What is "game analysis"?

For a new game to be placed in a casino, a rigorous mathematical analysis of the game must be performed. The purpose of this analysis is to create consistent documentation for the game, to determine the house edge and to present optimal player strategy.  The documentation  must conform to certain guidelines for submission to state and international gaming and regulatory authorities. 

See the "Articles" section for important reading on this topic.

What is the process for obtaining Jacobson Gaming services?

If the game has a preliminary or full patent, send a complete game description via email attachment or fax to Jacobson Gaming.

If the game does not yet have a patent, we recommend a non-disclosure agreement.  Jacobson Gaming can provide the non-disclosure agreement but prefers the client to state the terms of confidentiality he wants for the project.

Jacobson Gaming will quickly review your game and give a quote for services, as well as a time frame for completion of the analysis.

 Who uses Jacobson Gaming services?

Jacobson Gaming has worked with gaming companies in all sectors of game development, including slot lottery and bingo developers, table game developers, land and Internet based game developers, corporations, small businesses and individuals.

Jacobson Gaming clients include gaming companies located in Canada, Israel, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Africa, Mexico, Aruba, Curacao Netherlands Antilles, the United States, and elsewhere. 

Jacobson Gaming has worked with regulatory authorities in Nevada, Washington State, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Montana, Native American jurisdictions, and internationally.

See these testimonials and endorsements from some of our clients.

Who else does Jacobson Gaming recommend?

For casino game analysis of all types and excellent resource materials, Jacobson Gaming recommends Michael Shackleford (the Wizard of Odds) at www.wizardofodds.com and www.wizardofvegas.com .

If we can't help you, Jacobson Gaming recommends our associate mathematicians:  Diana Gruber, Cindy Liu, Charles Mousseau and Keith Rucker.

For casino game related patent, legal, and IP services, Jacobson Gaming recommends Jon Muskin at www.patentstrademarks.com

Who is Dr. Eliot Jacobson?

Eliot Jacobson received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Arizona in 1983. Eliot was Professor of Mathematics at Ohio University from 1983 to 1998, where he was undergraduate chair from 1990 to 1994. He was Visiting Associate Professor and Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara from 1998 to 2009. Eliot has over twenty research publications in mathematics appearing in major international journals. In 2009, Eliot retired from academia.

Eliot started his gaming career as a young child, learning chess and bridge from his father at age five. Growing up playing games of all sorts, he opened a casino in his garage as a teenager and quickly won all the allowance money in the neighborhood. As a young adult, Eliot continued playing games. He achieved the “expert” ranking at chess, ran the GO club at Ohio University, and competed in national bridge tournaments.

At a mathematics convention in Las Vegas in 1996, Eliot discovered his talent for card counting. His 2005 book, "The Blackjack Zone" is highly praised for its explanation of complex principles in a humorous, casual and easy-to-read manner. Eliot’s brief excursion into advantage play soon blossomed into his second career as an independent consultant and casino table game analyst.

Eliot was featured on National Geographic Channel's documentary "Beating Vegas", on KLAS TV in Las Vegas, and as a frequent guest on Vegas Talk Radio.  Eliot has written articles for a number of professional gaming publications, including Table Talk and Blackjack Insider.

Eliot founded Jacobson Gaming, LLC in 2006. His company has quickly grown to be one of the world’s leading independent companies specializing in casino table game design, development, analysis, auditing and mathematical certification. Eliot also heads Certified Fair Gambling, a company that offers thorough quality assurance and fairness auditing for Internet casinos. With dozens of publications and media appearances, Eliot is widely recognized as one of the world's top experts on casino games and casino game mathematics.

A recent resume for Eliot Jacobson is here.