Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 549

G2E 2007, Part 3: What's New at AC Coin?

With games such as Monopoly Big Event from WMS Gaming and Wheel of Fortune Super Spin leading the way, "communal gaming" has moved alongside "time on device" among the hottest buzzwords in the slot machine industry. At November's Global Gaming Expo, manufacturers from around the world jumped onto the bandwagon carrying community-style games in which the slots become a social experience as players cooperate or compete in shared bonus events...read more

Are all Indian casinos Class II?

John: I hope you take the time to respond to my e-mail. I an the owner of two plinko machines approx. 30 years old and have no use for them. Could you advise on how and where to sell them in the Toronto, Canada area? Thank you, Fern Dear Fern: I think your best bets would be eBay, Craigslist, or an ad in a local paper. If anyone is interested in a Plinko machine, drop me a line (put Plinko) in the subject and I'll forward the message to you. Best of luck in and out of the casinos, John I had a long discussion with my brother-in-law...read more

How Do You Predict Where the Roulette Ball Will Land?

Hi Frank, I have a question: How do you predict where the roulette ball will land? Thanks and best regards, Ronald L. Dear Ronald: You have asked the most difficult question of all. There are some methods of predicting where the ball will land but these are extremely difficult to master on the new, short-pocketed wheels. The most common is to watch the ball spin around the wheel and predict when it will come down - and where it will come down based on past observations...read more

Casinos on cruise ships, why not on airplanes?

First Ryanair plans to expand its in-flight gambling. As Michael O'Leary told reporters when they announced their intention to add cell phones: "If you want a quiet flight, use another airline. "Ryanair is noisy, full and we are always trying to sell you something." The discount airliner believes gambling can bring in so much money that it will eventually be able to let everyone fly for free...read more

Machines do matter

Dear Mark: Per your advice, I'm learning blackjack on a video machine at 25 cents a hand versus live play at $5 a hand. I was wondering if I am allowed to use a blackjack strategy card in the casino while I play? Does it matter how many coins I put in? Any other advice would be appreciated...read more

Amusing Anecdotes from the Blackjack Tables

Blackjack players are a weird breed. You gotta wonder what makes them tick. Ironically, so many of these bizarre characters lead responsible and downright intelligent lives in their jobs and at home. At the blackjack table though, their logic runs amuck...read more

The Koko factor: Part two

As my last article explained, Koko is a female, lowland gorilla who supposedly has a "human" IQ of between 85 and 95, which would make her a "dull normal" human and far more intelligent than the kid who lives across the street from me. Koko was raised by humans and taught American Sign Language, so she can actually communicate...read more

This Magician's Skill on TV's High Stakes Poker No Illusion

Poker pro Antonio Esfandiari is known as "The Magician" on the tournament circuit because prior to catching flush draws against his opponents at the tables he was pulling rabbits of his hat on stage. Esfandiari, who was born in Tehran, Iran, came to the United States to attend college...read more

G2E 2007, Part 2: What's New from Bally?

In these days of bigger, better, brighter slot machines and increasing competition among manufacturers, it sometimes can be a kick just to see an executive having fun with his own product. So it was as I stopped by the Bally Technologies booth at the 2007 Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, and had marketing vice president Marcus Prater show me around. Bally's big products for the coming year are seven-reel CineReels games such as Double Dragon and video slots on towering vertical screens, including Quick Hit Platinum and Cash Meteor, but when it came to Breakout, it was obvious that Prater had done some practicing. Breakout is the follow-up to Pong, bringing back early video games as skill-based bonus rounds --- something new and different for the slots...read more

How much more bankroll do you need when you bet bigger?

Say you've been playing casino blackjack fairly regularly for a long time. You're not exactly a high roller betting $10 per round on a $500 stake but they treat you OK. You're happy with a $100 profit and always quit as soon as you pass that point...read more