7/21/11

Lagniappe --Gambling

Just a quickie note about gambling in Vegas . . . .

THERE'S A REASON FOR ALL THE MONSTROUS HOTELS--they take your money.

AND WHY THE HOTELS COMPENSATE THE HEAVY GAMBLERS--because the odds are with the house.

IF YOU STAY AT THE NEWER/BIGGER/FANCIER HOTELS--expect the minimum bets to reflect that.

If you want to gamble here are a few 'rules' to think about:
  • Be smart--study the games--learn them, inside and out.
  • The ones that give the player better odds: Craps and blackjack are the best.
  • Avoid the sucker games: SLOTS (yes, I play some slots, but don't expect to walk away with any money), spin the wheel game, all the 'new' games.
  • Don't take more money than you can afford to lose. Leave the ATM card at home
  • Many dealers don't mind people watching . . . just don't block or sit in an empty chair. And don't overstay your welcome or act like you're counting cards unless you want to be escorted out the door.
  • Many dealers--especially if it's a slow table or early in the day--will teach you how to play, just ask.
  • If a dealer has been helpful and helped you win--tip them.
  • Tip the waitresses--yeah, the booze is 'free' provided you are playing, but those ladies have to walk around in stilettos during their shift.
  • If you want to do a valid comparison of monies lost versus won. Place your betting money in your right pocket and your winnings in your left. I'd gamble that you won't come back with more money than you left with.
  • James Bond's game, Baccarat, is easy to play. Simply bet on player or dealer, BUT if you bet dealer and you win--THE HOUSE TAKES A CUT.
  • Play the tables early in the day. The minimum bets are usually less than in the evening. $10 vs. $25
For example: $25 per deal on a Blackjack table. I don't know about y'all, but I can take my kidlet to see a Harry Potter movie (before 6 PM)and get a tub of popcorn for that amount of money, plus a couple of hours worth of entertainment. When you are gambling--*poof* four cards dealt and it can be gone within less than 30 seconds.

Food for thought, Peeps!

4 comments:

  1. I don't know why but sometimes I can leave a comment and sometimes I can't. Blogger is STRANGE.

    I don't enjoy gambling that much. Even when I win, it's like...okay. What now...Plus, I HATE HATE HATE to lose.

    But you've got some good rules to follow.

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  2. Blogger probably senses that you are a Wordpressie :-) and has a Hatfield and McCoy relationship with you! Jus' sayin'...

    One thing that I forgot to mention was that the new Vegas hotels have EXCELLENT air purifiers in place. Walking through the casino to check in--I smelled two cigars--but the rest of the time no noticable smoke haze or smell.

    I'm non-smoker who can spiral into an asthma attack if I'm triggered, so this was wonderful! Plus I my clothes didn't smell like an ashtray when we came home!

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  3. Not a gambler, either. I COULD be, because I always believe I'll win the next hand, but since addictive behaviors run in my family . . .

    When Meg and I went to Vegas a few years ago, I intended to drop a few bucks on slots just to say I did, but no one was having any fun! They were the most bored people I ever saw, so I kept the slots money and put it toward a gorgeous bracelet instead.

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  4. Heck, Marilyn, the games have changed so much since I last went. All the slots are digital like video games, with only a few retaining the roller wheels. It takes at least $20 on a quarter slot machine to even FIGURE the stupid game out!

    I need to learn to play Texas Hold em and then I know I'll win or lose on my own stupidity and not randomness.

    ReplyDelete

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