AZDuffman's Blog
Funny Monte Carlo Night Stuff
Just wanted to share this one with the board.Dealing MC Nights is different than a real casino in that interaction with the players is more often and more required. Except when I deal craps, which keeps the dealer too busy doing all 4 jobs, I like to chat it up with the players and more so if it is a 3 hour gig. Sometimes they are talkative and sometimes they are not. This week they were.
I seriously enjoy teaching people how to play and a dream "retirement" job for me would be giving table game lessons at a Strip Property. Dealing BJ to company parties where they work with math or numbers (banks, engineers, etc) is most fun because they tend to pick it up better/faster leaving time to teach more than the basics. That leads to conversations like this:
Player 1: "So, what esle do you deal?"
AZD: "Poker and craps"
Player 1: "Craps I know nothing about, except you can bet red or black."
AZD: "That is roulette you are thinking about."
Player 2: "Yeah, craps is where you bet odd or even."
You can't invent that kind of entertainment. One thing made me happy was that 2-3 players told me how much of a better dealer I was than "some kid across the room" who didn't conversate (that a word?) with the players not call out the totals, he just turned cards.
That's Life
That's life, that's what all the people say.You're riding high in April,
Shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune,
When I'm back on top, back on top in June.
I said that's life, and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks,
Stompin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down,
'Cause this fine ol' world it keeps spinning around
April: I start craps school
May: I miss the cut
June: I now have gotten 2 Monte Carlo Night gigs dealing craps!
I played this song on CD coming home from a (partial casino) trip this weekend. And it hit me how well it fits my life! I mean, down to the months named in the song and a song made by perhaps one of the performers most associated with Las Vegas to this day.
Just figured this might be an inspirational message to someone. somewhere. Or maybe god is trying to tell me something?
Leftover Dealer School Story
Here is one I forgot to tell everyone. Seems one day in school we were talking about how casinos manipulate the envrionment. One was the instructor said was that the tone on the slots when a winner hits was tested to be the most pleasant to the ear. The one that got me was how they change the background music. Music is changed to drive the crowd you want in and to subtly drive away the crowd you don't want. The good news was I noticed that they did that. The bad news was I like the music they play before noon >:-]Comments
As someone who is very close to the music programming industry, I can tell you that not all Casinos do this, based on my observations. For example, before they moved to Parx, Philadelphia Park used to simply play Sirius/XM "The Blend" (Soft Rock that played some songs that would be unfamiliar to many) 24/7 throughout their property. It didn't really fit the place much of the time.
I'm sure some do not, but at the local one here they definately do it. It makes sense in a lot of ways to do it. I also have noticed that the slot machine volume varies by time of day in some places.
One thing I noticed, particularly at ShowBoat AC is that they add the sound of slot machine payouts to the music.
But they have it (or at least used to have it) implemented badly.
Near the valet, there is a relatively large lobby with a Starbucks and hotel elevators. The music does NOT have the slot machine sounds added. There's a small vestibule between this lobby and where you go out to pick up your car. The vestibule DOES have the slot sounds added.
The reason is that when you are outside (or for example, at Caesars, in the walkway to the parking garages) they put "commercials" in the music that talk about upcoming promotions and shows...they usually play the sound effects prior to the beginning and following the end of those announcements, sometimes during. I've heard that done for many years. I don't think I've ever those commercials (or the sound efx) on the actual gaming floor.
Putting Craps School to (some) use
Well, last night I had my first craps dealing experience. OK, only on a "Monte Carlo Night," but it tells me I did the right thing taking craps at dealer school. Some random observations about the night:* I keep underestimating how many people I told I was going to dealer school to. Yet another person I think I met twice asked how it was going. I guess I was more excited about it than I thought I was.
* Same coworker says he heard they were running a "tough school." I said it was tough, though I didn't thionk or know it had gotten that reputation on the street.
* Guy walks up maybe 10 minutes before we start. Asks if we will play "vegas rules." I tell him mostly (only one color chip so I was paying 1:1 except on the 4/10.) Too bad about the odds but until they buy more than one color chip that is that. The guy was very cool and he helped some of the players out.
* Same guy got a laugh when I casually said I was doing the job of three dealers (four if you count the one on break) and a boxman and said to bear with me. Later he told someone that I was doing the job of three.
