Ask The Wizard #29
Which online platform boasts the highest payout rate for slot machines?
While reviewing various software options for Casino Player magazine, I’ve been paying closer attention to games outside my usual preferences. Currently, I can share insights on three software types as follows.
Microgaming: 95.67% (This is based on real returns noted at the Golden Palace when they operated on Microgaming's platform.)
Cryptologic: 92.42% (These figures reflect actual returns from Safari Casino, with similar statistics at the Sands of the Caribbean and Inter Casino.)
Real Time Gaming: 97.1% (This is based on theoretical returns at Casino Merlin, assuming the maximum number of coins are played. Other licensees have the option to choose returns ranging from 95% to 98%.)
Recently, I tried my hand at craps for the first time and witnessed my balance surge from $70 to $700 through small pass odds and field bets. Unfortunately, I ended up losing it all down to $6 after placing larger bets due to the dealer's advice, but I managed to reclaim it back to $1,000 by being more cautious. For a first experience, it felt surprisingly simple to win, but could it simply be beginners' luck?
Indeed, it was luck that played a role. Adhering to low house edge bets was beneficial. For your next attempt, focus on making line bets with odds only, and avoid field bets that offer a mere 2 to 1 payout specifically on 2 and 12.
I really appreciate your website. Do you recommend making the Fortune side bet in Pai Gow Poker? Thanks for all the insightful information you provide.
No, it's not advisable to place the Fortune side bet or any other side bets. Generally, these bets are known to be poor choices due to their elevated house edge. For more details regarding the Fortune side bet, please check my pai gow poker section. side bets section .
I play on webmillion.com where players must select 6 numbers from a pool of 94. I’m curious about the odds of correctly picking all six numbers since, to date, no one has won the 3 million since the site’s launch.
The odds of correctly selecting 6 out of 94 numbers is calculated as 1 in combin(94,6), which equals approximately 1 in 814,216,767.
How did you calculate the house edge in blackjack?
I developed my own combinatorial software that examines every possible scenario while maintaining a tally of potential outcomes according to their likelihood. Except for cases involving re-splitting pairs, my calculations are spot on.
Could you explain how the house edge is calculated for a put bet on the pass line after the initial roll, assuming all odds (like 2x, 10x, 100x) for 6 & 8, 7 & 9, 4 & 10, and any combinations of those? I became interested after seeing this bet available at Binions-LV during my last visit.
Since you inquired, I included details about the put bet in my resources. This should provide you with the information you seek. craps section At OasisCasino.com, they mention that six decks are shuffled for every game. However, there's no clear indication of the shoe's endpoint, allowing for continuous play without knowledge of where it begins or ends. My query is, how many hands are there in a six-deck shoe? Additionally, how many hands should I ideally play before recording plays (hands) as a new game?
I was playing baccarat It's quite likely that they shuffle after every hand. Even if they do go through part of the shoe, I doubt they complete the entire deck.
The average number of cards dealt per hand is approximately 4.94. Assuming around 15 burn cards, a six-deck shoe in baccarat would yield roughly 60 hands. However, from a mathematical standpoint, shuffling practices don’t change the overall odds. An online casino is promoting a selection of bonus options for customers. These options include a 10% bonus with a 2X wagering requirement, up to a 100% bonus with a 10X wagering requirement. How would you evaluate which option to choose if you’re okay with a 5% risk of going broke and assuming there’s a 0.5% house edge in their 2-deck blackjack game?
I would opt for the 100% bonus with a 10X wager. If managed carefully and if bets remain small enough, you can stay within a 5% risk of bankruptcy. Although I don't have the precise figures, if each wager is around 1% of your total deposit, the likelihood of losing it all should be less than 5%, even when betting ten times your bankroll.
It’s essential to apply mathematically sound strategies and information for casino games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, among many others.