Article Archive

 All Games

• New Games Mean More Fun At The Tables by John Grochowski (March 2008)
  Livening the games and drawing extra attention from players is the object after all of new table games. And whether it’s from new wrinkles on old games or fulfilling video poker players’ fantasies with a novel twist, players can look forward to a livelier 2008.

• World’s Easiest Card Counting Systems by Fred Renzey (June 2007)
  When card counting was first publicized in the 1960s, the “plus/minus” method of mentally adding and subtracting points for each high or low card that came out became standard operating procedure.World Class Cities in Missouri by Dan Donarski (Mar 2007)
  Way to go St. Louis! Enhancements to St. Louis’ hospitality product and improvement in the quality of life there received international recognition when the World Leadership Forum awarded St. Louis its World Leadership Award in the category of urban renewal.

• Sportsman’s Gift Guide by Dan Donarski (Dec 2006)
  Need gift ideas for that special outdoors-loving someone? Here are some bona fide tools sure to please the sportsman on your list.

• My Favorite Fallback Games by N.L. Preston (Nov 2006)
  Although many casino visitors avoid the table games because they’re intimidated, they shouldn’t be. The table games, if you choose wisely, can make your bankroll last longer by stretching out your gaming time.

• An Open Letter to Casino Personnel 
  by Richard LoBello (May 2006)
  We all walk into casinos with certain basic expectations. We expect to be treated cordially, if not cheerfully by both floor personnel and the occasional manager we happen to meet. We expect to have questions answered and services rendered in a timely fashion. In short, we expect good customer service. We are, after all, consumers walking into not only a business, but also an entertainment venue. Unfortunately, there are times that we’ve all had when our expectations were not met. 

• The Big Four 
  by John G. Brokopp
  What do recent casino acquisitions and mega-mergers mean to us in the Midwest? For one thing, these transactions are representative of what has been happening to the riverboat casino industry in America's Heartland for the last several years. As we go to press, more than half of all floating casinos in the Midwest are now owned and operated by just four companies.

• Nice Guys Can Finish First 
  by Bill Burton
  The winner of this year's 35th annual World Series of Poker, Greg ŒFossilman' Raymer, proves once again that nice guys can finish first, even out of a huge field of contenders.

• Stretch Your Gambling Dollars 
  by Tom Hawks (Sept. 2003)
  When it comes to spending your entertainment dollars, you want to spend them wisely and make your money stretch as far as it will go. In today's economy, discretionary income for most people is limited, so here is how to get as much bang for your gambling buck as possible.

• Take Common Sense Into The Casino
  by Bob Dancer
  You just want some simple advice on how to make your gambling bankroll last longer in a casino. Let's see what we can do, by just using common sense. 

• Players Clubs: The Future 
  by John Robison
  Unbelievably, the players club features described here are not a futuristic fantasy, they are all possible with current or imminent technology.
• Tournaments: Competition For Fun And Profit
  by Bill Burton
  In a tournament, you are competing against other players. This means that, depending on the number of entrants, your odds may be better for winning a large amount of money than if you were playing against the house.
• Pop Casino Quiz   
  by Tom Hawks   
  Learn how to use some of this strange and funny language to amaze your family, friends and neighbors, not to mention that old cigar-chomping know-it-all at the craps table, with your command of casinoese.
• The Same Old Snake Oil - Part Two
  by Dale Yeazel
  Have you spent money on a “sure fire, guaranteed” method to beat the casinos at their own games? Then read on.

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Craps 

• Learning The Language Of Craps 
  by Dave Guzman and Chris Fagans 
  Have you ever gone over to the craps tables just to watch the game for awhile? Next time instead of just watching, try listening to the dealers and the stick person. You will soon discover that there is a different language out there. It’s a language that only dealers and craps players understand. 

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Money  

• Mastering The Comp Game by Mike Aponte 
  Aside from the prospect of winning big, comps are the most appealing lure for gamblers. As a big player for the MIT blackjack team, not only did I stay in luxurious penthouse suites and dine in fine restaurants, but I also enjoyed some rather extraordinary perks. 

• Time Is Money by John Grochowski 
  Time is money, as much when visiting the casino as in the work world. And when we’re deciding how to spend our time in the casinos, how much time it takes to play a hand or spin the reels is a factor to be weighed right along with the house edge. 

• Worst Case Scenario Money Management
  by John Robison
  We've all had trips on which we just can't catch a lucky streak. It seems like we're single-handedly paying for the casino's latest expansion. We need a plan to see us through those trips from hell with as little financial and emotional damage as possible. 

