Does Anyone Enjoy an Empty Casino as Much as Me?

We are going to have a snow storm in New England this weekend.  No biggie, it's part of the season.  It's also the reason my relatives moved to Florida after living here most of their life!

But snowstorms have always meant a different excitement to me me. During 34 tears of teaching full time it came to have a special meaning - you know what I'm talking about -
SNOW DAY - NO SCHOOL! 
A trip to the local casino on a Snow Day was fun, winning or losing.  It was about space, selection, and being one with the casino.  (Pause a moment to reflect)

Ok, I'm back.  Even though it's a weekend, I still always get the wonderful feeling and memories I enjoy when I think about being in an empty casino. 

Admit it - I'm know I'm not the only one.

So, to paraphrase Julie Andews,  "...here are a few of my favorite things..." (in a casino on a Snow Day)

Hardly any human beings to deal with:

• Nobody bumping into you gawking at the scenery, or looking for their spouse.  Nobody having to yell the length of a football field to get someone's attention.
• Less smoke - especially if it's 6:00 am.  The crispness of the air inside is almost matched by the air outside - well, it's better than usual.
• Less "mosiers" -  you know those people who walk at a snail's pace.  But even if there are a few, you can easily power walk around them. 

Casino Atmosphere:

• Space - lots and lots of space.
• Machines and tables galore.  You could try to play anything you wanted, even table games you're not that good at for practice.  Just think, playing every single slot you never tried before.  Or putting in one coin in every Video Poker JOB at the $1 denom.  Why would you do that?  Because you CAN.
• Limited beverage service that caters to you - because you're the only one there!
• Space to walk - yes, it's great to get a power walk in at times to clear your head, especially if it's large like Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods or Twin River.

Breakfast:

• A quiet breakfast in a nice restaurant.  Or, if you are one of those (like me) who are just on the under the level to use the high roller lounges, sometimes you get in because there is no one there!

Now, there are a few things to be aware of.  Less cashiers, less beverage service, some parts of the casino might be closed down if employees can't get in. And be aware - there's always that one person on a scooter that thinks it's Talladega because of all the available space. 

(cue music)  "It's the Most Wonderful Time.....in the casino"

But beware - the busses start to come in before noon time.  Plan your getaway accordingly or you just might be there for the day!  6:00am to 11:00am on a snow storm day - casino bliss to a few of us.
 
That's all for now.

Binbin

How Many Gamblers Really Do Win? Acceptance is the key to Gambling Happiness!

Three things make me laugh because I know how stupid and nonsensical they are:

1) Signs in the casino that proclaim the millions of dollars paid out - because it implies that players are such winners, and
2) People who say they rarely lose. LOL! I meet so many people who know these people that I'm surprised casinos are still in business.
3) People who are so unhappy that they never win - and yet they continue to play - unhappily.?

The fact is it is getting more difficult to win - lower VP pay tables, confusing bonus slots with higher volatility, and new table games without knowledge of correct strategies.  So, what are we to do?

Mark Maremont and Alexandra Berzon at the Wall Street Journal analyzed new data that shows that on any given day, the chances of emerging a winner aren't too bad—the gamblers won money on 30% of the days they wagered. But continuing to gamble is a bad bet. Just 11% of players ended up in the black over the full period, and most of those pocketed less than $150.

This particular study, they said, used 4,222 casino customers of different levels of play. It showed that just 2.8%—or 119 big losers—provided half of the casino's take, and 10.7% provided 80% of the take. Such revenue concentration long has been quietly acknowledged in the casino industry because it does show that the casino industry takes advantage of high-end addictive gamblers. But that's a topic for another time.

The fact is, if you want to leave a winner, you need to leave after you win. Sounds obvious? Yes! But, although gamblers know the house has an edge, the average person doesn't understand that casino games are nibbling machines, and the more nibbles you have, the bigger your losses.

Bottom line for me is to approach gambling with the following acceptances:

1) The Casino Industry is in the business of making money. I should expect to leave a winner 25% of the time or less.

2) My bankroll is determined before I go and is what I play with - more than that I can't afford.

3) Gambling is recreation. Recreation should bring joy, but only if you accept the basic realities of the casino's take. If Gambling doesn't make you happy - find another recreational activity.  Life's too short - and expensive!

That's all for now.

Binbin

What's Your Favorite Gambling Movie?

Always a great discussion starter is any question about movies.  The old movie "The Sting" is one of the greatest movies ever made and is my favorite. Would you call it a gambling movie? Of course - it consistently is included in "Top Whatever" gambling/casino movie lists. I just think that it's a classic movie that I could watch over and over and over.

Which got me thinking - there have been many movies involving gambling themes.I wonder what I've seen and what I haven't.
Here's a list of some of the movies most listed as great casino/gambling movies - obviously missing many, probably some of your favorites, but here's a start:

Casino (1995)
Ocean's Eleven (1960) (the original & the remake)
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
The Hangover (2009)
The Hustler (1961)
Casino Royale (2006)
Rounders (1998)
Bugsy (1991)

Call me crazy, but the one gambling movie that I could watch over and over is Lampoon's "Vegas Vacation."  I can't get enough of that weird casino with the game "Guess the number I'm Thinking."
Funny tho, that game never caught on.

That's all for now.

Binbin

Casino Gambling & Human Perception - The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste

It is still amazing to me that many humans who play slots (not including video poker, although it may apply) come in two types:

1) The eternal victim of the voodoo-like force of the casino; never winning and expecting the casino to "give them something" for it
or
2) The Braggers who, according to them, always win, which, when hearing such things, we should logically apply the scientific knowledge we know and say "hog-wash!"

It all comes down to what we wish to believe and perceive compared to the science of the RNG - random number generator.

