Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 516

Why aren't slots with virtual reels considered fraudulent?

Hi John: I appreciate how clearly you explain how slot machines operate. I do have questions though on whether or not slot machines are fraudulent. In your August 11, 2008 article "How does a slot machine use the numbers from the RNG?" you outline that the physical reel of a Double Diamond machine (which is what players can actually see) shows 2 Double Diamond game symbols out of the 22 possible outcomes on the reel...read more

Another craps system

Dear Frank: I have been playing craps for a long time. Your name has always been visible, but I never thought of writing you. I live in Florida and take many trips to Vegas with my wife and my best friend and his wife. We are all professionals and love to get away and enjoy comps from Harrah's properties and MGM properties...read more

How do casinos set machines for slot tournaments?

Hi John, Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your articles. They are very informative. I've read time and time again that the casinos can't change the payout on a slot machine once it leaves the manufacturer, but if that is true then how do you explain slot tournaments? I've stood and watched the players in the tournaments get hit after hit on a bank of slot machines that normally don't pay off that well...read more

Deal Me In: Should I go for the sure thing or go for the gusto?

Dear Mark: Our local newspaper has been carrying your column for years and I must say, the education you dole out every week is a welcome relief to losing money every time I go in the casino. Count me in the "make only bets that have less than a 2% casino advantage" club that you always espouse...read more

Which Blackjack Games Should You Play In?

At any casino you walk into, the blackjack games will look about the same. But when it comes down to the nuts and bolts, each casino has its own little personalized set of sub-rules. How many decks do they use? Can you double down after splits? Does the dealer stand or hit on soft 17? Can you re-split a pair of Aces if you catch a third Ace? Do they allow Surrender? It's generally said that the house has a ½% advantage over a perfect basic strategy player at blackjack, but this is just a rule of thumb...read more

Which pay better in New York: Indian casinos or racinos?

Frank: I have a bet going on this question. I live in New York state. As you know gas is a big problem with gamblers. I myself like to play slots. To go to AC now is out of the question because of the price of gas. Racinos are a big thing now in New York state; they are run by the NYS lottery...read more

Integrity of Slot Machines Monitored Closely

Readers of this column frequently send in questions regarding the integrity of the slot machines they play and just how much control the individual casinos have over the games and the protocols that are in place to change or alter the components. Simply put, slot machines in all state regulated and Native American casinos are subject to the controls and procedures of regulatory bodies...read more

Casino player pep talk

Max had been to a seminar I'd given years ago, and decided to renew old acquaintances recently via telephone. "I remember you saying that you played everything to keep current on games, but that your main games were blackjack and video poker, right?" Yes, I told him, I enjoy the games where skill makes the greatest difference...read more

Are RNGs really random?

Dear John, Thank you for your contribution at presentation of the truth about slot machines. "Your homework is to read articles about Random Sampling with Replacement and virtual reels." I did that homework many years ago at University when I studied the Probability...read more

High payback does not mean you will win

Hi John, This is in regards to your video poker paybacks articles lately. Maybe I'm just sitting down at the right machines at the right times, but this year has been an extremely "good" year for some reason regarding some nice paybacks we received...read more