When I gave my annual New Year's resolutions for gamblers a while back, I
mentioned that an old friend of mine was teasing me, giving
me the business about playing Scrooge by urging caution with money
just a day after Christmas.
But I heard from a couple of readers who didn't think the advice
was Scroogelike at all. In fact, they added a few thoughts of their
own on the subject of keeping your head while playing in the
casinos.
First, there was Mike, a casino dealer and frequent e-mailer who
brings an insider's perspective. He's a player as well as a dealer,
so he sees things from both sides.
Don't let anyone dissuade you. Your resolutions are
always worth repeating -- should be in everyone's wallet when on
the flight to Vegas, or in the car driving to the riverboats (but
not while driving!).
I would add:
A. Before you can stay within your bankroll, you must HAVE a
bankroll for a game; $100 is not a good bankroll for a $15 or $25
table game (some argue it's not enough for a $5). If you're in the
casinos -- especially those in Illinois -- on the weekends, come
bankrolled or don't play them at all. Short bankrolls need luck
RIGHT NOW, or they're gone.
B. Definitely put some away -- if you're up at the end of the
shoe, color up, get a black or purple chip and KEEP IT! (Don't do
it in the middle of the shoe, please; you may need it for double
downs or splitting pairs.) If you lose the rest, WALK! One of the
most disheartening parts of dealing is watching someone win, then
stay too long to try to "bust the house" -- repeat after me: "I'm
not Kerry Packer, so I can't do that" -- and POOF! it all comes
back. Magic? Cheating? Heck no -- no discipline, that's what.
C. By all means, learn the games BEFORE entering the casino, but
read the signs, too. Many's the time I've seen people walk up to
the blackjack table, right where the sign is, or right by the glass
on roulette (again, where the sign is) and ask, "What's the
minimum?" Scary, ain't it? Now if you don't know what a $5
minimum means in, say, roulette, that's what the books are for --
info you should know before you go. I'm not saying the dealers
can't help you, but you gotta know the basics first -- learn to
fly, not on the fly.
D. Not chasing speaks for itself. Nothing is ever "due" from a
casino, unless you're the utilities supplying them. YES, you can
lose 10 hands (or more) in a row in blackjack -- even with 20s.
YES, red can come up 10 straight times on the wheel. YES, dice can
be so cold (point/7, point/7), you think you're in Santa's casino
-- outdoors; YES, you could play video poker 30 hands and not get
so much as a pair of Jacks. YES, slots can go colder than an Arctic
blast in winter. Maddening? Sure. One hundred percent above board?
You bet your bippy (but don't lose that, please).
E. The bars and clubs are for drinking, the casino is for playing.
Drink too much, then you wonder why you lose. I know why --
alcohol. Not to say I've never indulged, but rarely while playing.
"Above all, never check brains at the door just to have a good
time. You might just have a better time! To quote Paul Newman in
The Color of Money, "Money won is twice as sweet as money
earned."
*****
In the same day's e-mail came a note from Terry, who found
validation of his own playing style in the resolutions.
"As I went through the categories, I found I go along with pretty
much everything.
"I have my set bankroll when I head to Las Vegas so I have a
loosely structured session plan. It is enough to play a good mix
with some $1 play thrown in.
"I always like to stash some of my winnings if I hit a royal flush
or some good hands. I will use some of it at a higher level to see
if luck is smiling on me. So after a 25-cent royal worth $1,000, I take
$300 or $400 and play 50-cent machines or some dollars. Once I
caught a 50-cent royal.
"As for playing with what we can afford to lose, I consider the
trip a vacation. Main Street Station in Las Vegas has been nice
to me, so I have Silver card status. With comped rooms and meals, I
will risk my budget (on gambling). I do have fun and mix in two or
three shows.
"I can say I have never used a cash advance in any of my 23 trips.
Chasing losses is always bad. A friend of mine will do that. I have
seen him have a bad run at craps, playing green chips ($25), and
next thing I see some blacks ($100) come out. He ends up not so
happy most times.
"I also agree with you about going easy on drinking. I only have a
beer or two. Sometimes, if I am back at my home base for the night,
will have a few extra but I will not go over 25-cent play.
"As for your advice to play for fun -- how true. I learned long ago
they do not build these huge monster buildings for us to win in.
Another friend used to go with me a lot, and he really would let
the bad streaks get him down a lot. He would get SO mad. I know
what my odds are. There have been good and bad gaming trips. But
win or lose, 94 percent have been fun!"
