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The GameMaster Advisor
for June of 1999

GameMaster
I am going to Atlantic city (Bally's) this summer and would like tips on playing the slots. Is that possible? Thank you in advance Looking forward to your answer.
Thanks, Donald

Dear Donald,
The only slots which can be beaten are those with a banking feature. You can read about them in my "GameMaster's Secrets" column which you can access by clicking on the 'GMO Secrets' tab on the left side of the front page.

You should really give some thought to taking up Video Poker. I've just begun a series called "A Video Poker Primer" which can be found on the Video Poker page of my site.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/29/99


Good sir,
My name is Charles and I am an aspiring counter in Calgary, Alberta. The game is reasonable: 4 decks, H17, DOA, DAS, Early Surrender vs. 10, LS vs. Ace = -0.3% off the top. I use a Hi-Lo count, and have been practicing with something similar to the system you posted on your board: $2 with TC < 1, $5 at TC = 1, then $2.50 for each additional TC. I do not intend to make money yet, but the hope is that I can hone my skills, and once I refine my skills, start to make some reasonable coin - not as a living, since my career in computers will always be my first priority - but the prospect of taking a 6-week vacation AND paying for it through a gambling type trust fund is very, very alluring.

I have a couple of technical questions, and some vague ones. Since your site content reveals you as a purveyor of truth, I would value your input.

1.) In Calgary, Alberta, the surrender rules are a hybrid: You may early surrender against a ten, and *IF* the table has a hole-card reader, you may late surrender against an ace. Since all of Alberta is Hit Soft 17, this is actually useful.

Given Hit Soft 17 and Double After Split,

1a.) What are the *late* surrender indices against an ace for Hi-Lo?

Surrender 10-6, 9-7, at -4 or higher
Do not surrender 8-8
Surrender 15 at 0 or higher
Surrender 14 at 4 or higher

1b.) What are the *early* surrender indices against a ten for Hi-Lo?

Surrender hard 17 at 5 or higher
Surrender 10-6, 9-7 at -5 or higher
Surrender 8-8 at -2 or higher
Surrender 15 at -2 or higher
Surrender 14 at 0 or higher
Surrender 13 at 3 or higher
Surrender 12 at 8 or higher

1c.) What are the other surrender indices for Hi-Lo?

These are 'early':
Surrender 10-6, 9-7 against a 9 at 0 or higher and against an 8 at 4 or higher
Surrender 8-8 against a 9 at 7 or higher
Surrender 15 against a 9 at 2 or higher; against an 8 at 7 or higher
Surrender 14 against a 9 at 6 or higher

(for both 4 and 6 decks would be appreciated.)

They are the same.

2.) What is the optimal strategy for Carribean *DRAW* poker?

Call when you have a hand of A,K,J,8,3 or better. Don't forget the 2+% house edge, though.

3.) Is it true that machines with "bank-type" payouts that are variable, such as the "Wild Cherry Pie" or the "Piggy Bank" game, have a positive expectancy? If so, do you know at what payout level they are +EV, or where to find such information?

I wrote a column about this in my "GameMaster's Secrets" area. Just click on the tab "GMO Secrets" which you'll find on the left side of the front page. It's called "Beatable Slots".

Now for the other types of questions:

4.) How do you keep your temper faced with the tragic irony of the other players calling *you* the idiot when you do "stupid" things like double A-8 v 6, split 9-9 v 5, or split T-T v 6 (with TC > 4, of course)? What do you say to them? What do you say to yourself?

I usually say nothing to them. I say to myself, "I'm here for the $$$, not their approval." But, I do not split 10s simply because it attracts so much attention.

5.) Is blackjack as we know it going to die in the next little while? So far, every electronic or mechanical attempt to stump counters has failed (Mikohn's "SafeJack", continuous shufflers etc) but how long will this continue?

I believe Blackjack opportunities will get even better, due to the extreme competition in the business.

Thanks again for your time, sir. I hope to hear from you soon and thanks for running such a wonderful site!
Charles

Thanks for the kind words.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/29/99


GameMaster,
I would like to know how much of a bankroll you think is needed to play video poker professionally. It seems to me that if you only play games where you have a 1% edge and play 650 hands/hour, 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year on a dollar game you could earn about $65,000 per year ($5 x 650 x 40 x 50 x .01). I would think you probably would need a bankroll of about $25,000 to withstand any royal flush dryspells.
What do you think? Scott

Dear Scott,
Your figures are correct regarding the income potential of such a venture, but the difficult part will be maintaining that 1% edge. However, if you can find dollar full-pay Deuces Wild games (100.7% long term return) at a casino that offers a .3% slot club, then a $25,000 BR will have a 'risk of ruin' probability of about 5%. Just for the record, I use a figure of .75% average advantage and find that a $30,000 BR is necessary, since I play a lot of 9/6 Jacks with progressive Royals. You also need to exploit 'double points day' and other such promos to the max. But it can be done, if you don't get bored to death in the process.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/28/99


