A foolproof roulette system? Hardly!

Dear Mark, 
On the internet, I found a person offering a foolproof roulette system. I am
a bit leery as he operates from a P.O. Box. Do you really think that a
system exists to beat roulette? I¹ve been playing roulette for years,
without success I might add, so I thought this system might help. Robert A.
aol.com

Whenever I slam the system-of-the-day, Robert, it is with unyielding fervor,
because I realize logic and mathematics are no match form a smooth huckster,
preaching what credulous people just love to hear making easy money! Even if
the system comes from a P.O. box in Timmy-bucks-too.
The bottom line regarding roulette is that no system works. With frequent
play, you are predestined to lose over an extended period, with your
long-term losses averaging 5.26¢ of every dollar you bet. No system can
change that fact. 
If, as you say, Robert, roulette is a game you prefer to play, do it for a
reason other than trying to make ungodly sums of money from the house.

Dear Mark,
You mentioned in a previous column the term, "expected value." Could you
please explain in more detail? Confused in Seattle

Because I work daily with probability, odds and statistics, I do tend to
speak the lingo, using terms like "expected value." And yes, Confused, an
explanation should have come with the jargon. Terminology like expected
value is well known by those of us in the casino industry, but it could be
gibberish to the typical casino player.
"Expected value" is the dollar amount that should be won or lost by casino
players, on average, in exact accordance with the statistical advantage of
the house. 
Also, experienced video poker players use the term "expected value." When
playing video poker, all experts will discard certain cards to optimize the
"expected value" (win potential) of their hands. Expected value is that
average value of all the wins attainable (after the discards are replaced),
if the optimum cards are retained and each unique possible draw occurs.

Dear Mark, 
I have noticed certain $1 video poker machines that take 100 coins. When you
state play the maximum coins to get the benefit of the jackpot, do you mean
the full 100 coins? Melody C.

The reason I advocate playing the full amount is that I have seen studies
that state less than half of all slot players play the maximum amount of
coins. Since the full potential of the machine¹s return (jackpot) goes only
to those who play the maximum amount of coins, it is prudent to play all the
coins needed for that yield.
I have also stated that if you cannot afford to play the maximum amount of
coins, you should not be playing that denomination of machine. If dollar
slots are too rich for your blood, drop down to a quarter machine. It is
always better value to play five quarters than to play one dollar, or five
nickels instead of one quarter.
But 100 coins per play? Gosh no, unless playing $100 dollars a hand is in
your gambling budget. It is surely not in mine, nor in most casino players¹.
Also, Melody, you need to beware of certain slot machines when pressing the
button "play MAX coins." You could end up playing and losing 100 previously
acquired credits. When you challenge the casino based on your mistake, you
might get a sympathetic ear, but not the 100 credits back.

Gambling thought of the week: The safest way to double your money is to fold
it over once and put it in your pocket. ‹ Kin Hubbard