A few friends of mine were talking about winning and losing at casinos. These were some of the comments made by my friends, and then the reality of it all.

Perception: "I put $100 through this $1 slot (3 reels, Red White & Blue), left it to go to get a drink. A lady sat down at that machine and hit the $10,000 jackpot on the first pull. I should have stayed...."
Reality: It didn't matter. Slots are never "due," it wasn't going to hit on the next pull unless you pressed the button at the exact same moment, and the only way to get that payout is to pull on the exact nano-second of the RNG that provides that winning result. Be happy for that player and just move on, knowing that nano-second exists on all the slots and the next could always be yours.

Perception: "Whenever I play Caribbean Stud Poker, I always win."
Reality: Good for you - enjoy it while it lasts. Any casino that would introduce a game that lucrative would pull it off the casino quicker than you could order your next "free" drink. Depending on the table rules that are variable, the house edge is around 5.25%. Not bad, considering the house edge on slot machines vary between 80%-93%. But over the long haul, YOU WILL LOSE. The Wizard of Odds, Michael Shackelford, sums it up like this: "If you play long enough, the only results you will see is that you will lose all your money. Caribbean Stud Poker has a house edge of 5.22%, so if you're trying to stay in the game as long as possible, I would avoid that one."
Thank You Michael. (You can link to his website, the "Wizard of Odds" from my website faves on the right.)

Perception: "I played video poker at XYZ casino, and every machine seemed to have the same thing about it - whenever I needed a one card draw, the same card came up on the draw in a different suit. It must be programmed to do that!"
Reality: Near miss slot and video poker programming is ruled to be illegal in the states of New Jersey and Nevada and some other U.S. states. The near miss slot programming is the display of combinations that are closely similar to the winning combination that may frequently occur when the slot machine is played. Because the legality issue can affect the credibility of a casino, the near miss slot programming is no longer used in the gaming software of slot machines. When you believe this is your reality, try watching for other patterns. As humans, we will notice what we focus on, not necessarily what the scientific reality is nor what is happening in a long sequence of play.

The bottom line is to know your control on slots is minimal. The RNG is in control. Professional gamblers who play blackjack, poker and video poker expect the "steakiness" in gambling. It is expected and perceived scientifically because their reality includes time of play - lots of time! That is something the recreational player doesn't have. The house edge on slots cannot be seen in one day, one week or one month.  They are programmed to payout at a certain percentage by the manufacturer using the RNG over a very long period of time.

So, check your perceptions and myths at the door and enjoy gambling for what it is for the vast majority of us - recreation. And if you win? Then it's even better!

That's all for now.

Binbin

All I Wanted To Do Was See The Comedy Show at Mohegan Sun....

"THE LEFT HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING."  
There are a couple themes in this post, but you have to read the whole post to get them, and the last might be the most important of all.!

Last night just confirmed for me what I knew already....stay away from casinos on Saturday Nights!
It's probably why I stay away from the strip in Las Vegas, or never stay over on a Saturday night in Atlantic City.  But there were other things that I did learn about Mohegan Sun, and it wasn't pretty.

CHAPTER I.  

First. let's start with the obvious. Those of you who live Massachusetts, LISTEN UP!  This is what you have to look forward to.  These are general weekend occurrences at casinos all over the country, and to a casino coming to you.

TRAFFIC & PARKING - Wow, I have never seen so many cars at that casino in my life.  I usually park in the winter garage, which is the last to fill up.  IT WAS FULL!  I parked in the parking lot outside so far away, I was closer to the Fire Dept. than the Casino Garage Entrance. Oh, and for all of you selfish people who consider yourself "Special" because your car so expensive it deserves two parking places, "YOU"RE NOT ALONE IN THE WORLD!!!"  We counted at least 20-30 more spots in the garage alone taken up by these inconsiderate idiots. 

DRUNKS - need I say more?

LOUD, OBNOXIOUS, "IT'S ALL ABOUT ME" BACHELORETTE PARTIES - so many blood-curdling screams, you'd swear there was a horror movie being filmed.  Oh no, it's just another arrival before they spend ten minutes in everyone's way taking their 34th "selfie" on their iPhone.

DRUNKS - maybe Maine has it right.  You have to pay for alcoholic drinks in Maine at both casinos.  Massachusetts, hello out there?

PEOPLE EVERYWHERE - AND NO ORGANIZATION or EXPERIENCED HELP TO AID WITH CROWD CONTROL - on a busy night like Saturday Night, when Styx & REO Speedwagon are in the Arena, and New York's favorite vulgar comedian Nick DiPaolo was at the Cabaret, there should more, knowledgeable staff available. (segue)

CHAPTER II.  

AND NOW, the real reason for today's post - All I Wanted To Do Was See The Comedy Show at Mohegan Sun.... TOPIC: EVENT TICKETS, or more apply titled, "THE LEFT HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING."

Arriving 40 minutes before the show, I was told I wasn't on the list for tickets.  But, I had reserved them by phone through a mailer sent by email weeks previous.  Not only did I not have tickets, but they didn't have enough tickets to hand out - and it wasn't sold out!  So, a line formed behind me, waiting for the tickets to arrive.  The staff were placed in a very awkward situation, since I over heard them say they didn't like their nightly assignment.  Why would they, if they were on the phone contacting hosts because patrons names weren't "on the list,"  and they were obviously not  taught skills to handle the variety of problems thrown at them, AND there wasn't the support and hosts available for them at the time of the comedy show to get their job done!  It was a mess, to say the least.  But it seems this is more the norm than I thought.  Here are two stories that we were told by other patrons while we waited at the front of the line for tickets:

"I drive from a hour away.  They say I don't qualify, yet I get the offer by email.  They say I have no tickets, and this isn't the first time - the same thing happened two weeks ago."

