Wizard
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October 3rd, 2011 at 10:09:44 AM permalink
It is that time of the year again. I've attended every G2E (actually, it used to be called the World Gaming Congress, or something like that) since 1999 I believe. Over the years I've learned a thing or two. Here they are:

  1. For me at least, I don't find the sessions very useful. 99% of the material I either already know or don't care to know. I'm not saying this advice applies to everybody, but the few times I paid for the sessions I regretted it. Simply not worth the time and money.
  2. If you go just one day, make it Wednesday. If not Thursday. Tuesday is by far the busiest day. It is difficult getting anybody's attention and everybody seems stiff and serious. Wednesday there more of a casual friendly feel to the day. Thursday everybody is exhausted and some vendors pack up early.
  3. Don't spend all day at the show. I can run a half marathon at the drop of a hat and even I get exhausted after four hours walking the show. Better to divide your time among multiple days than have one opening to closing day. What works best for me is to arrive after a hearty lunch and stay till closing.
  4. If you have to drive anywhere after the show, leave a bit early, to avoid the exodus. This was more applicable to the LV Convention Center, as opposed to the Sands, where the show is this year.
  5. Wear comfortable clothing, especially shoes. The expo hall gets hot and stuffy, so wear a short-sleeved shirt. Wear comfortable shoes. Nobody is going to look at them anyway.
  6. If you must lunch at the show, try to sneak into the Food and Beverage area. Lots of yummy free samples, including alcohol. They may have restricted access to non F&B people this year, due to crashers like me. As a fallback plan, IGT always has free popcorn and smoothies. Sometimes there is a Nathan's booth giving free half hot dogs, but the line tends to run long. Carrying your own snacks would not be a bad idea.
  7. Bring a good camera (not a cell phone version). Lots of vendors hire celebrities and Playboy Bunnies to lure people into their territory. Photo opportunities are free.
  8. If you need to rest for a while (you will), Shufflemaster always has about a dozen table games to try out, staffed by very lovely models, including some of the ones you see on their TableMax units. Just table surf as you chat with the ladies.
  9. Don't let anybody scan your badge unless you truly want to follow up with them. Your badge has all your contact information and you risk getting their junk Emails and calls forever.
  10. Avoid making eye contact with any vendors unless you truly want to have a conversation with them. They will put the tractor beams on your eyes, and as soon as you make eye contact they will proceed to lure you in and bore you with a sales pitch for toilet paper or insoles for your shoes. These people are good at it; best to nip the problem in the bud and either keep your eyes pointed low. This advice is especially applicable in the economy territory of the floor, generally in the corners and far away from the entrance.
  11. Don't stop and chat in the aisles. It is rude and impedes traffic. You will likely run across people you know and stop. When doing so, move out of the aisles.
  12. If you get thirsty (and you will) lots of the larger vendors will have little bars when you can get a water or soda. Some will have beer. There will likely be a tip jar, so have some ones on you, if you're so inclined.
  13. Wash your hands often and well. Don't touch your mouth with your hands. Events with a lot of hand-shaking are rife opportunities to catch something.
  14. Enjoy yourself. If you have some product or service to pitch, don't go for the hard sell. First listen to whatever the vendor is offering and after that runs its course try to turn the conversation to what you offer. Keep it light and friendly.
  15. Don't enter drawings if you have to give up any contact information. The EV of the drawing is likely not worth letting them know who you are, and you never know how much that information will get passed around. Most of the time you have to give up an Email address and/or phone number. In that case, just don't enter. Then again, I've won a cruise and $500 in convention drawings, but they were at smaller shows, not the G2E.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
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October 3rd, 2011 at 2:55:47 PM permalink
I'm sorry to see no replies to this one. Per my own rules I shall tell a joke to bump it....

A fellow finds himself in front of the Pearly Gates. St. Peter explains that it's not so easy to get in heaven. There are some criteria before entry is allowed.

St. Peter asked the man, "Were you religious in life? Did you Attend church services?"

"No."

St. Peter told him, "That's bad. Were you generous? Did you give money to the poor? To charities?"

"No."

"That too was bad. Did you do any good deeds? Helped your neighbor? Anything?"

"No."

St. Peter was becoming concerned.

Exasperated, St. Peter said, "Look, everybody does something nice sometimes. Work with me, I'm trying to help. Now think!"

The man said, "There was this old lady. I came out of a store and found her surrounded by a dozen Hell's Angels. They had taken her purse and were shoving her around, taunting and abusing her. I got so mad I threw my bags down, fought through the crowd, and got her purse back. I then helped her to her feet. I then went up to the biggest, baddest biker and told him how despicable, cowardly and mean he was and then spat in his face".

