Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 521

How does a slot machine use the numbers from the RNG?

Dear John, I understand that the RNG generates a value between 0 and 4 billion which is then "translated" into a specific number that correspond to stops on the virtual reels. I want to know more about this translation, which seems to get glossed over in most accounts that I can find (and those which don't gloss over it, e.g...read more

Jest for Fun

Never let the casino do you a favor. It will cost you dearly in the end. * * * * * Some things just don't make sense. Like opening up a savings bank in Las Vegas. * * * * * Overheard at a casino sports book: "Have you seen those signs saying SPEED KILLS? I bet on one horse that's going to live forever." * * * * * Casino: a place designed for people to learn the habit of losing gracefully. * * * * * No Meals Served Underwater A sign in a casino pool area warned, DON'T GO INTO THE WATER AFTER A BIG MEAL...read more

How does Dominator avoid casino heat?

How does Dominator prevent himself from being ejected from casinos? I card count in blackjack, and know a thing or two about casino heat. In Vegas, they can legally throw you out from the building. Doesn't Dom play in Vegas? Now that he is pretty famous, how does he handle the heat? JD Dear JD: There's heat, there's heat and then there's HEAT. Many casinos don't think dice control can work, thanks to thousands of dice setters who really are nothing more than random rollers...read more

Deal Me In: You can pitch cardboard at any age

Dear Mark: I am a recently laid off autoworker in Detroit who is being forced to look for a new career. I am considering dealing blackjack. My question is, is there any age limit to dealing cards? I am 57, and I was wondering if that is too old, and if at that age I would lack certain skills needed to deal the game? Dan O. Once, when I was having one of those whining "why am I here" moments while dealing blackjack, a pit boss clued me in that "a chimpanzee could do your job, so, shut up and deal." Not one to leave it alone, I sassed back, "Yeah, but I doubt a chimp could make the correct payoffs on blackjacks, nor wait for his hourly bathroom break." That bit of wit cost me two weeks of dealing 50-cent blackjack, where a whole different type of primate played, but he was right...read more

Blackjack Players Can't Put Aside Their Superstitions

Blackjack players harbor an entire closet full of superstitious phobias. Following are just a few I've repeatedly encountered at the table. Whatever you may believe about them, I assure you, they have absolutely no credence. The Bad Player Curse: It was the first hand off the top of the shoe and I was dealt 12 against the dealer's 4...read more

What are my chances of becoming a professional dice controller?

Hi Dominator: I'm not a gambler, but I am willing to become a professional gambler. I saw your series last night (4/14/08) called Dice Dominator on the Breaking Vegas Series. So I'll get to the point. I lived in New Jersey for the last eight years and was a very successful mortgage broker...read more

Catch a Dream at New Potawatomi Casino

One of the largest casinos in the country is now within easy reach of residents of the Chicago area with last month's grand opening of the multi-million dollar expansion at Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee. The project tripled the size of the casino to approximately 784,000 sq...read more

Playing It Smart: Does winning big in a casino prove you're a good gambler?

Ralph goes to a casino once a month. He starts in January with $1,000, his loss limit. He wins $1,000, then quits. To put some numbers on the probability of this scenario, pretend he plays blackjack using perfect Basic Strategy and bets uniformly at $50 per hand...read more

A shuffle through the gaming mailbag

Q. Recently at the Grand Victoria in Elgin I was playing video poker (Double Bonus Poker or Double Double Bonus — I was switching). A king, queen, jack and ace of clubs came up, along with a 10 of hearts. My husband said I should keep that hand because it was a winning hand, a straight...read more

Still more "truth" about slots

Dear John, Thank you for your time. I am glad you are an expert so you can help us to "see in the dark." Yes, you are right. Someone can hit the jackpot at the very first pull, but unfortunately just theoretically. The probability of such event is like probability that I will be President of USA...read more