Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 845

Random Number Generator (RNG) in a Slot Machine

Hi, We have a local floating casino with mostly the old-style slot machines that have the 3 spinning wheels, so you can peek inside the machine and see some of the internals. I noticed there are 3 "odometers" inside, upper right side...read more

Barney Vinson's A Christmas Carol

`Twas the night before Christmas, and through each casino In Vegas and Laughlin and Tahoe and RenoThe stockings were hung by the lockers with cheerIn hopes that a genuine saint would appear Someone with a heart filled with kindness and such Who would tip all the dealers; it wouldn't take muchThey stood at their tables, with heads almost bowedBut no saints appeared, just the usual crowdWhy is it, they pondered, that things never change The players at Christmas seem almost derangedIt's though their own families have cast them asideSo they come to Nevada to spend their YuletideAlas, that is all that they usually spend And they wonder why no one regards them as friendFor example, all tables were open this nightOne player at each, and if that's not a frightTheir banter was corny and irksome and lame "Are you bored? Give me change, and I'll start up your game." So each person waited, his thoughts far away For the long night to end and another new day"Jingle Bells" played on the overhead speakerWhile the stale smell of smoke made each dealer's knees weakerThere were trees in the corners all covered with light That from a great distance looked just about rightOn closer inspection they lost their appealThe branches were metal; wasn't anything real?The pit boss was dressed in a bright yellow coat Blue trousers, white socks and orange tie at his throatHe smiled as he said, "Good times are upon us."Of course, he had gotten a nice Christmas bonusThe others were grumbling, and most with good reasonThey would get no days off through the holiday season But still there was something to make them feel perky A gift for each worker: a big frozen turkeyJust then there arose on the roof such a clatterGuards sprang up the stairs to uncover the matterA call was relayed to security's chief "You better get up here; we've caught us a thief."The chief dropped his coffee, proceeding with dreadNo visions of sugar plums danced in his headHe got to the roof and threw open the doors His guards had their guns drawn, and down on all foursWas a fellow in red with a smile on his faceAnd fluffy white whiskers clear down to his waistA bag full of presents lay next to his side While eight snorting reindeer stood venting their prideThey were all strapped together and hooked to a sleighThat couldn't have been more than two feet away"On your feet," cried the chief to the jolly old gnome"And just why are you parked in a no-parking zone?" The man touched his cheek with a red-mittened hand "I am Nicholas," he said, "and I come from a landWhere Christmas is special and truly uniqueAnd those who believe find the things that they seek."The chief fell to silence and took a step backSaint Nick gave a grin as he opened his sack"Now there's something for each," he said with a roar"And more for the people who work on the floor"The dealers, bartenders, pit clerks and cashiers"The valet attendants, the maids and their peers "In fact, gifts for all except for this note "That goes to the man in the bright yellow coat."With that, Saint Nick hopped in his very old sleighPreparing to go on his merry old wayThe chief scratched his head as he started to see People opening presents and shouting with gleeAnd then he remembered the note for the fellowWho was wearing blue pants and a coat of bright yellowThe pit boss approached him and said with a smirk "Quit your loafing, you moron, and get back to work."The chief's eyes went wide and he started to stutterHe looked at the pit boss, his heart all aflutterThe pit boss was dressed in a bright yellow coatSo the chief swallowed hard and gave him the note "This letter's for you," he said nice and slow Then he raced to his desk for a shot of Old CrowThe pit boss unfolded the small slip of paperWas there money inside, or some magic vapor? All the others had got what they wanted and more It was his turn to go through the mystical doorWith trembling fingers he opened the noteAnd that's when he started to moan and to choke For here's what it said, and the words were quite clear "I'm sorry, but you get no presents this year."Beneath that was written the rest of the letter"Be nice to your workers; next year might be better."Then a shout from above him as St...read more

Are Controlled Throws at Craps Fact or Fiction?

Some craps buffs are certain it's possible to set and toss dice in a manner that changes the odds of the game, giving bettors an advantage. Others are sure this is drivel. Either way, more than a few practice their throws or look for "good" shooters...read more

Decisions, decisions

Dear Mark,I was dealt the following hand at Jacks or Better video poker. A 5 of hearts, a 10 of hearts, a queen of hearts, a king of clubs, and an ace of diamonds. It seems I had plenty of choices I could have made, but I was not sure which cards to keep and which to discard...read more

Re-Raising Arizona

[Please note: I am a consultant for the Arizona Department of Gaming. The opinions expressed in this column are my own and do not represent those of the Department nor the State of Arizona.] With more than 100% of the precincts reporting, voters in Arizona have decided to keep their Indian casinos just about the way they are. The vote count is close and still subject to change...read more

Popular Fallacies Which Aren't - Part 1

Some notions gamblers have about gambling are both common and completely misguided. These ideas often have a basis in truth, however, though the connection between the idea and the reality is often tenuous. To begin with lets look at the familiar curse of blackjack players the world over: "Third base took the dealer's bust card". The reasoning is: The player at the third base took the card which would have busted the dealer allowing the table to win. The fallacy is: The player at third base didn't know what card he was going to receive...read more

Hot Times in Reno

Okay, so the weather is cold... but it’s winter, it’s high desert, and it’s nestled below the mighty Sierras... But if you are thinking of making Reno part of your holiday plans, you will find that it is one hot place to visit...read more

Top Slot Reviews #4

We begin this article with the 'soulful' sounds of Mr. Ray Charles and his signature slot What'd I Pay? and end with two very popular slots from Williams--Hollywood Squares and Monopoly Party Train. All Aboard!1) What'd I Pay...read more

Just Ask Scobe and AP

Dear Scobe and A.P.: Don't you think that magazines such as the ones you write for encourage people to gamble? Don't we have enough problem gamblers in the country without giving tacit approval in such publications? Would you want your children to gamble? I realize that there is very little chance this letter will wind up in your publication as I've sent similar ones to other gambling magazines and I have been ignored...read more

New E-Newsletter Connects Players with Casino Management

Have you ever wanted to get a casino's management's ear to let them know what they're doing wrong and what they're doing right? A new e-newsletter written by players and sent to managers in casinos all around the country will connect you with casino management. Here is the press release from Compton-Dancer Consulting: PLAYBACK – a Casino Customer-to-Management E-Newsletter, debuts January 2003 PLAYBACK, the first casino management e-newsletter based entirely on player input, will distribute its premier issue in January 2003...read more