Passers-by and 'watchers'

Quote: aceofspades

I am not sure if this counts as superstition or just a pet peeve...but, when I am playing blackjack and someone lingers by the table, watching, looking at chips, the cards, me or the dealer, I stop playing (that is, if I am playing one-on-one) until they move on (sometimes, they move in closer when I stop) - I just get a weird vibe when someone stops and makes my game the focus of their day - it's not like I am playing some astronomical amount of money that would require attention - what are others' experiences with passers-by and 'watchers' while they play?

I kind of feel the same way. I mostly play Pai Gow poker, and it seems like I get the worst hands when someone is standing behind me watching. I also hate it when they suggest how to set the hand without me needing any help.

If I'm playing a table game and someone does that, it doesn't really bother me.

If I'm playing video poker and someone does that, I find it creepy and distracting.

I don't like being watched but it was never an issue. I to not watch more than a few hands. Usually to learn a game. Even then I keep a few steps back.

Dang spades im just trying to back count not creep you out. :)

Quote: rainman

Dang spades im just trying to back count not creep you out. :)

Ahhhhh but the tables I play at are no mid-shoe entry! haha
Let the truth come out - you are stalking me aren't you HAHA

I've engaged in conversation people who do that. I do it myself, from time to time, especially with new or unfamiliar games. I did it a lot when I was trying to figure craps out. Last trip lots of people were watching the table when I played 6 card poker. One asked me about the game and we talked for a bit. He decided not to play.

Quote: Nareed

I've engaged in conversation people who do that. I do it myself, from time to time, especially with new or unfamiliar games. I did it a lot when I was trying to figure craps out. Last trip lots of people were watching the table when I played 6 card poker. One asked me about the game and we talked for a bit. He decided not to play.

On occasion, I have attempted to engage and say 'hello' or 'how are you?" - this has always been met with them looking at me strangely and walking away

Ok the truth is out im just trying to get close so I can get your wallet. Im trying to become a grifter I hear it has +EV.

Something like that has happened to me before and I just give them a "WTF are you looking at?" look and they walk away. It creeps me out when someone just stares at me like that.

Quote: rainman

Ok the truth is out im just trying to get close so I can get your wallet. Im trying to become a grifter I hear it has +EV.

When and until I make some of the money back from two weeks ago, lifting my wallet has a -EV

Quote: aceofspades

On occasion, I have attempted to engage and say 'hello' or 'how are you?" - this has always been met with them looking at me strangely and walking away

It happens to me all the time at nugget...mostly because they're either foreigners on the bus, or spun out bums...

Quote: BigJer

Something like that has happened to me before and I just give them a "WTF are you looking at?" look and they walk away. It creeps me out when someone just stares at me like that.

Exactly - I never know if they are checking my chip stack, trying to learn blackjack or think I have a "perty mouth" LOL

Happens EVERY time at tiles at Rio. I always ask if the person would like me to try and explain the game to them.... rarely they do and I am happy to oblige, most times they watch one more round then move on....

This just happened to me in AC last time I was there, playing $5 a spin roulette, simple outside bets(negative EV I know)... just killing time till the wife showed up. I was the only one at the table and literally 25-30 asian men and women crowded around the table like I was George Clooney or something. It was weird. I felt like I was boring them making $5 outside bets. Finally after a few spins it creeped me out so much I colored up and left. After cashing my chips at the cage I walked back by the same roulette wheel and there is no one there again, not 5 min later. I asked the dealer what was up with that?...He said they come on the bus from Chinatown in NYC...and they like to watch and learn the game. OK Fine, still it was weird, they were all up in my business, and some of them had chips in their hands and everything, but they did nothing but watch me play. Left as soon as I did.

This thread and this thread: Player threatened to be kicked out of Casino because he is watching a "Whale" play Craps! should be merged just for irony sake.

Quote: vendman1

This just happened to me in AC last time I was there, playing $5 a spin roulette, simple outside bets(negative EV I know)... just killing time till the wife showed up. I was the only one at the table and literally 25-30 asian men and women crowded around the table like I was George Clooney or something. It was weird. I felt like I was boring them making $5 outside bets. Finally after a few spins it creeped me out so much I colored up and left. After cashing my chips at the cage I walked back by the same roulette wheel and there is no one there again, not 5 min later. I asked the dealer what was up with that?...He said they come on the bus from Chinatown in NYC...and they like to watch and learn the game. OK Fine, still it was weird, they were all up in my business, and some of them had chips in their hands and everything, but they did nothing but watch me play. Left as soon as I did.

I'm sure if you had hit Red seven times in a row, some of them would have played. Watchers are often waiting for streaks. Of course, it could also be the designer gown you're wearing with the plunging neckline...