"We drive from Darien.  We were promised a suite, but have a regular room.  My friends couldn't show, but we have to get in line and get all four tickets.  Last time they charged us $25 each and I was afraid they'd do it again."

The problem lies with Mohegan Sun's Marketing and Hosts.  Again, "THE LEFT HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING."  You see, offers are sent by email for events to patrons, and yet, if you sign into your Mohegan Rewards Account on their website, it says that you must purchase.  When I called to confirm this event, I was told I had tickets, and reserved them. The agent I talked to said it was a problem, and "did I know I had other offers coming up as well?" This really needs to be fixed.

MORAL of the story - always check and recheck your comped offers before going to any casino event.  Expect that "THE LEFT HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING."

CHAPTER III.  

A HAPPY ENDING.  There are a lot of kind and considerate people in this world, and we met two of them.  Bill & Rosemary also had two extra tickets, and offered them to us to be their guests.  We sat with them in the middle of the Cabaret, great seats, and met two wonderful people.  The show was raw, vulgar, funny and not for the sensitive, but that's a review for another time.

AMONG THE VAST AMOUNTS OF HUMAN BEINGS, DRUNKS AND BACHELORETTE PARTIES, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAN ALSO FIND AT CASINOS - GOOD PEOPLE.  Thank you Bill & Rosemary for making lemonade out of lemons for us.  You're ACES in our book.

That's all for now. 

Binbin

The HyperLoop, the Answer to New England's Casinos Concerns?

The 5th Type of Transportation Should Be Beta Tested In New England!


Elon Musk introduced the Hyperloop this week. The basic concept is "a cross between a Concord and a rail gun and an air hockey table," as Musk described it at a conference in May. Columns of air would push passenger cars through special, low-pressure tubes at speeds greater than 600 mph. To reduce friction, the cars would levitate on a cushion of pressurized air.

Solar panels would run along the top of tube to provide power, Musk writes, and excess energy would be stored in battery packs for operation at night and in cloudy weather. That means the hyperloop "can generate far in excess of the energy needed to operate." That would have dramatic consequences for a transportation sector that is second only to electric power in total US energy consumption. And I have the best place to try it!

Just think, not winning at Mohegan Sun?..... use the Hyperloop to check out the Springfield Casino and you're there in 5 minutes. Want to try table games at Twin River, but live in Bangor?.... take the Hyperloop and you're there in 7 minutes. Then close your eyes, count to 20 and you're at Foxwoods for the buffet!

So, connect them all, from CT to Maine, and have Hyperloop transportation for work, leisure, etc. Think of the possibilities:

• Fly from Florida to see the fall foliage - and see it in all six states in one weekend!
• A brewpub crawl through Hyperloop and ride a taxi to the next outsanding New England craft brew!
• You feel like you want Maine lobster for a weekend feast, so within 15 minutes you,re actually IN MAINE from anywhere in New England.

Hey, Elon, if your listening, New England is the place to try it out! Email me at this site...we'll talk and do lunch. Do you like Casino Buffets?

That's all for now

Binbin

Strangest Bets Ever Made

After watching the betting furor last week in England concerning the Prince of Cambridge, I wondered, "What were the strangest bets ever made?"

Prop bets, or "proposition bets," are made concerning one-time events that have nothing to do with - well - anything's outcome.  A good example can be seen in the Broadway musical "Guys & Dolls" when Nathan Detroit tries to set up a prop bet with Sky Masterson that Mindy's Deli sold more Cheescake than Strudel.  Sky doesn't take the bait, but turns it around on Nathan, covering his tie and betting him the same amount of money on the color tie he was wearing.

Here are some of the craziest prop bets ever made - but I'm sure there are a lot more and a lot crazier!

Ashton Griffin, laid out 3:1 odds on himself of being able to run 70 miles on a treadmill in 24 hours, meaning if he’d lost, he would have paid out 3x the bet. By some miracle, he pulled this off, won $300K, and avoided having to shell out $900K and finished the 70 miles with 45 minutes to spare!

$10K for a Vegetarian to Eat a Burger - Yes, it's true.

Crazy Las Vegas Bets
It's almost impossible to decide which of legendary gambler Archie Karas' bets was the craziest. The man came to Vegas with $50 in his wallet and grew that stake to a staggering $17 million over the course of three years. Whether he was playing pool or poker, Karas' three-year streak is widely regarded as the most insane in Las Vegas history. By the end, after being banned from the poker tables at most casinos, Karas was just taking $100,000 bets on single dice rolls. And yet, just a year after that, he'd lost it all the same way he earned it.
Man Who Got Breast Implants on a Bet

This one, of course, is almost mythic by now, but we couldn’t not include the craziest bet ever made, bar none. Magician and high-stakes gambler Brian Zembic bet in 1996 that he would get breast implants and keep them in for a year for $100K wager. The craziest part of this story is that Zembic apparently became so enamored with his "additions," he never had them removed.

Some people come to Vegas to find a mythic transformation, to leave behind everything of their old life and be born again in the fires of chance. Britisher Ashley Revell sold everything he owned, emptied his bank account and put every penny he had—$135,000—on red. One spin of the wheel later and he'd doubled his money. He gave a $600 tip to a dealer and walked out of the casino a rich man.

In Vegas, people will bet on just about anything. 1979 saw a great example, as El Cortez owner Jackie Gaughan decided to start taking bets on where space station Skylab's wreckage would fall to Earth when it re-entered the planet's atmosphere. Jackie laid odds on everything from New York City to the El Cortez itself (which paid out 10,000 to 1), but the final resting place of the downed satellite ended up in Australia.

And here are some of the bizarre Super Bowl Prop Bets of the past:

• Anthem Time Length Bet
• Improvised National Anthem Bet
• Opposing Coaches Hugs or Handshakes Bet
• Gatorade Color Bet 

That's all for now.

