Reason #3 why the Wizard likes Bovada:

Excellent Odds

In my opinion many online casinos are too stingy when setting the odds on their games. They think they will make more money that way but I believe they are misguided, because when players lose too quickly it’s not fun, and those players might not come back.

Bovada is one of the few casinos that understands this. They offer generous odds to let you play longer and get you a better chance of winning. Among their generous offerings are Full-Pay Jacks or Better returning 99.54%, six other video poker games paying over 99%, single-zero roulette, and my favorite, Pick ’em Poker, returning 99.95%!

Kudos to Bovada for not being afraid to give their players a good gamble.

More about Bovada

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Ask the Wizard #25

Edition Date: Sep 3, 2000

How is the house edge derived in Three Card Poker (ante/play bet)?? I haven’t played yet, but my guess is that the edge comes from the fact that the player must decide whether to fold before the dealer. If the player folds and the dealer does not qualify, does the player get paid on the ante anyway?? Otherwise, it would seem an even game (which is obviously not the case). Thanks in advance.
— T.T. from Clarkston, Michigan

The house edge lies in the rule that if the player folds he loses, even if the dealer doesn’t qualify.

Hello, Michael... I’ve played a variation of video poker recently called "Triple Play". This machine allows one to play three hands at a time where the cards one holds are carried forward from the first hand to the other two. If one is dealt, say, four of a kind on the initial draw of five cards, one will be paid on all three hands. My impression is that one’s chances are more favorable on this machine versus standard jacks-or-better. Is this simply an illusion? Thanks in advance for your reply.
— Peter from Ottawa, Canada

Your odds are the same on a triple play machine as a single hand machine, assuming all other rules are equal. On a triple play machine you are paying for each play. For example if you bet 3 coins in a single hand machine you would get 3*25=75 coins for the four of a kind. In a triple play machine you have to bet 3 coins for three lines and would 25 for each one, again for a return of 75 coins.

In your experience which sites actually pay their affiliates for traffic. Am especially interested in Unified Gaming 10% deposit/lifetime. Thanks.
— Kevin from Bay, St. Louis, U.S.

I used to be a Gambler’s Palace and Sportbet affiliate, as well as some other Unified Gaming casinos. Both Gambler’s Palace and Sportbet seemed to pay me on a regular basis. These two had the most prominent positions on my site at the time. However it was hard to tell from which casino I was being paid. They all issued checks though the Bank of Nevis without any details about from who or why you were getting the check. Checks based on my own gambling winnings also came without explanation from the Bank of Nevis, making things even more confusing to keep track of.

First of all, I would like to add my name to the growing list of people who love your web site. Your information is quite valuable to both the beginning and expert gambler, and you present your findings in a pleasant, understandable, and even humorous manner. I always check out your site before I head to Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe just to remind me how to play smartly. Anyway, on to my question. Well, more of an observation: when the dealer pulls a 5 on a 16 for their sixth consecutive win, there’s always someone who gets up and leaves the table, muttering that the dealer is a mean cruel heartless soul, and goes in search of a "hotter" table. But is there any truth in this? Obviously the dealer is inconsequential to the cards dealt (I like to say the dealer is "simply a messenger of the cards") but are streaks in an 8-deck shoe inevitable, and even predictable? Or is it more like your roulette example, where the odds of each new round are exactly the same? Thanks once again for your web site.
— Dave K. from Beverly Hills, California

Thanks for your kind words. Streaks such as the dealer drawing a 5 to a 16 are inevitable but not predictable. Blackjack is not entirely a game of independent trials like roulette but the deck is not predisposed to run in streaks. For the non-card counter it may be assumed that the odds are the same in each new round. Putting aside some minor effects of deck composition, the dealer who pulled a 5 to a 16 the last five times in a row would be just as likely to do it the next time as the dealer who had been busting on 16 for several hours.

I want to play blackjack at Lasseters Casino. They use Access software i.e. Infinite number of decks ,split any pair and resplit once, double on any two cards, double after split and European hole card rule, and dealer stands on soft 17. Please supply me with the relevant Basic Strategy chart. Thank you.
— Peter from Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom

Here is my Lasseter’s basic strategy.

I found (and played at) 2 casinos that offer free cash for creating a real account. There is no purchase required. The two I found were 7 Sultans ($10) and Geisha Lounge. Are there any others like this?
— Jay Shertzer from Columbia, U.S.

I have seen several free money offers like these. Two that come to mind are the Colosseum Casino and the Grand Opry Casino. Both of these offer $20 for free. Personally I don’t get too excited over these offers. It isn’t worth the fuss of downloading the software and the hard disk space it takes up for only $20. However I have played at the two casinos I mentioned because they also had a deposit bonus in addition to the free money.

