CASINO SCENE: Take a gamble on this quiz

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Got your casino gambling thinking caps on? Take this casino gaming quiz. Here we go:

CASINO SCENE: How do you like your blackjack?

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Have you ever pondered what really separates informed casual players from students of the game of blackjack? The answer is keeping mental track of the cards that have been played in order to make more informed playing decisions, both strategi…

CASINO SCENE: Saturday's Kentucky Derby kicks off elusive 'Crown'

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Every sport has a championship showdown. In baseball it's the World Series, in football it's the Super Bowl, in hockey it's the Stanley Cup. What are the common denominators among them? Answer: All are team sports and there is a winner every year.

CASINO SCENE: Useful slot information dispels myths

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Useful information about slot machines is hard to come by. Here are a few bits of information you should know:

CASINO SCENE: Video poker plays as random as possible

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Have you ever wondered about the technology behind video poker games and if the games we play are truly random?

CASINO SCENE: Will slots at Illinois tracks ever become a reality?

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

After months of talk speculating about the possibility of introducing slot machines to Illinois' horse racing tracks, will this ever become a reality?

CASINO SCENE: Be prepared when income tax season rolls around

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

It's that taxing time of year again. If you're a recreational casino gambler this can mean some unusual record keeping, especially if luck is on your side and you win a jackpot playing the slot machines.

CASINO SCENE: Not-so-perfect blackjack side bet can be costly

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Did you know there are at least 35 different variations of blackjack side bets that have been created by entrepreneurs and gaming companies through the years?

CASINO SCENE: Here's a tip — don't forget the dealers

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

People who are new to the world of casino gambling may be unaware that you can express your appreciation to dealers for a job well done by tipping them. They cannot solicit tips, so it's up to players to make the initiative.

CASINO SCENE: Could dollar slots do a disappearing act?

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Walk into any casino in the country today and you'll find a gaming floor that's dominated by slots that bear little resemblance to the machines that were there a decade and more ago.

CASINO SCENE: Athleticism of race horses goes unappreciated

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

It's an argument that surfaces every now and then among sports fans: "Are race horses athletes?"

CASINO SCENE: Gaming industry takes responsible gambling seriously

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Are casino outings for gambling or entertainment? The casino industry's spin is entertainment, which in a broad sense is credible when you factor in dining, recreation, shopping and shows.

CASINO SCENE: Dealing with casino players clubs

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Players clubs were developed to provide casino operators with computerized tracking of slot play to create customer data bases for the purpose of issuing comps, but do you ever get the impression they have evolved into "carrot–on–a–stick" mar…

CASINO SCENE: The good, bad and ugly of double-deck blackjack

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Double–deck blackjack is a novelty in casinos. When two decks of cards are used in a game instead of the six and eight decks that are the norm at casinos across the country, serious players will usually take notice.

CASINO SCENE: Getting the most from $5 blackjack

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Buying into table games with hundreds of dollars is simply unrealistic for a majority of players.

CASINO SCENE: Slot players deserve a fighting chance

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Slot machine play has changed so dramatically that new technology has given the gaming industry the ability to manipulate the way we play slots.

CASINO SCENE: One-cent slots are 'Pennies from Heaven' for casinos

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Statistics released on a monthly basis by the Illinois Gaming Board, the Indiana Gaming Commission and other gaming jurisdictions around the country reveal penny slots are making more and more money for casinos nationwide.

CASINO SCENE: Answers to familiar gambling questions

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

Some questions about casino gambling never go away because there will always be new and first–time players. Let's review some of them:

CASINO SCENE: Anguishing over 'lost' slot jackpots is futile

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

A question that has been tormenting slot players for decades goes along these lines:

CASINO SCENE: New Year's resolutions apply to gaming enthusiasts

By John G. Brokopp Times Correspondent

There's something about the start of a new year that makes us want to wipe the slate clean and begin a fresh outlook on life. We set goals, resolve to break bad habits and replace them with good ones. If you're a recreational casino gambling …