Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 765

Kilby's Casino Operations Management Book Better Than Ever in 2004 Revision

One of the most important casino management books of this generation has been revised and updated -- and it's better than ever. Casino Operations Management by Jim Kilby, Jim Fox and Anthony Lucas (404 pages, hardbound, $80) has been freshened up and expanded (50 additional pages) from the original 1998 version. Lucas was not a contributor to the original text, but his welcome expertise truly enhances this edition...read more

Will New Playing Method Revolutionize Blackjack?

Four of the world's most well known and respected gambling authorities got together a couple of years ago to combine their years of playing experience and computer expertise in an effort to come up with a revolutionary method of play for the one casino game in which skilled players can tip the ever-changing odds in their favor: Blackjack. The problem in the past has been that many of the systems were so complicated and required such a high degree of mathematical computation and concentration that it was beyond the ability of average players to master them...read more

Strengths and Weaknesses of Casino Games: Slots

Every now and again, someone who doesn't go to casinos all that often will ask what they should play. He or she has a trip coming up with their spouse/out-of-town friend/park district group and would like a little advice. Years ago, I used to just rattle off the list of the best bets: blackjack, especially if you take the time to learn basic strategy; craps, if you stick to pass/don't pass, come/don't come and place bets on 6 and 8; the best video poker games...read more

Jackpot Party and Reel 'Em In Are Oldies But Still Pretty Goodies

Isn't it remarkable how, in just a few short years, video slot machines have evolved into the technological wonders they are today? Double and triple bonuses, bonuses-within-bonuses, crazy sound effects, movie and TV show clips, celebrity voices and so much more are built into the newer games...read more

Threading through a blackjack scam

Dear Mark, I have noticed a trend in some casinos where the payoffs for blackjack were 6:5 instead of the customary 3:2. It didn't seem to matter whether it was single, double-deck or shoe; it was 6:5 for a blackjack in those places...read more

Don't Base Your Bets on Averages Alone

Many gambling guidelines are predicated on a single parameter -- an average. You can learn a lot from averages. But gambling is far more complex than can be wrapped in this tidy a package. As an example, consider bets involving the nine at craps...read more

Found Money, Free Stuff in Vegas

What is the lowest percentage payback the casinos allowed to set their slot machines at in Nevada? Louis Dear Louis, I don't remember what the number is exactly, but it's something like 75% -- far below what even the tightest machines in the state pay back. Best of luck in and out of the casinos, John Dear John, Have really enjoyed reading your articles...read more

Poker Tells Take Your Performance Beyond the Odds

Poker and blackjack are two casino games that can be beaten by skillful players. The way you beat blackjack is by having knowledge of the remaining cards and playing all the odds out to the "nth" degree. To beat poker though, while playing the odds does matter, the most important thing is to play the player...read more

I Am Worried

The other night I received a call from a young lady who wanted to ask me some questions about casino gambling for a survey a casino company was conducting. I asked her what company that was and she said she didn't really know since her employer was the survey company, not the casino company itself. After a few general queries about what games I played, where I played, and what I thought about casino gaming in general, she asked a host of questions about Horseshoe in Tunica and comparisons between Horseshoe and Harrah's...read more

Paybacks at the Atlantis

John , I'm going to the Atlantis in the Bahamas. I've been told the slots are very tight. Do you have any suggestions or stats on these casinos? I will probably just play video poker -- safest bet, I'm sure. Thanks for the articles. Rodger Dear Rodger, I've never been to the Atlantis, but I've heard the same thing...read more