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Section:
Advice > Gaming Tips
Surviving
the Casino Experience
by
Maryann Guberman
Like
the tired old jokes about blondes, the standard lines among recreational
gamblers never seem to change. "I just come to the casino a couple
of times a year to visit my money." "See these chandeliers?
I paid for them."
These
kind of truisms stem from the reality that in virtually every game,
the "house," that fabulously ornate, garish, jingle-jangling adult
playground known as the casino, has the edge. Despite that edge,
some people do win, and these winners fall into four categories:
the person who makes one wager only, wins, and leaves, never to
return again; the individual who scores a jackpot of such a sizeable
dollar amount that it would take a lifetime to gamble the money
back; the professional gambler who fearlessly endures the emotionally-draining
ups and downs of the few games that give him an edge; and the truly
lucky punter who happens to be accompanied by Lady Luck on most
of his or her casino adventures.
The
main interest for casino players is (or should be) to have some
fun, soak up an unusual environment, and take a shot at a score.
Most are not professional gamblers; they're not even interested
in joining the ranks. Similarly, hardly any casino patron will walk
in the front door, place a bet, win, and walk out. Unfortunately,
Lady Luck doesn't spread herself too thin, and finally, there aren't
enough giant jackpots in the world to put everyone into the category
of life-time winner.
But
none of the above examples preclude players from following some
simple advice that not only will make the casino experience more
enjoyable but also will help put them in a position to be in the
right place at the right time, ready to win when the cards are right.
Here then are ten simple tips to point you in the right direction.
| 1. |
Plan
ahead. You wouldn't go to Disneyland without taking enough money
to get beyond the entrance, would you? OK, it's mundane to think
about "budgeting" and gambling in the same breath. But it's
a necessary part of the deal, so grit your teeth and do it before
you go one step further. Divide the amount of money you're willing
to risk by the number of days you will be risking it. Make sure
you set aside enough for meals and transportation, especially
the trip back home. If you lose your daily allotment, call it
quits. The tables will be there the next day. |
| 2. |
Use
only recreational money. If you haven't saved vacation money,
don't take the vacation. |
| 3. |
Don't
play above your bankroll. Pretend you are going to have a really
rotten streak, losing 50 bets in a row. (It doesn't matter what
game.) Then make sure the limits you are playing will allow
you to make those 51 wagers. |
| 4. |
Study
in advance. Learn the basic house rules for the games you're
interested in before you play. That way, you can avoid losing
money by making uninformed errors. If possible, get a book that
explains some of the intricate parts of getting the best of
each game. |
| 5. |
Stay
alert. Get plenty of rest before you start (because you'll probably
get very little once your trip starts) and stay away from alcohol
while you play. A rested, sober individual is less likely to
fritter away money than a tired, slightly tipsy one. |
| 6. |
Don't
chase. If you're losing, don't try to make up your losses by
betting more money. Stay on a steady path until you get ahead,
then take stock. If you have increased your bankroll substantially,
by all means, raise the stakes. |
| 7. |
Put
some winnings aside. In conjunction with raising the stakes
when you're ahead, take a little profit first. |
| 8. |
Stay
away from your credit card and don't go near the ATM. Just as
you can't tell when you're going to catch lightening in a bottle,
you can't tell when a losing streak is going to end. Getting
cash advances and taking money out of your bank account is the
same as increasing the stakes when you're losing. Plus, it puts
you in the position of using money you didn't plan to use at
exhorbitant lending rates. |
| 9.
|
Take
advantage of any and all comps. If you can earn free rooms,
meals, shows, even something as small and inconsequential as
a souvenir keychain, do it. In fact, inquire before you plan
about extra "perks" that the casino offers to patrons so you
can use them. |
| 10. |
Enter
the arena with a positive attitude. Be happy when youdo win.
You'll have some pleasant memories to go along with the extra
cash, perhaps enough (or more) to pay for the entire experience. |
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