Gambling in the United Kingdom
My report on Gambling in the United Kingdom is finally ready for a preview before I announce it on my Odds site. At first I was going to just call it "Gambling in London," since I never made it outside of London within the UK. However, forum member CharliePatrick was of great help filling in the many gaps in my knowledge and helping me with what the casinos are like in the rest of Britain.
My thanks again to Charlie.
These trip reports may look effortless but they are a lot more time consuming than they look. Besides the actual writing there is a lot of research. Not to mention the back and forth with Charlie and my proofreader.
As always, I welcome comments, questions, and corrections. Especially from my UK members.
My report on Malta should be ready in about a week.
Please click the link above to see my report.
Really? Slots are a major money maker.
Is there a dress code or can you wear whatever
you like.
Frankly, besides a bar a restaurant, there really
isn't anything to do in American casinos except
gamble either.
Didn't you run into the self deal tables in the poker rooms though? That is something I have never seen in the US. I think this is well worth mentioning to players hailing from the US and a very interesting poker experience with an entirely different feel. I always enjoy it a lot when I'm there. You might wanna include a paragraph about that...
Quote: EvenBob
Frankly, besides a bar a restaurant, there really
isn't anything to do in American casinos except
gamble either.
Really? You haven't seen showrooms, lounges with music, movie theaters, retail shopping, auto collections, wax museums, art collections, skating rinks?
Quote: DRichReally? You haven't seen showrooms, lounges with music, movie theaters, retail shopping, auto collections, wax museums, art collections, skating rinks?
Night clubs, swimming pools....
I have had entire Vegas trips where I stayed in casinos the whole time and did not place a single bet.
Quote: EvenBob"Most casinos have a limit of 20 slots." Really? Slots are a major money maker.
Despite the low numbers they don't seem to get played that much. Same as Macau, they just don't seem to have a big market appeal.
Quote:Is there a dress code or can you wear whatever you like.
Good question. Most casinos are casual, especially those around Piccadilly. I did stumble into a small one by Buckingham Palace that was more formal and fancy.
Quote:The blackjack rules and penetration in UK seem OK to me. Does anyone know how much heat you get if you are a counter?
They were. The dealers seemed well trained so it may be hard there to count unnoticed.
Quote: DRichReally? You haven't seen showrooms, lounges with music, movie theaters, retail shopping, auto collections, wax museums, art collections, skating rinks?
Nope. The local casinos I go to have none of that.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceNight clubs, swimming pools....
Nope, I spend most of my time in local
MI casinos and they have none of
that. Resort cities do, I don't live in a
resort city. Vegas makes up a tiny amount
of the number of casinos in the US, it's
hardly the standard.
Quote: Wizard
Good question. Most casinos are casual, especially those around Piccadilly. .
Jeans and flip flops? I always heard UK
casinos have strict dress codes.
Quote: EvenBobJeans and flip flops? I always heard UK
casinos have strict dress codes.
For mandatory jacket, shirt and tie, go to Germany. It does give the casinos a special atmosphere though.
Quote: EvenBobJeans and flip flops? I always heard UK
casinos have strict dress codes.
I don't think you would get turned away in jeans and a t-shirt but you might stand out a bit. Brits in general dress better than us Yanks, so I would recommend dressing up a little more. Pants should be some kind of smooth cotton blend, collared shirt, and leather shoes and you're good to go.
Quote: CanyoneroFor mandatory jacket, shirt and tie, go to Germany. It does give the casinos a special atmosphere though.
When I went to casinos in Germany in 2,000 and I didn't dress up like that. My advice above I would say would apply to Germany as well. The casino at the Reeperbahn (usually when I throw in a link like this it was because I needed help with the spelling) in Hamburg was especially casual.
Quote:In all things, people dress a little more formally in England than they do the US, and this includes casinos. However, it isn't so stuffy that a jacket and tie are required, at least in my experience. For the men, you'll be in fine shape with pleated pants, a collared shirt, and leather shoes. In most casinos you could get by with even less, but I think it shows respect for an establishment to dress appropriately. Some casinos are more formal than others. At one point I stumbled into the small Park Tower Casino, near Buckingham Palace, and that one was definitely more formal. At the casinos in Piccadilly Circus and the Aspers casino in Stratford the dress code was much less formal. At the Grosvenor Casino in Chelsea my friend felt it was cold so sat at the blackjack table with a ski cap. The manager politely asked him to remove it. Although other customers were wearing turbans the manager didn't buy the argument that my buddy was a druid and the ski cap was an essential component of that religion.
