Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 445

Economics Dictate a Casino's Table Game Options

Many times there's a lot more to playing casino games than meets the eye, especially from the perspective of economics. Take the popular poker hybrid Three Card Poker as an example. When a casino decides to introduce this table game, it has to go through its copyright holder, Las Vegas-based Shuffle Master, Inc., to either lease a table or purchase one outright. It can be an expensive proposition...read more

Horse racing slots

On a trip to Las Vegas long enough ago that we didn't have casinos in the Midwest, I took a time out when things were going badly at blackjack and video poker. I decided to relax for a little cheap play on a horse racing game, Sigma Derby...read more

Changing the long-term payback on a video poker machine

Can the total payout (97% or 100.7%, e.g.) be determined by any means other than the payback schedule in video poker? In other words, do all 9/6 machines pay exactly the same in the long run? Thanks! Judy Dear Judy, The two components of long-term payback are 1) how much each winning combination is worth, and 2) the probability of hitting each winning combination...read more

Are casinos changing what is under the felt on a craps table?

Hi Frank, I took a craps class in a casino one morning in Las Vegas, years ago, just to learn the basics. I have read various books on gambling, and I am now reading your articles on Casino City Times to learn more about craps. I usually play blackjack when I go to a casino, but I am starting to branch out a little. My question is this: Are the casinos changing what is under the felt on the craps tables to thwart the controlled shooters and the rhythmic rollers from trying to beat the casino? When I was in a Tunica casino, I asked the casino manager about why they switched to a foam rubber layer under the felt, and he said it makes the felt layer last longer. What is your opinion on casinos changing what is under the felt layout? Thanks, Troy Dear Troy: The casino manager told you the truth...read more

Help for a dice throw

Dear Frank: Took the Golden Touch Dice Control class last summer. My question is that I am consistently either rolling the dice or yaw-pitching them. In other words the numbers that are on the pitch axis when I throw the dice end up on top when the dice come to rest...read more

Playing a "Hopping 7s" Progression with a Controlled Shooter

A while back I wrote about playing a "Hopping 7's" progression. That article can be found here: https://www.casinocitytimes.com/jerry-stickman/article/playing-a-hopping-7s-progression-42967. The conclusion of that article was to avoid using the progression because the house edge of 11.11 percent will ultimately prevail...read more

My doctor had pigtails

I went out to dinner on Friday evening with my wife, the beautiful AP. I had two martini glasses of chilled Belvedere and a delicious filet mignon. Since I started eating filet mignon when a student of GTC sent me some (the best ever!) I have become a ravenous red meat eater: hot sausages, pork, steak, hamburgers...read more

Bad Bonus Round Is Like Coal in Your Stocking

There is no denying that the primary appeal of today's video and multi-line reel slots is the anticipation of getting into a bonus round. For a slot player, what can be better? You can sit back without wagering a thing and watch the reels spin in the hope your credits will pile up. Make it a touch screen interactive bonus round and things get even more exciting...read more

How the casino game got its name

Everyone knows how casino games get named nowadays. The game inventor, or perhaps the marketing department in a large company, decides what best describes the game, or what will sell the game to the public. Someone at Shufflemaster decided, "Hmmm …...read more

Should I play the $5 slots?

hey john, i have been playing slots for about 10 years -- winning some losing some -- my choice of machine is usually a triple or triple double star $1 slot -- lately ive been riding the $5 double diamond. i play both machines the same way -- single, double or triple bets varying up every couple of spins -- it seems to work for me...read more