Gamemaster,
I am interested in playing video blackjack and there are many opportunities in North and South Carolina. In the single player games, the machines claim that the deck is shuffled after each hand. I called the Harrahs casino in Cherokee, NC to ask if it is a truely random shuffle. An employee told me that the machines are guaranteed to return 97% - that this is a state requirement. Therefore, if a particular machine is returning a higher percentage, then after a while it will start returning a lower percentage and vice-versa. He seemed to be saying that the machinges change the probability of dealing certain cards depending on how many dollars have recently been paid out. Is this true? If so, is it also true in South Carolina?

I don't know if it's true or not (at least in N.C.), but the games don't have to be 'rigged' in order to give the casino the edge they want. For example, in most areas, the video Blackjack games pay even money on a 'blackjack' and that gives the casino a built-in edge which cannot be overcome because counting doesn't work, due to the deck being shuffled after every hand. It sounds to me like the games in your area should be avoided.

Do you know what the odds are of winning video blackjack with the basic strategy? I have written a program to compute the odds for several variations and am interested if any one else has done so, so that I can verify my program.

The casino's edge (assuming a 'fair' game) depends upon the rules, like does the dealer hit or stand on A-6, is double permitted on any first two cards, does a natural pay 3:2, etc. The effect of these rules on a game have been quantified by many Blackjack authors and a listing may be found on the Blackjack Page of my site in the archives at the bottom. Click on the story "Evaluating Games.

Thanks

You're welcome.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/26/99


GameMaster,
I'm going to Vegas in a couple of weeks. I read your section on counting cards and have started to learn how, but I only have 200 or so dollars to play with. Can I still use the card counting technique and what would be the best way to use it? Obviously I can't use the table that you list under money management because the bets would end up being much much lower than the table minimums. Also, do you have any recommendations on where the best places to play black jack are? I'm gonna be staying at the Imperial Palace.
Thanks in advance and your site is great!!!
Rob

Dear Rob,
Thanks for the compliments. Let's face it; with a $200 bankroll, you don't have a big chance of winning, but you'll probably learn a lot, so consider it an investment in your Blackjack skills. Go up the Strip to Casino Royale, which is near the I.P. where they have some $1 games available and play there. You'll likely be at a 6-deck game (check their double-deck, though; if it's a $1 minimum, all I'm going to recommend still applies), so bet $1 until the True Count gets to 3, then go to $3; at 4, bet $4 and add $1 for each increase in the True Count; top out at $8. With 25 'top' bets, your probability of being totally wiped out in 16 hours of play is actually fairly small, so if you play with good discipline, your expectation is to make about $2.60. Let me know how you do.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/16/99


Hi......I wanted to know how many different kinds of blackjacks are there in Las Vegas?? I am leaving to Vegas tomorrow...and will be going there again in July... I just started to play blackjack in Vancouver, Canada. And here, there are 6 decks of cards, the dealer's card are faced up, shuffle by the dealer, and they have to hit soft 17. But, last week, I was in Seattle and their blackjack is called Progressive blackjack, with one of the cards face down. I was not used to it at all and lost some money on it. Please give me some advice.
Thanks,
Angela

Dear Angela,
For the most part, you'll find single-, double- and six-deck Blackjack in Las Vegas. Stick with a good 6-deck game, most of which are like the games you have in Vancouver, until you read my lessons on how to play single-deck Blackjack (if you're counting cards). If you're not counting, try some single-deck so you can see how the cards are handled; it's different than a 'face-up' game.
Good luck and let us know how you do.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/16/99


Dear Gamemaster,
I found the Gamemaster web site after reading an article in Chance magazine. I am particularly interested in cards especially Blackjack. I have enjoyed reading your articles I have especially enjoyed your strategy tips . I have a couple of questions that I haven't seen the answers for in any articles that I've read:

1) Basic strategy says to double down with 11 against a dealers 2-10. Why don't you double against an Ace ? The dealer checks his hole card before continuing so you know he doesn't have a ten under.

Even though the dealer doesn't have a Blackjack, the Ace is still a very powerful card for him or her to have and s/he may still make a good hand. But, if the dealer is required to hit A-6, then proper basic strategy says to double. Also, if you're counting cards, you double 11 against a dealer's Ace at a true count of 1 or higher, even if s/he must stand with A-6. Got that?

2) I know you should " never take insurance " against a dealers Ace. What about taking "even money" when you have a Blackjack and the dealer has an Ace showing?