You should also consider flying to South Africa and doing a report on casinos down there. Gambling is big business there. Also you could catch a safari obviously :)
Quote: TomspurWiz, with regards to Roulette where you lose only half on the "0", do you know if they follow the "en prison" rule? This means that the half that effectively didn't lose has to remain on the bet for one extra spin. Once that spin is done then the bet is resolved based on that following spin.
You should also consider flying to South Africa and doing a report on casinos down there. Gambling is big business there. Also you could catch a safari obviously :)
I thought with the "en prison" the entire bet was held for the next spin, not just half of it. The half rule is what Atlantic City has adopted, where you lose only half your wager immediately instead of waiting for the outcome of the next spin.
Under sports betting, you first call it football, then say soccer, then say football. If this is intentional, I understand why, but personally, I think it sounds better if you just say the same thing all the way through. I consider calling it football to be anti-American and cringed when I read it here, but if I were in their country, I would call it football to them. I'm overly touchy about these kinds of things and tend to over-think them. It's your article; I doubt anyone would think you're actually talking about real football after reading through it if you never mentioned "soccer".
I enjoyed reading it and it saddens me that they're so stingy on their odds in craps.
Quote: wudgedI thought with the "en prison" the entire bet was held for the next spin, not just half of it. The half rule is what Atlantic City has adopted, where you lose only half your wager immediately instead of waiting for the outcome of the next spin.
Perhaps I'm confusing my superior French skills (NOT!!!) with La Partage?
Anyway, you are more than likely correct. En Prison the entire bet is placed in prison and La Partage is when half the bet is given back.
There could be a new bet in there somewhere....."Prison partage".....just in English it doesn't sound that good. "Prison sharing"......No comment :)
Quote: TomspurWiz, with regards to Roulette where you lose only half on the "0", do you know if they follow the "en prison" rule? This means that the half that effectively didn't lose has to remain on the bet for one extra spin. Once that spin is done then the bet is resolved based on that following spin.
You just lose half. I think most places in Europe don't fuss with the "en prison" rule any more and just take half the bet to be done with it.
Quote:You should also consider flying to South Africa and doing a report on casinos down there. Gambling is big business there. Also you could catch a safari obviously :)
I'd love to. I would probably combine it with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Quote: ahiromuUnder sports betting, you first call it football, then say soccer, then say football.
Oops. I meant to stick with "football," but it is a hard to break the "soccer" habit.
Quote:According to the World Casino Directory, the United Kingdom has 145 "gambling facilities." Of the, 126 are in England https://wizardofodds.com/common/new-win.png, and 24 of those are in London.
I would make it thusly:
Quote:According to the World Casino Directory, the United Kingdom has 145 "gambling facilities." Of those, 126 are in England and 24 of those are in London.
But regardless, something needs to replace "Of the,". And get rid of that random image URL :p.
Quote: AcesAndEightsYou've got some serious issues in the first sentence of the first paragraph.
That's odd; I thought I corrected that. Thanks.
Quote: WizardI would probably combine it with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
You're confusing the almost 50 Wiz for
the almost 35 Wiz. Face does the same
thing, he thinks he's still 19 when he
plays sports.
Quote: EvenBobQuote: WizardI would probably combine it with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
You're confusing the almost 50 Wiz for
the almost 35 Wiz. Face does the same
thing, he thinks he's still 19 when he
plays sports.
You don't need to be 19 or 35 to climb Kilimanjaro. In fact people well into their 60's successfully climb her......
I say Wiz, gof or it. I have a very good friend in South Africa who just happens to be a GM of a casino down there who climbed Kilimanjaro. He said it was one of the best experiences of his life.
Quote: Tomspur
You don't need to be 19 or 35 to climb Kilimanjaro. In fact people well into their 60's successfully climb her......
I read there's a 70% success rate, but some guides
claim a 95% rate for 7 days up and 4 days down.
Thin air and rough sleeping conditions force many
without a guide to turn back. Even with a guide
it's a rough go. Not like Everest, totally different
mountains.
Quote: EvenBobNot like Everest, totally different
mountains.
Are you sure??? Are you double bubble sure??? :)
Quote: TomspurAre you sure??? Are you double bubble sure??? :)
What I meant was, they have totally different
climbing requirements. K is more of a tourist
mountain to climb, it's not all that difficult, just
long.
