Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 49

Ask the Slot Expert: My casino "good luck" charms

I don't believe in talismans or trying to influence a machine to bring me good luck. I don't do the things I've seen some people do, like putting a family photo on the screen, putting a good luck charm on the machine, or tapping the screen to try to get a reel to stop on a particular symbol. That said, I'm not above trying to get the gods of good fortune to lean a little on my side sometimes...read more

"Slowly I turn, step by step..."

Last issue I took up the idea of movement, both physical movement and emotional movement. I used the idea of the shot arrow that must make its way by always going halfway to the target then half way to that halfway point and then again and again until it seems there is no movement at all as you might have an infinite halfway to everything.Our emotions are that way too...read more

Buying Numbers at Craps

QUESTION: I'm fairly new to craps. My brother-in-law taught me all about pass, come and the odds, and that's all I play. I do OK, win some, lose some. Some of the wins have been pretty wonderful with the 3x, 4x, 5x odds I play. A hot roll will make up for a lot of little losses when the shooters are going point-7 around the table.Sometimes, I'll hear another player want to '"buy" the 4 or 10...read more

Best Video Poker Game to Play

One of the most common questions from readers of this column is a simple one – what is the best video poker game to play?It is a simple question. The answer, however, is far from simple. It depends on several factors.Does the player like action?Does the player like to avoid risk, or consider risk part of the fun of the game?Is the player organized and methodical or does the player enjoy unexpected things?Is the player willing to put in time learning whatever is necessary to succeed at video poker?Or, does the thought of spending time out of the casino in order to play better while in the casino turn them off?Does the player have adequate funds for video poker play or is the player living paycheck to paycheck?Does the player have discipline, or does the thrill of the game cause a complete abandonment of all self-will.These questions and more must all be answered honestly...read more

Oscar's Grind

CINDY: Here is a betting sequence that most casino players don’t know about – at least the ones I have talked to. It is best when played on the even-money bets or close to even-money, such as mini-baccarat, roulette, Pai Gow Poker and other games such as these.ABBY: Oscar’s Grind sounds as if the player will now grind down the casino when he or she plays the games...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Ruin, variance, and video poker

A few weeks ago, I referred to Helping You Understand Bankroll Needs - Volatility on Jean Scott's Frugal Vegas blog that contained an article called "Understanding Variance" by Henry Tamburin. Variance is a well defined statistical formula...read more

Between This and That

The arrow being shot at a target is an interesting problem – which could, I guess, cause conniptions in many people. It does for me.Many people ascribe this arrow situation to Archimedes, the ancient Italian philosopher, mathematician, and scientist from ancient Syracuse who postulated the following:If you shoot an arrow at a target, that arrow has to travel a distance to get there...read more

Quiz: Two Card Royal Flush

This article contains a video poker strategy quiz. The game is full-pay (9/6 – 9-for-1 full house, 6-for-1 flush) jacks or better.The quiz assumes the maximum five credits is played. The maximum bet produces the highest long-term return because the royal flush pays 800-for-1 (4,000-for-5) rather than 250-for-1 when less than the maximum is bet.Look at the dealt hand below and decide which card or cards you would hold...read more

The Roulette Columns Betting System

ABBY: I think we can take a look at another betting system. What do you think?CINDY: Absolutely. Let’s do more. Here goes another one. Notice anything about the second and third columns bets at roulette? Okay, on the third column there are eight red numbers and only four black numbers.ABBY: On that second column bet, look at how many black bets there are; yes, there are eight black bets and the rest are red bets, four of them in all...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Another look at video poker volatility

I started writing last week's column with the theory that NSU Deuces is more volatile than 9/6 Jacks because 9/6 Jacks pays a push more frequently than NSU does and, moreover, 9/6 Jacks hit frequency is higher than NSU's hit frequency. When I gathered the data to prove these points, I discovered that they were -- well, wrong. It's been years since I've played 9/6 Jacks, but my recollection is that I hit high pairs and two pairs frequently and those low-level payouts kept credits on my meter and me in the game...read more