That's not the worst mistake you can make at the game. Taking 'even-money' costs you only 4% of all the $$$ you'll bet in that situation and, if you're only a casual player, go ahead and lock up the win. I do it whenever I have more than the minimum bet, because it costs very little and the move makes me look like a 'gambler'.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/14/99


Dear GameMaster,
I'm a fanatic blackjack player here in the Netherlands and know a lot but I have a few questions and hope you can / will answer them for me.
First , the rules here in Holland:

DAS (only 9, 10, 11)
Re- split aces
Split as often as you want
no early surrender
and the game is played through a 'continuous shoe' ...

My questions:
1. I have frequent arguments with people when I'm sitting at the last seat of the table and I hit with 15 or 16 against the dealer's 10. I play basic and what I'm doing is the correct play, but the other players get mad because they say to leave the small card for the dealer... how can I explain to them that it's better to hit? What is the best argument?

I seldom explain my play. You are doing the right thing and those who complain just want someone to blame for their losses. Anybody can play a hand correctly after the cards have been dealt.

2. 8,8 against the dealers 10 or A must be split. Please explain to me why it make sense to risk more money against such a strong card...

A hand of 16 is a loser against a dealer's Ace or 10, no matter what you do. But you lose less by splitting, even though you're putting up an additional bet. That's because you now have two hands of 8 and which would you rather hit - 16 or 8?

3. A,A against the dealers A. I've read a lot of basic strategy tables and some say split while others say hit. What is the best thing to do with the rules here in Holland?

It all depends. If the dealer does not take a hole card and if you lose all bets of a double or split if s/he gets a 'blackjack', then the proper strategy is to hit A,A against an Ace. If the extra bets are returned, then split.

4. If the dealer doesn't take a "hole card", does it make a difference on how to play ???? Or does it affect the house edge?

Like the example above, if the dealer wins all extra bets when s/he gets a blackjack, then it gives the house a bit of an extra edge (about .2%) and the basic strategy is modified so that you never split or double against a dealer's 10 or Ace, except you continue to split Aces against a 10.

Hope you find the time to answer these questions because I want to write a good book on casino games here in the Netherlands and don't want to make a lot of mistakes.
Richard.....
ricky@chello.nl

I hope this helps.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/6/99


GameMaster,
I have been a serious blackjack player for some time, but I am having trouble finding a place to play (with webtv) that will accept a high bet --such as $50. I cannot download and don't have java. I'm new at all this online stuff, and thought you might be able to help me.
Please help--
Robin

Dear Robin,
I have seen, in the past, ads from casinos where no downloads are required, but there are so many of them, I can't remember which is which. We'll post this on our site and perhaps a reader can help. Also, you might want to try the search engines to see if they point you in the right direction. It's hard to imagine that there are no casinos catering to the very large Web-TV audience.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/5/99


Dear Gamemaster,
My local gambling den , the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia, sent me a mailer to tell me about their new game of pontoon. Now knowing the casino is there to seperate me from my money, can you tell the house advantage on the following rules for a basic stragegy player and if there are any extra strategy plays to be aware of in this instance.

8 decks, each deck has the "10" cards removed, 10 hearts,spades,etc to make 48 cards per deck.

Dealer deals 2 cards to each player and ONE to dealer.

Pontoon pays 3 to 2
5 cards totalling 21pays 3 to 2
6,7,8 mixed suits pays 3 to 2
7,7,7 mixed suits pays 3 to 2
6 cards totalling 21 pays 2 to1
6,7,8 same suits (except spades) pays 2 to 1
7,7,7 same suits ( except spades) pays 2 to 1
7 of more cards totalling 21 pays 3 to 1
6,7,8 all spades pays 3 to 1
7,7,7, all spades pays 3 to 1
All other winning wagers pays 1 to 1
Bonus payout extra to normal payout:
7,7,7 same suit and dealer any 7 pays $1000 if bet $5 to $24, $5000 if bet $25 or greater.

Dealer draws to soft 17.
Split to 3 hands.
Aces split once only and receive only one additional card to each hand.
Player may double on any two or more cards.
Double after splits.
Player has option after doubling to take back the double portion of bet and forfeit original bet.
Player may surrender half original bet if dealers card is Ace, King, Queen, or Jack. If dealer achieves pontoon, no surrender is available and entire bet lost.
All player pontoons beat dealer pontoon.
All payer totals of 21 beat dealer total of 21
If the dealer obtains pontoon after the player doubles only the original bet is lost.
If the player doubles and obtains a total of 21 the player wins regardless of the dealers hand.

yours sincerely,
Keith

Dear Keith,
This is what we call "Spanish" Blackjack here (though your version has a few minor variations) and, as you surmised, it's not a game to play if one is interested in making $$$. The casino's edge is about .85%, almost twice that of a 'regular' game.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
6/4/99