Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 893

News and Views from the World of Gaming

There's a brand new hotel and casino on the Las Vegas horizon. The Palms Casino Resort opened in mid-November. It was built on a vacant parcel of land just west of The Strip on I-15 and Flamingo, across the street from the Gold Coast and The Rio...read more

How Long Must You Play Before You Can Expect to Win?

Some folks patronize casinos to dabble. A couple of bucks at a machine, a few bets worth of buy-in at a table, and quit when they lose the money or score a hit. They know the laws of chance are against them, but are hoping to get lucky. Other people are more serious about their action...read more

Barney Vinson's World

Planning a trip to Las Vegas in the near future? Each month we'll spotlight a different casino so you'll get a better idea of what each resort has to offer. This month, it's the Rio. Located off the Strip on West Flamingo, the dazzling marquee in front is a story in itself...read more

The Slot Expert's Letter to Santa

Dear Santa, I've been a good slot player this year. I've played only one machine at a time when requested. I've cleaned up after myself when I was finished playing a machine. I've pointed out to other players when their slot club cards didn't register...read more

Gambling's Greatest Wins, Runs, Records and Legends - Part 5

RECENT LEGENDS Like Uston, there are many legendary gamblers and legendary events in the gambling world; to list them all would take several books. But here are four of the most famous "legends" in the last 20 or so years. In early 1980s, the "suitcase man" arrived at Binions to make a big bet...read more

Busted For Betting Online?

Is gambling on the Internet legal? Some state and federal law enforcement officials declare flatly, "yes, it's all illegal." Yet with hundreds of websites taking billions of dollars in wagers each year, fewer than 25 people have ever been prosecuted for online gambling...read more

A Christmas Carol

With apologies to Charles Dickens and Clement Moore, Barney Vinsins tells his Christmas Carol in this installment of Barney VInson's World.         `Twas the night before Christmas, and through each casino In Vegas and Laughlin and Tahoe and Reno       The stockings were hung by the lockers with cheer In 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 much       They stood at their tables, with heads almost bowed But no saints appeared, just the usual crowd       Why is it, they pondered, that things never change The players at Christmas seem almost deranged       It's though their own families have cast them aside So they come to Nevada to spend their Yuletide       Alas, that is all that they usually spend And they wonder why no one regards them as friend       For example, all tables were open this night One player at each, and if that's not a fright       Their 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 speaker While the stale smell of smoke made each dealer's knees weaker       There were trees in the corners all covered with light That from a great distance looked just about right       On closer inspection they lost their appeal The 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 throat       He smiled as he said, "Good times are upon us." Of course, he had gotten a nice Christmas bonus       The others were grumbling, and most with good reason They 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 turkey       Just then there arose on the roof such a clatter Guards sprang up the stairs to uncover the matter       A 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 dread No visions of sugar plums danced in his head       He got to the roof and threw open the doors His guards had their guns drawn, and down on all fours       Was a fellow in red with a smile on his face And fluffy white whiskers clear down to his waist       A bag full of presents lay next to his side While eight snorting reindeer stood venting their pride       They were all strapped together and hooked to a sleigh That 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 land       Where Christmas is special and truly unique And those who believe find the things that they seek."       The chief fell to silence and took a step back Saint 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 sleigh Preparing to go on his merry old way       The chief scratched his head as he started to see People opening presents and shouting with glee       And then he remembered the note for the fellow Who was wearing blue pants and a coat of bright yellow       The 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 stutter He looked at the pit boss, his heart all aflutter       The pit boss was dressed in a bright yellow coat So 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 Crow       The pit boss unfolded the small slip of paper Was 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 door       With trembling fingers he opened the note And 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

Gambling's Greatest Wins, Runs, Records and Legends - Part 4

BLACKJACK Would you rather be lucky or skillful? Many gamblers have asked that question, even Santiago, Ernest Hemingway's ancient fisherman from the classic The Old Man and the Sea, wondered about this. His conclusion was that it was better to be skillful so that when luck came you were ready for it...read more

Craps A to Z: "C" is for Come Bets

© 2001 by Larry Edell A lot of players love come bets because they provide fast action -- and profits! They work the same way as a pass line bet, except that you can bet come on every roll of the dice -- and with maximum odds, of course! Many experienced crapshooters plan on betting one pass line and two come bets when they play...read more

The Slot Expert's Guide to Winning at Slots and Video Poker

You can hear me give my slot and video poker tips live on The Good Times Show, hosted by Rudi Schiffer with Frank Scoblete, which is broadcast from Memphis on WMC 790AM Saturday morning from 10-12 CT. A few weeks ago, I gave a tip about how you can short-circuit the normal process a slot machine goes through to award credits by pressing any button on the machine...read more