Dear Mark,
Why has the term "odds"
been so closely associated with gambling? Terry K.
The laws
of probability, Terry, on which odds are based, are as highly respected
a branch of mathematics as geometry, trigonometry or differential
calculus. Odds are used in business, science, military planning,
mortality rates and virtually all human endeavors-including gambling.
Most gamblers don't realize it, but every
time they enter a casino the odds are 2 to 1 against them no matter
which game they play. First, you go to war with the casino, which has an
edge on each and every bet, and second, we all must do battle with the
ultimate demon-ourselves.
There is your 2 to 1 against.
Dear Mark,
In blackjack, why is it
that when the deck is rich in aces and face cards it favors the player?
Gary C.
There are two reasons. First, blackjacks
will appear more often when there is a higher proportion of aces in the
deck, and as you know blackjacks pay the player 3 to 2. Second, the
dealer will bust more when he has a "stiff" (12 through 16). The player,
given the same opportunity, would stand on stiffs, whereas the dealer is
forced by the rules of the game to hit away and hopefully bust.
Dear Mark,
My friend believes that
all roulette tables operate on streaks and you should only wager on
numbers that have recently appeared. I believe, and I am sure you will
concur, that he is full of it. I could use some help convincing my
friend. Steve B.
A streak is nothing more than a backward
glimpse at probability and should not be taken into consideration in
most, if not all, gaming situations.
Roulette wheels, Steve, do not operate
with artificial intelligence nor do they have any way of remembering
which past numbers have hit. Each spin is an independent event that is
not controlled by past spins.
Your friend's theory has zero merit.
Dear Mark,
Could you please explain
how much the progressive meter rises on both your average slot and video
poker machine? Jane B.
The rate at which the meter progresses
upward is based on a pre-set percentage of all the money cycled through
the machine. The meter rates will vary from machine to machine, casino
to casino. If you are playing an individual progressive, expect an
advance rate of five to 10 percent of the money played. Example: A
dollar wagered, the jackpot goes up 10¢. Machines that are tied
together, like a bank (carousel) or networked slots like Megabucks or
Quartermania, involve a much lower progressive rate. In return, you are
provided a mega jackpot-a.k.a. big, big bucks.
On your typical video poker machine, the
meters rise on the average of between .25 and two percent with one
percent being the industry average.
Dear Mark,
If I may, a quick
history question. Who invented the slot machine? Ted G.
The
first mechanical slot machine, the Liberty Bell, was invented in 1895 by
Charles Fey, a San Francisco mechanic. Fey's machine housed three
spinning reels, each decorated with diamonds, spades, hearts and one
cracked Liberty Bell per reel. When the bells lined up, they produced
your biggest payoff: 10 nickels.
If you are ever in Reno, Ted, the
original Liberty Bell is on display at the Liberty Belle Saloon &
Restaurant, on 4250 S. Virginia.
Dear Mark,
The video poker card
that comes with your Hooked on Winning audio cassette series states that
a 2-card royal (Ace, no 10) is a more powerful hand than a 2-card royal
(10, no Ace). Why is that? Barney G.
A two card royal with an ace (jack of
hearts, ace of hearts) is a preferable hand because if you draw an
additional ace, you will get your initial wager returned for the pair of
aces. Whereas if you were to draw a second 10, zilch is your payoff.
