Demauro eclipsed the former record of an Hawaiian man named Fujitake back in 1989.  It is unknown how much money she made during the roll, but you can well imagine the side bettors had a field day.   ....  read on

Roulette Wheel Bias
By Jake Earl © 2007

It is the dream of every gambler to have a system; a system that allows him to take a casino for a considerable amount of money.  For some people, it was no dream…

Albert R. Hibbs was a noted mathematician.  In 1949, he and fellow graduate student Roy Walford, took time away from school and went to Nevada.  Their aim was to study the roulette wheel bias of Las Vegas and Reno casinos, then exploit that mathematical “edge” and win big.  They were said to have made over $42,000. in their schemes. 

 The idea of a biased wheel is not new.  Because some roulette wheels are not properly balanced, the ball is often thrown into some areas more than others; more than random mathematical probability.  By studying the wheel and it’s results for a long period, certain numbers show a higher percentage of winners than others, and they are bet upon more frequently by those who gather and analyze this information.

 Joe Jagger was a British engineer who, in the late 1800’s, earned the title of: The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo.  (Yes, he is a distant relative of Mick Jagger.)   Another gambler and possibly more famous still, was Charles Wells.  He too had the title.  Both gamblers found and exploited biased roulette wheels in Monte Carlo’s famed “Casino.”   Wells was also a con man responsible for bilking hundreds of people on bogus inventions.  He died broke in France, after having spent several prison terms in two different countries.

 As late as 1970, a woman named Carol Jarecki and her husband studied and played roulette wheels in Monte Carlo and San Remo, making a series of very successful runs on those biased roulette wheels.  So even in this “modern era” of gambling, it seems that there are still a few places where the roulette wheels are not checked nearly often enough.

The new way casinos avoid bias is by recording every spin on a computer program.  The program analyzes then reports any bias to casino management.  Once reported, the wheel is serviced and the bias is removed.  This system is used in only the larger casinos, but it’s a safe bet that even the smaller casinos would simply send you packing if you won too much.  Bias or no.
 

Straight Up: 3 Times in a Row
-by Mack  E. Green © 2006.

       In Roulette, it's easy to make a few bucks betting even money.  But as the player begins to seek higher rewards, it becomes much more difficult.  Inside odds of 2-to-1, 8-to-1, 17-to-1 and finally 35-to-1 wear out and grind down even the biggest bankrolls.  Roulette, it is fair to say, "ain't the easiest game in the casino." 

     I was playing during what must have been The Beau Rivage graveyard shift.  Even for a weekday night it seemed particularly quiet.  No big action at the Craps tables.  No high rollers working at the Blackjack tables either.  But that was certainly not true for the Roulette table.  That's where I was; playing Roulette.

 A gorgeous brunette walked over and dropped a twenty dollar bill in front of the croupier.  She seemed to be a bit nervous, but that's not unusual for first-time gamblers.  The croupier, working alone, made her change in four casino five-dollar chips, per her instructions.  She then put three of the four chips into her purse, and placed the remaining chip straight up on number thirty-six.  It was a long-odds bet (35 to 1) and probably her last before she returned to whatever city the next morning.  But as luck would have it's way...
read on
 
 

Dazzling Three Card Poker Run
by Mark French, © 2006

There are days you have good cards.  And there are days you have great cards.  One day at The Mirage in Las Vegas, I had what can only be described as “dazzling cards.”

Our vacation in Vegas had just begun.  It was March, 2003, and my wife, Diane, was still unpacking up in the room.  Now, I know better than to rush into things, but I wanted to test the gambling waters downstairs in that sumptuous casino.  Most gamblers (including me) don’t expect to have a fantastic run right out of the gate.  They usually think in terms of conservative “money management”, where you try to stretch your bankroll over many successive days.  Large bets and fast earnings are for later.

But that’s not what happened at the Three Card Poker table.  I started off with a twenty dollar bet on the “Ante” spot, and a ten dollar bet on “Pair Plus,” figuring that I could lose the top bet and still break even if I beat the dealer.  Wham!  I got a flush, so I obviously played the hand with another twenty dollars on the “Play” spot.  Luckily, the dealer managed to come up with King something.  Total won: $80.00.

“Nice start.” I said to myself.   read on