Index I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII - IX - X

• Inside a cybernetic one-armed bandit
  -- Dear Mark,
  On the weekends, do casinos make adjustments on their video poker machines to make more money? Sam K...more>>

• Just say NO to keno
  -- Dear Mark:
  Though I'm not a keno player, my favorite casino offers a Special Bonus Keno ticket. All I have to do is hit 19 out of 20, and I win $250,000. Is this ticket worth a try? Marti S...more>>

• Las Vegas is Cheapskate City
  -- Dear Mark,
  I received an advertisement in the mail that offered a book of coupons that I can use on my next trip to Las Vegas. They wanted $4.95 for $200 worth of coupons. Is that a good deal? Terry C...more>>

• 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...more>>

• Mistakes shouldn't cause problems
  -- Dear Mark,
  I was in Atlantic City last week minding my own business on a blackjack game, when a player started verbally insulting me on how I played my hands. He told me I was ruining his hands and always taking the dealer's bust card. Do I really have that much control over the outcome of the game? Helen L...more>>

• Mutual funds versus blackjack
  -- Dear Mark,
  I've always felt that being in the stock market is the same as playing blackjack. They're both gambling. I might as well do something I love instead of giving some investment company my money to flush down the toilet. You're in gambling, do you agree? Ralph G...more>>

• A Nevada perspective from a chaise lounge
  -- Dear Mark,
  I have always enjoyed reading the history of the West and the free-spirited nature of its participants. Is there any one quote that best describes a Nevadan's attitude toward life? Gary H...more>>

• You no longer need to cut off both ends of the ham
  -- Dear Mark,
  I learned craps from my father, who learned it from his dad. We play your recommended pass line bet along with continual betting on the seven to hedge our line bet. In past columns you don't agree with that logic. Please explain. Marvin B...more>>

• Nothing is a sure bet in a casino, but streaks sure help
  -- Dear Mark,
  In roulette, if red came up five times in a row, would you advise switching over to the black since streaks do not last forever? Rich K...more>>

• The odds of you beating the casino are 2 to 1 against
  -- Dear Mark,
  Why has the term "odds" been so closely associated with gambling? Terry K...more>>