Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 49

Busting Out!

CINDY: Last week we discussed how we play a very straight game. We make the best bets at the game, follow careful money-management, and we get to go to the casinos every month for a couple or a few days. We do live, as we say, the casino players’ life.ABBY: Today we introduce you to Donald, sometimes called Donnie when he’s staggering around the bar or casino.CINDY: His philosophy of play, his philosophy of life is…why not let him tell you? Donnie, you're up.DONNIE: I just write it here? My philosophy?ABBY: Yes.DONNIE: I believe in “busting out!” I come to the casino or I go out on the town to blow everything to bits, you know?ABBY: Explain what you mean exactly.DONNIE: I mean I am going to spend my money on making myself happy, you know what I mean? I know how you girls play…CINDY: We’re more than 20 years older than you.DONNIE: But you’re girls to me, ladies...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: Why do you play Deuces Wild?

Question: What is the reason you prefer to play Deuces Wild over other video poker games such as higher volatile ones? Answer: You gave one reason in your question: volatility. I had a bit of a problem at the end of last year. I wasn't keeping on pace to re-qualify for upper-tier status in the two chains I play at now...read more

Deep End of the Pool

We have all been there. Yes, we have. Nothing is going right.You try this machine, that machine. You try machines that were hot for other players and they turn ice cold for you. You try machines that have been ice cold figuring they must warm up...read more

DJ Wild

In markets such as New Jersey, where online casinos are legal, table games with small niches get a fresh chance at a broader audience.One that's currently getting online play is DJ Wild, a five-card stud poker-based game that has been around some larger live casinos since the mid 2010s.DJ Wild uses a 53-card deck...read more

Quiz: Two Card Royal or Four Card Inside Straight with Three High Cards?

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

Playing it Straight

CINDY: Let me sum us up for our readers.ABBY: This should be interesting.CINDY: We are not very daring in our betting strategies.ABBY: True.CINDY: We tend to play the good games using the good strategies. Trying to make a killing is not really in our world view.ABBY: Losing is the worst thing for each of us...read more

Ask the Slot Expert: More non-smoking areas on Las Vegas casino floors

Current estimates of the percentage of U.S. adults that smoke range from 12.5% to 16%. Despite the widespread belief that gambling and smoking go hand in hand, estimates of the percentage of gamblers that smoke range from the same as the population as a whole to a few percentage points higher, about 22%...read more

Go Up or Go Down?

You’ve taken a bit of a hammering at your favorite table game or games. It’s been a really tough session or day and/or night and/or trip. You’ve lost a significant amount of the money you brought for this trip and things are looking bleak. Really bleak.You want to make a comeback...read more

The Question of Insurance

QUESTION: I've read insurance in blackjack is a bad bet. It's even supposed to be bad to take even money on blackjacks, but the temptation is really strong to take that sure payoff.How bad is it? How much am I losing if I insure blackjacks.ANSWER: Let's use a six-deck game as an example, since that's the most common condition in modern casinos...read more

March Madness and Slots

It was March Madness time, and I was at a gathering to watch some hoops when I was approached by Emily, the wife of a friend of a friend.Emily had heard I write about casino games, and at halftime she wanted to bend my ear about slot machines."I'd like to have a strategy when I play, but I hear so many conflicting things," she said.I told her slots aren't really games of strategy...read more