Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 479

Previewing Boyd Gaming's Blue Chip Casino Hotel in Michigan City

Sometimes, it's the little touches that impress. So it was when Boyd Gaming's Blue Chip Casino Hotel in Michigan City, Ind., previewed its new upscale Spa Blu hotel tower, two new restaurants and event center. A night before the Jan. 22 official opening, I found myself leaving my comfy room and heading downstairs to a party at the new restaurants It's Vegas Baby and The Game. At It's Vegas Baby, I grabbed a few hot hors d'oeuvres and checked out the giant video screen behind the bandstand...read more

More on slot machine progressives

Hi. I disagree of what you said. Most of the machines work according to what you've said. I.e., each outcome is random and independent. But for some jackpots, operators/manufacturers could set it in such a way using the following way: The jackpot'll be hit at most in x number of games...read more

In craps, can you buy the 6 and the 8?

Dear Frank: I have a question. I know you can buy the 4, 5, 9 and 10. My question is can the 6 or 8 be bought and what would the minimum buy be? Thank you for any help. B.W. Dear B.W.: Buying the 6 and 8 is the craps equivalent of jumping off the Empire State Building without a parachute...read more

Frank Scoblete Presents: Can I improve my chances of winning with multiple bets?

Frank Scoblete presents an article by guest columnist Skinny. A poster on the Golden Touch Craps private website had the following question: My math mind is saying that the more bets you have on the board the better chance there is for a win...read more

Three Card Poker Strategy

The popular game of Three Card Poker, invented by my good friend Derek Webb and now marketed by Shuffle Master, has a wager called Ante-Play that involves a player decision. Let me first explain the wager and then I'll discuss the proper way to play this bet. There are three betting spots in front of the player...read more

Stop minding my business

I am not a busybody. My wife, the beautiful A.P., has to remind me all the time of our neighbors' names. "That's Mrs. Kyle, next door." "That's the retired NYC police detective Mr. Grimes across the street." "Mrs. Millicent had her fifth daughter last month." I just don't connect to them and while I remember their faces, what the heck are their names? Forget about knowing what they do or did to make a living, or how many children they have...read more

Casinos Respond to Tough Economic Gaming Climate

They're never going to hold a "tag day" for casinos, even in today's battered economy. Sure, the revenues are down for many properties across the country. But it doesn't mean they're not making money; they're just making less than they did when times were good. Response from the individual properties has varied, but over at Harrah's Casino & Hotel in Joliet, the accent has been on evaluating its inventory of games and making the adjustments necessary to weather the storm...read more

2008 Global Gaming Expo, part 9

Not too many years ago, the sight of electronic versions of table games at the annual Global Gaming Expo would set one to wondering just where the market was for such things. Single-player video blackjack had never been much of a success...read more

Playing It Smart: Why a $5 bet at one game may not be like a $5 bet at another

Make believe you're used to betting $1 on each of five spots at roulette. You're comfortable the way your bankroll fluctuates during a typical session you know how big a stake gets you through normal downswings, and what comprises an acceptable session profit or loss...read more

Do slot machines hit less frequently on free play?

Dear John, I really love reading and learning from your column. It has helped me understand why and how these slots work. I have also made some extra money (sometimes) while using your advice. However, my question concerns the "free play" on slot machines that you receive from "comps" from the casino to get you back in...read more