billryan
billryan
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August 21st, 2021 at 8:59:16 AM permalink
If I'm playing at a full table, am in the first base slot, and have zero interest in what happens to anyone except myself and the dealer, would I be allowed to read a book while seated in the down time?
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
DJTeddyBear
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August 21st, 2021 at 9:04:22 AM permalink
As long as the book (or magazine, newspaper, etc) was printed and not online, wasn’t resting on the table, and you were acting on your own hands without being reminded to stop reading, it shouldn’t be a problem - no matter which seat you’re in.

Of course, your mileage may vary.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
ThatDonGuy
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August 21st, 2021 at 9:32:38 AM permalink
Also make sure you're not doing anything that might make it look like you're using the book to track card counting - for example, based on the page numbers.
AxelWolf
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August 21st, 2021 at 9:43:00 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

If I'm playing at a full table, am in the first base slot, and have zero interest in what happens to anyone except myself and the dealer, would I be allowed to read a book while seated in the down time?

I'm more curious as to why you are asking the question, than what the actual answer is.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
Dieter
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Dieter
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IndyJeffrey
August 21st, 2021 at 10:57:14 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

would I be allowed to read a book while seated in the down time?



I doubt it's illegal.
I doubt it would be permitted.

If you want to play cards, play cards.
If you want to go read a book, go read a book.
May the cards fall in your favor.
billryan
billryan
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August 21st, 2021 at 1:02:15 PM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

I'm more curious as to why you are asking the question, than what the actual answer is.



I was talking to a longtime Arizona resident who was telling me about the days when bars could sponsor their own games. He said there were so many rookie players that they were lucky to get in much more than 25 hands an hour and how he would always sit at first so once his hand was done, he'd have plenty of time so he'd read a book.
When I thought about it, I couldn't think of any reason they wouldn't let you.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
Zcore13
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August 21st, 2021 at 1:32:43 PM permalink
Quote: billryan

If I'm playing at a full table, am in the first base slot, and have zero interest in what happens to anyone except myself and the dealer, would I be allowed to read a book while seated in the down time?



I've seen people reading after they fold between hands. Usually a pretty good sign the player is ultra tight.


ZCore13
I am an employee of a Casino. Former Table Games Director,, current Pit Supervisor. All the personal opinions I post are my own and do not represent the opinions of the Casino or Tribe that I work for.
DJTeddyBear
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August 21st, 2021 at 3:28:18 PM permalink
Quote: Zcore13

I've seen people reading after they fold between hands. Usually a pretty good sign the player is ultra tight.
ZCore13

Sounds like you’re talking about poker, which reminds me….

The last time I was in Vegas (for G2E 2019), I played at Venetian before the show. A guy there has a laptop on a snack tray and was working between hands.

He was not delaying the action and he focused on poker when in a hand, so there was no objection.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
AlanMendelson
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August 21st, 2021 at 7:56:40 PM permalink
How much downtime is there?
DJTeddyBear
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August 21st, 2021 at 8:16:52 PM permalink
Quote: AlanMendelson

How much downtime is there?

At poker? A lot. Particularly if you play tight and fold a lot of hands pre-flop.

A typical hand lasts over a minute. Sometimes much longer. If you fold pre-flop, that’s often within the first 5 seconds.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
AlanMendelson
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IndyJeffrey
August 21st, 2021 at 8:46:58 PM permalink
Quote: DJTeddyBear

At poker? A lot. Particularly if you play tight and fold a lot of hands pre-flop.

A typical hand lasts over a minute. Sometimes much longer. If you fold pre-flop, that’s often within the first 5 seconds.



Any good poker player wouldn't be reading the book. He'd be following the action to learn the action of the other players at the table.
DJTeddyBear
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August 22nd, 2021 at 6:05:28 AM permalink
Quote: AlanMendelson

Any good poker player wouldn't be reading the book. He'd be following the action to learn the action of the other players at the table.

I agree.

But you see it all the time to a small degree. Some people will listen to music. Others will go on the internet on their cell phone for a minute or two.

I’m telling you I saw a guy at the Venetian poker room set up his laptop, and was totally working on the computer, ignoring the game when he wasn’t in the hand, which was less than 20% of the hands.

He had lots of down time to devote to his work.

Did it cost him? I don’t know. Like I said, he played tight.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
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