Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 544

5-Count Questions

Dear Frank: I just bought your book Beat the Craps Out of the Casinos. I do understand the 5-Count though there is no explanation of when to take your bets down, press your bets, lessen your bets, etc. What do you do once the 5-Count has occurred? Do you cover all the numbers, just inside, how much, press, or take down after a certain amount of wins? Sincerely, S.S. Hi S.S.: There are whole sections on how and when to bet in the book...read more

IGT Gets Imaginative with Its Video Poker Empire

International Game Technology (IGT), one of the world's leading gaming research, development and manufacturing companies, wields such a powerful presence on gaming floors with its video poker products that it's difficult, if not impossible, for the competition to mount any serious challenge. IGT's founding father was Si Redd, who developed and acquired the original patent on video poker...read more

A Shuffle Through the Gaming Mailbag

Q. What do you think about "free play" instead of cash back on your rewards cards? The casino where I go has started doing it that way. I have to play with my rewards. I can't just take the money home. A. You've mentioned the primary drawback of free play, from a player's standpoint...read more

Why don't non-tribal casinos have Class II slot machines?

In the Northern San Francisco Bay Area, I play at a tribal casino with all Class II Electronic Bingo Slots. I enjoy the slower pace — and especially my two jackpot wins since October 2007. Why don't the commercial casinos in Reno or Las Vegas also offer this type of gaming? Also since Class II are legal for tribal casinos to offer, can nonprofit organizations also offer this type of game along with traditional bingo for fundraising purposes? Thanks for keeping most of us gamers informed, Daniel Dear Daniel, Non-tribal casinos don't have Class II games because they don't have to...read more

The Doey-Don't System

Hi Frank: I have played at a table with a very successful player who was playing both sides of the line. I believe he called it "Doey-Don't." I believe he was using about 11 dollars on both sides of the line then going up on the Come and Don't Come...read more

When should Mom leave a cold slot machine?

John, Love the column. Lots of great information being addressed that no one else seems to be answering. Here's hoping you can solve a long-term debate between my Mom and Dad (who I regularly treat to casino vacations). Mom insists that sitting at a machine "until it pays" is a good strategy...read more

Deal Me In: Count and discount

Dear Mark: Who was it that came up with the 10-card (10, J, Q, K) being the most important card to follow when counting cards in blackjack? Jake M. It was Dr. Edward Thorp who, in 1962, developed the first method of card counting using an IBM 704 computer, and then followed up on his finding by writing the classic, Beat the Dealer...read more

Sometimes, the First Poker Player to Bet Wins the Pot

It's been stressed to death in Texas Hold'em strategy that three of the most important initial factors are position, position and position. Play the game for just a couple of hours and you'll see why this is so. If you're in early betting position with a hand like Q/10, what do you do with it? The right play would be to fold...read more

Frank and Dom on Breaking Vegas

Hello Frank! I recently saw the TV show "Breaking Vegas" in which yourself, Sharpshooter and The Dominator were featured. A couple of questions... Firstly, although your countenance has been featured in print and many a TV show this would be the first time I saw the faces behind the names of Sharpshooter and Dominator...read more

Gamblers adjust to smoke-free Illinios casinos

Casinos in Illinois went smoke free on January 1 in compliance with the state law that prohibits smoking in every public place, every place of employment, and within 15 feet of entrances to public places. Given the fact gambling traditionally has been an activity that is harmonious with the tobacco culture, special interests within the gaming industry have argued that casinos should be exempted from the law. Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, is predicting a dramatic drop in revenues, especially with gambling destinations in Northwest Indiana so close. "We are still trying to get an exemption to the legislation to allow smoking in the casinos for five years, or until the bordering state closest to the casino passes similar legislation, and to allow that smoking only on the gaming floor," Swoik said. When Nevada passed a state-wide smoking ban, casino floors were exempted. Non-smoking casino goers represent a significant influence...read more