the conversation to my left...read more

When did the $1,200 W-2G requirement start?

Hello John, First I want to thank you for the wealth of information you provide to us gamblers. I never miss your column. I have two questions I cannot find the answer to on the Internet, or from casino connections I have gained as a player...read more

Controlled shooting on a bouncy craps table

Hi Frank, I've read your book several times and bought a felt layout with dice and the rubber backwall. I set up a practice rig in my basement and have been practicing for months both counting my rolls and using chips. I figured I was ready for some live shooting. I drove to a local casino...read more