Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 496

Do my choices matter in video keno?

Does it make any difference at all which numbers you choose on video keno? Thanks, Carla Dear Carla, No, it makes no difference which numbers you choose on video keno. Before the draw, each number is equally likely to be drawn, so it doesn't matter what you choose. I was originally going to answer, jokingly, no and yes...read more

Many Blackjack Players Miss These Double Downs

Did you know that, in blackjack, you'll win only 44% of all your hands counting hits, stands, splits, doubles and blackjacks? And that's if you play them correctly. However, you make up for most of that deficit by being paid 3-to-2 on your blackjacks –- and -- by doubling down on your strong drawing hands. Getting the 3-to-2 bonus on blackjack is a no-brainer -– any moron could do that...read more

To chart or not to chart, that is the question

One of the biggest debates in the world of casino gambling has to do with charting tables to see if they are hot or cold or in between. Some gaming writers are firm believers that what has happened in the recent past at a table is a good indicator of what will happen in the immediate future at that table...read more

New Spin on Roulette Unveiled at Global Gaming Expo

Frank Mugnolo, president of Casino Gaming LLC, is at it again. The self-professed master of creating new twists on established casino games unveiled his latest invention, Colors, at this year's Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. Colors brings a new dimension to roulette, one of the oldest games of chance, and a staple in casinos around the world...read more

Demystifying the house edge

The house edge remains a mysterious thing to casino players, including the one who asked me recently about roulette. "Does a 5.26% house edge mean the house wins 52.6% of all spins?" That wouldn't be a bad guess if every wager paid even money, and the house edge was made up entirely of the difference between the frequency of house wins and the frequency of player wins...read more

Follow-up to when do slot machines select the outcome of a spin?

My question is a follow-up to your question about the timing of the selection of "numbers." Do the casinos or "anyone else" have control over the the numbers selected by the RNG? I have observed that some video keno machines "pause" sometimes after I hit the repeat bet button before continuing a game...read more

Should I place the 4 at craps?

Frank: I have been told that you should not place a bet on the come-out roll. The payouts on just placing the point numbers pays better, example $5 pass line and $10 in odds on a point of 4. Why not just put $15 on the 4? What is your theory? George Dear George: The placement of $15 on the 4 will pay $27 on a win — the house edge is a huge 6.67% on that bet. However using a pass line bet or come bet pays more because the house edge on a double odds game is a mere 0.61%...read more

Can casinos set slot machines to pay only small amounts?

Thanks for you wonderful columns. My question is: Will every slot machine in a casino eventfully make a large payoff, or can the casinos set some of the machines to only pay off small wins over a long period of time? Thanks, Robert Dear Robert, Thanks for the kind words about my column. All jurisdictions require that a combination displayed on the paytable must be possible on every spin. The only way a casino can make a machine pay off only small wins is to have only small wins on the paytable...read more

Casino Players Like to Receive Little "Favors"

Every once in a while at the casino, the dealer, or the cashier, or another player will do you a little "favor". Sometimes another customer will receive one of these favors while you look on. There's only one little hitch with all of these "favors" however...read more

College hoops prospectus, casino guide have value

One of the most interesting resources for evaluating college basketball teams, key players and statistical leaders in a variety of categories is the College Basketball Prospectus 2008-09, edited and compiled by Ken Pomeroy and John Gasaway and staff (323 pages, 8x11 paperbound, $21.95)...read more