Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 517

Shoot-out in Vegas

An article featuring Frank Scoblete and Dominator, Shoot-Out in Vegas, is in October's issue of Playboy.After studying the art of dice control with legendary teachers Dominic "the Dominator" LoRiggio and Frank Scoblete, author Stephan Talty rolls into Vegas with the Five Horsemen — the greatest crapshooters in the world...read more

Deal Me In: One toss from the poorhouse

Dear Mark: The casino I play in offers 100x odds, and I figure that by taking them I am offering myself the best opportunity to win. So what are your thoughts on a sole $2 pass line wager backed up with 100x odds? I feel I have a better chance of coming out ahead than by betting $2 and double odds and trying to grind it out...read more

In Texas Hold'em, Being a "Blind" Is Tricky

In Texas Hold'em poker, the first two players to act must put money in the pot before they're even dealt any cards. That's why they're called "blinds". Everybody else gets to see their two hole cards for free. In a limit $5/$10 Hold'em game, for example, the first player must "blind-it-up" for $2, and the second bets $5 -- blind...read more

Tip for practicing dice control: Use dice of different colors

Dear Frank: I really enjoy your books and I have been practicing diligently. One thing I have never seen mentioned anywhere but has been helpful to me to aid in identifying a grip, throw or both problems is to use dice of different colors...read more

Striking a Happy Medium Between Gambling and Entertainment

Are casino outings for gambling or entertainment? The casino industry's spin is entertainment, which in a broad sense is credible when you factor in dining, recreation, shopping and shows. Gambling, however, is what drives the casino industry...read more

A shuffle through the gaming mailbag

Q. I heard a report that slot machines are paying less than they used to, and that the casinos are making more money off them. How can they get away with that? A. I've heard from a number of readers about tighter slot payouts ever since the Daily Herald in Chicago's northwest suburbs noted in late July that while only 7% of slot machines in the Chicago suburbs paid 90% or less in 2000, the number has soared to 46% in 2008. The trend is similar in every gaming market in the United States...read more

Questions about video poker paybacks

One of my hosts at the Venetian implied that video poker payoffs are down all over the strip at the big hotels. He said the hotels realized that VP was becoming less profitable for them because of the presence of too many skilled players...read more

How do I become an advantage player?

Dear Frank: How do I learn to do what you do? How do I become an advantage player? I don't know if I have what it takes but I would like to know the basics and then go from there. I have a phrase that my uncle Frank taught me: "Never never quit and what ever it takes to win." He's my hero and a WWII purple heart recipient twice...read more

Having fun playing slots

Note: While the author prefers not playing casino games where he cannot get an edge, he realizes that many casino gamers do not want to take the time to develop advantage player skills. He also realizes that many advantage players visit the casino with spouses, family and friends who just want to relax and have some fun...read more

Deal Me In: Card counting isn't all it's cracked up to be

Dear Mark: As a hobby, and only at home, I like to count down a deck of cards. As I said, I only do this at home and have never tried it on a live blackjack game. Before I do, I was curious as to if most blackjack players who learn to count cards actually end up being successful at beating the house, or am I, and they, wasting our time? I have to believe that the casino is not too keen on us beating them...read more