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Ask The Wizard #115

I encourage your audience to keep using their preferred betting strategies, as they all prove effective. None of us has faced long-term losses using them. However, when I say 'us', I'm referring to those in the casino industry.

Mark, a casino manager

I couldn’t have expressed that better myself.

Could you let me know the traditional color scheme for $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 casino chips in Las Vegas?

Ray F.

To provide an accurate answer, I consulted with Barney Vinson, the author of Ask Barney: An Insider’s Guide to Las Vegas. He mentioned that, \"The colors of high-denomination chips differ across casinos to enhance visibility. At Caesars, $500 chips are pink, $1,000 chips are yellow, and $5,000 chips are brown, commonly referred to as chocolates.\" Imagine someone playing a five-cent machine, betting on nine lines, and hitting a winning combination. If they had chosen a one-line bet or a forty-five-line bet instead, would the same combination have appeared, or does each betting type have its distinct set of combinations and odds? In simpler terms, if a player bets on one line repeatedly and then switches to a few forty-five-line bets, is this a wise strategy or merely a false hope since the combinations for one line and forty-five lines are entirely different?

When it comes to determining the result of a game, slot machines don’t factor in the number of lines you bet or the amount wagered per line. What really matters is the precise moment you hit the spin button; the random numbers generated at that exact instant will dictate the outcome, as the machine constantly generates numbers, even when not in active play.

Robert

Do multi-denomination video slots operate with a singular payback percentage for the machine, or does each denomination have its own unique payback percentage structure?

Each denomination can indeed be configured with its individual payback percentage. On many IGT machines, you can tell if the return percentage changes as the symbols on the screen will adapt accordingly when you switch denominations.

anonymous

There's a local casino near my home that does not utilize 50-cent chips for the Surrender Option, which means I receive a greater portion when I make a bet with an odd value. Specifically, the surrender value for a $3 bet is $2. What implications does this rule have, and are there any strategic adjustments needed?

This rule is incredibly beneficial! Losing only one-third of your $3 bet through surrendering can increase your expected return by 2.25%. While you didn’t provide further details about the other house rules, if we assume a house edge of 0.5% prior to applying the surrender option, the player’s edge would then increase to 1.75%. Below are the hands where surrendering is advisable in a six-deck game (the decision to hit or stand on a soft 17 is irrelevant).

Gerardo

Typically, the only hand where you'd consider splitting and favoring surrender is when holding 8,8 against a 10. However, this strategy is only valid for a $3 bet, as the advantage of surrendering decreases with higher odd-numbered bets.

  • Player 6 against 10.
  • Player 12 or 13 against dealer 9, 10, ace.
  • Player 14 or 17 against dealer 8, 9, 10, or ace.
  • Player 15 or 16 against dealer 7, 8, 9, 10, or ace.

What is the best strategy for playing the Plinko game on The Price is Right?

From the left side of the board, the prize values are $100, $500, $1,000, $0, $10,000, $0, $1,000, $500, and $100. While I would need to see the exact arrangement of pegs for a detailed analysis, my initial assessment suggests that players should aim to drop the puck directly above the $10,000 prize. Despite being flanked by two zeroes, all other prizes are significantly lesser in value. Therefore, focusing on maximizing the chances for the top prize by dropping it directly overhead is the recommended approach. To validate my findings, I researched and found numerous analyses of this game. This link (

anonymous

First, you need to obtain a player card, similar to those used for slot machines, from the Player’s Club desk. Then, when you sit down at a table game, present your player card to the dealer while purchasing chips. The dealer should notify the pit boss about your player card, allowing them to assess you based on your average bet, duration of play, and sometimes your playing skills.

anonymous

I reside in New Jersey, about two hours north of Atlantic City. Can you advise me on where I might find the nearest European Roulette Wheel?

Atlantic City has numerous single zero wheels available. Most casinos feature these, though they typically have a $25 minimum bet.

anonymous

Strategies and insights based on mathematics for games like blackjack, craps, roulette, and many others available at casinos.