* Craps is totally a game for more self-sufficient people. When delaing BJ or even poker I had time to explain the game to those who didn't know. In craps I the best I could do was explain when bets did and didn't work plue remind a few people that place bets/props/hardways had to be booked thru me. Luckily there were a few players who told the others what was gooing on. I wasn't trying to be rude, but there were 6 or so people per side. That is 12 total. Csino dealers get 8 to (10 if you jam everyone in tight.) Plus working stick, plus cashing people in. Plus keeping the bank in something resembling neatness. Thank God for those other helpful players.
* Class started coming back to me quick. Would never take money from someone's hand. Had to think when I got there to set up, but then built a bank, working stacks, even asked why there were four dice instead of five. I like to be caerful with the nightly Pit Boss because there is a fine line between "thanks for the good job" and "you do realize this is not a real casino?" Even told oner person "one hand only."
* Those thinking of doing this Monte Carlo Night Style must remember, same as in BJ, you still need to control your table. All the action, people wanting to buy in, bet, and shoot at the same time. Keep your cool but don't be afraid to say, "After I clean up" when they want to cash out after a seven out, etc. Or the guy who told his buddy he could put his bet on the apron and I said "please don't it confuses the game." I've seen people lose control but try to be nice. You can be nice and still control your table, but it takes a certain kind of person to do so instinctively.
* Similar to above, be aware of your surroundings. I had to ask two people to take a step back because they were in my movement arc, drinking wine. Told them I didn't want to accidently spill it on them. Like machinery, you will move about and don't want to cause a spill like that. They will be thinking "cool, look at all this!" You go to collect the dice, BAM. Didn't happen, but because I was careful.
* Finally, I have read time flies in the dice pit. I was told time flies in the dice pit. Know what? Time flies in the dice pit. I look down and an hour was gone. I look at my watch after a seven-out and realize that was the last roll. WOW.
Will I take class again? Probably. Doing this will comfort me watching a table somewhat, and get the flow of things. It isn't perfect but better to keep a positive attitude.
Comments
Probably good you took the class, as on-the-job-only experience, you might not know what bad habits *not* to pick up.
>I guess I was more excited about it than I thought I was.
Your excitement came through on your blog also. I think that is why we know you will do it again!
>there is a fine line between "thanks for the good job" and "you do realize this is not a real casino?"
I guess that is important to remember even though most of the players will appreciate some realism. I assume these are charity benefits where people buy in for a donation and try to win, but they can't cash out? Its really a party theme than actual gambling.
Quote:>there is a fine line between "thanks for the good job" and "you do realize this is not a real casino?"
I guess that is important to remember even though most of the players will appreciate some realism. I assume these are charity benefits where people buy in for a donation and try to win, but they can't cash out? Its really a party theme than actual gambling.
I kind of meant it more towards the company than players. But you are mostly right. The company and players both want as much of a "real Vegas" experience as possible. The way they work is the players are given either "funny money" or a voucher for a set amount at the beginning. On craps I turn either into cheques. At the end of the night if there are prizes they give a set amount of cheques (5 or 10) for a ticket. Said ticket is then put to a Chinese Auction. Sometimes it is only "fun" and no prizes. Odds on most games are set to give a small player advantage. (eg: BJ= s17; 2:1 BJ; 5 card charlie.) Somethimes on a real fun night the Pit Boss will splash pots. Some nighs are more serious and they want it as close to the rules as possible. Being a serious person I prefer the more serious nights, just a personal thing.
Ditto. And we look forward to more entries!Quote:>I guess I was more excited about it than I thought I was.
Your excitement came through on your blog also. I think that is why we know you will do it again!
Are you saying you were working the craps table alone? For the entire night?Quote:I was doing the job of three dealers (four if you count the one on break) and a boxman.
Wow. Talk about trial by fire...
Quote:Are you saying you were working the craps table alone? For the entire night?
Wow. Talk about trial by fire...
That is exactly what I am saying. Now, remember, it was only 2 hours and no real procedures you had to follow. But still no box to help with buy-ins, and working stick and all bases for 2 hours straight. One of the harder parts was working stick and base-delaers from where the box sit. Think on that--doing three jobs from where none of them are usually stationed. So it throws you. One thing I fell into was using the bank as my working stacks since I had put them where they belong but stationed in front of the bank.
Here is a funny you all may like. When people bought in I told them to set their money down. Part for realism and part because half the time I was finishing something else up at the time. One person I told must have asked her husband why and all I hear is "it's for the camera." Realism acheived.
>One person I told must have asked her husband why and all I hear is "it's for the camera." Realism acheived.