Binbin

What Is Your Casino Bankroll Plan?

“Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it the fullest, but not so fully that you run out of money.” —Jonathan Clements

If you think about it, every time you visit the casino, that's the goal. To enjoy it the fullest, but not so fully that you deplete your bankroll.

So, today's blog is a short one.  Answer these questions before your next visit to the casino:

1)  How long are you going to stay?  Decide before you go.
2)  If you came on bus, do you have plans on how to spend your free time?  (Time without bankroll)
3)  If you are ahead on a slot or video poker machine, did you establish a stop value to cash out?
4)  If it's a longer visit that spans over a meal time, do you have a plan for dividing your sessions?
5)  Does the allotted time for your visit = your allotted bankroll?  In other words, do your time expectations match the $$ you brought?  (If not, be careful not to make that ATM your friend)

That's all for now.

Binbin

Random Thoughts - Kids in the Casino, Motorized Scooters, and more...

Sometimes, I just watch people when visiting a casino.  My mind wanders, and random thoughts come and go. 

So here's a few that came up after I saw the CT Sun win Sunday:

I think, after looking at all the people leaving the CT Sun game, I have an idea to help gamblers who deal with obesity - and there are a lot of us.  Make a non-smoking, workout room that has slots & video poker with good paytables and payback % that are connected to a treadmill or stationary bike.   Yes, I know - cool idea, huh?

Shouldn't the parents of young children actually be parenting their young children in the aisles and hallways of a casino? 

Stood next to a sign that read " No-smoking Area."  Beneath the sign was an ashtray, and on the other side, a guy was smoking, using the ashtray. Hmmm...

I'd love to see a slot machine themed around the old TV show "Barney Miller."  It would have a progressive, and be similar to Hangover, with the bonus divided into bonus for Barney, Fish, Wojo, Harris, and Yemana.  If you are old enough to know about the characters just mentioned, maybe you'd enjoy a "Nightcourt," "Andy Griffith,"  and the "Roadrunner" slots also.

How is it that motorized scooters don't have a speed limit.  They are meant for mobility, not for hostility!

I need to learn how to play craps.  It always seems to be the game with the most fun.

I think I'm going to start making up stories for those people who insist on giving advice or asking for advice while I'm playing, like "rainy Thursdays, when less people visit, is the a day casinos turn off the switch that tightens the machines and increases the pay % by 2%."  That's when those Google Glasses would kick in and video their responses.  YouTube, here I come....

Where do casinos get these rugs?

Comedian Mitch Hedburg said it right - Escalators don't break down, they just turn into stairs.

What musical keys are all these slot machines in?  Do they all have the same use the same scale?  Is there such an occupation as a "slot machine jingle writer?"

Instead of drinks, how about handing out free ice cream bars, or gummi bears?
Beverage server: "Beverages?"
Bin:"Yes, please.  I'd like a black coffee and some gummies."
Beverage server: "Sharks, snakes, or bears?"
Bin:"Sharks, please.  Thank you..."
(That would be so cool)

When do I know when it's time to go?  When my mind wanders too much.....

Later.

That's all for now.

Binbin

Foxwoods Friday today is Footwear Friday!

What footwear do you wear to work?
Probably, if you are required to wear a specific type of footwear to work, it's mostly because of safety. Or, maybe your profession requires best support and comfort, like a basketball player. Or maybe it's just plain practicality - bowling shoes for bowlers, cleats for baseball players, logging boots for loggers - dress shoes for office jobs - and on and on....

But is their any job that requires shoes that abuse the workers feet? Yup - at the casino!

For years and years,, even going back to pre-American European casinos, women  wore high heels to serve beverages to casino visitors. You know what they say - "sexiness sells." Sometimes the skimpier outfits, the better the tips. (or so we are to believe.) But haven't we evolved past that? I mean, do we really go to a casino to watch the waitresses in skimpy outfits and two-inch heels? Really?

Well, this edition of Foxwoods Fridays takes a little detour to look deep into the "soles" of those endearing employees we depend on for our libation - the female beverage servers.

Waitresses (can I say waitresses still?) negotiating their first union contract at Foxwoods Resort Casino have made the heels an issue. They are painful and, over time, foot-deforming. The casino yielded on a recently imposed requirement for 2-inch heels, but it is insisting that servers wear polishable black shoes, subject to approval by management, according to union representative Keri Hoehne and members. Servers could be exempted with a doctor's note for up to a year, but would then have to resign or take another position. Some regard the requirement as a sneaky effort to get rid of older employees.

Cheryl Haase has been serving cocktails for more than two decades, and the 52-year-old waitress says she has a list of foot ailments to prove it. The miles she has walked carrying trays of drinks through the Foxwoods Resort Casino in high heels have sent her over the years to chiropractors and podiatrists for injections to treat inflammation. "Most of us girls have been here for 20 years, 15 years. This job has really done a number on our feet and they know it," Haase said.

"A 2-inch heel is bio-mechanically and structurally wonderful compared to a 4-inch heel," said Dr. Eric Levine, a podiatrist in Norwich. "Still, heels take their toll, especially as women age." (A high heel at a party now and then is OK, according to Levine.) Levine added "I'll never forget when I heard a patient say, 'No matter how much my feet hurt, the higher the heel, the higher the tip.'" As I said, sexiness sells!

But with the decline in patronage and revenue, waitresses have seen a big decline in tips. It's a high price to pay to forfeit fashion for comfort. These financial troubles have resulted in layoffs and pay cuts, facts that justify older waitresses' worries that the dress code restrictions are designed to force them out in favor of newer, younger employees who haven't yet experienced the downfalls of years of wearing heels to work.

