Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 534

Playing It Smart: Can you save more by betting more? Part 3: Craps

Casino craps accommodates a variety of bets, having house advantages or edges ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. Minimizing the edge is an art that involves choosing which bets to make and exploiting the benefits of extra money on the table. Edge, of course, isn't the only bet selection criterion...read more

Grochowski reviews 'The Virgin Kiss and Other Adventures'

I'd like to tell you that I've always said I'd read anything Frank Scoblete wrote, even if it was about having dinner with his in-laws. I'd like to tell you that, but it wouldn't strictly be true. I've never thought about Scoblete's in-laws, at least until I read his latest book, The Virgin Kiss and Other Adventures ($17.95, Research Services Unlimited, 303 pages, softcover)...read more

Why do machines get cold?

Dear John, At my favorite casino, it seems like every three months they change their slot machines. That gets very frustrating, especially when you have your favorites and than they take them. Why do machines get so cold? I just wonder why the machines get so cold that I can pump in $50 to $250 in one of my favorite slot machines and I get nothing...read more

Should I flick my wrist when I toss the dice?

Dear Frank: I have a question. I am having tons of trouble trying to figure this controlled throw thing out. My dice are going everywhere. My question for the moment, though, do you guys flick your wrist when you throw, or keep it rigid when you release the dice? Thanks, Mike Dear Mike: The throwing has to be smooth with no "flick of the wrist" at the end of it...read more

Jest for Fun

Cold cash - what the casinos keep in their air-conditioned counting rooms. * * * * * Recession does affect gambling. During the last one, it was so quiet in the Atlantic City casinos, you could hear a fin drop. * * * * * Casino goers come in many sizes and shapes: credit cards, cash, checks. * * * * * I know a pit boss who is so mean, he's the kind of guy even Dale Carnegie would like to punch in the mouth. * * * * * People who think they can beat the house should remember the old saying, "The only difference between champ and chump is u." * * * * * We sped up our spring cleaning this year...read more

Playing It Smart: Can you save more by betting more? - Part 2

Casinos grab all the money when bettors lose, but pay somewhat less than a fair share when they win. Averaged over many coups, the bosses bag the difference. The phenomenon is commonly described in terms of edge or house advantage, a percentage of the cash patrons put at risk on one or another proposition. Most table games have a rock-bottom edge...read more

Deal Me In: An explanation of 'loose' and 'tight' slot machines

Dear Mark: How do you determine what is considered loose and tight in slot machines? Is there a way of identifying them? Do they place them where we can't find them? Karen K. All casinos, Karen, have "loose" and "tight" machines commingled on the casino floor...read more

In Blackjack, a Deuce Is the Dealer's Ace – NOT!

How many times have you heard another player at the blackjack table say something like: "Never double down against a deuce!" or "I wouldn't split those against a deuce!" or "A deuce is the dealer's Ace!" etc? So many players are terrified of a dealer's deuce up, and they shouldn't be...read more

Help for a craps toss

Dear Frank: I have your GTC book, Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution! and the two-disc DVD set on dice control, Golden Touch: Beating Craps by Controlling the Dice. I use a practice rig for my daily practice. I respect that it's difficult to diagnose without seeing someone actually tossing, but thought perhaps that with your experience you may have an idea on this particular issue I'm having. Using the Hardway Set as an example [hardway set has 4:4, 2:2, 3:3 and 5:5 set around it, with 6:1 on the ends) the 6 and 1 facing left and right, one die will usually be on axis and more often than not, the out-facing number (6 or 1) will show on the other...read more

Lawyer Makes 'Objection' in Slot Jackpot Dispute

You may have read the story that hit the newswires late last month about the lawyer whose $5.15 million slot jackpot in a gaming center at a resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands was ruled the result of a machine malfunction, which disqualified him from claiming the bonanza. The incident allegedly took place in the Ocean Club Gaming Center at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa on the Island of St...read more