How Random Number Generators Work on Slot Machines
March 5, 2008
We’ve all seen it happen if we have spent enough time in the casino. You go through your roll of quarters on a cold machines and then make your move hoping that your luck will change. Then some other patron steps up to the machine that you just left and starts pumping quarters in, only to hit a $10,000 jackpot in the first minute, leaving them incredibly happy and you scratching your head on how you could have been such an idiot to leave that machine. However, don’t let this fool...
Difference Between Paid To and Paid For Odds
March 5, 2008
If you are a recreational gambler then you might not pay much attention to the difference between getting paid “to” one versus “for” one, but it’s a distinction that you are going to want to watch out for. A payoff of “9 to1″ means the winner is paid nine chips for every chip bet; and since the winner keeps the chip wagered, he winds up with 10 chips in hand. When the payoff is “9 for1″, the winner is paid nine chips for every chip wagered; however,...
Near Miss Slot Jackpots
March 5, 2008
It seems like a common occurence for casino patrons is to line up two of the highest jackpot winning symbols but not the third. Sometimes that symbol appers on the screen but on a different line, tantalizingly close to giving you your big payday. These near miss slot jackpots can be heartbreaking to the player, but it’s almost a tease when you get so close and then you just want to keep pumping in coins. There are players out there who think this is a big trick put on by the casino to induce...
Multi Play Video Poker
March 5, 2008
This week’s article from Mark Pilarski looks to clear up some confusion on Multi Play Video Poker. Dear Mark, I’m hoping you can clear up a question that’s been bothering me for long time. I’ve noticed quite frequently on 50 and 100-play video poker machines that when I get dealt two pair, I very rarely see any full houses. It’s almost as if the machines are rigged against me! It seems like the 50 and 100-play have different programming or something. A video poker...
House Edge on Crapless Craps
March 5, 2008
Casinos are starting to offer a new game to entice players and it’s called Never Ever or Crapless Craps. Sure the name sounds like it would be a great deal for players, but just what is this game and what is the house edge? Casino expert Mark Pilarski dives in and gives us his thoughts. Never Ever or Crapless Craps something that I have seen before, so I’ll give you the run down and differences from the regular game that you may be familiar with. You do not lose on the 2, 3, or 12...
Maximum Coin Play
March 4, 2008
It seems like everyone who gives out advice on slots tells people to make sure they are playing the maximum coins. Of course it seems like people are only pushing you to play more money, thus putting more of your bankroll at stake in order to get you to lose and out the door quicker. However, Mark Pilarski gives his advice on why this is a good idea. For almost all multiple-pay and multiple-play machines, the maximum coin line tends to yield a better percentage payback. Note on the paytable the...
Odds on Catching a Straight
March 4, 2008
What are the odds on a catching a straight? There are a few of the players out there who think that it is tough to catch an open-ended straight, let alone and inside one and you happen to be right. Mark Pilarski takes a look and fills us in on the numbers. The proven odds of completing straights, such as drawing one card into an open ended straight, are 1 in 6. Drawing two cards into an open-ended straight has1 chance in 23, while drawing a single card to make an inside straight racks up at 1...
Single Player Blackjack Versus Multiple Players
March 4, 2008
There are some of you out there that think it is easier to beat single player blackjack than when there are additional players at the table. Casino gambling expert Mark Pilarski takes a look at this question and gives his response below. The number of players on a game makes a duck’s egg difference in terms of the game being beatable. The house edge remains the same if there are one, two, three, or even five players on the table. However, because the speed of play slows with multiple players,...
Maximum Coin Amount
March 4, 2008
Why you should play the maximum coin amount at the slot machines from Mark Pilarski. Next time you’re front and center of a one-armed bandit, give the paytable a once-over and you’ll note that when five coins are wagered, all winning hands, except for the royal flush, are paid out multiplied by a factor of 5. The royal commonly pays mucho more. By not playing the maximum coin amount on most video poker machines, your overall return is affected. For example, playing short reduces the long-term...