So, maybe it's time to evolve once again. A safe, comfortable, happy employee would probably translate into less sick time, better and faster interaction with patrons, and more revenue from happy, thirsty visitors!

Dear Foxwoods, it's time to side with safety over maintaining the outdated waitress image of Vegas days gone by. It's time to evolve, or maybe just respect your longtime employees health?  I bet they know more patrons on a first name basis than your pit bosses will ever know.  Give 'em a break!

That's all for now.

Binbin

Great Gambling Books

A while back, I reviewed "Roll The Bones" by Dr. Dave Schwartz. I loved it! I'm reading it again because their is so much to sink in.

Then I was wondering what other gambling books I have read and enjoyed - books I would suggest. Well here's a short list of suggestions I have enjoyed and hope you will, too.

"American Casino Guide" by Steve Bourie - I buy this book every year. Not only does it have articles about different games, statistics, and coverage of every state's gambling offerings, but it comes with over $1000 worth of coupons. Using a few of these pays for the book each year, wherever you normally gamble, or with a trip to the top five gaming areas in the US.

"The Frugal Gambler" by Jean Scott - Learn the low-roller secrets for: Staying free at hotel-casinos, beating casino promotions, eating and drinking on the house, playing video poker for profit, getting bumped from airplanes and flying for free. And now THE FRUGAL GAMBLER is completely revised and updated. New information includes a completely revamped chapter on video poker, updated coverage of getting the most out of slot clubs, recent examples of exploitable gambling promotions, and a brand new Resources section, identifying the best sources of player information available from books to software to the Internet. It gives a great perspective on why using your rewards card for every casino is important all the time.

"Million Dollar Blackjack" by Ken Uston - Uston's book has great descriptions of team BJ play. Extremely entertaining and was THE book to read for BJ teams years ago. A bit dated in spots, but not a bad place to start learning about card-counting and advantage play

"Video Poker-Optimum Play" by Dan Paymar - This was the first serious book I read to learn about Video Poker. I had finally realized the benefits of correct strategy, Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun had just been built and it changed my VP play forever. Some say it's simply the best book ever written on Video Poker (and probably the only one you'll ever need).

"Casino Gambling for Dummies" by Kevin Blackwood - Want a good overview of Casino Gambling? This book is a great place to start. Kevin Blackwood has used his considerable casino and casino games knowledge to create what’s more than just a beginner’s guide. Insider secrets and tips for maximising profits while minimising losses when playing all of the major casino games are just the basis of this comprehensive casino guide. In addition, Blackwood explains odds as well as detailing winning strategies, bad bets, how to manage your money and how to gamble online. A "How-To" book that you don't have to read cover to cover!

"Bringing Down the House" by Ben Mezrich - The tale of how MIT students won millions of dollars in Las Vegas is sure to excite and inspire. This is fun reading and includes references to play at Foxwoods as well for a New England flavor.  Reads well, well enough for you to forget that it isn't fiction.

"The Video Poker Answer Book" by John Grochowski - John Grochowski addresses common player concerns in his complete guide to video poker. This is a nuts and bolts book that answers questions that every VP player asks or wonders about. Perfect for players who want to understand the mechanics behind video poker, without becoming overwhelmed by facts and figures

"Zen and the Art of Casino Gaming" by Miron Stabinsky - This book discusses basic rules & strategies, as all gambling books do. But this differs in the way Miron covers the psycology of being successful - or at least enjoying gaming more by realizing what you actually DO control. This book teaches acceptance of gambling reality to help get the most enjoyment out of your play. It's a little different, but I liked it.

Finally, any book about systems to beat slots is a good book - a good book for the author that is. There is NO SYSTEM to beat slots. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! If you consider buying any such book, drop it and run - run fast and run far!

That's all for now. Tomorrow is NE Gambling Entertainment Wednesday!

Binbin

Stupid Human Tricks - Casino Etiquette, Part 5

"You Can't Fix Stupid!" - Ron White, Comedian
Even though this member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour may be correct, I will try to reach out and maybe bring awareness to Stupid and Inconsiderate Human Tricks in the casino.  Get your imagination ready.....

Sometimes, humans in a Casino transcend past the line of good/bad manners and into the the realm of

(cue echo) Sheer Stupidity, Stupidity, Stupidity, Stupidity.....

For them, it's a different reality. It's a light-speed dash to an entirely different planet, in a galaxy far beyond our imagination (cue music from "Star Wars" or even "Twilight Zone") - it's a planet called "Stupidus Horendus."

Ok, so, we've all probably been there at least once, probably more often than we would like to admit. Luckily, we make it back to Earth, hopefully safe and unscathed!

The following are some of those parallel universe experiences we see and unfortunately rub elbows with - figuratively AND literally.

First, it is improper to count your money out in the open. Not only that, but it's just plain stupid. If you are so naive that you think everyone is wrapped up in their own fun not watching you, then you have just visited "Stupidus Horendus." There are people that visit casinos to steal, not gamble. Be humble about your winnings or bankroll - it'll keep you safe and not alienate people around you (get-it? alienate? different planet?) . Casino etiquette would have you take your money up to your room, or into a stall in the bathroom to count it.  Wherever the place is, don't broadcast your win!

Those that have lived by casino etiquette for years know that there are cameras all over the place in a casino. They laugh at those fools that think that it is necessary to point out every camera in the place. Plus, casino security might wonder why you are doing this as well. Do you want them thinking that you have something to hide?

If you see a seat leaning up against a slot machine, leave that machine alone. This is done if a person needs to leave the slot machine for a few minutes and they feel that it has been lucky for them. However, if you don't have someone who you know watching it for you, I wouldn't do this myself - don't trust this long tradition of holding your seat in today's casinos. The clientele of today's casinos have not grown up with these things. It's the cynic in me that says "you shouldn't do this anymore," but, I still think it's stupid to be so naive in today's casino environment.