Some times these individuals are poachers who are simply watching someone play a table game or slot machine waiting for an "opportunity" to try.

In their mind, they think that:

A) The person is winning at a table game, then the table is "hot" and they can jump right in & play the minimum bet for an easy score. But often ends in them losing money due lack of knowledge of said table game or a back & forth struggle to get ahead.

B) The slot is more likely to pop because you are feeding it. Thus when you are finished playing, win or lose, they jump on the machine and try to get a big payout.


However, mostly they are just people with nothing to do or no money to spend and just want to be entertained for free. I find myself hanging around BJ tables watching other people play as I wait for my bus(sure beats waiting around with all the sleeping drunks in the bus lobby!) and the dealer usually keeps giving me weird looks as if I'm going to rob them!

But I always keep a safe distance from the table and NEVER stand over someone's shoulder to watch. The Chinatown bus crowd has no concept of this and will literally stand 6 inches behind you, breathing down your neck. And some of them have clearly never heard of a tooth brush!!!

You don't have to wait for the dealer to ask if everything is okay. If you are being made to feel uncomfortable, just say so. The casino always favors the guy who actually has his money in play so even if the dealer and floor each think you are a real prick and a very overly sensetive one at that, they will ask a spectator/gawker/kibbutzer to move on.

Quote: BedWetterBetter

Some times these individuals are poachers who are simply watching someone play a table game or slot machine waiting for an "opportunity" to try.

In their mind, they think that:

A) The person is winning at a table game, then the table is "hot" and they can jump right in & play the minimum bet for an easy score. But often ends in them losing money due lack of knowledge of said table game or a back & forth struggle to get ahead.

B) The slot is more likely to pop because you are feeding it. Thus when you are finished playing, win or lose, they jump on the machine and try to get a big payout.


However, mostly they are just people with nothing to do or no money to spend and just want to be entertained for free. I find myself hanging around BJ tables watching other people play as I wait for my bus(sure beats waiting around with all the sleeping drunks in the bus lobby!) and the dealer usually keeps giving me weird looks as if I'm going to rob them!

But I always keep a safe distance from the table and NEVER stand over someone's shoulder to watch. The Chinatown bus crowd has no concept of this and will literally stand 6 inches behind you, breathing down your neck. And some of them have clearly never heard of a tooth brush!!!

Then of course there's my personal favorite the"cheerleader". We've all seen them and quite often it is one of the bus crowd. They begin with small utterances of approval when you win eventually escalating to saying that they brought you luck and asking for a few chips in return. Some of the woman move in and rub against you then appear shocked when they get shut down.

In fairness to the bus crowd many lose everything quickly and face several boring hours waiting for the trip home. For this reason I am very tolerant of them if they are just watching and I have met some very nice people among them.

Particularly from the bus crowd, the women have to be taught that if they are not going to put out they have to get lost.

At least in Vegas the very underage ones know to stay out of the bars and most of the casino areas and concentrate on aisles and elevators.

Hey I've been one of the bus people in tougher times. Nothing wrong with that. But when a whole bus full of people are crowding around the table it gets weird. Yes I'm sure if the table had come up red 9 spins in a row or something, some of them would have plunked down some cash. It was a surreal experience. I've had people stand behind me and give "helpful" advice at BJ a time or two also. Most of them mean well...i usually just uh-huh them even when they are wrong. I've also had a few, down on their luck "ladies" sit down and play a hand or two and run out of chips then stay and chat.....hmmmm I just got more handsome.

Quote: 1BB

Then of course there's my personal favorite the"cheerleader". We've all seen them and quite often it is one of the bus crowd. They begin with small utterances of approval when you win eventually escalating to saying that they brought you luck and asking for a few chips in return. Some of the woman move in and rub against you then appear shocked when they get shut down.

In fairness to the bus crowd many lose everything quickly and face several boring hours waiting for the trip home. For this reason I am very tolerant of them if they are just watching and I have met some very nice people among them.

True, but quite often they are up to no good. Either looking for loose change or possibly pulling a pick pocket scheme. I remember a young couple was playing and the girl made the mistake of putting her purse on the floor only to shockingly discover some of her belongings were missing. During that hour or so, there was a "herd" behind them watching intently and magically gone the second they colored in their chips.

Of course, security did nothing and told them they can't track down or positively identify the person who raided her purse. The boyfried, was quite irate(and rightfully so) and said he'd "blow up that bus" if they don't get those Ch...**expletive deleted** ...kers!

That's why I always keep my "shit" in front of me or securely in my pockets and the only "watcher" I indulged was a nice 23 yr old filipino girl that did make me "lucky," just not at the table ; )