Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 609

RNGs flirt with eternity

Dear Mark, When does the random number generator stop and determine your outcome on a slot machine? Is it with the first coin, or when the player spins the reels? I've always wondered this because you hear of players who didn't insert the maximum coin amount, and then missed getting the big jackpot...read more

More on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

Hello, John, From Canada, home of the free for online gambling, etc. Enjoyed your article of October 16, 2006 re "prohibition" of online gambling in the U.S. Just a few thoughts from an outsider: 1. The Republicans have broken up family life...read more

Mob-Oriented Books -- Four New Colorful Titles Arrive At GBC

For a while it was quiet. A new book on the Mob turned up here or there but overall, interest had waned. With John Gotti dead and many an ex-Mafioso in the witness protection program or dead, who had anything to say in a book? Then, suddenly as 2006 moves to an end, four new titles arrive at Gambler's Book Shop; organized crime is a hot topic again...read more

Money Management at Slots

There are some gambling authors who believe that money management at games of chance is a waste of time. Since you can't beat the games in the long run, what is the point of focusing on how much you've won, how much you've lost, because, in fact, the longer you play the better the chance that you'll be down...read more

What's the Expected Value of your Dollar in the Casino?

Casinos often tout the "return" or "payback" percentages delivered by their slot machines. You're encouraged to believe that averages such as 96 percent are good, 98 percent better, and 99 percent gifts bestowed by the bosses in fits of philanthropy. Are they? Customers wouldn't rush to banks that charge a dollar to draw $0.96, $0.98, or even $0.99 from their accounts...read more

Majestic Star Assumes Role of "Locals" Casino

Las Vegas, Nevada, is much more than the unofficial "Gambling Capital of the World". The city is really two gambling worlds in one: The mega resorts that cater to the tourists and the biggest gamblers in the world as well as the properties that have become known as "locals" casinos, whose stock in trade is building strong bases of regular customers among the residents of the area and destination visitors. Locals casinos are well known for their low-minimum table games, large inventories of video poker with strong pay tables, friendly staff and good food at affordable prices. The Majestic Star Casino & Hotel in Gary comes closest to filling the role of a locals establishment in the Chicago area...read more

Putting slot systems to the test

Systems for managing your money, for increasing or decreasing your wagers, can't change the house edge on any game. The house edge is the house edge, and given enough trials, the math will hold up. Players want to believe otherwise, of course, and there are always people willing to feed that wish, selling systems they say will beat the odds. At his blog www.slot-systems.com, Chuck Flick has decided to put systems for beating slot machines to the test...read more

Will all online casinos close my accounts?

Dear John, I appreciate all your insight and expertise always. Maybe you can shed some light on an issue that will greatly impact players in the U.S. Lately I have been receiving e-mails from the various online casinos in which I am a member stating the closure of my account...read more

So You Think You're a Pretty Decent Blackjack Player

Every day, blackjack players come to the casinos in droves to test their luck and skill. What about you? Think you know the game pretty well? Here's a 13 question blackjack I.Q. test for you. From what I've seen, few players, even experienced ones, can score as many as half of the 34 possible points...read more

Card Counting at Online Casinos

Dear Sir, I am in the UK - we have 100 landbased casinos (but no free rooms! as casinos here are not hotels). My question is does card counting (Blackjack) work with online casinos? Also if I win 47 hands and lose 53, can I make up the difference with double downs, etc., as, surely, winning x number of hands is not the 'big thing' but how much money you win on each? Thanks, GBF Dear GBF: Card counting does not work with online casinos since they reshuffle the decks after each hand...read more