Concerning the Cash Splash progressive slot game played on Microgaming sites... Is the jackpot paid by all participating casinos? If so, does each casino have the same payout percentage set for these machines or is it set by each casino individually? What about mid level payouts on these Cash Splash machines? Thank you very much.
— Helen from Memphis, U.S.

I would assume that the odds are the same at all Microgaming casinos. All casinos probably contribute money to the same account from which the jackpot is paid. This way the individual casino from which the jackpot was hit does not have to reach into their own pocket when somebody wins. Mid level payouts are probably paid by the casino itself.

Your explanation of virtual versus physical slot machine reels was most informative.

Given the random number generator stops on a virtual Cherry say, how does the machine make the physical reel stop on a visible cherry? I mean technically speaking.
Does this explain how Pachislo machines from Japan can electronically alter payout percentages without altering the physical reel symbols?
Suppose the machine decides its time for a BAR, the only BAR on the third reel, just as one passes the payline. Does it let the reel go one full turn and catch it on the next go-round?
Suppose a physical reel stops on a paying combination by mistake, i.e. a symbol other than the virtual one pre-ordained. What happens then?
Thanks much.
— Larry Hatch from Redwood City, California

Let me answer each question individually.

It is just programming code that dictates to the machine that if the virtual reel stops on a cherry to make the actual reel stop on a cherry. There are actual notches on the reels which may help the machine to stop in the right place. If you peer through the glass at and angle you can sometimes see these notches. However I am not an engineer and am not sure exactly how the machine knows to stop at just the right moment. It just take it for granted that it can.
Theoretically the casino could change the payout on a slot machine with just a remote control. The remote control could tell the machine to use any previously programmed virtual reels. Practically speaking the major casinos need to get approval from the gaming authorities to change the payback of a machine. If they did get such authorization all a slot technician has to do is replace a chip inside the machine, known as an e-prom. This happens infrequently and would not warrant the expense of a remote control.
I don’t think the machine ever fails on the first try to stop where it wants. If we can send a man to the moon we can get a machine to stop a spinning reel where desired.
Again I don’t the machines ever make mistakes. However hypothetically speaking if it did accidently stop on paying symbols it would pay off. From what I understand it is the notches on the reels that actually indicate where the reels are and what the machine should pay.

What are the odds of rolling the same number with six dice in one roll?
— Kyle Hill from Colstrip, Montana

The odds of getting six of the same number with six dice is 6*(1/6)⁶=1/7776 =~ 0.01286%.

Where is the best place to find loose slots in casinos, if there is any?
— Bill Giessregen Jr. from Austin, U.S.

According to my research there are no good or bad areas. Either the casinos are consistent across the same coinage or the mix up loose and tight machines apparently randomly.

When a local gaming authority sets a minimum payout for slots does that minimum apply to each individual machine or a casino average payout? I know some games are set from the manufacturer higher than other and some lower. For example if the minimum is lets say 87% can one machine be set to 60% and another set to 120% for and average of 90% thus exceeding the minimum or does each machine must pay atlease 87%.
— Jim from U.S.

The minimum applies to every machine. Someone with the Gaming Control Board in Carson City, Nevada, told me that every machine in the state must meet minimum payback percentages. The only exception, he said, are on some antique machines in Virginia City.

What other options are open to an online casino player if they are dissatisfied with an online casinos response to a problem? My particular gripes are removal of a bonus for inactivity and requiring a copy of a credit card statement to cash out winnings.
— Rod from Newburgh, U.S.

There is not much you can do in the way of complaining to a higher authority. Some of the better jurisdictions have a government body to oversee the online casinos. However if you ever bring a specific complaint to their attention they seem to either do nothing or side with the casino. It is much more effective to raise a stink on Internet bulletin boards. This will usually not help resolve the problem but may give you some satisfaction of getting back at the casino. Gambling.com offers a service in which a disgruntled player can bring up a complaint and they will let the online casino respond to the charges. Sometimes this exposure motives the casino to correct a problem or offer a compromise. Most casinos will respond. In many cases the dispute is the result of the player trying to defraud the casino or a misunderstanding of the rules on the player’s part.


