Gaming Gurus: Strategy Expert Article Archive - Page 920

Is The Blackjack 'Book' Right about Soft 17?

Most blackjack buffs know "the book" says always stand on a "hard" total of 17 -- such as 10-7 or 4-5-8, but never on "soft" 17 -- for instance A-6 or A-2-4. The rule for soft 17 is: a) double down when allowed on A-6 against a dealer's three through six; b) hit under all other conditions...read more

The Oracle at Odds - Part 1

This is the age of lists -- the top 100 movies of all time, the top 100 books of the 20th Century, the top 100 colleges for academic excellence or bargains or partying, and the top 100 women former President Bill Clinton scored with; plus all those weekly top 10 this list, and top 10 that list and top 10 those other things list...read more

Players' Blackjack Questions Reveal Strategy Concerns

Here are some blackjack inquiries I've received from readers of my newspaper column over the last couple of months: Q) If blackjack is such a close game, why is it that I never seem to win as many hands in a row as I lose? Anonymous player at the Grand Victoria Casino A) You're right...read more

Summer Gambling Sizzles in Reno-Tahoe

Summer at the lake is still cooler than anywhere else... not only the pristine blue waters of a humongous lake... but matching skies with puffy cotton ball clouds and cool breezes... the scent of pine trees... and fresh air... guaranteed to cleanse the pollution from any city-dweller's system...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, let's put on our bulletproof vests and venture downtown to the Four Queens...read more

Ask The Slot Expert

Dear John, Can you tell me where I can play the WMS Gaming Machine "Stroke of Luck" in Reno? I have played this machine in Vegas at the Mandalay Bay and would love to play it this weekend in Reno. Thanks!! :-) Best regards, Elizabeth Dear Elizabeth: The WMS Gaming web site (www.wmsgaming.com) does not list which casinos have which of their machines...read more

Slot Cheating Shakes Up Gaming Industry

The recent discovery of a software glitch in some WMS slot machine products that allowed players to cheat the machines is creating waves in the entire gaming industry. The so-called "security anomaly" was uncovered at the Motor City Casino in Detroit, Michigan...read more

Craps Is the Most Philosophical Game

Casinos don't exactly jump to mind when you think of philosophers congregating to ruminate and debate. Yet, many a philosophy is espoused in these joints. Gamblers can be downright Aristotelian about their action. And, when it comes to solid citizens who vie against the house, none are more philosophic than craps players...read more

Video Blackjack

When video gaming devices started to make their way onto casino floors in the late 1970s and the early 1980s, the assumption of most managers was that video blackjack would be a big hit, and that video poker would struggle. After all, blackjack was the most popular casino game, far more popular than poker...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. Double Diamond is one of the most popular and successful slot machines ever...read more