Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 709

The Rules of the Casino Gambling Road

The casino is like another country; it has its own rules, language and culture. Each table game is like a province in a country, with its own distinct dialects and mores. To not feel like an unwanted foreigner, you have to understand the language and culture of the games you are playing -- and then you must happily assimilate...read more

Michigan Casino Developments

These are interesting times on many fronts for the casino gaming industry in Michigan. In the past two weeks, it has become clear that there is a change in ownership for one of Detroit's casinos. There also has been an end to a several-year battle over the validity of four of the tribal compacts in this state, which should help bring two to three new casinos to Michigan's lower peninsula in the next few years...read more

Slots Review: Sinatra Record Wheel, Robin Hood's Sherwood Treasure and Double Triple Diamond Deluxe with Cheese

1) Sinatra Record Wheel: IGT. 2 spins. 88-90%. Our favorite singer returns with a progressive jackpot that resets at $1.5 million and is yours for 5 Sinatra marquee symbols on the 15th payline. The main bonus begins when the Wheel symbols land on the first three reels of an active payline...read more

Heard in on the River

The press release had a headline...GRAND CASINO TUNICA IS THE CASINO THAT CARES...but I didn't need that reminder because Grand is and has been heavily involved in the community, and that includes far-flung places like the dozen or so Asian nations that were ravaged by the deadly Tsunami...read more

Harrah's Joliet Sets the Stage for All New Look

Gaming industry behemoth Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is in the process of implementing an aggressive business plan in the Chicago area/Northwest Indiana gaming market as the time draws closer for the sale of its East Chicago property to be finalized, probably during the second or third quarter of 2005. In light of recent changes and upgrades to its Joliet, Illinois, location, the company is obviously preparing for the day when it will no longer have a Harrah's branded destination in Northwest Indiana...read more

Keeping a Straight Face

Drawing to a 4-card Straight when you're playing Poker against your buddies at home can make a lot of sense. Basically, you've got an 8 in 47 chance of drawing that Straight, and 12 additional chances to draw a Pair. If it's a high-ranking straight you're going for, the hand looks respectable...read more

Reader Reactions to Las Vegas: What Would You Do If

When the Travel Channel special Las Vegas: What Would You Do If in which I appear was about to premiere last month, I asked those who watched to e-mail me their reaction to the problems in casino ethics tackled in the show. Let's check out a few: I was surprised right from the start when nearly everyone said they wouldn't cheat in a casino, even if there was no chance of being caught...read more

Omission, Commission, and Soft Doubles at Blackjack

Some so-called "soft" two-card blackjack hands, incorporating aces, offer players more "expected" profit by doubling down than by hitting or standing versus low dealer upcards. This is why the move is specified in those Basic Strategy charts...read more

More on Slot Cycles

John, My wife and I like to play reel slots with a bonus round such as Elvis, Wheel of Fortune and most of all IGT's Pinball. Two questions: 1. Are bonus round games programmed to hit the bonus symbol at some independent frequency, or is hitting the bonus symbol controlled by the RNG, just like any other possible symbol on the pay line? 2...read more

Bounding o'er the salty main with the IRS

Dear Mark, Could you please tell me if cruise ships are required to issue a W-2G to passengers who win more than $1,200? We have friends who won $7,000 on a cruise ship and were paid in cash, with no paperwork whatsoever. I thought you had to pay taxes on that amount...read more