QUESTION: I play roulette when I feel lucky, which is hardly ever. I noticed at one casino where I play that if you watch real close, they change balls every time they spin the wheel. I also noticed they are different-sized balls. Is this common practice? In the past, I have seen them change the balls, but it’s usually when they have a dealer change. What gives? — Bob M. 

ANSWER: Any time the house is taking a beating, superstitious pit bosses try various things to “change” your winning ways. Reversing the rotation of the wheel and/or swapping balls of different weights are a couple of things they erroneously believe will separate you from your hard-earned money. Nah!

When I dealt roulette, before each spin I was trained to either speed up or slow down both the wheel and ball delivery to avoid wheel clocking. And yes, occasionally I switched balls, particularly if I flicked the ball too fast and it came off the game. It was rare a spooked pit bull asked me to exchange balls, even when we were getting clobbered. 

Most rational pit bosses know no amount of ball changing on a random, non-biased wheel can affect the outcome of the next spin. Each spin is an independent event, and over the long run, you can plan on your losses being 5.26 percent.

Apparently, Bob, superstition trumps mathematics where you play.

Q: Is it possible for casino information technology gurus to change odds remotely from the back room to cheat unsuspecting players? Inquiring minds want to know! — Diane U.

A: Is it possible some geek in the bowels of a casino basement in Singapore can tinker with your payouts? Sure. With networked machines, satellite transmission and computer programming, absolutely anything is possible. But is it happening? Definitely not, and here’s why.

Casinos reap their profits by paying winning slot machine players less than the true odds on their bets. Let me say that again: Every slot machine offered to the player already is mathematically fixed in the casino’s favor. Since every coin inserted into their one-armed bandits is operating on this principle, why would they ever bother to fleece you further?

What’s more, most casinos are publicly traded companies on the New York Stock Exchange. Believe me, Diane, they are not in the least bit interested in exposing their gaming licenses to loss through any inkling of cheating.  

There is no more regulated business in America than gaming, with plenty of rules and regulations that would close a casino down for defrauding — or appearing to defraud — the public. 

Q: The casino where I play allows players to draw to split aces. How big of an edge am I getting with this rule change? — John M.

A: Unlike when you split any other pair, when you split aces, you are allowed only to draw one card to each ace. Some casinos, like the one where you play, allow you to draw additional cards to each split ace. This player-favorable rule decreases the house’s edge by 0.14 percent.

Mark Pilarski is a syndicated gaming writer. He has 18 years' experience working at seven Nevada casinos, managing in all areas. Send questions to P.O. Box 1234, Traverse City, MI 49685 or fax 231-929-3910. E-mail: pilarski@markpilarski.com.