That certain uncertainty
Dear Mark,
Although a 6/5-video poker machine is not as good as a 9/6
machine, a slot attendant told me that the 6/5 machines
typically hit more often, like high pairs. Was she really
telling me the truth or pulling my leg? Michelle G.
Because every hand on every machine is a random, independent event, no slot attendant, or even the casino manager, has any "insider information" on which machines are ready to hit.
Video
poker, Michelle, is based on a random number generator (RGN
in gambling parlance), which is part of the computer program
the produces the cards that you see on the screen. This
means that no matter what the payout
schedule is, any particular hand is just as likely to appear
on one machine as on any other machine of the same type.
Consequently, you are just as likely to make a flush whether
your machine pays 6 for 1 or 5 for 1 on this
hand. The advice you got from the slot attendant telling
you to look for low paying machines is not only worthless,
but over time quite costly.
*Note:
The difference between a "9/6" and "6/5"
machine is in the payout (per coin played) for a full house
(9) and a flush (6), respectfully.
Obviously, the 9/6 machine is the one to look for, among Jacks-or-better video poker machines, since it pays more than does a 6/5 machine for a full house and a flush.
Dear Mark,
I hit a slot jackpot on an Indian reservation. They issued
me a W2-G tax form. Isn't an Indian reservation sovereign
land and not under jurisdiction of US tax laws? Tom R.
You
can label as you like the ground an Indian casino sits on,
but your tax liability is based on total worldwide income,
even that coming from sources outside of the United States,
encompassing even Indian reservations, cruise
ships and online casinos.
Dear Mark,
What do you think of the game No-Commission Baccarat? Is
it a good bet since you are not paying a commission on the
banker hand? Jim D.
Outwardly,
no-commission baccarat looks very appealing. No-commission
is a version of baccarat where the banker hand pays even
money without the typical five percent commissions. But
heads-up!, Jim: some casinos tweak
their no-commission games by paying you only one-half your
original wager on a winning total of six. This ploy gives
the house a 1.62 percent edge on the banker bet, versus
the 1.17 percent advantage they have on a normal baccarat
game. When that's the case, stick with regular baccarat.
Dear Mark,
Could you please explain why there are betting limits are
in a casino?
Steve K.
Betting limits are set to establish both the minimum and
maximum amount of money you can wager on one bet. You cannot
wager less than the minimum nor more than the maximum posted
on the table game. Betting limits varies from casino to
casino, pit to pit and even table to table.
I would be remiss, Steve, if I did not add that all players should only play on a game within their financial resources. Bumping up to a higher table limit than your bankroll can afford will be lethal to your wallet.
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