Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 464

More or less?

What is the difference between Player #1 who places the 6 and 8 for $30 each and Player #2 who just places the 6 for $30? Most players would say that Player #1 will lose twice the amount of money in the long run and they would be absolutely right...read more

Video Poker Website a Labor of Love for the Game

Don't let Mike Fields' title fool you. He may be the executive vice president of Action Gaming, a giant in the development of the world's most popular video poker machines, but that doesn't stop him from being an enthusiastic fan of the games his company creates. In an industry in which many of the so-called "suits" of the executive sector of casino business appear to be stamped out of a cookie cutter and far removed from gambling from the players' perspective, Fields is a rare exception. His enthusiasm for video poker inspired him three years ago to develop a website for fans of the game which today has nearly 170,000 members worldwide and is growing at the rate of 100 to 125 new members each day. VideoPoker.com is a non-wagering site devoted entirely to one of the most popular games in casinos and its loyal legion of followers. Basic membership is free and includes the ability to play real casino video poker games, advice and strategy from experts, and access to a video poker forum in which you can ask questions and share thoughts, ideas and comments with fellow video poker players from around the world. You can also obtain information about video poker pay tables, plus there's a state-by-state locator to find in which casinos your favorite games are located. Video poker contests for Action Gaming apparel and Las Vegas prize packages are also held on a regular basis. There are also opportunities for people who love to play keno to try out their favorite games as well as new releases. Recently a new training mode feature was introduced that creates a learning experience of value to all levels of players. The driving force behind formulating a user-friendly online tool that translates complicated strategies into a simplified format was Fields. He explained that the idea for the training module came about because the vast majority of people who play video poker are unable to devote the time and effort it takes to become an expert and maximize their chances of playing successfully. "Our challenge was to help people gain the confidence they need to become better players," he said...read more

Report from G2E 2009, part 4

All the most successful video poker games have been based on five-card draw poker. When you see one that's not, like the old game Double Down Stud, you know that its best chance of survival is to attract a small niche of loyal players. So I'm not one to get giddy over a non-draw game, not even one that seems well designed to capitalize on the popularity of Texas Hold'em...read more

Is there a way to determine a machine's long-term payback?

Is there a way to test a machine's payout percentage? For pooled machines linked to a jackpot, is the payout percentage still per machine or can it be spread out across the total machines in the casino? If you say higher denominations pay out better, then wouldn't you agree they have a separate RNG or seed, since it is the only variables that can change the payout? Therefore, pulling 30 no-wins on .10 then changing to 1.00 isn't going to help...read more

Craps classes in Massachusetts?

Dear Frank: Some people who love craps would take lessons in Massachusetts, probably Boston would be a good idea. Lots of people play at Mohegan Sun Casino and at the Foxwoods Casino. Brad Dear Brad: Except for Chicago, we do our classes in casino towns such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Tunica, Mississippi. Boston might be a good venue...read more

36-Card Craps Games

Stickman, What are your thoughts on "Card Craps" with a 36-card deck? Ted Ted, Card Craps is played in California. In California, craps must be a banked card game because it is illegal to base the outcome of a game exclusively on dice...read more

Blackjack side bet: Streak

I received an e-mail from a reader who stated she saw an interesting side bet at a blackjack table where players were betting on a certain number of consecutive winning hands. She wanted to know more about it and whether it was a worthwhile bet to make. The name of this side bet is called Streak and it was developed by Mao Gaming...read more

Books on roulette make the game more enjoyable

"Read before you play any game" should be the smart player's motto. When it comes to roulette, reading about the odds, the rules, the various bets is mandatory. Once you understand the game almost as well as those running it, you're ready to have some fun. Here are four books and what they offer to those who have never played or have some experience but want to learn more. Norman Squire's How to Win at Roulette ($16, paperbound) was published more than 40 years ago but remains a must-read classic because it contains a mountain of systems for the American or European table...read more

Stupid move or smart move?

My friends and I call ourselves The Five Horsemen, with our tongues firmly planted in our cheeks I'll have you know, and we are all black chip players. Two of our members are at orange chip levels. We prefer to play at $25 and $100 tables. We play at $25 tables when other Golden Touch Craps friends join us who prefer lower stakes...read more

Incredible Technologies Set to "Tee Up" in Casinos

Incredible Technologies, the Arlington Heights, Illinois based company that is the largest manufacturer of coin-operated video games in the United States, recently passed a major hurdle in its quest to enter the casino gaming sector. It was announced last month that Gaming Laboratories International gave regulatory approval to IT's innovative Magic Touch gaming platform line of video slot, poker and keno games. The approval came in time for the company to put its products on display at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, and sets the stage for the games to start appearing on casino floors around the country in the near future. The rollout of Magic Touch themed games includes Money, Cars, Fruit, and Fish Store...read more