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Ask The Wizard #95

Greetings, Wizard. I've noticed that when I utilize your blackjack calculator, it highlights a significant difference in the house edge between single-deck and double-deck games. Would cutting the double deck in half alter the house advantage? Also, how does the house advantage change if any number of decks is truncated?

anonymous

The house edge remains constant for a double-deck game, irrespective of how many decks are truncated. A common mistake made by some dealers is to assert that a double deck reduced to half has the same odds as a single deck game. This is not accurate. The position of the cut card does not affect the odds unless you're keeping track.

In your last column You mentioned enjoying the double-up feature in video poker. How many times can a player double up, and how often do you suggest taking that option?

anonymous

I understand that certain machines allow for configuration of the number of doubles, typically set to four or five. The decision on how many times to double up is influenced by the quality of the pay table and your willingness to accept risk. To maximize expected returns, aim to double up the maximum allowed, or at least until your winnings exceed the W2G threshold of $1,200. Personally, I tend to double my amount from $100 to $1,000 based on my gameplay and win goal when dealing with negative pay tables. I advise you to consider how much you're comfortable wagering on a card flip and double up to that limit.

Hypothetically, if I prefer not to cash out my winnings from casino chips immediately at a large casino in Las Vegas, can I just go to another nearby major casino and use or cash my chips there? If such a transfer of chips is allowed, is it restricted to establishments under the same ownership, like Park Place or MGM?

anonymous

Most casinos will typically accept chips from other local venues, even if they are competing directly. For instance, if you took a $100 chip from the Mirage to the Venetian and kindly requested an exchange for Venetian chips, they would likely accommodate you. However, don’t attempt to place a bet with a foreign chip without prior inquiry. I made that mistake in Atlantic City with a $5 chip; I got away with it at first, but the dealer was visibly annoyed when he spotted it later, even though the table was too busy for anyone to blame me.

I apologize for interrupting, but I’m curious if you’ve utilized your mathematical skills to uncover any inconsistencies in sports betting odds or devised a method for guaranteeing returns based on that analysis?

anonymous

Over the past couple of years, I've dedicated considerable time to sports betting, even more than other gambling formats. Unless you can engage two sportsbooks with varying lines—a rare opportunity—there are no assured methods to profit from sports betting. It’s premature to disclose any techniques, but I focus on any betting scenarios where I see a player advantage before making my bets. You may want to take a look at some findings I’ve recently documented. sports betting appendix 2 .

What is the likelihood of being dealt four cards that can complete a royal flush?

anonymous

Considering there are four suits for a royal flush and five missing cards, the fifth card can be any of the 47 other cards. This results in 4*5*47=940 ways to achieve four to a royal. The total possible combinations are (52 choose 5) = 2,598,960. Thus, the probability amounts to 940 out of 2,598,960, which simplifies to 1 in 2,765. combin According to your Blackjack Basic Strategy chart, it advises to 'Double if possible, otherwise stand' when holding A,7 against a dealer’s 3-6. I’m curious about the reasoning behind choosing to stand. If you’re open to doubling down but can't, wouldn't it make sense to at least take another card since you were considering doing so? Thank you for your response!

If players have the opportunity to double their bet and stand, that scenario is preferable compared to a standard double. Thus, taking another card in this situation can actually weaken the player’s hand, yet it is beneficial to place a larger stake down initially.

anonymous

I attempted to locate your evaluations of online casinos, but the webpage indicates that they are no longer accessible. Personally, I find it valuable to know if a casino has any dubious practices. What led to the removal of those reviews?

That's a valid inquiry. For those unaware, I used to compile reviews of all the online casinos I experienced and had a database of over 50 reviews. A significant challenge was the influx of requests from casinos not on the list wishing to be included. Since I received no compensation for these reviews, and they could potentially redirect customers from paying advertisers, the situation became tricky. Additionally, the quality of online casinos can fluctuate significantly. I faced criticism on forums for endorsing casinos that later deteriorated in quality. Consequently, I began deleting reviews older than a year. However, handling requests for inclusion and addressing complaints from dissatisfied players regarding previously positive reviews became burdensome. Since my site doesn’t generate substantial revenue, I felt that maintaining that section wasn't worth the trouble.

anonymous

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