If you're going to lunch or to play another game, free up your spot. If you're going to be gone for more than a few minutes, it's not fair to other players or to the casino to tie up the game. And, for goodness sake, don't do the chair trick.

By the way, don't pressure someone around you to watch your machine. It's presumptuous to think that they should do that for you. It tends to keep a person there longer then they usually want to be and you don't even know them! Leave them alone!  (But I digress...)

Yeah - free drinks! Who doesn't like free drinks? But drinking to excess while gambling is just another trip to Stupidville. Please don't let me go into the well-known effects of alcohol on human decision-making! Monitor your alcoholic beverages before it's too late and your money is gone after more than expected runs to the ATM, you can't find your car (or the doorway to the parking garage) and you've just left your fly down for two full hours!

Very important - don't drive away from the casino unless you're sober. You're Stupidity of drinking intoxicated could harm or kill someone.

Finally, stupid and annoying machine tricks:

• Rubbing the screen of the slot for luck - how many people do you think have already touched that screen with dirty, germy hands? Google "Random Number Generator (RNG) - it might save you from certain health problems
• Rubbing the machine to make friends - REALLY? If you want a positive relationship, go home to your spouse and kids.
• Believing that a machine is "hot" or "cold." Again, google RNG.
• Telling people that you "just played that machine, and it didn't hit anything. It must be a tight machine." See previous sentences.
• Taking your players card out and then in to change your luck. Aaaaaaaah - stupid, stupid, stupid. All your card does is collect data such as time played, denomination played, and accumulation of points. Really, you're not tricking the machine nor the casino!
• Give ignorant information as if you are an "expert." I had one lady tell me, unsolicited of course, that I needed to play my machine at the $.50 denomination, because after playing it herself, that's what she found it was programmed at. She also told me that ALL slots are programmed to hit better at certain bet amounts. So, once you find out if it hits at $.50, $1.00, etc, you can play professionally. Obviously, she was a native from the planet.

That's all for now. Be considerate and aware of those around you, and don't fly away to the planet Stupidus Horendus - you never know who else you'll find there, or if you may ever come back!

Binbin

Casino Etiquette - Something For Everyone - a Preview

Once Upon A Time, at a Community Slot Game.....

Have you ever played a Community Slot Machine Game - games that consist of a bank of machines that contain the same game. Each player is playing on their own machine but at random times there will be a bonus event in which all players take part. The event is usually shown on a separate screen connected on top of the bank of machines. All players taking part in the bonus event will share in the jackpot. The amount won by the individual player is based on the amount they are betting per spin. Below are a few of the first popular community games to come out:




Well, this post is not going to help you know how to play these games, or even help you be successful at them - read on......

At times, you will get a multiplier boost, that lasts for a few spins then returns to your original bet. At the time you push the button, the multiplier is at a certain level. For example, playing 2X bet ($0.80) gives you a 4X multiplier at first, then after a brief moment it drops to two. If you play faster, you can keep the 4X going until the community bonus round randomly kicks in.

You see, while I was playing at the local casino, I decided to try a community Wizard of Oz game. As I was playing, minding my own business, the women next to me asked me how come this or that?, and how do you?  and how did you get that?   .......distracting me, slowing me down and basically being a huge pain in the......RNG. While they continued to bother me, being the gentleman I am, I  actually payed them some attention and gave some answers, while my multiplier dropped to a point lower than it would have been without these pests.  But it gets worse...
You see, at times on this particular community slot, an individual can get a special brief multiplier up to 15X - which is what I got just before their next question, my next answer and.....

Whammo! - it's bonus time! 

Only the big multiplier in that brief time already was back to 2X.  Yup, that's right - they actually cost me money, because they stopped my play with incessant rude interruptions, and timing as it was, my multiplier was 2X instead of 15X. By the time the bonus round had finished, they had cost me $130! Unbelievable! I cashed out grumbling, and she and her friend thought I was rude. AAAAHHH! I WAS RUDE?

It was that moment I sought never to forget. To go where gambling bloggers HAVE gone before. To research the biggest pet peeve of mine in the history of my gaming adventures. Yes, that's right.....

RUDE CASINO PATRONS & 
BAD CASINO ETIQUETTE!
(cue music - "dun, dun, Daaaaah)

This week I will start my march through the valley of dearth - a dearth of manners! (Look it up if you don't know the word - I'm not stopping my rant to explain it!) I will go high and wide to find the most complete list of Casino Etiquette ever assembled in the history of blogging!! MooHaaHaaHaa....

The categories will include but not be limited to the following:

• General Casino Etiquette or "General Nuisance"
• Etiquette When you Bring Family or "All in the Family"
• Tables Games Etiquette or "Know Your Table Manners!"
• Slot Machine Etiquette or "Machines bring out the Worst in People"
• Video Poker Etiquette or "The Royalty on the Cards act Better Than You!"
• and
• Smoking Etiquette or "Watch Your Ash"

So get ready. The series of teaching moments is coming soon. Probably next week - I wouldn't want to wait too long and smooth out my edginess.

That's all for now, but not for long. Tomorrow will continue as New England Casino Entertainment Weekly. But after that, I'm off and running. Leaping tall inconsiderate patrons in a single bound.
Look in the ceiling - it's a bird, it's a plane it's....

SuperMan-ners!

May the force of Ann Landers be with me.......and any other SuperHero / Sci-Fi help I can get!

Binbin

Slot Machine Quotes

Gambling Humor or Gambling Truth About Slots? 

I recently read a great article for slots player entitled "The Sixty Most Important Things I've Learned About Playing Slot Machines" by Terry Murphy, aka VP Pappy.  Murphy wrote this article almost 10 years ago and has some great observations for slot players.  Look it up - great stuff.