LOL. I bet you were so busy you couldn't enjoy that laugh until after clocking out.
Even if it was "only 2 hours with no procedures", that's still quite impressive.
>"For the cameras"
Yeah, gotta love that!
>"For the cameras"
Yeah, gotta love that!
......
Next time you can add some sort of a hand clap before and after you wipe the sweat from your brow or something. Some of the players probably do enjoy the realism attempts. And I'm sure some really do believe there are cameras in the ceiling.
Craps School AZDuffman's Way! (part 1)
Long promised, here are some of my ideas to improve dealer school. While I didn't make the cut, two of the ideas I gave on the feedback forms were used almost exactly as I wrote them. Not saying they didn't have it first, but am saying it must have been a good idea.First improvement I would make is in the practice periods of cheque handling. To make it in craps you must be able to handle cheques with two hands; at the same time; doing two different methods at once; period. We learned "sizing" and "drop cutting." Sizing is what you see in BJ. Drop-cutting is moving the index finger up a set number of cheques and then rolling them off with the thumb. You learn sizing first then the drop cut. It took most people a week or so to "get the feel and motion" of the drop cut.
After that though, you just kept cutting and sizing. Over and over, without a purpose. So my imporvement would be to make several drills. Drop three, sixe three, then drop two on top as a bridge. Or anything like that. Maybe some of you could suggest some common payouts a dealer would need to do with both hands.
ON AN UNRELATED NOTE: someone here suggested using license plates to practice calculating payouts. I have done a little of that and it is a great idea! (Except when you get sort-of addicted to it and can't stop.)
Comments
Repetitive sizing or drop cutting may seem pointless but it is the skill that is important. Taking a whole stack in each hand as a working stack of reds and a working stack of whites you start paying off the bets that would mostly be made at a break-in's table where its going to be Reds and Whites both on the line and on the place bets.
License plate numbers keep throwing weird numbers at you and that is better than your trying to select practice numbers. If you do a Place the Six bet one day, all those weird three digit groupings will give you some practice in dealing with breakage at high speed. Be sure to use your Keys rather than doing all that math mentally. Addictive? Well, a spouse will just be glad that you are not looking at the attractive young pedestrians and doing 38 24 36 all the time.
Good luck with your second go at it. We all know you are going to have another whack at it sometime!
Comments
Tell them it's just "Converse" but not like the sneaker...haha. I'd like to deal at Monte Carlo, I'll have to see if there are any in my area.
I wonder if you could teach BJ and Craps and then somehow sell your students to the casinos?
Casinos lessons are better than nothing but no longer do the casinos seem to have dedicated instructors and separate rooms for the instruction.
Someone once commented that Vegas boomed because World War Two produced zillions of craps players. Vegas needs more table game players, though I hope we don't need a war to produce them.
I'm sure some of my actions and statements provided great entertainment for a variety of craps and blackjack dealers. Unfortunately, they gained that entertainment at MY expense.
<History nerd alert> Fleastiff, that's an interesting comment about WWII. It was army guys at a base in Maryland who devised the first basic strategy for blackjack around 1947 (pre-Thorp). I wonder at which point craps became the most popular table game. Roulette is still the biggest in Europe. Maybe I'll start a thread about this.
@cclub: Give it a shot for sure. I think I have a primer on it earlier in this blog. Start with BJ which can be learned at MC level in less than an hour (I've seen pepople given 10 mins instruction!) and is the most popular. I googled and yellow-paged to find 1-2 companies who do it. This is the time of year to start as business is picking up and you get known to them as reliable by Deember, the busiest month.
No kidding I decided to try it again 3 years ago this month. I email a place out of the blue. Two hours later the repky is, "Heck yes I need dealers, what are you doing thursday night?!" You will not make a living off of it, but you will make enough to have some nights at the casino or whatever else you like to do. Learning craps helps a lot; some places will pay more if you set-up the tables, though you will need to establish quite a bit of trust to do that.
Good luck--reply here if you need any ideas.
Teddys: I have heard rumors about a pre-Thorpe military group. I think it was supposedly at Fort Detrick, MD.
Yeah, Craps is where you bet odd or even.... Well, now... isn't that statement of and in itself proof that the casinos just are not reaching out to train a new crop of gamblers! Perhaps the Monte Carlo night companies will help do some of that.
If its fun and gives you some spending money as well as some hilariously entertaining conversations... go for it!