Slots at 35,000 feet?
Dear Mark,
Any truth to the rumor that I will be able to gamble on
a flight from Cleveland to Las Vegas? Laurie H.
You
mean wager that your flight will arrive on time? Take the
six-to-five against.
No, Laurie, you won't see the captain turning off the no-betting
signs in preparation for your landing. Though some airlines
have gambling systems tested and ready to go, don't expect
to lose more than your luggage on your next flight. A friendly
wager in the sky only applies to international flights-not
flights that take off or land in the United States. The
1994 Gorton Amendment bans gambling on flights by an international
carrier that begins or ends in this country.
Laurie, I just cannot foresee even lobbied politicians of
unsound mind allowing holiday travelers to arrive at their
vacation destination pauperized.
Dear Mark,
Twice in past columns you have stated unequivocally that
casinos do not cheat customers. You also mentioned the possibility
of a rogue dealer affecting my chances of winning. Could
you please give me an example of something a dishonest dealer
could do to change the odds in the casino's favor? Billy
T.
An example would be of an unscrupulous dealer who preferential
shuffles. Here a dealer is counting the deck down (card
counting) and is aware of all the cards that have been dealt.
If a lot of high cards have been previously pitched, meaning
the deck is now rich in small cards, creating an apparent
disadvantage for the player, the rogue dealer keeps dealing.
On the other hand, if many small cards have surfaced, allowing
a positive expectation for the player, the dealer would
shuffle.
By card counting, the unethical dealer now has total control over any favorable situation the player might have had.
Dear Mark,
Nothing irks me more than when two pit bosses in the same
casino interpret the rules differently. I had a pit boss
allow me to replay my hand (I didn't signal a hit and the
dealer hit me anyway for a bust). Another pit boss instructed
the dealer to take my wife's money on an identical error
one hour later. Don't they play from the same rule book?
David M.
Floormen, a.k.a. dealing referees, at times render contrary
decisions. Calling a particular play differently ultimately
confuses casino clientele. You, and yes, even the dealer,
have a very legitimate gripe against management on inconsistent
calls.
Casinos where customer service prevails always side with
the player unless the mistake is illegal or egregious. Why
lose a customer for life over a $10 error? They realize
the math is always on the side of the casino.
Funny how it works, David. When the house lets you keep
your mistake, they always seem to get it back on the next
hand.
Dear
Mark,
There is a company in Europe selling devices that electronically
jackpot slot machines. Is this legal in Nevada? What is
the penalty for using it? Robert L.
Why waste your money, Robert? Try this instead. Hoist a sledgehammer in the air, angle it at 45 degrees, then bring it crashing down on the polished glass face of the paytable. That should trigger the hopper to release the coins. Either way, the penalty is the same. A ward of the state, AKA, PRISON! Good behavior should get you out in five.
Dear
Mark,
Is there a specific time when a gambler should get up and
walk away from a table when winning? Wayne D.
The two hardest times to leave a casino are when you're ahead or when you're behind. That, Wayne, is why all gamblers should set loss limits and win goals. Though your question lacked precise information, like how much you bet, how long, which games, where, etc., setting specific win goals such as doubling your money, AND STICKING TO THEM, is the correct money management strategy when it comes to bidding your farewells.
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