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Reason #3 why the Wizard likes Bovada: Excellent Odds In my opinion many online casinos are too stingy when setting the odds on their games. They think they will make more money that way but I believe they are misguided, because when players lose too quickly it’s not fun, and those players might not come back. Bovada is one of the few casinos that understands this. They offer generous odds to let you play longer and get you a better chance of winning. Among their generous offerings are Full-Pay Jacks or Better returning 99.54%, six other video poker games paying over 99%, single-zero roulette, and my favorite, Pick ’em Poker, returning 99.95%! Kudos to Bovada for not being afraid to give their players a good gamble. More about Bovada Visit Bovada	Ask the Wizard #25 Edition Date: Sep 3, 2000 How is the house edge derived in Three Card Poker (ante/play bet)?? I haven’t played yet, but my guess is that the edge comes from the fact that the player must decide whether to fold before the dealer. If the player folds and the dealer does not qualify, does the player get paid on the ante anyway?? Otherwise, it would seem an even game (which is obviously not the case). Thanks in advance. — T.T. from Clarkston, Michigan The house edge lies in the rule that if the player folds he loses, even if the dealer doesn’t qualify. Hello, Michael... I’ve played a variation of video poker recently called "Triple Play". This machine allows one to play three hands at a time where the cards one holds are carried forward from the first hand to the other two. If one is dealt, say, four of a kind on the initial draw of five cards, one will be paid on all three hands. My impression is that one’s chances are more favorable on this machine versus standard jacks-or-better. Is this simply an illusion? Thanks in advance for your reply. — Peter from Ottawa, Canada Your odds are the same on a triple play machine as a single hand machine, assuming all other rules are equal. On a triple play machine you are paying for each play. For example if you bet 3 coins in a single hand machine you would get 325=75 coins for the four of a kind. In a triple play machine you have to bet 3 coins for three lines and would 25 for each one, again for a return of 75 coins. In your experience which sites actually pay their affiliates for traffic. Am especially interested in Unified Gaming 10% deposit/lifetime. Thanks. — Kevin from Bay, St. Louis, U.S. I used to be a Gambler’s Palace and Sportbet affiliate, as well as some other Unified Gaming casinos. Both Gambler’s Palace and Sportbet seemed to pay me on a regular basis. These two had the most prominent positions on my site at the time. However it was hard to tell from which casino I was being paid. They all issued checks though the Bank of Nevis without any details about from who or why you were getting the check. Checks based on my own gambling winnings also came without explanation from the Bank of Nevis, making things even more confusing to keep track of. First of all, I would like to add my name to the growing list of people who love your web site. Your information is quite valuable to both the beginning and expert gambler, and you present your findings in a pleasant, understandable, and even humorous manner. I always check out your site before I head to Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe just to remind me how to play smartly. Anyway, on to my question. Well, more of an observation: when the dealer pulls a 5 on a 16 for their sixth consecutive win, there’s always someone who gets up and leaves the table, muttering that the dealer is a mean cruel heartless soul, and goes in search of a "hotter" table. But is there any truth in this? Obviously the dealer is inconsequential to the cards dealt (I like to say the dealer is "simply a messenger of the cards") but are streaks in an 8-deck shoe inevitable, and even predictable? Or is it more like your roulette example, where the odds of each new round are exactly the same? Thanks once again for your web site. — Dave K. from Beverly Hills, California Thanks for your kind words. Streaks such as the dealer drawing a 5 to a 16 are inevitable but not predictable. Blackjack is not entirely a game of independent trials like roulette but the deck is not predisposed to run in streaks. For the non-card counter it may be assumed that the odds are the same in each new round. Putting aside some minor effects of deck composition, the dealer who pulled a 5 to a 16 the last five times in a row would be just as likely to do it the next time as the dealer who had been busting on 16 for several hours. I want to play blackjack at Lasseters Casino. They use Access software i.e. Infinite number of decks ,split any pair and resplit once, double on any two cards, double after split and European hole card rule, and dealer stands on soft 17. Please supply me with the relevant Basic Strategy chart. Thank you. — Peter from Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom Here is my Lasseter’s basic strategy. I found (and played at) 2 casinos that offer free cash for creating a real account. There is no purchase required. The two I found were 7 Sultans ($10) and Geisha Lounge. Are there any others like this? — Jay Shertzer from Columbia, U.S. I have seen several free money offers like these. Two that come to mind are the Colosseum Casino and the Grand Opry Casino. Both of these offer $20 for free. Personally I don’t get too excited over these offers. It isn’t worth the fuss of downloading the software and the hard disk space it takes up for only $20. However I have played at the two casinos I mentioned because they also had a deposit bonus in addition to the free money. Concerning the Cash Splash progressive slot game played on Microgaming sites... Is the jackpot paid by all participating casinos? If so, does each casino have the same payout percentage set for these machines or is it set by each casino individually? What about mid level payouts on these Cash Splash machines? Thank you very much. — Helen from Memphis, U.S. I would assume that the odds are the same at all Microgaming casinos. All casinos probably contribute money to the same account from which the jackpot is paid. This way the individual casino from which the jackpot was hit does not have to reach into their own pocket when somebody wins. Mid level payouts are probably paid by the casino itself. Your explanation of virtual versus physical slot machine reels was most informative. Given the random number generator stops on a virtual Cherry say, how does the machine make the physical reel stop on a visible cherry? I mean technically speaking. Does this explain how Pachislo machines from Japan can electronically alter payout percentages without altering the physical reel symbols? Suppose the machine decides its time for a BAR, the only BAR on the third reel, just as one passes the payline. Does it let the reel go one full turn and catch it on the next go-round? Suppose a physical reel stops on a paying combination by mistake, i.e. a symbol other than the virtual one pre-ordained. What happens then? Thanks much. — Larry Hatch from Redwood City, California Let me answer each question individually. It is just programming code that dictates to the machine that if the virtual reel stops on a cherry to make the actual reel stop on a cherry. There are actual notches on the reels which may help the machine to stop in the right place. If you peer through the glass at and angle you can sometimes see these notches. However I am not an engineer and am not sure exactly how the machine knows to stop at just the right moment. It just take it for granted that it can. Theoretically the casino could change the payout on a slot machine with just a remote control. The remote control could tell the machine to use any previously programmed virtual reels. Practically speaking the major casinos need to get approval from the gaming authorities to change the payback of a machine. If they did get such authorization all a slot technician has to do is replace a chip inside the machine, known as an e-prom. This happens infrequently and would not warrant the expense of a remote control. I don’t think the machine ever fails on the first try to stop where it wants. If we can send a man to the moon we can get a machine to stop a spinning reel where desired. Again I don’t the machines ever make mistakes. However hypothetically speaking if it did accidently stop on paying symbols it would pay off. From what I understand it is the notches on the reels that actually indicate where the reels are and what the machine should pay. What are the odds of rolling the same number with six dice in one roll? — Kyle Hill from Colstrip, Montana The odds of getting six of the same number with six dice is 6(1/6)⁶=1/7776 =~ 0.01286%. Where is the best place to find loose slots in casinos, if there is any? — Bill Giessregen Jr. from Austin, U.S. According to my research there are no good or bad areas. Either the casinos are consistent across the same coinage or the mix up loose and tight machines apparently randomly. When a local gaming authority sets a minimum payout for slots does that minimum apply to each individual machine or a casino average payout? I know some games are set from the manufacturer higher than other and some lower. For example if the minimum is lets say 87% can one machine be set to 60% and another set to 120% for and average of 90% thus exceeding the minimum or does each machine must pay atlease 87%. — Jim from U.S. The minimum applies to every machine. Someone with the Gaming Control Board in Carson City, Nevada, told me that every machine in the state must meet minimum payback percentages. The only exception, he said, are on some antique machines in Virginia City. What other options are open to an online casino player if they are dissatisfied with an online casinos response to a problem? My particular gripes are removal of a bonus for inactivity and requiring a copy of a credit card statement to cash out winnings. — Rod from Newburgh, U.S. There is not much you can do in the way of complaining to a higher authority. Some of the better jurisdictions have a government body to oversee the online casinos. However if you ever bring a specific complaint to their attention they seem to either do nothing or side with the casino. It is much more effective to raise a stink on Internet bulletin boards. This will usually not help resolve the problem but may give you some satisfaction of getting back at the casino. Gambling.com offers a service in which a disgruntled player can bring up a complaint and they will let the online casino respond to the charges. Sometimes this exposure motives the casino to correct a problem or offer a compromise. Most casinos will respond. In many cases the dispute is the result of the player trying to defraud the casino or a misunderstanding of the rules on the player’s part.
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Ask the Wizard #25