"Wow", said Peter, "That's impressive. When did this happen"?

"Oh, about 10 minutes ago", replied the man.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Nareed
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October 3rd, 2011 at 2:59:51 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

  • Wash your hands often and well. Don't touch your mouth with your hands. Events with a lot of hand-shaking are rife opportunities to catch something.


  • A good tip in this regard is to carry a small bottle or tube of hand sanitizer. It's easeier, and faster, to use that than to find a washroom. You should especially use it on your hands before eating or drinking anything.
    Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
    Wizard
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    October 3rd, 2011 at 3:07:43 PM permalink
    Quote: Nareed

    A good tip in this regard is to carry a small bottle or tube of hand sanitizer. It's easeier, and faster, to use that than to find a washroom. You should especially use it on your hands before eating or drinking anything.



    There are two sides to using those hand sanitizers. Some say, including Howie Mandel, that they kill good bacteria, or something. My daughter also did a science experiment that somehow showed they are counterproductive. I shouldn't write about what I don't know much about, maybe somebody else knows more details. Personally, I don't like them because they dry out my skin.
    "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
    Nareed
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    October 3rd, 2011 at 3:27:09 PM permalink
    Quote: Wizard

    There are two sides to using those hand sanitizers. Some say, including Howie Mandel, that they kill good bacteria, or something.



    You know, that anme pops up from time to time, enough so I recognize it. But I've no idea who this guy is. In any case, since hand sanitizer is merely a fancy way of saying "alcohol gel," the fact is it kills all bacteria and viruses without distinction. However: 1) Soap and water also kill all bacteria and viruses without distinction and 2) I'm not aware of there being any kind of good or symbiotic bacteria on the hands.

    Quote:

    My daughter also did a science experiment that somehow showed they are counterproductive. I shouldn't write about what I don't know much about, maybe somebody else knows more details.



    I've heard some people substitute hand sanitizers for hand washing. s has been pointed in this forum before, sanitizers don't remove dirt or other things, they merely kill micro-organisms. In fact the propper use for hand sanitizers is after you've washed your hands. That's what they do in hospitals. I recommend them instead of washing your hands when the environment is relatively clean, as in a convention hall or a casino, nad only when getting to a washroom is inconvenient.

    I use it at the office after I've handled money from the petty cash box, for example, because it's inconvenient to use the sink every time. But I wash my hands before going to lunch, for example. I don't use one at home at all.

    Quote:

    Personally, I don't like them because they dry out my skin.



    Depends on which one you use. The cheaper ones are just alcohol gel. Alcohol has an interesting proeprty: it disolves water. It also has a low evaporation temperature. So when it evaporates, it takes some water moelcules with it, thus drying the skin. The better brands have a moisturizing agent like aloe vera that add moisture to replace the loss.

    You can also use a hand lotion, moisturizing cream or even body lotion later in the day. That ought to keep your hands healthy.
    Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
    odiousgambit
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    October 3rd, 2011 at 3:29:43 PM permalink
    usually it's whether something is truly clean, not whether you use anti-microbial [effect of which lasts not at all without the clean]

    also, IMO rubbing your eyes is worse than touching your mouth
    the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!”   She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
    Nareed
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    October 3rd, 2011 at 4:09:46 PM permalink
    Quote: odiousgambit

    usually it's whether something is truly clean, not whether you use anti-microbial [effect of which lasts not at all without the clean]



    It depends. If you get dirt, then no. If you get ink, well, ink also dissolves in alcohol, so it's a good way for cleaning your hands then.
    Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
    Wizard
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    October 3rd, 2011 at 5:06:08 PM permalink
    From Hand Sanitizers vs. Soap and Water at about.com:

    ...the research shows that hand sanitizers do not significantly reduce the number of bacteria on the hand and in some cases may potentially increase the amount of bacteria on the hand.
    "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
    Paradigm
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    October 3rd, 2011 at 5:13:24 PM permalink
    Wiz, thanks for all your tips.

    I will be there on Wednesday (planned that before your post so I just got lucky!). Won't be in town in time for Buca's or Terrible's Tuesday night but perhaps I will run in to you on the floor.
    Wizard
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    October 3rd, 2011 at 5:16:22 PM permalink
    Quote: Paradigm

    Wiz, thanks for all your tips.

    I will be there on Wednesday (planned that before your post so I just got lucky!). Won't be in town in time for Buca's or Terrible's Tuesday night but perhaps I will run in to you on the floor.



    You're welcome. I will try to come by Shufflemaster at 4:00 on Wednesday. How about that? I might be up for some gambling that evening, if there is any interest.
    "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
    NicksGamingStuff
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    October 3rd, 2011 at 6:04:10 PM permalink
    I won't play but I will happily tag along.
    Wizard
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    October 6th, 2011 at 10:02:41 AM permalink
    Here are the only pictures I took this year.


