I enjoy reading. I read both fiction and non-fiction — on a wide variety of subjects. Periodically I look at “Best Books of xxxx” lists to see if anything looks interesting. One such list included the novel Mata Hari’s Last Dance by Michelle Moran. I vaguely remembered learning decades ago that Mata Hari was a […]
Posts in category Casino Games
Those Damned Books
I started playing poker very young. I remember seeking out books that would help me improve, but back then I was pretty much limited to people like Oswald Jacoby and Herbert O. Yardley. I got to Vegas in 1980 and started playing seriously. In discussions with some of the old timers, one of their criterion […]
Where I Grew Up
Someone pointed me to an article in a West Hollywood publication about the Cavendish West. I was surprised to find that I was quoted in the article as the author never spoke to me. He did, however, paraphrase some things I’ve said on the radio show. The Cavendish West is the place where I learned […]
More than Six and a Half Little Words
I recently read a blog by James Grosjean titled Six and a Half Little Words. It reminded me of an incident in my own life. I was debating whether to respond to his blog or to post it as a separate column several weeks later. It turned out to be quite a bit different from Grosjean’s […]
They Said It – But They Probably Didn’t M...
On September 15, I received an email from a host at the Silverton stating that two weeks later, September 29, there was going to be a Diamond Appreciation Party by the pool starting at 5:30. Light hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and 12x points from 5 p.m. – midnight for those who checked into the party. For […]
New Video Poker Games at G2E from a Player’s Po...
At this year’s G2E gaming show, I published a discussion of new video poker games — written for casino managers. You can see that here. Today’s article is addressed to players — but it assumes you have read the previous article. Any phrasing that is exactly the same in the two articles is listed in […]
In Your Face
I’ve always had a thing about sportsmanship and basic manners. I was raised to respect opponents and was taught that being a good winner is at least as important as being a good loser. When I watch a hard fought game, I watch closely the way both sides behave at the conclusion, and am heartened […]
What Are You Trying to Get?
My niece Jessica, in her late 20s, recently married Blake. They live in Southern California. I asked them beforehand to choose their wedding present from me — either a check or a Vegas weekend. They chose the latter and then asked if it could include some video poker lessons. Sure, no problem. In mid-August they […]
When Experts Say Opposite Things
When I was in graduate school 45 years ago, plus or minus, I heard about an incident many years prior to that at the University of Chicago. It appears that there was an elevator for a campus building with a “Students Only” sign on it. One professor entered and was challenged, presumably in a friendly […]
Gambling With an Edge this week
Our guests on the GWAE podcast this week are Professor David Schwartz, who is on to talk about his new book, Tales From the Pit. Then we talk with Anthony Curtis about things happening around Las Vegas, as well as some reminiscences about Peter Griffin. Shows get posted on Thursday afternoons.
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