Aquire Skills at Home Before You Expose Your Hard Earned Money
Dear Mark: Before going to the casino I run practice hands on the kitchen table. The problem with this method is that play in a casino on both video poker machines and blackjack is much faster. Any suggestions? Tammy D.
The best way to acquire gaming skills without the expense of
a live game is with a computer. In many ways a computer can be
far superior to a human instructor for both training and drilling.
The benefit of computer training is the ability to test card counting
strategies along with money-management progressive win formulas
at no financial risk, even with simulated high speed play. Whether
at high speeds or a live game pace, computers accumulate data
for later review. This will enable you to spot costly trends that
you might be making on a video poker machine or blackjack table.
Information like this would take you years to accumulate dealing
hand after hand on your kitchen table. And again, the key here
is that any knowledge obtained without a casino outlay will make
you more money down the road.
Many of the better gaming software programs are either free or
shareware, making it very inexpensive, easy to use, and yes, definitely
fun. These software programs can be downloaded from any of the
major online services on the internet.
If you don't have a computer, you can still create a Las Vegas
experience with a handheld video game. I've seen these small hand-held
computer games at Wal Mart's as inexpensively as $5. I prefer
the games made by a company called Radica. The screen is easy
to read and the batteries last, well, I've never changed them
yet. Along with a basic strategy card, you'll sharpen your playing
skills and be an expert in no time.
Dear Mark: I was wondering if you knew the name of the guy who came to Vegas with a couple hundred bucks and kept winning millions. He said, "I'm going to win the casino." I believe this happened at Binion's and as the story goes he ended up broke. Do you know where I can get more info? Brian F.
Which loser are you talking about? There are hundreds of riches
to rags stories that litter Interstate 15 as you're leaving Las
Vegas. Sure, a few players arrive in a Gremlin and drive home
in a $250,000 vehicle, but it's generally a Greyhound bus. Your
typical mere mortal ends up going to the casino gift shop and
buys a tacky t-shirt that says, "I'm Here Visiting My Money
In Las Vegas."
The only way a player can guarantee making a small fortune in
Las Vegas is to arrive with a large one.
Dear Mark: Why are the table felts blue in Morocco? Darren S.
Because green is the sacred color of Islam; also known as the "Color of the Prophet."
Dear Mark: Years ago I was told by an instructor at William and Mary that the university was partially funded by the lottery. Was he pulling my leg? Shelly D.
No he wasn't, Shelly. William and Mary as well as Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth, Brown, and Columbia were funded by voluntary taxation (lottery).
Dear Mark: How can the casino afford to give away a 99¢ breakfast? Tom C.
Because they wish, hope and pray that you'll spend $200.99 before you leave.
Dear Mark: I'm curious, when you worked in a casino what was the most often asked question players asked you then? Gail S.
Where's the bathroom?