Dear Mark,
On my last visit to the casino, I forgot my Basic Strategy card. Too bad
since I was actually winning at the blackjack game. Is there any other strategy
I can use so the casino won't have that five percent advantage that comes
with poor play? Jerry, M. Springfield, MA
First, Jerry, a new blackjack strategy card is in the mail. I also wish
to offer all readers of this column the opportunity to get one free by sending
an SASE to the Deal Me In address below. As for your question, absolutely.
By following the few simple rules below, you can knock the house edge down
to just under one percent.
If your hand is a 12 through 16 and the dealer's up card is between 2 and
6, stand. If it's 7 through ace, hit. If you have 17 or more, regardless
of what the dealer up card is, stand. The only exception to this would be
a soft 17; here you always hit.
If you have 10 or 11, double if the dealer has a 2-9 showing.
If you have a soft 13-18, double if the rules allow you when the dealer
is showing a 5 or 6.
Always split eight's and ace's.
Finally, if you have a pair of deuces, 3, 3's, 6, 6's, 7, 7's or 9, 9's,
split if the dealer is showing a 2-7. One exception; stand on your 9, 9's
if the dealer has a 2.
That's it. By memorizing these few simple rules, Jerry, you can turn blackjack
into one of the best bets in the house.
Dear Mark,
In past columns, you've stated the benefits of playing slots that advertise
returns of 98.5% versus machines that pay back 93%. Come on, Mark, we're
talking just a few dollars difference. What's the big deal? Noreen, D. Detroit,
MI
The "big deal" is that the casino knows the average Joe/Josephine
doesn't play through their money just once but keeps playing their tray
(credit) return over and over again during the course of their stay. That's
why finding higher payback machines is so important. Example: On a 93% return
machine if you were to play your entire $100, you can expect back, "in
theory," $93. Of course, the casino anticipates your playing the $93,
so expect a return of $86. Put in the $86, and your return will be $80.
Play through the $80, get back, $74. Can you see, Noreen, how the casino
is grinding away at your crispy Ben Franklin?
Now, using the same example on a machine returning 98.5%, put in $100 and
get back $98.50. Play that, and you'll get $97 back. Put in the $97, expect
a return of $95. Of course this is all based on a pre-programmed computer
chip in the slot, but see how much better it is to play the higher payback
machines? It keeps you in action much longer, long enough possibly to hit
a decent jackpot.
Before I Shuffle:
I just have to get this off my chest. My biggest peeve in all of gaming
are casinos that charge an entry fee to walk through their front door. Recently,
in Kansas City, the price of admission was nine dollars on a stationary
riverboat. Not for the day mind you, but for a two-hour gaming session.
What's worse, if you want to play a second two hours, you'll need to fork
over another nine bucks to chase your losses from the last session. Fortunately
this has changed in KC since one casino started offering free boarding.
Oh, the joys of competition. I'll admit over the years I've made my fair
share of foolish wagers, but never, ever, would I pay to walk in the front
door-or any door-of a casino. Do I feel better now? YES!
Got a question about gambling? Write to: Deal Me In, 774 Mays Blvd.
Suite 10, Incline Village, NV 89451 or e-mail:winners@winner.com
· To order Mark Pilarski's "Hooked on Winning" audio cassettes--laminated
win cards package ($12.95 plus $2. S&H) call (800) WINNERS.
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