• Gambling Can Be A Taxing Proposition 
  by John G. Brokopp: 
  The fact is, you never know when Lady Luck may look your way and bestow upon you a big win. So, it1s important to be armed with the proper information to help take the sting out of taxation on your good fortune

Poker  

• Across The Felt, Friend Or Foe by Cynthia Thomason (January 2008)
  How does the competitive arena of poker interact with personal relationships? Can pro poker players really be friends? Where better to explore this topic than with the pro poker players themselves.
• Reading Minds. Sizing Up Your Opponents by Bill Burton (May 2007)
  We have all watched poker tournament television and seen some players make reads on their opponents that might have some of us wondering if they were psychic. It almost seems supernatural, but in essence it is one of the skills that separate the great players from their competition.
• Not Easy Being A Poker Diva by Jennifer Newell (May 2007)
  Liz Lieu in the first of this two-part series that gives a candid look into the much-discussed and envied career that is professional poker. Her life is a unique one as she manages cash games, tournaments, family life, marketing, fan relations, and business opportunities, all from her laptop.
• Way To Go: Sit & Go by Bill Burton (April 2007)
  Sit and Go tournaments are mini-poker tournaments. They can be multi-table events, but the most common and popular are the single-table S&G with nine or 10 players. These are the ones I will be discussing here.
• PARTNERS IN POKER: Love, Honor, And Take Your Chips (February 2006)
  By Jennifer Newell
  Many couples experience natural difficulties when they balance married life with their separate careers, trying to find financial security and job satisfaction while taking the time to nurture the complexities and nuances of love. What happens when they throw a poker career into the mix and both people in the relationship have that same job? What ensues is an interesting situation, to say the least. Poker, in and of itself, is a difficult sport and an even more challenging career.
• Winning Poker Tournaments: More Than Good Cards by Bill Burton
  Many players who have only watched poker tournaments on television may get the impression that tournaments are fast-paced events with chips flying and plenty of action throughout. Nothing could be further from the truth.
• Hail King Elvis by John Grochowski (Sept 2006)
  Elvis Multi-Strike, the latest game from the designers of Multi-Strike Poker, is ready to rock through the Midwest.
• The Evolution of Modern Day Blackjack by Fred Renzey 
  It doesn’t seem that anyone really knows where the game of blackjack originated. Some look toward similar 18th and 19th century European games. We do know that the house-banked game of “21” began appearing in the gambling parlors of America between 1910 and 1920. Crazy 4 Poker by Elliot Frome(June 2006)
  In the past, I’ve written about a game called Four Card Poker. ShuffleMaster also has a similar game that is currently more prevalent than Four Card Poker in Las Vegas and can also be found in the Midwest. It is called Crazy 4 Poker.
• Tournament Poker: The Pros vs. The Joes by Bill Burton (June 2006) 
  Over the last few years, tournament poker has evolved from a simple casino marketing tool to a major industry generating billions of dollars in profits for casinos, card rooms and online poker sites. 

• Reading Your Opponents Is A Must To Win At Poker 
  by Fred Renzey (May 2006)
  Poker is a truly unique gambling game. Other casino games are made  up entirely of mathematics. Poker’s foundation too, is rooted in the  math and the odds. But you’ll never be a winning player if you can’t  understand and use its vital psychological aspect. That’s what makes you more money with  your winning hands and saves you money with your losing hands.

• Sibling Rivalry: From Home Penny Games To Million Dollar Pots by Jennifer Newell 
  Sibling rivalry has long been an interesting subject studied by psychologists. Though it is a natural part of growth and life for brothers and sisters, bringing those relationships to the poker table in a competitive and sometimes cutthroat environment yields new challenges. 

• A Festival Of Poker 
  by Lou Krieger
  It's springtime in Las Vegas, and that usually means only one thing, the World Series of Poker. But there's a difference this year. It's hot, it's new, and it's made for TV. It's the finals of the World Poker Tour.

• True Tales From The Poker Tables
  by Fred Renzey
  In my 23 years of playing poker, I’ve met some colorful characters, seen plenty of pretty strange things and pulled off a few amusing stunts myself.

