Lost ticket at the Luxor -- August 28, 2006

The Wizard's News

From the Wizard..

Redesign our website - $500 contest

Bluejay emphasizes that I should start by informing you about the $500 competition for redesigning Wnternetradiomercedes.com mentioned below, as you might miss it if you don’t read through to the end of the newsletter. Make sure to check out the contest details at the conclusion.

My gambling adventures

Recently, I've been dividing my gaming focus between video poker and online gambling. While in Vegas, I’ve been trying my luck with 9/6 games at various venues. Sometimes, despite the potential for cash back, this play can still yield a negative expected value. My objective, however, is to surpass 100% through mailers, comps, and tournaments. This month, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time at Treasure Island, hoping to acquire a mix of double shopping points along with a complimentary cruise by aiming for 150,000 points. I might delve into that more in my next newsletter. Jacks or Better and NSUD deuces wild On the online front, I've been pursuing various bonuses, utilizing my usual approach of aiming for a substantial win quickly or risking it all in the process. My tactic is to refrain from spending time and money on fulfilling the wagering requirements unless I land a significant win right out of the gate.

Overall, things have been quite promising across both arenas. The year 2006 continues to be a positive one for my gambling experiences, and I'm eager to fully immerse myself in NFL props once the regular season kicks off.

I find myself concerned that the United States is veering towards a theocratic governance at times. A recent occurrence illustrates this: the House of Representatives voted 317 to 93 in favor of specifically criminalizing Internet gambling, with a mere 23% supporting individual liberties. This reflects poorly on our society, in my opinion. I have provided a more extensive commentary (link removed) regarding this on the website.

H.R. 4411: The Internet gambling ban

It’s somewhat embarrassing for me to share this experience, but I’ll endure it to give the Luxor some favorable recognition. Not long ago, I was enjoying a game of $1 ten-play 9/6 jacks or better video poker at the Luxor. After approximately half an hour of gameplay, I was lucky enough to hit a royal flush worth $4000. After receiving my payout, I felt it was late and decided to leave on a winning note. However, I had $910 in credits still on the machine that I inadvertently left behind. At that moment, I was carrying a substantial amount of cash, so I didn’t notice the oversight.

Lost ticket at the Luxor

A few days later, I received a call from a slot supervisor at the Luxor. He mentioned he had been anticipating my return to collect my $910 ticket. They waited several hours for me to come back and ask about it, but I never showed up. Maybe they retrieved my contact information from my player card linked with the W2G. Since the Luxor is quite a distance from my home on the west side of Vegas, they graciously opted to mail me a check for the full $910.

I want to extend my gratitude to the slot department at the Luxor for their integrity. I particularly want to acknowledge the assistant slot shift manager who reached out to me. I won't disclose his full name as I’m not sure he wants that shared, but his initials are MP.

I have been quoted in an article published in the Las Vegas Review Journal on August 10 regarding Megabucks advertising. (link removed) The discussion revolves around the practice of IGT (the manufacturer) launching advertisements proclaiming 'Overdue Jackpot' when the Megabucks jackpot reaches a certain threshold. Despite the emphasis, a disclaimer at the bottom states that the odds of winning do not adjust based on time. I have always criticized such advertising as it reinforces the misconception that a jackpot is more likely to be won when it hasn’t been hit in a while. The probability of achieving a jackpot remains constant for every spin. The reporter of the article shares my critical stance on the ad and effectively challenges its claims.

Pennies 'ready to pop'?

In the previous newsletter, I mentioned a issue with Odds On software. This time we are facing an entirely different controversy related to Microgaming software.

