Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 722

X-Ray Specs and Blackjack

Every now and again, if you hang out on the various gambling message boards, someone asks about beating blackjack with a pair of x-ray specs to see through the card backs. They always say it in a semi-serious, aha-hah-hah-type way, to cover themselves for suggesting that a concept straight out of a comic might be a legitimate form of advantage play...read more

Best Casino Promotions of 2004

As gambling has expanded over the past decade, the marketing might of casinos has intensified proportionately. Fiercely competitive gaming jurisdictions have evolved around the country, prompting corporate management to come up with ever increasing creative ways to drive in business. One of the most popular forms of marketing tools that casinos use is promotions...read more

The Best Video Poker Plays in the Chicago Area

For the last couple of years, when readers have asked about the best places in the Chicago area to play video poker, I've responded that quarter players get the best deal at Majestic Star in Gary, while for dollar play, Empress in Joliet has a small edge, with Majestic Star second. That remains basically true, with Empress cementing its dollar lead with the upgrade of its Double Double Bonus poker progressives to a 9-6 pay table to go with a sequential royal jackpot...read more

Let It Ride Primer

Let It Ride is essentially the grand-daddy of the new generation of table games. For many years, it was the most popular of the new games, until Three Card Poker overtook it a few years ago. I believe it still holds the number two spot in terms of the number of tables in U.S...read more

Blackjack Players Can Capitalize on Others' Superstitions

I hope you know that playing every one of your hands correctly in blackjack will not be quite enough to make you an overall winner at the game. Even though blackjack is just about the best game in the house, playing perfect "basic strategy" will still leave you as an underdog to the house by a slim 1/2% in a typical multi-deck game...read more

Fun and (Table) Games: Try Craps

You may have been drawn to craps by the roar of solid citizens caught up in the action, then found it too intimidating to try. Fear not. The game is little more than betting on how a pair of dice will land. And, on any toss, your wager may win, lose, or be unaffected by the result...read more

Changing Paybacks on Machines

I really enjoy reading your column and have learned a lot! Thanks. However, there is one thing I feel I have to disagree with you on. I live near Tunica, MS and frequent the different casinos there. I know you have said many times that the casino cannot change the payouts on machines as they are set in the factory, however, I have three friends that all work at different casinos and all are slot techs they all tell me that the gaming commission will come into the casino and be there as a witness as the machines are adjusted...read more

It's About Time

Time to get ready for the new year. Time to make resolutions that will be broken later...out of habit, out of convenience and in your mind now as great ideas. The casinos are doing the same...making resolutions that probably won't mean much, making plans that will probably cost too much...read more

Heard it on the River

With the JACK BINION WORLD POKER OPEN set for a three-week run beginning Jan. 5, record numbers of players are expected for the 6th annual poker-fest that will offer up $1.5 million in first place prize money. What makes this event work so smoothly is the high-level of cooperation between two casinos, HORSESHOE and GOLD STRIKE...read more

Harrington on Hold 'Em -- Must Reading for No-Limit Tourney Play

In the past few years, several dozen new-generation poker players have made a name for themselves via books, articles, tournament play and interviews. But one name has stood the test of time for true consistency and peer-group respect. That name is Dan Harrington, the man who in 1995 won the most prestigious tournament of all, Binion's World Series of Poker...read more