Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 541

Place Bets Versus Come Bets

Dear Frank: I am writing in regards to your article "Stupid Craps Strategies" in the October issue of Casino Player magazine. I have been playing and dealing craps (fund raisers, Monte Carlo nights, etc.) for almost 40 years. Place bets are in your control and only have to be made once to cash and you can always take them down or move them as you please...read more

Touch screen table games gather momentum

The new generation of touch screen table games that is making an impact on casino floors worldwide may never completely replace traditional felt tables, chips and dealers, but it most likely will gradually become a viable alternative. Just as slot players have grown accustomed to touch-screen play and gaming floors where coins and tokens are relics from the past, so will table games players gradually be introduced to video screens and paper vouchers. Rapid Roulette, a product developed by Shuffle Master, is in play at casinos around the country, including the Majestic Star Casinos in Gary...read more

One-coin video poker strategy

When I write about house edges and game strategies, I try to leave no hidden assumptions. When I tell you 9-6 Jacks or Better video poker returns 99.5 percent, I'm careful to add "with expert play." If you don't play at expert level, you won't get 99.5 percent. I don't just tell you that blackjack has a house edge of half a percent in a six-deck game...read more

Are all Wheel of Fortune machines the same?

Hi, My first question is about the Wheel of Fortune video slot at these "Indian Casinos." Are these machine programed differently by the casino themselves or do they come the casino pre-programmed? I am also finding that the same looking machine may have several variations of pay, play, and programming. Any advice? Thanks, Clay Dear Clay, If the Wheel of Fortune video slots are part of wide-area progressive jackpot, then each machine will have the same programming...read more

In Which States Can't Casinos Bar Good Players?

Dear Frank: Good Morning! I have read your book Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution, and I can't wait to try it out. I do have a question, In the videos you did on "Video Jug" (www.videojug.com/interview/blackjack-2) where you answer our gambling questions, you mention that in New Jersey casinos cannot throw you out or bar you from playing blackjack because you are card counting. I'm just wondering, do you know which other states this is the case in? Is it true In Illinois or Indiana? Thanks! Carmine Dear Carmine: I am not that familiar with the laws of all the states but the only state that I know of which doesn't allow the casinos to ban you is New Jersey...read more

The Return of Star Brooks

I wanted everyone to know what happened to Star Brooks because today I made the decision to kill her. You might be saying "what?" I know I am. I made the decision to change my name and use my pen name back in the mid - 80's. Times were simpler then, and according to California law then all I needed to do was change it on my driver's license and on my social security card, become an "aka" for a few years and then it would be legally changed or so I thought...read more

Basic Strategy Blackjack Has Its Exceptions

Any decent blackjack book will contain a basic strategy chart that tells you the correct basic way to play all your hands. Even casino gift shops sell a credit-card sized, multi-colored chart that gives you the same information. Play by the chart, and you'll have only a half percent disadvantage to the house. There are three misconceptions about these charts however...read more

About place and come bets

Dear Frank, I recently read your article "Stupid Craps Strategies" in Casino Player magazine and enjoyed it very much. I always thought that place bets were better than Come bets because you have to have the number come up twice before you collect versus getting paid off the first time when making a place bet...read more

Disputed Empress slot jackpot has a happy ending

It started out as another pleasant getaway for Dawn and her husband at the Empress Casino in Joliet the weekend before the New Year. They spent Friday night in the hotel, shared an enjoyable dinner in Alex Steakhouse, and visited the casino for a little gambling on Saturday night. Late in the evening, about 11:30 pm, Dawn decided to try her luck in the High Limit slot area...read more

Lots of value in the Las Vegas Advisor "Pocketbook of Values"

The annual Las Vegas Advisor "Pocketbook of Values" arrived in my mailbox a couple of weeks ago, bringing its usual strong collection of gambling deals, assorted freebies and discounts on rooms, meals, shows, car rentals and more. I've used the Advisor coupons, which come with a subscription to the monthly publication, to stretch my Las Vegas budget for years...read more