Mission accomplished
Dear Mark,
I go to Atlantic City about two times a month, stay overnight
and lose a bundle. I just love it. My question: I play a "Reel-em-in"
25-cent slot machine. Now you can bet up to 45 quarters on
these machines. Well, after losing so much money, I found
these same machines in the nickel denomination. Now I find
that I can play 45 nickels and it is only $2.25 a hand compared
to $11.25 a hand on quarter machines. Would it be better to
play a dollar slot with 2 coins in ($2) or play the nickels
at $2.25 with 45 nickels in? Same with the quarter slots.
Play with 45 quarters at $11.25 a hand or play a $5 slot with
2 coins in ($10.00)? I always thought the higher the denomination
machine, the better your chances of winning. Please give me
your feedback. Loretta K.
You have many questions, Loretta, but let's start with "lose
a bundle and just loving it." I can't help but think:
are you really having fun when you're losing? Taken as known,
the casino has but two goals: separate you from your money
and put a smile on your face. Evidently with you they have
achieved their objective.
Your style of play creates this scenario. Insert multiple
coins, play for a short while, lose, go home.
Essentially, you are aggravating an already bad situation
by risking more, at a much faster rate, on a game with a high
negative expectation. For every dollar you insert, Loretta,
the casino is going to keep around nine cents, and it doesn't
matter whether you pump in 5 or 45 quarters. This is a certainty
for two reasons. First, slot machines are pre-programmed to
return a certain percentage to the player and second, New
Jersey casinos, by law, make public the average percent of
each wager that is returned to the player.
Quarter machines (25¢) in Atlantic City return on average
90.5 cents of each dollar played compared to 91.7 on a dollar
machine. Hardly a break on the Jersey Shore when you bump
up to a higher denomination machine.
Furthermore, weigh the 90.5¢ return on Jersey's quarter
machines against the following gaming jurisdictions and you'll
notice that Atlantic City slot machines are no bargain: Colorado
94.1; Illinois 92.4; Iowa 92.4; Nevada 94.7.
My gambling recommendation to you is as follows. Bet a whole
lot less, like nickel or quarter machines with a five coin
maximum, or make nominal wagers on some of the smarter bets
I suggest weekly in this column. Then, write me back and let
me know how much more you enjoy gambling when you break even
for a trip or, better yet, actually win and put a few of the
casino's dollars in your purse.
Dear Mark,
I would like to know the correct basic strategy play for a
soft 18. I learned that when one has an ace/seven, the smart
play is to stand on a dealer's 2, 7, 8, and hit all others.
With my limited mathematical skills, I have come to accept
this as correct. However, I still get looks from dealers when
I play out the hand. What do you think? Steve L.
Your play is nearly correct. An ace-seven is one of those
tricky hands about which numerous experts disagree. The general
consensus is to stand on 2, 7, 8; double down when playing
rules allow it against a 3-6; and hit against a 9 or 10 count
card. But against an ace the pros are nearly divided between
hitting and standing. I side with the half that recommends
hitting versus standing when fronting an ace.
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