    License plate seen in the Palazzo parking garage. For those of you who don't know, I'm an avid license plate collector, and also just enjoy a good license plate spotting. I think this is only the third time I've seen a Guam plate on the roads.


    This is a Penthouse Pet, whose name I have no idea. The girls standing around promoting this celebrity appearance were much prettier.


    The Ghostbusters car. I hate it when amateur photographers cut off their subject's legs. As typical, making up for with a nice shot of the ceiling.
    "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
    buzzpaff
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    October 6th, 2011 at 10:06:13 AM permalink
    " This is a Penthouse Pet, whose name I have no idea. The girls standing around promoting this celebrity appearance were much prettier."

    Up until know I believed all you posted about G2E. Having serious doubts about the man behind the curtain now !
    Ayecarumba
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    October 6th, 2011 at 12:57:46 PM permalink
    Did somebody write up a G2E WoVCon summary? How was the action at Terrible's?
    Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
    ncfatcat
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    October 6th, 2011 at 2:02:27 PM permalink
    geez I wonder how much it cost to transport that car to Vegas from Guam?
    Gambling is a metaphor for life. Hang around long enough and it's all gone.
    Nareed
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    October 6th, 2011 at 2:18:01 PM permalink
    Quote: Wizard

    License plate seen in the Palazzo parking garage. For those of you who don't know, I'm an avid license plate collector, and also just enjoy a good license plate spotting. I think this is only the third time I've seen a Guam plate on the roads.



    Two questions:

    1) were you tempted to steal the license plate, or maybe to offer the owner to buy it off him?
    2) Wouldn't you want to know what a car from Guam is doing so far rfom the Pacific Ocean? I sense an interesting story there...


    Quote:

    The Ghostbusters car.



    What was the car drawing attention to?

    Quote:

    I hate it when amateur photographers cut off their subject's legs. As typical, making up for with a nice shot of the ceiling.



    A common failing, unless you're Orson Welles and do it on purpose, of course. Amateurs, including myself, don't take the time or the care to compose a shot.
    Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
    Wizard
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    October 6th, 2011 at 2:55:52 PM permalink
    Quote: Nareed


    1) were you tempted to steal the license plate, or maybe to offer the owner to buy it off him?
    2) Wouldn't you want to know what a car from Guam is doing so far rfom the Pacific Ocean? I sense an interesting story there...



    1. No. It violates every principle among collectors to steal license plates. Besides, I could probably buy a current Guam plate on eBay for about $25. However, it is another thing to see one in the wild. I get more than $25 worth of pleasure from it.

    2. The other two Guam sightings were at Vandenberg AFB and the San Diego Sea World, which is close to a major Naval and Air Force bases. So, I have a feeling that these Guam cars are owned by people in the military. I could imagine the government paying to move a personal car when someone in the armed forces moved. When I was in Social Security, and moved from Los Angeles to Baltimore, the government paid all the moving expenses. Could be that the one at the Palazzo was owned by someone stationed at Nellis AFB.


    Quote: Nareed

    What was the (Ghostbusters) car drawing attention to?



    A Ghostbusters slot machine. Dan Akroyd was also at the show, I think in part to promote it.

    Quote: Nareed

    Amateurs, including myself, don't take the time or the care to compose a shot.



    Don't you take pride in everything you do? Attention to detail is something I admire in a job.
    "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
    Nareed
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    October 6th, 2011 at 3:27:49 PM permalink
    Quote: Wizard

    1. No. It violates every principle among collectors to steal license plates.



    Stealing or buying? I would understand stealing is seen as very wrong.

    Quote:

    2. The other two Guam sightings were at Vandenberg AFB and the San Diego Sea World, which is close to a major Naval and Air Force bases. So, I have a feeling that these Guam cars are owned by people in the military. I could imagine the government paying to move a personal car when someone in the armed forces moved. When I was in Social Security, and moved from Los Angeles to Baltimore, the government paid all the moving expenses. Could be that the one at the Palazzo was owned by someone stationed at Nellis AFB.



    Not the kind of story I was expecting, I'm afraid. Oh, well... Is the government that generous, or is moving a car on a ship that cheap?

    Quote:

    A Ghostbusters slot machine. Dan Akroyd was also at the show, I think in part to promote it.



    Come to thinkof it, now that you metion it, what took them so long?


    Quote:

    Don't you take pride in everything you do?



    Not really. In many things, yes, but not in everything.

    Quote:

    Attention to detail is something I admire in a job.



    Strictly sepaking, taking snapshots isn't a job :)
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