Microgaming double-up controversy

This controversy involves the mechanics of doubling in Microgaming video poker, which suggests that the result is predetermined long before the player selects a card. A player became aware that hovering over the bottom left of the screen revealed their balance, reflecting the outcome of the double-up bet, which hadn’t been finalized yet. Apparently, the game's structure means that when a player opts to double, the server immediately determines the player's card, the dealer's card, and three additional cards. The dealer's card is then revealed straight away. Regardless of which card the player chooses, they receive the outcome they were destined to get alongside three inconsequential cards. double-up controversy Some members of the Microgaming forum have expressed frustration over the lack of control they have over the results, which is indeed accurate. Nevertheless, I believe this reaction is somewhat exaggerated. The crucial fact is that the odds are genuinely 50/50, and I firmly believe that holds true. According to a programmer at a prominent slot manufacturer (who prefers to remain anonymous), in land-based casino slot machines, outcomes of 'pick-em' style bonus rounds often do not relate to the icon a player selects. Various methods exist for programming bonus rounds. Typically, the prize is decided the moment the player makes their choice, and which icon they pick is inconsequential. The single regulatory requirement is that if the prizes that were not picked are displayed, they must have been determined in the same way as the winning selection. Hence, I regard it as poor programming to allow players to uncover this fact. However, as long as the odds remain at 50/50, I see no reason for concern.

A player reported at Casinomeister I've been a loyal supporter for a long time. I appreciate the effort to keep things interesting. I just watched a segment on CGTV (Canadian Gaming TV) entitled \"Casino Life,\" which focused on Caribbean Stud Poker. The show's host praised you and your website, highlighting your strategy for this game. Later, I noticed that you received credit for your insights. Does this bring you revenue, or is it merely a publicity boost? -- Peter from Ottawa, Canada

I appreciate your kind words. Yes, I granted Casino Life permission to utilize my content. I'm pleased they acknowledged me well. No, I haven’t received any payment from them. Additionally, I haven't been compensated for my appearances on the Travel Channel in the United States either. I participate for the enjoyment and the exposure.

Ask the Wizard!

Here's an excerpt from the newest Ask the Wizard column #172.

I'm quite intrigued by the notion of turning the small house edge in blackjack into an effectively balanced game against the house. While I understand this won't drastically alter my results, I see it as a psychological hurdle that many players strive to overcome. I adhere strictly to basic strategy and am at ease with employing card counting techniques, specifically the Hi-Lo system; however, I mainly do it for the challenge at present as my bet spreading is minimal. -- Erik B. from Toronto, Ontario

I hope you are pleased; I dedicated a week to this project, on and off. Using the Hi-Lo strategy, it's essential to spread your bets to 4 or 5 units in a six-deck game. However, I concocted a much simpler version using the ace/five count. You can find the details in my section on the

. This approach is my own take on the renowned ace/five count in blackjack, providing an easy card counting method to sway the odds slightly in your favor.

. This is a newly introduced game at Real Time Gaming casinos, including Bodog. It bears resemblance to Three Card Poker but features distinct scoring rules and a lower house edge. Wizard Ace/Five Count .

(Read more Ask the Wizard .)

What's new on the site

Wizard Ace/Five Count HR 4411 (link removed). The House of Representatives has cast a vote of 316 to 93 in favor of prohibiting Internet gambling. In my view, this impinges on individual liberties as the government seeks to control how adults spend their own money within their homes. As always, there are convenient exceptions when the government is involved.

Vegas Three Card Rummy Nim (link removed). To teach myself JavaScript, I developed this classic game. Although it's not related to gambling, I hope you'll find it enjoyable.

. For years you've expressed interest, and I've finally completed an analysis of this poker-based table game.

. Various keno probabilities and propositions.

Texas Shootout . This video poker game by Cryptologic reintegrates the discards into the deck while providing a bonus for retrieving them on the draw. It was a significant undertaking, so I invite you to take a look.

Keno Props And, of course, expect new Ask the Wizard columns ,

Bonus Video Poker Until we meet again, aim high with your expectations.

$500 competition geared towards redesigning Wnternetradiomercedes.com #167 , 168 , 169 , 170 , 171 , and 172 .

We're considering enhancing the visual appeal of Wnternetradiomercedes.com, and we welcome our readers to share their design concepts with us. Exciting rewards await the creators of the best designs:

From the Michael Bluejay ..

The 468x60 banner is no longer needed. As that top banner has been eliminated, please refrain from including it in your design. In fact, the decision to remove that banner initiated this entire redesign effort.

The area that must be redesigned is the upper section, located above the menus. However, you are free to modify the sidebar and the navigation bar if you wish. Feel free to adjust the background and heading colors within the content area as well.

