Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 512

Act it if you don't feel it

There is something in the human heart that needs to be appreciated and liked and maybe even loved. Many men and women would love to be worshipped as well. Short of all that, most of us will take a pleasant friendliness in the people we must deal with, especially in our leisure time pursuits. I remember one particularly horrid meal I had in New York City's theater district...read more

Comparing hit frequencies on single-line and multi-line machines

I enjoy reading your column in Midwest Gaming and Travel. While sitting at a machine watching my money go bye-bye a couple of questions entered my mind. I hope that you can answer them for me. On machines that have a stop reels option will using it change the outcome of the spin or is it just a sneaky way to get you to spin more often? I understand that on a 3-reel single-line machine your chances of hitting a winning combination is about 1 in 12...read more

Deal Me In: Negative expectations we cherish and suffer

Dear Mark: Although I seldom win anything, I do enjoy playing video keno. Is there any advice you could give me to improve my chances of winning? Kaye S. The reason you seldom win anything, Kaye, is because keno is a negative-expectation game that has a higher casino edge than most games the casino has to offer...read more

Your Blackjack Odds Flip-Flop Constantly

You're sitting at the blackjack table and are dealt 12 against the dealer's 3 up. You may not know it, but you're an 8-to-5 underdog to win the hand (providing you hit it like you're supposed to). But this hand is far from over and you dutifully take your hit, catching a 6 to improve to an 18...read more

I hate these commercials

I am not a big fan of television commercials. I don't like seeing car companies selling speed with whooshing automobiles and sexy women salivating over the vehicle, which only leads idiots to conclude that driving fast is a good thing and will get them plenty of sex too...read more

Winning (and Losing) All Part of the Game

Losing your money during a casino outing is maddening, but we've all been through it. There are no guarantees when you take a chance with your money, and that goes for the trading floor as well as the casino floor. There's a price you must be prepared to pay every time you put your money at risk in quest of financial gain...read more

The mystique of slot machines - part 2

Last week, I started a look at the mystique of slot machines — a mystique that is mainly due to many players not understanding how the games and issues surrounding the games work. Let's look at a few more frequently asked questions. Q...read more

Video poker VLTs in New York

Hello, I have a question that I hope you can answer. In New York most casinos have video lottery terminals. It is basically a scratch-off ticket in disguise; the hands are predetermined. I have played a lot at Turning Stone casino. I have won some big jackpots...read more

Streaks

Let's talk about streaks. Every casino gambler, from the best of them to the worst of them, knows that all casino contests are streaky. You win some, you lose some; you win a few in a row; you lose a few in a row. You have good days; you have bad days...read more

Do casinos pay out more (or less) when they're busy (or slow)?

Hi John: I wanted to ask if there is any truth in the notion that when certain casinos are busy or slow, they either pay out more or less than normal. I have gambled in Atlantic City for many years, and have noticed (so I think) that certain casinos only pay out well when they are really busy, or when they are really slow...read more