Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 468

Why are table minimums so high in Atlantic City?

Dear Frank: Can you can answer for me why the table minimums are higher in Atlantic City than Las Vegas? Is this due to the "cut" that the State of New Jersey requires from the casinos as opposed to Nevada or is it just the casino operators? When I play in AC, it's all slots and maybe some roulette...read more

The End of a Story

As many of you know in 2003 I wrote and published a book entitled The Lottery Book; The Truth Behind the Numbers. In it I traced the history of the lottery, explained lottery mathematics, offered advice, and told some stories of lottery winners...read more

Playing Your Best Game

Poker is more than just a card game. One professional player I know describes poker as a "people game played with cards" and whenever you are dealing with people, you are also dealing with many psychological factors, including your own emotions...read more

Is setting for the field number a smart bet?

I just received a letter asking me if setting for a yo-eleven or a 12 in order to get field numbers is a smart bet. This individual had read somewhere that setting this way could improve his chances of hitting the field numbers of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12...read more

Do Payback Percentages Vary on Multi-Denomination Slots?

Even what you think would be elementary and essential information about slot machines that casino goers who wish to be informed are entitled to know is extremely difficult to find. It is unfortunate that casino operators in particular and the gaming industry in general reveal next to nothing about slots and how they work. For obvious reasons, casinos prefer to keep slots "magical, mystery money machines" rather than make an effort to educate the public about the math and computer programs that govern them. The hyping of jackpots, publicizing players who are fortunate enough to win them, and reporting monthly payback percentages (broken down by denomination, not machine) as required by state law are all they tell us. One question that comes up frequently is whether or not the payback percentages on multi-denomination games change depending upon which denomination is being played. After doing some research, I discovered the answer to the question is a definite "probably". Even nationally recognized slot machine authority John Robison, the "go to" expert for all questions pertaining to slots, and my colleague 'gaming guru" at www.casinocity.com, could not give a definitive answer to the question: "I don't have first hand knowledge about slots, but I have seen the long-term paybacks on multi-denom video poker machines rise with denomination, so I think the same thing could happen on slots, too," he said...read more

More on match play coupons

A couple of months ago, I mentioned match play coupons that for one hand, roll or spin double your return if you win. The double winnings give you a mathematical edge on the house. If you had a match play coupon for every wager, you'd be the odds-on favorite to take the house's money. That brought a handful of responses via e-mail from readers with variations on the match play theme...read more

How do I tip my slot host?

Thank you so much for the helpful advice regarding tipping slot hosts. We have a wonderful slot host in LV and wanted to say thank you. We were not sure if it was allowed. Thank you again for your help. Each casino has its own rules regarding tipping slot hosts, but as a general rule hosts are prohibited from accepting any cash tip and gifts worth more than, say, $25. Players have made homemade cookies and pies for their hosts...read more

A natural dice controller

Mr. Scoblete, I would like to tell you of a skill I have developed. I am not a gambler by profession nor do I frequent the casinos. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I just watched a show on the Biography channel about you and the Dominator ["The Dice Dominator" http://www.goldentouchcraps.com/HistoryChannel.shtml]...read more

Jest for Fun

If profanity could affect the outcome of a slot game, there would be a lot fewer losers. * * * * * First Things First Captain to deckhand on a Mississippi riverboat casino: "If the boat hit a big object and started to sink, who would you save first? The young or the older women?" Deckhand: "Me!" * * * * * You gotta admit one thing about the weather in Las Vegas...read more

Consider Your Kicker

There are many times when the winning pot is determined by a kicker, however some players don't think about their kicker until they lose one of these hands. This is why you should always consider your kicker when choosing your starting hands...read more