Quote: EvenBobWhat I meant was, they have totally different
climbing requirements. K is more of a tourist
mountain to climb, it's not all that difficult, just
long.
If that's what you mean, I absolutely agree!
Quote: EvenBob
You're confusing the almost 50 Wiz for
the almost 35 Wiz. Face does the same
thing, he thinks he's still 19 when he
plays sports.
Don't listen to him, Wiz. You only get one life, no sense in "saving your body". No matter how well you take care of yourself, ain't no one ever carried themselves to their own grave.
One life. Live it.
You probably meant "paying" 19/20?
Quote: FaceDon't listen to him, Wiz. You only get one life, no sense in "saving your body". No matter how well you take care of yourself, ain't no one ever carried themselves to their own grave.
Thanks! Kilimanjaro is not that hard, to be honest. As EB said, it is just long, requiring 7 to 10 days. At 19,341 feet high, the altitude is also tough. I remember when Ann Curry of the Today Show tried. She had to turn back due to altitude sickness. It would indeed be my plan to go with a guided trip.
I figure I'll go around 2017 when my son is old enough to make it. He is 12 now. I'll be sure to bring Altoids. If any forum members are tempted, I'd be happy to coordinate going at the same time with the same group.
Quote: WizardThanks! Kilimanjaro is not that hard, to be honest. As EB said, it is just long, requiring 7 to 10 days. At 19,341 feet high, the altitude is also tough. I remember when Ann Curry of the Today Show tried. She had to turn back due to altitude sickness. It would indeed be my plan to go with a guided trip.
I figure I'll go around 2017 when my son is old enough to make it. He is 12 now. I'll be sure to bring Altoids. If any forum members are tempted, I'd be happy to coordinate going at the same time with the same group.
How fit do you you figure you have to be in order to successfully make it? Half marathon fit, sunday jogging fit? What is your opinion?
Quote: FaceDon't listen to him, Wiz. You only get one life, no sense in "saving your body".
Says the guy who keeps Vicodin in business.
Quote: WizardIf any forum members are tempted, I'd be happy to coordinate going at the same time with the same group.
Some weeks I go upstairs. Mostly not. That's
all the climbing I'm interested in doing.
Quote: EvenBobSays the guy who keeps Vicodin in business.
Razor-thin margin there, EB, given Face's open stance on his history. Hurtful.
Quote: beachbumbabsRazor-thin margin there, EB, given Face's open stance on his history. Hurtful.
Hurtful? He was bragging on it the other
day, he's a proud vic supporter. Right Face?
Quote: EvenBobQuote: WizardI would probably combine it with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
You're confusing the almost 50 Wiz for
the almost 35 Wiz. Face does the same
thing, he thinks he's still 19 when he
plays sports.
Kilimanjaro is on my bucket list and I am much older than the Wiz. A friend of mine completed it when he was 70 so I still have a few years to get it done by that age. The Wiz is in excellent shape and probably has at least 25 years to get it done.
Quote: beachbumbabsRazor-thin margin there, EB, given Face's open stance on his history. Hurtful.
Babs, Face can handle his own battles. The truth is often hurtful. But it's still the truth.
Bob knows his boundaries. and what not to say !
Quote: BuzzardBabs, Face can handle his own battles. The truth is often hurtful. But it's still the truth.
Bob knows his boundaries. and what not to say !
Disagree re:boundaries. You don't take somebody's personal battle that they continue to fight, that already cost them so much, and shove it back in their face. ("FACE!") I'm sure Face himself just snorted and moved on. But this is a public forum.
Agree that Face can handle his own battles. So can everyone on here....NOT, apparently, by the number of PM's I've gotten this week from people complaining about other people. I call it as I see it. This was rude.
Also, the poker rakes are interesting. £1 - £1 blinds with a 10% rake up to a maximum of £5, or £1 - £2 blinds with a 5% rake up to a maximum of £10. I wonder which one would be better for the player. Looks like the £1 - £1 players would pay much less rake in the long run.
One correction, you spelled egalite wrong on your chart.
Quote: beachbumbabsThis was rude.
It was a joke. It's the way men talk to each other.
Face uses vic as a badge of honor, not as a crutch.
He's proud of every break, every scratch. As I
would be. It's locker room talk. Is that verboten
now? Face and I have had many talks in private,
we understand each other.
I can't believe I have to explain this.
Quote: beachbumbabsthe [evidently large] number of PM's I've gotten this week from people complaining about other people
Really? it astounds me how whiny people can be when I get a glimpse.