But one thing he incorporated in the article were some quotes about slots & slots players. Here are some from the article and a few others for laughs and giggles - some are funny, all are true!

"Blessed be the slot players for theirs is the hope of a better day dawning."
--Frank Scoblete

"The only sure thing about luck is that it will change."
--Wilson Mizner

"If it wasn't for all the money I keep losing, this gambling thing could be a lot of fun."
--Terry Murphy

"Psychologically, the one element of the game that keeps the slot devotee tied to the machine is the possibility, no matter how remote, of hitting the jackpot. The promise of the monster, life affirming win, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the philosopher's stone that can cure all their ills, pay off all their debts, and smooth the path of life forever, and ever, and ever."
--Gambling For Dummies (the book)

"Never get between a serious slot player and his or her machine. Slot players are much like the mother bear with her cub I once met mountain biking."
--Mark Pilarski

"Slot stuffers, by the large, don't want to be flustered by anything as philosophical as facts."
--Alan Krigman

"Your best chance to get a Royal Flush in a casino is in the bathroom."
--VP Pappy

"I can understand why players are scared of the new high-tech slot machines. Hell, I'm still scared of the old ones."
--Terry Murphy

" Grandma, you don't have to cash out," I told her. "The credits will build up as long as you play, and you can play off those credits if you like." She smiled, almost guiltily then answered: "I like the sound."
--Anthony Curtis

"They sit there, all bright and shiny, with their left arm pointed to heaven, of all places, pleading with you to fill their stomachs with your silver dollars, quarters, anything."
--John Patrick

"A drunken monkey can be as successful at slots as a sober Einstein."
--Bob Dancer

"It's really stupid and embarrassing to keep pleading with a slot machine as if it were alive and could actually hear me. I'd stop doing it but I'm afraid I'll make it angry and it won't give me a win."
--Terry Murphy

"Question: "What's your favorite game?"
"The new slot machine with monkeys and bananas that goes bloop, bloop, bloop!"
--Wendy Liebman (comedian)

"It is not uncommon to see a lady in her bridal gown, married moments ago by a minister in full Elvis regalia, furiously working the slots with a Marlboro clenched between her teeth."
--Rob Wiser

"Slots have no memory. They are a mindless collection of metal, silicon and plastic. They don't know whether they have hit a jackpot on the previous play or haven't paid off since Reagan was in the White House." 
--Lou Krieger & Arthur Reber


That's all for now.

Binbin

It's Time To Play "Name That New England Casino"

Where Does this Picture Come From?

So, here is a little game to see if you know your New England Casinos. Name the casino these picture portions come from.

The Answers are at the bottom - don't peak!

1)
 

2)


3)



4)

5)








6)








7)


8)



That's all for now. How many did you get correct?

Binbin






 
















Answers: 1-TwinRiver, 2-Hollywood, 3-Mohegan Sun, 4-MGM, 5-Oxford, 6-Newport Grand, 7-Foxwoods, 8-Twin River

It's Time for Some Casino Humor

Sometimes, I like to stop the serious gambling talk and laugh. Here are some funny things I found. I hope you enjoy them, too. 

What are vampires playing poker for?  - High stakes.

What's the difference between a pizza and a poker player?  - One can feed a family of three.

Definition: Lottery - A tax on people who are bad at math.

What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover? - A rash of good luck

"If you ain't just a little scared when you enter a casino, you are either very rich or you haven't studied the games enough."

"Horse sense is a good judgement which keeps horses from betting on people." - W. C. Fields

And finally,

I'm in Vegas last week and a guy is standing in front of the Shoe and he appears to be pan handling. I wander by and he say's to me "Sir, my wife has died, but I need money to bury her. Can you help me out?" I get a bit huffy and say back to him "Why should I give you money. You're just going to take it and go gambling!" He looks at me and says " You got it all wrong, I've got gambling money!"

That's all for now.

Binbin

Powerball Realities

You Can't Win If You Don't Play.......

Yes, that's true. Let's review some other "You can't....if You Don't......" sayings:

1. "You Can't Win If You Don't Enter" (Still waiting for the balloons & GIGANTIC Check!)
2. "You Can't Sit If You Want to be Fit" (True! I'm glad I found that saying sitting in my recliner!)
3. "(If) You Can't Say Something Nice, Don't say ANYTHING AT ALL"
4. "You Can't Complain If You Don't Vote" (Just think - If we had a $1 National Complaint Jar, We'd turn that deficit around in no time!)
5. "You Can't Make Your Bed If You're a Tyrannosaurus Rex"(Ok, that's kinda off track, but pretty funny - trying picturing it)

So, today, POWERBALL is BIG! POWERBALL MANIA is out of control. (Really? I have to wait in line to pay cash for gas at Bin's Gas Station, Convenience Store, & Dry Cleaners?)

Well, it IS true - "You Can't Win If You Don't Play." So what chances do you have to win? Well, you have better odds in the following:

• Birthing identical quadruplets - Odds: 13,000,000 to 1
• Becoming an astronaut - Odds: 12,100,000 to 1
• Becoming a movie star - Odds: 1,505,000 to 1
• Getting a royal flush in a first hand of poker - Odds: 649,740 to 1
• Finding a four leaf clover - Odds: 10,000 to 1

One more thing is TRUE - THE ODDS DON'T CHANGE! YOU DON'T HAVE A BETTER CHANCE IF MORE OR LESS PEOPLE BUY TICKETS, OR WHATEVER THE JACKPOT IS!
I heard this said on TV this morning, "You'd think the odds would be better to win at a low jackpot since less people are buying tickets..." OMG! That type of thinking is the same as looking for a cold slot - it's bound to hit. WOW Gambling sure brings out the "smarts" out in people.