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Slots  

• So You Wanna Be A Blackjack Card Counter By Fred Renzey (May 2008)
  What is it that’s so attractive about systematically winning at blackjack? Beating the house at its own game? Achieving heroic status as a gamesman? Making money doing it? Who wouldn’t want that? You might want it, but considering everything it takes to make it happen, you might not after all.
• Oh Those Progressives by John Grochowski (September 2007)
   Each progressive system has its own personality and its own little quirks. Still, there are a few things you could remember about progressives each time you sit down to play.
• Coming To A Casino Near You Soon by John Grochowski (Jan 2007)
  G2E as it's known in the casino industry, is the industry's largest annual  conference and trade show, and it's where slotmakers and other manufacturers show off their latest and greatest wares to potential buyers. Find out what you'll be seeing in your favorite casinos soon.
• PlayAway Lets Players Take The Casino Home by John Robison 
  PlayAway may sound like Internet gambling, but it isn’t. No wagering, redemption, or other financial transactions take place online. Those activities take place in the casino, where those transactions are legal. 
• Where The Loose Machines Are - Part Two by John Robison (May 2006)
  Last month we looked at what a loose machine is and some of the theories about where casinos place their loose machines. I said I didn’t think the theories are relevant in today’s slot world. Let’s look at how slot machines and slot floors have changed to see why.
• Back To Basic Training by Gayle Mitchell
  Basic or straight slots are the vanguard of the casino and still quite popular with players. Even though they are less complicated than the new multi-line video games, a slots education is still essential to get the most out of your play.
• First Quiz Of The Semester-Slots (Oct. 2003)
  by Gayle Mitchell
  OK, class, it's test time. I offer up this quiz in the expectation that all slot players will forever hear the sound of "raining coins." Let's get started.
• The Slot Expert's Lucky 13 Tips
  by John Robison    
  Have more fun and stretch your bankroll while playing the slots with these tips.
• Elvira - Mistress of the Dark  
  by Victor Royer
  In the next few issues I want to introduce you to some of the newest slot machines that you will soon be seeing in your favorite casinos.
• Back To Slot Basics 
  by Victor Royer
  Most of the casino’s profits from slot play come from the nickel and quarter players — not the dollar slot players.
• Near Misses: The Truth 
  by John Robison
  Near misses are part of the fun of playing the  slots. They’re the slot player’s equivalent of the fisherman’s tale of “the one that got away.” Near misses provide an incentive to play because it seems like the machine is trying to pay off, but it just hasn’t gotten it quite right yet. Surely, one of the next few spins will be a big winner.
• Just The Facts 
  by John Grochowski 
  Before you spend your money trying to solve the Case of the Giant Jackpot, get a clue about how slot machines really work.
• Interview With A Slot Cheat 
  by John Robison 
  Slot cheating expert Mr. Slug (not his real name) reveals the numerous and varied methods that have been devised over the years to cheat slot machines. Warning: Don't try any of these in the casino. 

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Video Poker

• Guaranteed Play by Linda Boyd (April 2008)
  I had been reading about Guaranteed Play for quite a while, and since it seemed to be a big hit with both focus groups and at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), I decided to learn more about it. Let’s take a look.
• Video Poker Nibbling By Linda Boyd (February 2008)
  There aren’t many players with the ability to play almost perfect video poker and most casinos have downgraded the pay schedules, so the house doesn’t need to worry too much. But those who take the time to learn the games will have good odds of getting an inexpensive or free vacation.
• Video Poker Tournaments: Making The Cut by Linda Boyd (December 2007)
  There’ll be lots of opportunities to participate in a kaleidoscope of video poker tournaments this holiday season. So, here’s a guide to help you select the best competitions around and then give you several strokes advantage over the rest of the field.
• Norman Rockwell Video Poker by Linda Boyd (October 2007)
  Rockwell’s paintings are nostalgic. The same is true of some video poker games, which are becoming extinct, especially in full-pay versions. Rather than just lamenting the demise of your favorite games, there are some things that players can do to keep the classics around for a long time.
• How To Play The Video Poker Comp Game by Linda Boyd (August 2007)
  Years ago video poker players could stay ahead of the game by choosing full pay deuces wild or even 9/7 Jacks or Better. Life was good. Nowadays you can still have an advantage, but you’ll have to combine borderline paytables with a mixed bag of cash and non-cash benefits.
• Why We Love Our Video Slots by John Grochowski (July 2007)
  Why are slot machines the most popular games in casinos today? Lots of reasons. They’re easy to play, with no complicated strategies to learn. You don’t have to worry about a dealer who’s in a bad mood or a player who might hassle you over strategy mistakes. Most important is the chance at a big jackpot. Three quarters or a couple of dollars give you a chance at enough money to change your life.
• A Work In Progress: Progressive Video Poker by Linda Boyd (June 2007)
  Obviously, some progressives are better than others. How then, can a player decide whether to choose a progressive bank, as well as when to stop playing? Let’s take a close look at some good progressive games, strategy changes and rules of thumb to make adjustments for the constantly changing jackpot amounts
• The Midwest’s Duelin’ Deuces - Part Two by Linda Boyd
  When it comes to video poker Deuces Wild games, it’s a case of so many choices, so little time, well, sort of. Part I made it clear why all games are not created equally and shed light on how to narrow your choices.
• The Midwest’s Duelin’ Deuces by Linda Boyd (Feb 2007)
  If you’ve played video poker in Las Vegas lately, then you’ve probably noticed that many of the paytables have been downgraded. Some games at which you turned up your nose in the past are starting to look better. The good news for those living in the Midwest is that you won’t have to travel to Nevada to find the best games.
• Boyd’s Eye View: You Know What They Say About Practice by Linda Boyd (Dec 2006)
  One of the most important steps in playing smart video poker is to study the most mathematically sound strategy before you go to the casino.
• Video Poker: Tips For Playing The Games By Linda Boyd (Oct 2006)
  What can you do to increase your video poker playing time and maybe even go home a winner? Choose a game wisely and play correctly.
• Interview With A Wizard by Kevin Blackwood (Sept 2006)
  Whether you are looking for the optimal way to play video poker or the best strategy to reduce the house edge at pai gow poker, Michael Shackleford is a trusted voice and one of the top math minds in his field.
• Video Poker Name Game by Linda Boyd (July 2006)
  Whether you’re new to video poker or a long time player, you’ve probably heard lots of unusual names for the games. As its popularity continues to increase, manufacturers are creating even more varieties of video poker for players to choose from, which can cause confusion
• As An Investment, How Risky is Video Poker
  by Bob Dancer (May 2006)
  I believe that investing in the intelligent playing of video poker  is a far safer and less risky course than investing in the stock  market. At least for me.
• The Magic Words In Video Poker 
  by John Grochowski  
  Good video poker and a good slot club go hand in hand. In fact, say “100% return’’ and “1% cash back’’ to a video poker player, and you’ve said the magic words.
• It Usually Doesn't Happen This Way 
  by John Robison 
  As my friend Brian Tidwell once told me, "Hey, even I know better than to play the machines at the airport." .

