Gambling 101

My style of presentation is fun and informal. I like to start with giving away copies of my book Gambling 102, via a trivia contest. Then I go through the most popular casino games, giving the essential information a player should know to minimize the house edge. Special attention is paid to good and bad rule variations, and sucker bets to avoid. If time permits, I also advise on gambling in general, centered on my Ten Commandments of Gambling. Lively questions and answers always follow my presentation, so I leave plenty of time open for that. I have found the audience is more attentive if I leave the PowerPoint at home, which keeps the focus on what I'm saying. Everything I say can also be found in my book or web site, so I encourage the audience not to take notes, and just enjoy and learn.

I'm available to narrow the focus of my presentation to any game or games of interest to the audience. This August, in Australia I am planning the following more specific presentations.

Slots 101

This presentation will focus specifically on electronic games, mainly reeled slots and video poker. Attention will be paid to the mathematical design of both single-line and multi-line slots. Video poker is a potentially profitable game, if played properly. Advice will be given on how to gain the edge in video poker, by locating the right machines, playing at the right times, and how to play the cards right. Many myths will be debunked in both games. This talk will be more technical than my "Gambling 101" talk, so I plan to offer handouts.

Table Games 101

This presentation will focus on live table games. I plan to go into more detail, and cover more games, than I would in my "Gambling 101" talk. Games I would attempt to cover, time permitting, are baccarat, blackjack, big six, Caribbean Stud Poker, Casino War, Craps, Let it Ride, Pai Gow, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, Sic Bo, and Three Card Poker.

New Game Design

I have made much of my living calculating odds for casino game inventors. Over the last eight years I have done the math on hundreds of table games for mostly individuals, hoping to have the next Three Card Poker. The vast majority of these games have never seen the inside of a casino. What few have been tried, mostly failed, and pulled out quickly. It is a very hard and competitive business. My presentation will advise on how to increase you odds of success, and the many mistakes to avoid.