Here's the facts:

• There is a 1 in 175,223,510 chance of winning the jackpot, according to the website of the Multi-State Lottery Association.
• There's a 1 in 31.85 chance that a ticket holder could win something, including the smallest prize of $4.
• The pot is technically $320 million, but has a cash value after taxes of $193.8 million, according to the association.

Though sizable, tonight's pot pales in comparison with last year's $588 million Powerball jackpot.So, hey why bother. Afterall, most of us aren't even interested if the jackpot is only 8 digits!

So, it's true - You Can't Win If You Don't Play. Have fun with it, although, you're likelier to die getting struck by lightning than winning the Powerball jackpot: 1 in 134,906.

That's all for now. I have to rush down to Lotto Mart to buy "a" ticket.

Binbin

Good Intentions, Change of Plan - The two-face approach to Casino Gambling

I was recently reading an article by John Grochowski's article "The Casino Slot Sybil" which got me thinking, "Are there two personalities battling to get out when  I enter a casino?"

I have always said that a true gambler is not one that takes chances on the biggest gamble, but a true gambler is the person who gambles using the best strategy, the best odds, and the best overall advantage.  I play Video Poker and I try to find the best paytables where ever I play.  I will even go out of my way to visit a different casino with better VP.  So, why will I play Monopoly PartyTrain for hours?

It's an interesting two-face approach for many of us - here's a typical pompous predictable discussion I have with myself, walking into the casino:

"Oh, Yes, I only play the best paytables, 3/2 Blackjack (single deck of course),  $5 dollar 3-reel slots, and the pass line bets on crap with the best odds offer.  Oh, goody-goody - there's the newest Wizard of Oz Progressive!"  (as a run over to the slot's last seat!)

Wow - stepping into a casino can make a person fickle - okay, it makes ME fickle.  Here are a few more examples - have you done similar decisions as this:

Good Intention - Play full pay 8/5 Bonus video poker
Change of Plan - Play 7/5 Draw poker because the bar has a great beer menu! (I do this all the time at the M Resort in Vegas)

Good Intention - Play $1 3-reel slot with higher payback percentage (usually)
Change of Plan - Play my favorite slot, progressive or not!

Good Intention - I will play Video poker to sustain my bankroll
Change of Plan - I play that favorite slot in the double points area that I'm sure will finally hit!

Good Intention - I'll just stop by the casino, have a nice meal on my $20 voucher and go home!
Change of plan - I'll just play $20 in this slot on my way out! (Seriously? How many times has that really worked?)

And finally,

Good Intention - I'll take a break after two hours for a good choice in eating
Change of plan - I play 4 hours straight and settle for three Krispy Kreme Donuts on my way out!
(I forget who told me this one)

That's all for now!

Binbin

What are you afraid of? Reasons to Visit a Casino beside Gambling

A little bird-walk never hurt anyone. So, today's blog is just that - instead of "Monday is Maine Day," or "Monday is Massachusetts Day," it's
"Monday is for My Reasons to Visit to Casinos besides Gambling" Day.
Yes, they try to dazzle us with big promises of financial possibilities. But in this day of casino resorts and casinos as vacation destinations, there are many more reasons to visit. Here are some of my faves - in no particular order:

MUSIC & COMEDIC ENTERTAINMENT - Whether I pay for it or have a concert comped freebie (Free? - we both know better), I love the entertainment casinos offer, whether it be 30 miles away or across the country in Vegas.

STAYING IN A BEAUTIFUL HOTEL - Sometimes, I just like to kick back, away from sounds of ringing slots and screaming winners. I still remember staying at Wynn and Cosmo the first time in Vegas. I just love that "ritzy" feeling.

PEOPLE WATCHING - Remember that movie title - "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." Watching people at a casino, hotel lobby, lounge, or club includes all three of those and everything between and beyond. Depending where you are, you could be a part of "the In crowd." (However, seriously, have you ever wondered how many people don't have mirrors in their home?) But, the creme de la creme usually lingers around the casino game tables and this gives you the opportunity to mingle with the wealthy crowd and even to form new relationships, both private and business. You never know who you might see.

SOCIALIZING - Catching up with friends and socializing is another very common reason for visiting a casino. We will often meet friends for coffee and just to catch up, never spending a dime on gaming.

EATING & DRINKING - I know singles and couples visit the casino to enjoy a few drinks at the bar or dance at a club. My wife and I enjoy the vast offerings in dining available, whether it be a terrific buffet, a gourmet burger or fine dining, there's always something for everyone.

EMPLOYMENT - yes, it's true. I have performed at the Foxwoods Atrium Lounge, Foxwoods conference center, Mohegan Sun's Wolf Den and Twin River's Lighthouse Lounge. By the way, it's always a good idea to leave with the money you make as an employee instead of turning into a patron.

SPORTING EVENTS - Boxing matches, basketball, arena football - these and more I have enjoyed at casino arenas. My two favorite events: #2 - PBR Professional Bull Riding & #1 - the Connecticut Sun WNBA Basketball at it's best, both at Mohegan Sun.

ACCOMPANYING A FRIEND OR GIVING A TOUR - Someone brought me here. Being that someone can be fun. So bring a partner, relative, friend or colleague.

THE DECOR - Ever walk in the Bellagio Garden in Las Vegas, or walk on the beach outside of the Biloxi casinos? The AC Boardwalk is a wonderful stroll on a spring afternoon. Take a good look around and you might be surprised what artistic and natural beauty you may see.

RELAXATION - As a means of relaxing and letting one's hair down, gambling can be a great way to unwind from the many stresses of life. But you don't have to gamble. The pleasant, elegant and relaxing atmosphere of the casino itself can be a major source of appeal in itself.

Yes, a casino is more than just gambling....period.

That's all for now!


Binbin