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Blackjack

• Blackjack Around the U.S. by Henry Tamburin(June 2006)
  One of the nice things about my profession as a blackjack player, writer and instructor is that I get to travel to different gambling areas in the U.S. In the past month, for example, I visited and played in Atlantic City, Tunica, Biloxi, and Las Vegas. I saw quite a difference in blackjack playing conditions in all three areas from previous trips and thought I’d summarize what I found.
• More Blackjack Questions by Henry Tamburin (May 2006)
  Questions, questions. I get lots of questions from readers on  blackjack. Here are just a few that I received this past month.
• Practice Makes Perfect by Mike Aponte (March 2006)
  Editor’s note:
  In 1992, Mike Aponte was recruited to play on the MIT Blackjack Team,  and quickly developed into one of the team’s top “Big Players” and  money winners. Within several years, he also became one of the team’s  managers, contributing significantly to the team’s incredible  success. In the summer of 1993, “MIT Mike” recruited his good friend,  David Irvine (a.k.a “Mister J”) to join the team. Together, they were  part of a hand-picked group of MIT students that took casinos by  storm using a new training approach. The team would go on to win  millions and take blackjack to extraordinary heights, as chronicled  in the best selling book, Bringing Down the House.
• The MIT Team's $500,000 Weekend
  By Mike Aponte (January 2006)
  Editor’s Note: The following narrative recounts a landmark weekend for the MIT Blackjack Team, a consortium of card-counting phenoms who won millions from the casinos. The team’s exploits, as chronicled in the best-selling book Bringing Down the House, two television documentaries and Kevin Spacey’s upcoming movie, have been based primarily on the recollections of a single team member. ‘The MIT Team’s $500,000 Weekend’ is written by Mike Aponte, another original member of the world-famous team and co-founder, along with Dave Irvine, of www.BlackjackInstitute.com. Blackjack aficionados will recognize Aponte as the 2004 World Series of Blackjack Champion.
• Blackjack Encounters Of The Video Kind 
  by Henry Tamburin
  A reader's question about what is the correct playing strategy for video blackjack prompted me to write about the different types of video blackjack games that are available and how smart players often take advantage of these games.
• Tourney Play: Blackjack and Craps
   by Bill Burton
  The excitement of competing against other players instead of just playing against the house is one of the attractions of tournament play. Here's what you need to know about blackjack and craps tourneys. 
• Keeping Your Cool At A Hot Table 
  by Walter Thomason
  Even though it's obvious that streaks occur in blackjack, it's darn near impossible to take advantage of them because we only know that they exist in hindsight. So what is one to do? Do we just ignore streaks as if they don't exist, or do we seek out some "mystical" method to take advantage of them?
• A Day In The Life Of A Card Counter  
  by Fred Renzey 
  This is a story about a fella named JoJo Finelli. JoJo is a blackjack card counter. He doesn’t play blackjack for a living, he plays for fun and profit.
• In Answer To Your Blackjack Questions 
  by Henry Tamburin
  I continue to receive a lot of good blackjack questions from readers, so I decided to share a few along with their answers.

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Online

• Line On Online 
  by Mark Balestra
  Last month's introductory article about online poker rooms offered a peek into one of Internet gambling's hottest games. This time around we examine more closely the things you need to consider in optimizing your online poker experience. You're on your own when it comes to gaining the skills necessary to be a champ, but the following items should help make the transition from felt to pixels a smooth one. Software: To Download or Not to Download

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