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Gaming Guru  Perfect Pairs Gives Blackjack a New Twist4 November 2009
The last time I counted, there were 35 different variations of blackjack side bets that have been created by entrepreneurs and gaming companies through the years. Many of them enjoyed brief flings in casinos before disappearing, others are popular in select jurisdictions but never gained widespread appeal. Some, however, have stood the test of time, including Lucky Ladies, 21 + 3, Royal Match, and another option called Perfect Pairs. Every one of them is unique in its own way, but they all have one thing in common, and that is to provide a means for casino operators to extract extra revenue from blackjack tables. Perfect Pairs was recently introduced at Empress Joliet in Illinois, which along with its Penn National Gaming owned sister property, Hollywood Casino Aurora, are the only casinos in the Chicago area to offer the bet. The simplicity of the wager makes it an attractive proposition even for beginners. You win if the first two cards that you are dealt are a pair. The highest ranking hand is a "perfect pair" consisting of identical cards of the same suit. Next is a "colored pair" of identical cards being either black-suited or red-suited. The lowest winning hand is a "mixed pair" comprised of one red suited card and one black suited card. The game is available in three pay tables. Empress has opted for the one that pays 25 to 1 for a perfect pair, 12 to 1 for a colored pair, and 6 to 1 for a mixed pair. All of the blackjack tables at Empress utilize six-deck shoes, which creates a house edge on the Perfect Pairs side bet of 6.11 percent according to an analysis of the game performed by Mike "The Wizard of Odds" Shackleford. That alone makes it a proposition that's far too expensive if you make a wager on every hand. Blackjack is one game that, if played correctly, can keep the house advantage hovering at around one percent. The skill factor associated with the game is something that casino operators take into account very seriously, which is why they're always trying to counterbalance the play of experts with ways to make the tables more profitable. Empress is offering the Perfect Pairs option on four tables that vary in minimum base game wagers from $10 to $50. The side bet, however, can be made with a minimum amount of $1 up to a maximum of $10. In order to make a Perfect Pairs wager the player must have made a regular blackjack bet on the hand. After the first two cards are dealt to each player, the dealer takes all losing bets and makes payouts to all winning Perfect Pairs wagers. The game then resumes as normal. Perfect Pairs is a twist that can add a new element of intrigue to blackjack, even for experienced players, but unless you keep your wagers to a minimum and make then only once in a while, it can be a destructive force on your bankroll. This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network, John Robison managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network. IGT Banks on Core Games to Expand Video Poker Empire28 October 2009
Many gaming device manufacturers have tried but none have been able to make substantial inroads into taking market share away from International Game Technology in the video poker sector.
The key to IGT's strategy to expand video poker was when they realized the strength of the ... (read more)
Bonus Jackpots Keep Slot Players Happy at Four Winds25 October 2009
Bonus slot jackpots funded by a percentage of money that players collectively wager on the machines is a great way for casino goers to reap what amounts to incentive cash rewards.
Station Casinos in Nevada introduced the concept a number of years ago at its properties in Las Vegas ... (read more)
The Lady Is a Champ at the Poker Tables21 October 2009
Mary Jo Belcore-Zogman, a businesswoman and homemaker from McHenry, Illinois, solidified her reputation as one of the best poker players in the Chicago area with her victory last month in the Tournament of Champions Invitational presented by Rockford Charitable Games Association.
... (read more)
Video Poker for Thrifty GamblersThere’s no doubt video poker is one of the best casino games to play. Pay tables make some games better than others, but overall video poker is among your best gambling options. Unfortunately, the limited floor space at Chicago-area casino destinations (and in the ... (read more)Gambling Statistics Don't LieWhereas gambling enthusiasts may sometimes have to view casino advertising claims and marketing spins with a jaundiced eye, the statistics from the nine Illinois riverboat casino destinations that the Illinois Gaming Board publishes each month are straightforward. The most profitable table game in the state just happens to be blackjack. ... (read more)Confessions of a Craps PlayerI'll admit it right off the bat: I've never, ever made a "Don't" wager during all my years of playing craps. Not even once. But that situation will change in the near future. First, allow me to digress for the sake of explanation. Players may wager from two ... (read more)Craps Is Not As Intimidating As It LooksWhenever I have an opportunity to speak with people about gaming and the subject of craps comes up, somebody will invariably say: "I've always wanted to play the game, but I really know so little about it that I'm afraid to step up to the table." ... (read more)Learning about the Job of a Casino HostQuestion: What member of a casino's management team is a gambler most likely to come in contact with? Answer: A Casino Host. Outside of the dealers, casino hosts are perhaps the most visible and accessible of all casino employees. Casino hosts cultivate relationships with every level of player, from a ... (read more) |
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