Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 485

Banking on the Success of Electronic Baccarat

International Game Technology, one of the world's leading slot machine developers and manufacturers, is betting that the time is right for gaming enthusiasts to start becoming comfortable with electronic table games. The company is starting to aggressively market what it calls its M-P Series, a line of fully-automated electronic games that are designed to be attractive to players and at the same time appeal to the dynamics of gaming floor design and efficiency. Its product line includes electronic versions of blackjack and roulette, titled Digital 21 and Roulette Evolution, respectively, as well as Texas Hold'em Bonus Poker and two versions of baccarat: Dragon Baccarat and Golden Baccarat. Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Michigan, earlier this year became the first property in the nation to feature Golden Baccarat. The installation includes four player terminals which face a large-screen LCD monitor upon which a virtual dealer is displayed...read more

A shuffle through the gaming mailbag

Q. You have completely tantalized us video poker addicts! You mentioned expert strategy on "certain" video poker games, but which ones? I practice, practice, practice with my little hand-held video game every night — can't go to sleep without playing it...read more

Is this a penny machine or a quarter machine?

I just returned from Tunica and have a question regarding some of the new machines. These slots call themselves penny slots but the smallest bet they take is a quarter. Yes the quarter covers 25 lines, but if you can only bet in 25-cent increments does this not make it a quarter slot? The ones I saw were by IGT...read more

What are pot odds?

Dear Frank, I've watched enough poker on TV to see the players doing math in their heads, and the commentators mentioning that "they're getting 2-1 on their money," etc. Is there a formula for determining the correct amount to bet on one's hand based solely on the size of the pot? I realize that the game, position, stack size, hole cards etc...read more

What is keno tracking?

Dear John, On my last visit to my local casino, I had two security guards come up to me and accuse me of "tracking" on the keno machine I was playing, and threatened to take the cards "away" on which I had some favorite birthday numbers written down! Long story short, I refused to give them the cards and asked for a supervisor, to whom I did give the cards, and the matter was dropped. What is keno tracking? Respectfully, Robert Dear Robert, Keno tracking is keeping track of the numbers drawn in order to use that information to choose what numbers to play...read more

Jest for Fun

Casinos know you can't fool all of the people all of the time. But it isn't necessary. A majority will do. * * * * * Two senses are required in a casino: common and horse. * * * * * However much a slot gives out, there is more that it withholds. * * * * * The Defective Casino An English ...read more

Three types of craps cognoscenti

So many players and self-appointed "experts" are such non-cognoscenti when it comes to the game of craps that it is startling what they don't know; what they don't care to know; and what amazingly inept concepts they have about the game of craps and everything that surrounds it, especially betting, and, worse, how freely they share their knowledgelessness (I invented that word) with hapless readers who eat it up as if it were delicious pizza — albeit pizza that costs a fortune...read more

Video Poker Maverick Is a Man on a Mission

Arizona resident and self-styled video poker maverick Rob Singer is out to prove that video poker machines do not play as randomly as the manufacturers of the games claim they do. His independent research is being ridiculed by the mainstream of video poker authorities who base their playing strategy on mathematical probability and the random operation of the games. Singer is conducting what he calls fifth card "flip-over" testing on video poker machines throughout Nevada...read more

Misplayed blackjack hands

The first time I ever played in a casino, I went straight for what I thought was a familiar game. Turns out I didn't know it all that well. I don't remember the cards when I made a bad play, but I heard a woman behind me say, "He shouldn't have done that, should he?" A man responded, "Shhh." I knew I had more to learn if I was going to play the game, so I studied basic strategy before my second trip to Las Vegas...read more

Are the amounts I win in bonus rounds predetermined?

John, Enjoy the column. It makes me a more knowledgeable slot player. If only it could make me luckier. Your comment about VLTs choosing an outcome when a game is initiated reminded me of a question I've had for a while. I know the outcome of a spin is determined when you push the button or pull the handle, but what about bonus rounds? In particular, I'm thinking of bonuses where you have to pick, say, one symbol from three, or the ones where you keep picking symbols until you hit a stopper...read more