Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 595

Let it ride bonus bet

Dear Frank: I saw your recent article with the question, "Where Can I Find Let It Ride with the Bonus Bet?" I'm a floor supervisor at the Flamingo in Las Vegas and we have it. As far as I know, all of Harrah's properties have it now, Ballys, Caesars, Flamingo, Harrahs, Paris and Rio. Thanks, Nick Dear Nick: Thanks for the info...read more

Comparing casinos

Hi, John: I love your column, John. It's informative and entertaining! I read with interest your recent column, which included a letter from a clearly frustrated "Steve" and your response. It's unfortunate, but some people just can't understand the math that rules the machines...read more

The green felt revolution

In November 1979, the people of Czechoslovakia overthrew the Communist government in a bloodless coup, the "Velvet Revolution." In November 2006, the voters of the United States overthrew the Republican control of Congress. In part this was due to a "Green Felt Revolution." Poker players won the election for the Democrats. More accurately, the Republicans lost through their heavy-handed prohibition of Internet gambling. This is not mere hyperbole on my part...read more

Intolerable stupidity

I don't have much of a temper. Even when young and foolish, I lost my temper only a few times, usually over stupid things done by stupid people. Most of the time, people who irritate me, even a little, I avoid. I have no need to keep people who are the least annoying to me in my life...read more

New Binion bio fascinating, two new "Killer Poker" titles arrive

Ask a 100 people which Las Vegas legend or character they'd like to read more about, and about half would probably mention Benny Binion, the man who took poker from the backrooms and backroads to the neon lights. To satisfy the curious, there¹s a new book out about Benny (who died Christmas Day, 1989) with a fascinating title of I'll Do My Own Damn Killin - Benny Binion, Herbert Noble and the Texas Gambling War (264 pages, hard bound, $22), written by Gary Sleeper...read more

Shake, rattle and roll some questions from readers

"I am attempting to perform some research into the current status of electronic slot machines in Illinois. I thought that the legislature had allowed these machines to be legal in bars and other public places, but cannot find any information on this." - Scott M. Electronic gaming devices in Illinois are legal only within the confines of the state's nine licensed casino operations, but you may want to switch your research efforts to Indiana, where there is a movement afoot to draft legislation that would legalize the devices at bars, restaurants and fraternal organizations...read more

What Makes "Stiffs" So Dangerous in Blackjack?

Player "stiffs" in blackjack are totals from 12 through 16. Anything lower can be hit without risking an immediate loss by exceeding 21. Standing on a stiff means losing unless the dealer busts, a roughly 28 percent chance across all upcards. Totals of 17 or above likewise win if the dealer busts, but can also make money or at least push when the dealer reaches a safe harbor...read more

Beware the dragon's tooth

Dear Mark: In some casinos that offer pai gow poker, the dealer deals a second hand that is offered to the player. Exactly what is it, and is it worth playing? Billy F. That second hand you observed, Billy, is called "the Dragon," and it's an additional hand that each player in turn has the option of playing...read more

Timing is everything

They say timing is everything, and in late December I had one of those happy accidents of timing. I'd asked Anthony Curtis, who publishes the monthly Las Vegas Advisor and some of the best gambling books around in addition to being a blackjack tournament player of the first order, to guest on my weekly "Casino Answer Man" radio show (usually 7 p.m...read more

Charting the RNG

Dear John, I agree with what you have written about randomness in slots and video poker. I have, however, one serious reservation. It is based on a real-life occurrence which hasn't, to my knowledge, been repeated since. Approximately ten years ago a player of electronic keno (where the results are RNG-generated) at the Montreal Casino built himself a database of consecutive keno game results...read more