In your experience which sites actually pay their affiliates for traffic. Am especially interested in Unified Gaming 10% deposit/lifetime. Thanks. — Kevin from Bay, St. Louis, U.S.

I found (and played at) 2 casinos that offer free cash for creating a real account. There is no purchase required. The two I found were 7 Sultans ($10) and Geisha Lounge. Are there any others like this? — Jay Shertzer from Columbia, U.S.

What are the odds of rolling the same number with six dice in one roll? — Kyle Hill from Colstrip, Montana

Where is the best place to find loose slots in casinos, if there is any? — Bill Giessregen Jr. from Austin, U.S.

What other options are open to an online casino player if they are dissatisfied with an online casinos response to a problem? My particular gripes are removal of a bonus for inactivity and requiring a copy of a credit card statement to cash out winnings. — Rod from Newburgh, U.S.

In your experience which sites actually pay their affiliates for traffic. Am especially interested in Unified Gaming 10% deposit/lifetime. Thanks.
— Kevin from Bay, St. Louis, U.S.

I found (and played at) 2 casinos that offer free cash for creating a real account. There is no purchase required. The two I found were 7 Sultans ($10) and Geisha Lounge. Are there any others like this?
— Jay Shertzer from Columbia, U.S.

What are the odds of rolling the same number with six dice in one roll?
— Kyle Hill from Colstrip, Montana

Where is the best place to find loose slots in casinos, if there is any?
— Bill Giessregen Jr. from Austin, U.S.

What other options are open to an online casino player if they are dissatisfied with an online casinos response to a problem? My particular gripes are removal of a bonus for inactivity and requiring a copy of a credit card statement to cash out winnings.
— Rod from Newburgh, U.S.