Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 641

Figuring your taxes in baccarat

Dear Mark, Is there an easy way to figure out the commission in baccarat when betting the banker hand? Secondly, why do they charge a commission in the first place? David F. Here's a nifty little trick I used to figure out the commission when I dealt the game...read more

Shooter's Cry Linked to Texas Servicemen

I thought you might enjoy a break from evaluating percentages of expected return, cash back, promotions and other casino rewards, so I decided to add to my list of favorite slang overheard at the craps tables. Toward the end of last year, a reader sent me the link to an article written by Leon Hale of The Houston Chronicle...read more

Bonus Features on Slots

Dear Frank: I have read your book on slots [Break the One-Armed Bandits!] and it made me happy to know I was already employing some of your suggestions in my slot play. I am interested in understanding how the Reel Power Amazing Money Machine (AC casinos) bonus feature is calculated...read more

Bits and Pieces from Indian Country – February 2006

Jack Abramoff is still the major story, inside Indian country and outside, too - not that there is much change in the actual case, but the fallout from it continues to spread. The fallout has hit nearly every state as politicians accuse each other of corruption and false deeds...read more

Bluegrass, Baseball Bio and Biloxi

Another diverse, but fascinating array of new books has arrived at Gambler's Book Shop in Las Vegas, two of them focusing on fascinating people and the third covering massive gambling growth in Mississippi. The three new works are Bluegrass Days, Neon Nights: High Rolling With Happy Chandler's Wayward Son, Dan Chandler by John Smith (251 pages, hardbound, $24.95); The Mind of Bill James: How a Complete Outsider Changed Baseball by Scott Gray (227 pages, hardbound, $23.95) and Resorting to Casinos: The Mississippi Gambling Industry edited by Denise von Herrmann (182 pages, hardbound, $45). The biography of Dan Chandler is a history of Las Vegas and Nevada gaming, a biography of a most colorful figure and an examination of how the industry has operated and will operate in the future. ".....read more

AGA 10th Anniversary Research Series Reports Available On-Line

In celebration of its 10th anniversary last year, the American Gaming Association sponsored a series of research white papers on issues focused on the growth and development of casino gaming across the country and the industry's impact on the communities where it is located...read more

Good Gambling Involves more than Going for Broke

Many people think of casino gambling as taking money into their friendly neighborhood punting palace and playing their favorite game until they hit a jackpot, go belly-up, or run out of time. The latter, hopefully, at a profit. Even more hopefully, a profit near the peak they reached during the drill so they won't have to blubber later about not quitting before giving some of it back. More sophisticated players know that the amount they're willing to risk, the earnings that will make them happy, and the chance of reaching this level are related...read more

Stakes and Steaks Are Great in Northwest Indiana

The casino destinations in Northwest Indiana have a lot more to offer than just gambling. Each of them, over the course of a decade, has broadened their entertainment horizons, especially when it comes to dining. The signature restaurants at the four properties are comparable to any fine dining establishment in the greater Chicago area. Even if you're not inclined to gamble but can appreciate a fine dining experience at exceptional value, any one of them is worthy of your consideration. Jack Binion's Steak House at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond: The classic American steak house nestled in rich wood interiors bordered on one side with windows featuring panoramic views of Lake Michigan...read more

Quick-takes: The month's trends in a glance – February 2006

2005 ended with pretty solid results for gaming. However, four states reported less revenue than the previous year, the largest number of states with a decline of any month in the year, and only one of those was Katrina related. 2006 should see two new states reporting, Florida and Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania is going to put pressure on a number of other states...read more

Little Differences Mean a Lot

If you've been reading this column for long, you know that there are little differences within games, optional rules that make a difference in your shot to win. You know that in blackjack you're better off if the dealer stands on all 17s rather than hitting soft 17, and you know to walk away from tables that pay 6-5 on blackjacks instead of 3-2...read more