Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 720

Side bets usually have a huge house edge

Dear Mark, What is your opinion of a side bet offered on the blackjack table that allows you to bet the under or over 13? Is it worth playing? John P. The under/over 13 is a side bet in blackjack that a player can make on the first two cards dealt to him, and the bet turns on whether those two cards total under or over 13...read more

The Future of Slot Clubs

Slot machine-playing regulars are used to the drill: When they sit down at a machine, they insert a player rewards card into a reader. A small screen flashes a message that can be as simple as "Accepted," to let the customer know play is being tracked...read more

Fun and (Table) Games: Try Caribbean Stud

You've played the slots so you're used to betting a buck or two to score anything from your money back to a jackpot. Machines usually average hits on something or other at least once every three rounds. Now, the tables are tempting. But, how will you strike it rich? Most bets at the classic games pay close to even money, meaning you have to bet big to win big...read more

Three Stooges Slot Offers Lots O' Laffs

Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck. If you're not a Three Stooges fan you might think I'm writing in an obscure Eskimo dialect. But if you know Moe and Larry and Curly, you'll be delighted to learn Shuffle Master Gaming has created a slot machine based on the loony trio. I never cease to be amazed at how slot manufacturers can transform any TV show, movie, cartoon character, sport, animal or food product into an entertaining game...read more

When Not Every Coin Counts

John, One thing I noticed this past weekend (again) is what some of the casinos are doing to players to screw them, point-wise, and I think it deserves comment. Several casinos on the Gulf Coast (Biloxi and Gulfport) have instituted or re-instituted, as the case may be, not allowing players to carry their point credits from machine to machine. For instance, if on a 25-cent machine, say, it takes 20 or 30 quarters of play to get a point and the player quits that machine and moves to another after having spun down to say, 15 credits, the 20 or 30 credits requirement starts once again...read more

Jest for Fun

A riverboat casino got caught in a sudden storm on the Mississippi River, and the boat was rolling and rocking violently. A patron in the casino got sick and ran outside to the deck railing. As he leaned over the railing, a deckhand came along and yelled to the patron, "Hey, get away from there...read more

Gambling Grade School - Part 1

I recall the old television commercial that ended, "An educated consumer is our best customer." Some modern-day casino executives might not agree with that dictum, but it is as true for the casino gambling industry as it is for any industry selling a quality product...read more

Heard it on the River

Forget about asking what we want for this Christmas in the year 2004. Here is what I want for Christmas in the year 2005 and probably something we all want to happen. Bring the troops home from the relentless war we are involved in fighting insurgents and terrorists in the Iraq and many other parts of this troubled globe...read more

Con Men--Understanding How They Operate Can Save You Big Money

Every year, slick thieves using the phone, Internet, mail and face to face situations steal billions of dollars from people by "conning" them out of their money. It's extremely important to understand how these thieves operate in order to protect yourself...read more

Rakin' It In

The autumnal ritual of raking leaves has never been something I look forward to. In certain parts of the yard I can just leave them on the ground to turn themselves into mulch. But other areas demand my attention, so a-raking I will go. Now I wouldn't complain one bit if, instead of leaves, money grew on trees, just like it does in Raking' It In by WMS Gaming. This entertaining video slot features amusing cartoon characters and impressive animation during the two bonus rounds...read more