News archive

The Story of Henry Tamburin: How I Learn to Play Blackjack
I learned to play blackjack after I lost my meager bankroll in a casino on my very first trip to Las Vegas. Here’s how this happened. In 1969 my wife Linda and I were living in...

Shooting Dice at Craps: Tips, Insights and Type of Shooters
Very few players alive today had the privilege that I had; that is, knowing and learning from the legendary Captain of craps, the late, great dice player, craps expert and...

What is the Triple Zero Roulette Wheel?
As casino axioms go, this one from roulette is a basic that everyone should know: The house edge at roulette is derived from the zeroes. Roulette odds are dependent on the zeroes.

Casino Table Games Evolvements
Even the oldest table games can have new wrinkles, and roulette, craps and blackjack are some of the longest-running player favorites...

What Is Shuffle Tracking in Blackjack?
I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts that you have heard about the basic playing strategy and card counting in blackjack. However, I’ll bet the ranch that this isn’t the case with...

Best Strategies for Mississippi Stud Poker
The old poker maxim that you have to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em is much more than a cliché when it comes to Mississippi Stud Poker. It's what...

The Numbers (and bets) of Roulette
Roulette is a game of numbers with three colors thrown in; red, black and green (sometimes the color blue substitutes for green). Players can bet on one number and on as many as...

The Facts on Hitting a Royal Flush at Video Poker
Let’s face it. What all video poker players hope (and pray) for is that the next hand will give them a royal flush because that results in an immediate 4,000 coin payoff. But...

How to Play a Double-Deck Blackjack Game
One of the questions I often get from blackjack players is this: My favorite casino just installed a double-deck blackjack game. What changes do I need to make to my playing...

Four Reasons for Blackjack’s Popularity
Have you ever wondered why blackjack has been the most popular table game in casinos for the past 50 or so years? Its popularity arises for these four reasons.

Betting the Numbers at Roulette
Roulette is a game of strategy, and it's all about the numbers; individual numbers, high numbers, low numbers, red numbers, black numbers, odd numbers, even numbers, and...

Double Down at Blackjack: The Right Way to Take Advantage
Whenever basic strategy tables call for land-based or online blackjack players to double down, it’s because players have an advantage. It’s a chance to turn a profitable hand...

How to Play a Soft 17 in Blackjack?
One of the hands that often confound blackjack players is when they are dealt a soft 17. Should I stand or hit? What about doubling down? What follows are the facts on how to...

Why Am I Still Losing at Blackjack?
Basic strategy players and card counters have asked me that question umpteen times over the course of nearly 50 years of playing, teaching, and writing about blackjack. This is...

Five Biggest Casinos in the World
For some gamblers, bigger is better – and that does not apply only to how much they wager or to the square-footage of their suites. There is also something special about playing...