The Rules of Gambling

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

The simple truth is, I can count cards.

"Twenty-one? Do that card-counting thing again. Come on, do it again!"
"Definitely have to leave the table."
"No! Please please, please please, please?"
"Gotta watch Wapner. Leave the table. Yeah, leave the table."
"No!"
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!"
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!"

/The Simpsons , episode 1F08, "$pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling). Homer, as blackjack dealer at Monty Burns' Casino, encounters two patrons resembling Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man

[Melxb]

7) Table Games players: don't leave your chips on the table when you go to the bathroom. Someone could snatch them when the dealer isn't looking.

Really? I play blackjack in Vegas at least 4 times a year and I've actually been told the exact opposite--that it's ok to leave your chips at the table if you're just going to the restroom and miss a hand or two or three. Nature's call and all. No one can bet or play for you, but also no one can touch your chips or take your seat. I've had dealers and pit bosses tell me this is ok. Was I wrong? Were they wrong?

[Tuxian]

Really? I play blackjack in Vegas at least 4 times a year and I've actually been told the exact opposite--that it's ok to leave your chips at the table if you're just going to the restroom and miss a hand or two or three. Nature's call and all. No one can bet or play for you, but also no one can touch your chips or take your seat. I've had dealers and pit bosses tell me this is ok. Was I wrong? Were they wrong?

No, not 'wrong' per se, Mel. Thing is... while we are there, watching, and there are cameras watching, the casino CANNOT be held accountable for your money. As in the case I mentioned in another thread, people can and will walk over and steal it if they think they can get away with it. Better safe than sorry.

[Tuxian]

Because when you count cards Casinos do #5 "...curse at him, whine, stamp your feet, or in general act like a 3 year old who didn't get his favorite candy" Then whine, "Only WE get to rip people off. It's not fair that people actualy WIN money from us."

Ha ha ha. From the perspective of an insider, Crosshair, let me put it like this. We offer people a fair game. They come to the table knowing the odds against them are fixed, and that we won't be doing anything underhanded. In return, we expect the same from the players. Counting cards is what a casino refers to as "advantage play", in that it gives you an advantage over both the standard odds, and the other players on the table. Now, if you can do it in your head, more power to you, and good luck. But some people do things like hide electronics in/on their bodies, like in their shoes or in a pocket, that will do the math for them. Those kinds of players are the ones that casinos watch for, the ones using unfair help to play.

[Crosshair]

Never heard about the MIT card counting team I take it? They used no electronics and won millions from the Casinos. Dispite doing nothing illegal the Casinos still banned them. Heck even if they know of lone card counters they will still ban them. Casinos welcome you as long as you don't win. If you have any ability at all they kick you out any way they can.

As for the "advantage play", that doesn't fly in my book. Everyone has different odds of winning. The drunk person has less of a chance compared to the sober person. The person with ADD has a disadvantage as does the person who is obsessive compulsive. The Casino likes these people because they loose money even though drunk people can cause lots of problems.

I don't go to Casinos, personaly I would have more fun throwing money off a bridge. If you want to though, go ahead, I have no problem with that. The state gets plenty of tax money that way.

[Horsetuna]

Hear hear on all of those!

I am a consistently 'hot' dealer, and sometimes i just wanna say "Yeah, I'm hot, both in looks and in luck. Go to another table idiot." and stuff

Also, I had one guy leave the table in a huff cause I'd only give him FIFTY dollars in five dollar chips at a time. Dude, its a RULE, and no, you can't just give me two more 25 dollar chips to cash in right now. If you're playing 25+ a square, use the green ones. If you're playing less, use the red ones. If you're playing more than two squares you need to plaly table max anyways and need BLACK ones.

Grrrr. Jerk. At least, he gave me his 50 in red back before leaving.

As for tipping, it should be required. Its a big courtesy.

We had one guy win 25k on Carribean Stud the other day. He gave every player 25 bucks... but didnt' tip the dealer ONE PENNY. Jerk. The dealer gave yout he cards. He deserves it more than those GOM (Grumpy Old Men)

[KuzcoLlama]

As someone already said, please just leave the the issue of tipping out of the threads. It never ends well. Not once in the entire time I've ever seen one started.

Back on topic, I just like playing for a little bit and then go clubbing. Gambling's not my thing. Mostly because despite the bright colours and the spinning wheels, I prefer to hang out with my friends. The drunk people are funny to watch though. Like the girl that obviously just turned 21 not long after me that had to be carried to the bathroom by her friends while she was mumbling something about being 21.

[Horsetuna]

Yeah, I know. Its not mandatory, but its a bit of a slap in the face ot give the other players 25 but not give the dealer any :/

[Greenday]

Yeah, I know. Its not mandatory, but its a bit of a slap in the face ot give the other players 25 but not give the dealer any :/

I don't think anyone can actually disagree with that. I mean, alls the other players did was just stand there and watch. At no time, whatsoever did they do anything to help him. Why should they get anything?

[Anakah]

Okay, 10, 11 and 4. They all apply to me too. I HATE it when (this is number 10) When jerks come to the cage with like a hundred dollars in one dollar chips!!! They bring racks but we HAVE to count them all. The camera needs to see everything. WHY is it they can bring up low amounts? It would have been easier for one $100 chip.

As to number 11: I understand. A guest wanted to shake hands with me and I had to polietly decline due to the fact that we ARE NOT allowed to touch anybody either. At least now the way they redesigned the cage the idiots can't put their heads through the bars or touch us. I don't really like touching people anyway so I love the no touching rule.

NOW, number four... I HATE hearing WHOOHOOO all night long. Some people scream their heads off-- bloody murder, really. I understand winning money is exciting but screaming every single time for something so small? Everytime someone whoops loudly we all roll our eyes and wonder how much they are drinking. Its annoying and they always do it when I am trying to hear someone talk. I understand its "fun" but not when the whole casino can hear you.

I don't want to sound stupid but I don't fully understand table games. Quite honestly I've never played them or watched. I just cash out the chips and hear people complain. I don't get the odds or why they end up hating the dealer. Can you explain it to me a bit?

[Tanasi]

I know little to nothing of gambling, but I've read the book about the MIT card counting team and how they did it and frankly what's so hard about the math?
Anyways I'm not much into gambling I've been to Cherokee a few times to play the slot machines and a few time to that river boat in Indiana near Louisville. What I'd like to know is: How many machines is one person allowed to play at one time? How are you supposed to know if a machine is being saved by someone else? The reason I ask is, last time I was in Louisville I went to the river boat and was walking around looking for a machine to play, it was Friday evening and the place was busy I finally end up on the third deck and find 6 machines in a row with chairs leaned up against them and no one was playing them. I asked a casino employee if it was OK to play one and she said yes. I picked the one the end and started to play after 10 minutes I get smacked on the shoulder by this elderly lady and she proceeds to cuss me, that these were her machines and I had to leave. I told her an employee said I could play. She then started to pitch a fit and a security guard came over to see what was going on. Long/short she got tossed I was told to find another machine on another deck. Another question, what did I do wrong?

[Becks]

Long/short she got tossed I was told to find another machine on another deck. Another question, what did I do wrong?

What I want to know is--if she got tossed out, why did you have to find another machine to play?

[Tanasi]

What I want to know is--if she got tossed out, why did you have to find another machine to play?

You tell me and we'll both know.