Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 461

How do I calculate the long-term payback of a video poker pay table?

Hi, John, I consider myself a savvy and knowledgeable video poker player, and have been playing for 11 years now; until the actual mathematics kicks in! Can you please explain to me how we arrive at a 98.981% return (with perfect play) on a 9/6 Double Double Bonus Video Poker hand? I understand what the 9/6 means, but how do I crunch the math to show me the 98.981% return? I would really appreciate learning the mathematical formula involved to solve and prove any return. Thanks so much. JG Dear JG, We don't really use a formula to calculate the long-term payback for a video poker paytable...read more

Do your gambling prospects improve if you bet more often?

The longer a game you play, the greater your chances of a successful round. But this isn't necessarily equivalent to the likelihood of earning a profit. To see the effect, pretend you flip a coin, heads wins and tails loses. The chance of winning any individual toss is 50 percent. You can approach a multi-round game intending to play until you win or bust out...read more

What happens to a come bet when the shooter throws a number I've placed?

Hi Frank, What happens with a come bet if I have already placed the eight and the shooter throws an eight? Thanks, Arnold Hi Arnold: The come bet goes to the 8 and you have the choice of taking your place bet down or using some or most of it on the odds portion of your come bet...read more

Do all casinos provide win/loss statements?

Do all casinos provide you with a win/loss statement? In Oklahoma, Cherokee casinos won't give one to you. Thanks, Linda Well, Linda, it looks like the answer is no, not every casino will give you a win/loss statement. Seriously, I've never heard of a casino not providing the statement before...read more

Splitting aces and eights

Always split aces and 8s. That is one of the golden rules for blackjack players but not according to a friend of mine. He insists that splitting 8s against a dealer upcard of 9, 10, or ace is crazy because you are probably going to lose anyway, so why double your loss by splitting? Although my friend's logic appears to make sense, it is flawed...read more

Baseball stat books can help you prepare for the new season

Four new baseball resources, packed with statistics, analysis and projections, have arrived, each helpful in its own way to the handicapper who loves to prepare as spring training, fantasy league play and the regular season approach. There's a lot of homework to finish before the first pitch...read more

She has the golden touch: Pat DeMauro sets all-time record dice roll at Borgata

The odds of getting a royal flush in Texas Hold'em poker are 649,738 to 1. The odds of being struck by lightning in a single year are 700,000 to 1. The odds of dying in a plane crash are 11 million to 1. The average state lottery player faces odds of 35 to 50 million to 1...read more

Always Enjoy the "Show" When You Play Slots

Unless you enjoy playing slot machines for the entertainment value you derive from them (in addition to the hope of winning some money along the way, of course!), modern "one-armed bandits" may just as well be looked upon as electronic pull-tabs. The essential components of electronic gaming devices could probably be housed in a container the size of a shoe box when you get right down to it...read more

A shuffle through the gaming mailbag

Q. We watched a guy at video poker win four jackpots on the same multi-hand Spin Poker machine in about 15-20 minutes. What are the odds of that happening? His jackpots were $1,250, $1,290, $8,010 (royal flush) and $2,580, or something pretty close to that...read more

When did computer-based slots hit the slot floor?

In what year did the first computer-based slot hit the casino floor? Are all mechanical slots now gone or can you find a 3-reel quarter machine that does not have the RNG chip today? I believe I have a good idea what year it was, as that is when I could no longer win regularly at slots. Keep the great answers coming...read more