AboutPhillip Boucher Expertise Author of the book, "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1-55270-049-6 published by Productive Publications under the pen name Ian B. Williams. I can answer any question related to the concept, design, marketing, programming, operation, installation, repair, and maintenance of slot machines, video poker machines, and video lottery terminals, and their related equipment and machinery, within the regulated gaming industry. I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WHATSOEVER RELATED TO THE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF GAMING MACHINES, INCLUDING QUESTIONS SUCH AS "I JUST BOUGHT A SLOT MACHINE AND IT DOESN'T WORK...". I can help dispel all the myths and misconceptions that have permeated the print and news media about slots over the years. I can also answer questions related to gambling addiction in general and slot machine addiction in particular. Each question will be answered truthfully, without bias, whether the answer is what the questioner wants to hear. I will not propagate the myth that there are secrets to winning or beating slots, because there are none. There are no methods or tricks or other such nonsense that a lot of people think there are. I`m sorry, but reality in regard to slot machines can be a big letdown! I won`t lead anyone on. Want to know the real truth? Just ask. I can also answer general questions related to casinos except for table games.
Experience I have over eleven years experience as a slot machine technician for two major North American casinos, one racetrack slot facility, and am a Certified Gaming Machine Repairperson. I am the author of, (writing as Ian B. Williams), "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1-55270-049-6 published by Productive Publications.
Question In video poker, how often are the cards shuffled, each hand, each draw, etc?
Why do some machines of the same game seem to be luckier than others?
Thanks.
Answer Bob, in video poker the cards are shuffled, drawn, and shown exactly as any poker table game is. The game waits for you to press the deal button. The RNG (Random Number Generator) selects 10 numbers that represent cards that have been assigned to those numbers, ie. 52 cards, 52 numbers. This is essentially the "shuffle". The game shows you the first five cards it has selected. You hold or draw your cards. The machine then shows you the the next cards you've drawn, in order. Say you want to discard three of your five cards. The machine would then deal to you cards six, seven, and eight. Once the game is completed, the card numbers are erased from the machine's memory, and it is waiting to generate 10 new numbers for the next spin (which could include none, one, or all of the previous generation).
All machines, like all dealers, are independant. Sometimes one table or dealer seems to deal the lucky cards to the players, just as video poker machines may do. This is just random coincidence and has nothing to do with the programming of the machines. Hopes this answers your question.
Ian B. Williams, author of "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1552700496, available at bookstores and other retailers of gambling books, online and in the real world. Find it at
- Barnes and Noble bookstores throughout the U.S.
- Indigo bookstores throughout Canada
- on the web at amazon.com, booksforgamblers.com, chapters.indigo.ca, bn.com, sportsandsoccer.com, half.ebay.com, and greenbaycasino.com.
Can't find it? Then order directly from the publisher, Productive Publications, 416-483-0634, or visit their website at:
www.productivepublications.com (in the United States)
www.productivepublications.ca (in Canada)
Please visit my website at ibwilliams.tripod.com
Please visit my experts page at allexperts.com
I have been interviewed on the following radio stations: WVMI, WKRC, KEEL, WOAI, KFRU, WDEL, CHQR, CJAD.
