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It’s a Gradual Process

For about a year and a half, I played 8/5 Bonus Poker Multi Strike (BPMS) at the Silverton for $120,000 a month coin-in. That game returned 0.20% more than regular 8/5 Bonus Poker (BP) — which means the EV is $240 a month higher for this much play. The swings were fairly large and BPMS strategy is more difficult than regular BP strategy — which meant most other players preferred BP even though it pays less — but the swings and complexity were within my comfort zone so I went with the higher-paying game. Continue reading It’s a Gradual Process

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One of those Phone Calls

I’ve been asked to lend money to gamblers perhaps 50 times. I almost never say ‘yes.’ Of the times I’ve said yes, it’s always been somebody I believe had an edge at gambling. Players without an edge are a bottomless pit moneywise. Even if they pay you back the first time (which they usually do), they’ll be back to ask for more later. And then more still later yet. Continue reading One of those Phone Calls

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A Different Sort of Tournament

I usually don’t play in low value invitational slot tournaments, unless there is something extra going on at the same time. But when I received notice of the heads up tournament at the Palms for this past weekend, I decided to enter. The “extra” that drew me in was simple curiosity. I wanted to figure out how much the tournament was worth. Continue reading A Different Sort of Tournament

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When Is Thirteen Million Dollars not Thirteen Million Dollars?

The Coast Connection appears some Fridays in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. It’s an advertising supplement geared towards promoting Gold Coast, Orleans, Sam’s Town, and Suncoast casinos. Some weeks there are very valuable coupons, such as point multipliers, match play coupons, and food offers. Sometimes the coupons are sparse. But the R-J only costs 75¢. The value of the coupons averages far more than the 75¢ cost of the paper — assuming you play at one or more of these casinos and are willing to clip and use the coupons. Continue reading When Is Thirteen Million Dollars not Thirteen Million Dollars?