Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 542

What does coins-in mean?

The player tracking system states a certain number of coins in determine the level of rewards you receive on a monthly basis. What does coin in mean? How does the coin denomination fit in? How does the multiplier (point) fit in? No one at the casino I play at can explain it...read more

Do the Slots in the Smoking Area Pay Off Less Often Than Those in the Non-Smoking Area?

Good day to you, Frank, I live in British Columbia Canada where casino gambling has been legitimate for some time. Your 10 commandments regarding slot play was an eye opener for me and very informative. Thank you for that. My question to you is based on the laws here in BC where smoking in public places is mainly prohibited...read more

It doesn't usually happen this way

Byron Tidwell, who was Master of Ceremonies at the old Desert Inn in Las Vegas, once told me about his attempt to prove a point about gambling to a friend. "My friend from Seattle was in town for a meeting. He works at a software firm there...read more

Omaha Hi/Lo Is an Easier Game to Read Than Hold'em

Draw poker and Stud poker have pretty much gone the way of the Dodo bird in giving way to "flop style" poker. Texas Hold'em is king lately, with Omaha poker running a distant second. Most players timidly shy away from Omaha because of the confusing nature of having four hole cards in your hand...read more

Did Using the 5-Count Cut My Comps?

Frank: Just got back from Harvey's in Lake Tahoe and wanted to let you know how disappointed I was in my comps playing the 5 -Count. The pit boss told me at the end of my trip that the casino does not take into account any odds for comps...read more

Modern slots require updated game plan

The slot machines of today are not the ones your mother and father played. They're not even the ones we played 10 years ago. The game has changed so dramatically that new technology has given the gaming industry the ability to manipulate the way we play slots. Just take a look at the big business of slot play: The 2000 annual report compiled by the Indiana Gaming Commission documented $20.5 billion coin-in and $1.3 casino win from 16,278 units in place at casinos around the state...read more

Playing It Smart: The premium paid for a blackjack means more than you think

Most blackjack buffs, even those with considerable experience, underestimate the significance of ace-10 "naturals." Sure, everyone likes to pull a fair share of these hands. The rationale typically hinges on two factors. First, the combination can't lose; it pushes a simultaneous dealer blackjack and wins automatically when it's uncontested...read more

Playing the feel of the cards in blackjack

Bob is an old blackjack-playing buddy, and he said he had a friend who wanted to meet me. Wanted to grill me, was more like it. Bob's pal Pete had read some things I'd written about blackjack basic strategy, and he wanted to challenge me on a few points. "It's all very interesting," Pete said, "but in the real world of blackjack, with real cards, sometimes you just have to go by the way it feels." Bob snickered...read more

Are two-coin machines tighter than three-coin machines?

Hi, John, There is something I noticed the other day at the casino. I was playing 3-coin single line Double Diamonds at the 25-cent level. I had played 3 or 4 of them and I was getting my money's worth in terms of playing time on all of them...read more

Should I Switch from Craps to Slots to Earn More Comps?

Hi, Frank: On a recent trip to Laughlin (Harrah's) I got an interesting subtle tip from a very sincere floorman. He said in a nutshell: "You have a nice toss at craps but play craps for fun and try to win a little. Play video poker or any slot machine and you will be amazed at the amount of marketing offers and comps that Harrah's will send you." I recall you and Jean Scott and Stickman alluding to this at times. It seems that Harrah's in particular is most interested in slot players...read more