By Travel Tunica on Monday February 22, 2016

When you see a strategy table for any given video poker game, it’s almost always going to assume a royal flush pays 4,000 coins if you’ve made a five-coin bet. That’s the standard payout on machines that don’t have a progressive jackpot. But on progressive machines, where a portion of each wager is added to the payoff on royals, the odds are constantly changing. When the jackpot gets big enough, it pays to change strategy to chase royals more often. Here's an example for 8-5 Double Double Bonus Poker, which is pretty commonly available with a progressive jackpot. On the…

When you see a strategy table for any given video poker game, it’s almost always going to assume a royal flush pays 4,000 coins if you’ve made a five-coin bet. That’s the standard payout on machines that don’t have a progressive jackpot. But on progressive machines, where a portion of…

By Travel Tunica on Wednesday February 17, 2016

At some casino games, tipping, or “toking” the dealer is a pretty cut-and-dried routine. In blackjack, you place an extra bet at the front of your betting box or circle. It’s understood that’s for the dealer. If you split pairs or double down for yourself, it’s up to you whether you make a split bet or double for the dealer. In craps, some players like bet on 11 – “$2 yo for the boys!” – or on one of the hard ways as a tip for the crew. I prefer to make an extra pass line bet alongside my own…

At some casino games, tipping, or “toking” the dealer is a pretty cut-and-dried routine. In blackjack, you place an extra bet at the front of your betting box or circle. It’s understood that’s for the dealer. If you split pairs or double down for yourself, it’s up to you whether…

By Travel Tunica on Friday February 12, 2016

I hear regularly from Maria, a reader who mostly plays craps. She’s often found herself the only woman at the table, but it doesn’t bother her. She does, however, sometimes take some grief about being the only “wrong” bettor – a player who bets against the shooter by wagering on don’t pass and don’t come. “My husband taught me to play craps, and he’s a don’t bettor,” she wrote. The tale she shared this time involved a day when her husband was tied up in meetings at a conference. That didn’t bother her. She was used to heading to the…

I hear regularly from Maria, a reader who mostly plays craps. She’s often found herself the only woman at the table, but it doesn’t bother her. She does, however, sometimes take some grief about being the only “wrong” bettor – a player who bets against the shooter by wagering on…

By Travel Tunica on Monday February 8, 2016

Make your Valentines extra sweet this year with these specials here in Tunica - Calling All Hearts $25,000 Blackjack Tournament at Gold Strike Casino Feb. 14-15 – Win your share of $25,000 in cash and table play. The Barn Prime Valentine’s Day Special at Bally’s Casino – Enjoy a 3-course meal for just $35 per person. 50+ Club Sweetheart Dance at Fitz Casino on Feb. 10 Fairbanks Steakhouse Valentine’s Special at Hollywood Casino February 12-14th - Enjoy this special four course extravaganza for only $125* a couple. Free $5,000 Slot Tournament February 15th at Resorts Casino Book a couples massage…

Make your Valentines extra sweet this year with these specials here in Tunica - Calling All Hearts $25,000 Blackjack Tournament at Gold Strike Casino Feb. 14-15 – Win your share of $25,000 in cash and table play. The Barn Prime Valentine’s Day Special at Bally’s Casino – Enjoy a 3-course…

By Travel Tunica on Wednesday February 3, 2016

Table games players have consistently shown a preference for live action. They like to play with real cards and dice and with human dealers. Still, there has been an increasing acceptance of electronic table games, especially in roulette. Touch screens for electronic betting speed play as wagers are settled automatically, with no mistakes. There’s no down time waiting for dealers to pay winners and collect chips from losing bets. Electronic table games also are used to offer lower minimum bets. On a busy weekend night, a player who wants to bet $5 a hand might not find a spot at…

Table games players have consistently shown a preference for live action. They like to play with real cards and dice and with human dealers. Still, there has been an increasing acceptance of electronic table games, especially in roulette. Touch screens for electronic betting speed play as wagers are settled automatically,…

By Travel Tunica on Monday February 1, 2016

When players ask me what game they should play, I ask them what they enjoy playing. I’m happy to explain that blackjack, craps, baccarat and certain video poker games give you a much better shot to win than you get on slot machines, but if slots are what you find fun, I’m not going to tell you to play a game you dislike. Even on two games with similar house edges, what the player wants from the game has to be weighed. A reader wrote to ask, “If I’m in a casino that has $10 blackjack tables with a half-percent…

When players ask me what game they should play, I ask them what they enjoy playing. I’m happy to explain that blackjack, craps, baccarat and certain video poker games give you a much better shot to win than you get on slot machines, but if slots are what you find…