I can say pretty confidently I have never officially complained about anybody in a PM. Seems womanish [I assume these are predominantly men whining]
Quote: odiousgambitQuote: beachbumbabsthe [evidently large] number of PM's I've gotten this week from people complaining about other people
Really? it astounds me how whiny people can be when I get a glimpse.
I can say pretty confidently I have never officially complained about anybody in a PM. Seems womanish [I assume these are predominantly men whining]
To a man.
Quote: WizardThanks! Kilimanjaro is not that hard, to be honest..
SooPoo, the real Soopoo, my ex, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. She was part of a team that was being filmed by the Travel Channel Canada, and was on TV. She has the DVD somewhere. It "usually" is not that hard, but during her trip they had to brave blizzard conditions, and only a few of the climbers (her included) were able to summit. One of my favorite pictures of her is the one of her at the summit, looking like a popsicle.
We also went to Malta, and LOVED it. It was one of my favorite trips, and we did go to a casino there. Memories fade, but I believe we were there for the grand opening! We were there in August for a week, and every day was 95 and sunny. Did you make it to Gozo and Comino? Can't wait to read your report!
EB's comment caused no ill will whatsoever. He pretty much sums it up below...
Quote: EvenBobIt was a joke. It's the way men talk to each other.
Face uses vic as a badge of honor, not as a crutch.
He's proud of every break, every scratch. As I
would be. It's locker room talk. Is that verboten
now? Face and I have had many talks in private,
we understand each other.
I'm the last person anyone needs to worry about hurt feelings. If feel if you're gonna put yourself out there, you have to be prepared to handle whatever comes, whether friendly jab or a more personal criticism. Either way, I encourage both as far as my own posts go =)
Back on topic...
Quote: WizardThanks! Kilimanjaro is not that hard, to be honest. As EB said, it is just long, requiring 7 to 10 days. At 19,341 feet high, the altitude is also tough. I remember when Ann Curry of the Today Show tried. She had to turn back due to altitude sickness.
This is what I imagine would be the most difficult to overcome. Maybe you have more experience, but I've lived my entire life at 700' above sea level. Going to the 7,000' of Alpine, WY or 8,800' of Teton Pass, WY was a noticeable struggle. Even just relaxing on the couch I could feel a noticeable difference, like a headache without the pain. I just felt floaty and pressurized, even after my 5th day there.
You're a runner and a non-smoker, so you're surely able to handle it better than I. But I predict it'll be the altitude and not any sort of physical exhaustion or lack of heart that will do you in. If you make it to 13k', I'd be deeply impressed. 16k'-17k' and I'd be struck dumb with amazement. If you made it any farther than 17k', even to 17,001', I would bow to you and call you legend.
Quote: sodawaterNice report, Wizard. Did you happen to visit Dublin on your trip? I would be interested in a report of that city's casinos.
Sorry, no, never been to Ireland.
Quote: SOOPOOSooPoo, the real Soopoo, my ex, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.
My mother attempted it when I was about 12 but her group didn't make it. As I recall a lot of people got sick and they turned back. My mother wanted to keep going but was basically outvoted.
Quote:Did you make it to Gozo and Comino?
No. Just not enough time. Plus one mainly goes to those islands for the beaches and it was rather cold. The Blue Lagoon looked really nice in photos.
Quote: WizardThanks! Kilimanjaro is not that hard, to be honest. As EB said, it is just long, requiring 7 to 10 days. At 19,341 feet high, the altitude is also tough. I remember when Ann Curry of the Today Show tried. She had to turn back due to altitude sickness. It would indeed be my plan to go with a guided trip.
I figure I'll go around 2017 when my son is old enough to make it. He is 12 now. I'll be sure to bring Altoids. If any forum members are tempted, I'd be happy to coordinate going at the same time with the same group.
One of the interesting things I have learned researching the trip is that many runners/marathoners don't summitt. They go too fast at the lower levels and don't give their bodies a chance to acclimatize to the elevation. It also seems that the main difference in success percentage between cheap trips and more expensive trips is that the more expensive trips are longer thus giving you more time to get used to the altitude. The climbing part seems to be not much more than a hike. I will turn 70 in 2017 and fully retired by then and was looking at making the climb that year.
Quote: kenarmanI will turn 70 in 2017 and fully retired by then and was looking at making the climb that year.
That is about when my son and I will go. Why don't you shoot me a PM about once a year to touch base. I'm looking to pay the extra $ for a nice trip, with good food and a high guide to guest ratio.