• $300 - 1st place
• $200 - 2nd place
• $100 - 3rd place
• Copy of the Wizard's book, Gambling 102 -4th & 5th places

Criteria for the redesign

• Whether you choose a subtle enhancement or a complete, imaginative overhaul -- or anything in between -- your creativity is welcome.
• You may utilize the existing logo or come up with a brand new one. You’re not restricted to the current size; it can be larger. Whether it’s small, medium, or large — just make sure it suits your design.
• Extend that menu bar all the way across the page if you'd like, or don't. Additionally, you're welcome to integrate the Search box into the menu bar if you believe it's a good fit. The main idea here is to let your creativity flow.
• Feel free to add images, or leave them out. Currently, we have a sparse amount of graphics. You can either maintain that simplicity, add a multitude of images, or find a balance between the two.
• Explore the Top Online Casinos Available in Your Region
• Calculator for Estimating Lottery Jackpot Ticket Sales
• Participate in Slot Tournaments Offering Huge Prize Pools

How to enter

Bluejay emphasizes that I should start by mentioning the $500 contest aimed at redesigning Wnternetradiomercedes.com mentioned below, since you might miss it if you don't read through to the end of the newsletter. Make sure to check out the contest details at the conclusion.

Recently, I have been splitting my gaming activities between video poker and online platforms. In Las Vegas, I've been enjoying 9/6 at various locations throughout the city. At times, this play could yield a negative expected value even after factoring in cashback offers. However, my objective is to surpass 100% returns combined with mailers, complimentary services, and tournaments. I’ve had a good amount of play at Treasure Island this month, aiming to accumulate enough points for a combination of double shopping points and a complimentary cruise by reaching 150,000 points. I may elaborate on this in more detail in the next edition of the newsletter.

In the online realm, I've been seeking out bonuses here and there, sticking to my regular tactic of aiming for a big win early or busting out in the process. My approach is to avoid wasting my time or money on meeting wagering requirements unless I’ve already struck it lucky.

Overall, I’ve been doing well on both ends. The year 2006 continues to be a favorable one for my gambling pursuits. I'm eager to dive deeper into NFL prop bets as the regular season kicks off.

How to win

I sometimes find myself concerned that the U.S. is moving towards a theocratic government. A recent instance of this was the House of Representatives voting 317 to 93 to explicitly ban Internet gambling. Only 23% voted in favor of individual freedom, which I find quite disheartening. I have a longer commentary (link removed) about this on the website.

I’m slightly embarrassed to share this story, but I’ll endure it for the sake of giving Luxor some positive recognition. Not long ago, while playing $1 ten-play 9/6 jacks or better video poker at the Luxor, I got lucky and hit a $4000 royal flush after about half an hour of play. After collecting my winnings, I felt it was late and decided to leave on a high note. However, I accidentally left behind $910 in credits on the machine. I didn't notice this at the time since I was carrying a significant amount of cash.

A few days later, I received a phone call from a slot supervisor at the Luxor. He informed me that he had been waiting for me to return and collect my $910 ticket. They had waited for hours, but I never came back to inquire about it. It seems they might have obtained my phone number from my player card on the W2G. Since the Luxor is quite far from where I live on the west side of Vegas, they kindly mailed me a check for $910.

1. New Design A
2. Current Design
3. New Design B
4. New Design C

I would like to express my gratitude to the slot department at the Luxor for their integrity. Specifically, I want to thank the assistant slot shift manager who reached out to me. I’m uncertain if he would prefer his name to be mentioned, so I’ll simply refer to his initials as MP.

I'm cited in an article in the Las Vegas Review Journal dated August 10 regarding Megabucks promotion. (link removed) The article discusses how when Megabucks reaches a certain threshold, IGT (the manufacturer) runs advertisements claiming in large text "Overdue Jackpot." In smaller print, a disclaimer states something along the lines of 'statistically overdue, odds of winning do not change.' I have often criticized this type of advertising. It perpetuates the misconception that a jackpot is more likely to be won the longer it has been since the last win. As I have reiterated numerous times, the probability of hitting a jackpot on any particular spin of a slot machine remains constant regardless of how much time has elapsed since the previous jackpot. The article's author also critiques this advertising and effectively challenges its claims.

Okay, get to it. Good luck!

Written by: Michael Shackleford