djatc's Blog

Good thoughts...my 2 cents worth...



1. Do most people think that 6:5 BJ is better then 3:2 because the numbers are bigger?



Most people are just uninformed and want to play at a certain level--say $5 instead of a higher level. They just haven't been here yet to learn about the odds!! There are some though...they do see the higher number...



2. Is SL +1 or SR +1 the most favorite spot in craps? Why is it every time I'm next to the stickman someone always wedges themselves in between? This is on an empty table no less.



I do like those spots but not enough to wedge in between someone who already is in one of them!!



3. Must hit machines display a number for the progressive. Why are people playing the low number next to the highest one?



Again, they just don't think about it. Slot players tend to look for what they think are lucky machines.



4. Why do people like to walk in unpredictable patterns when they are looking around the casinos? It's not my fault I bumped into you when you are staring at the party pit dealer and walk away then towards me.



I drink. I wander. I bump into people sometimes who are doing the same. Sorry!!



5. Moving chairs in games with no past memory, such as baccarat. Why?



Why change tables or positions at tables? It makes no difference in the math, but sometimes it seems as if a change turns things around a bit. I played craps for 10 min recently, lost $200. Left for an hour, came back and won way more than that. Different spot, same table. More good vibes (I played alone the first time).



6. "I don't gamble" - some tourist. Why are you in Las Vegas?



Las Vegas caters to them instead of providing the best gaming in the nation. There is a lot to do in Vegas but I would not go there if it weren't for the opportunity to change casinos whenever I want (again, no math to prove that actually helps, but it does work out that way sometimes).



7. Don't players who roll or cheer seven outs. This is just bad manners. Not so much rolling but cheering will guarantee a short craps career.



I hate them. The last time it happened at Rio, two guys accidentally got hit in the chest by dice flying off the table. i swear it was an accident. I just got pissed off and threw too hard--I wasn't actually TRYING to hit them. The only time a table cheering for 7's is acceptable in my eyes is when everyone at the table is on the don't!!

re #6: over 3M people visited Las Vegas for conventions in the first half of 2013. A great many of them either don't gamble or didn't have time to. I remember a G2E trip a few years ago where I was so busy with meetings and work that I actually couldn't find time to carve out a few hours at a craps table and I left without getting a single bet down. It happens. I don't think I'll be so busy this year, though; heavy document editing from a hotel room isn't my idea of a good time.

#2.: SL and SR provide a shorter and more natural throwing motion. Also, they have better access to the center bets so that they can be made more efficiently and correctly. I don't care where I stand, but it sometimes annoys me when some guy at the end keeps throwing (scattering) chips across the layout trying to make a center table bet on almost every roll. It often slows things down to gather them up and get them placed right.

#6 for a long time I did not gamble at all, but went to LV for a few things #1 I like to drink, you can drink anywhere in that city, #2 I like to eat, there is some of the best food in the world in LV.



SO for me this doesnt bother me much. Hell when I visit I still stay at a hotel without a casino. (Platinum)

The guy who said I don't gamble was in a smallish casino that only has machines, so it was kinda funny to hear that lol. I think his mom was playing slots.



I've only come across a don't only table once. Me and this lady loaded up the don'ts and cheered a seven. It was the weirdest thing I've ever saw imo. There was a guy that played the don't with me with a table full of right side players and he would fist-bump me everytime the seven came out. I felt awkward but glad to see a short roll where I won't be wiped out.



Some right side players hate darkside players, but I usually talk to them and get them to understand it's not personal, but all business. Then we have a good time, them wanting the point, and me wanting the seven.

1. Do most people think that 6:5 BJ is better then 3:2 because the numbers are bigger?

Many BJ players don't have the foggiest notion and are only dimly aware of when the waitress is next due to get them a free drink.

Some others do know the answer and you'd best not try to educate them 'cause 6:5 a foot high at the main entrance sure didn't deter them so you sure ain't gonna deter them either.



2. Is SL +1 or SR +1 the most favorite spot in craps?

Never noticed this.



3. Must hit machines display a number for the progressive. Why are people playing the low number next to the highest one?

Cause machines that face Mecca and are nearer the aisle are ones most likely to hit next.



4. Why do people like to walk in unpredictable patterns when they are looking around the casinos? It's not my fault I bumped into you when you are staring at the party pit dealer and walk away then towards me.

Slot managers are forever moving machines around because of crowd flow patterns and their unpredictable changes.



5. Moving chairs in games with no past memory, such as baccarat. Why?

Why not? I wear a lucky tie. The last four guys who wore this tie all received Not Guilty verdicts. My lawyer told me I'd get a better deal copping a plea but I'm putting my trust in this lucky necktie and the fact that I'm due to be tried on the "7th" day of the month.



6. "I don't gamble" - some tourist. Why are you in Las Vegas?

For the food, the free booze, the comped rooms ... the hookers.



7. Don't players who roll or cheer seven outs. This is just bad manners. Not so much rolling but cheering will guarantee a short craps career.

One neophyte player was jumping up and down excitedly cheering for "seven". She was rather young, well endowed and bra-less. I don't think anyone at the table heard anything or thought of any number other than 38.

.

When I used to deal Poker a player would ask for a seat change when another player got up. Sometimes it would just be one seat to the left or right of where they were. They would move and their seat would remain empty for a few minutes while a new player was retrieved off the waiting list.



I would love it when the player that moved one seat over won a hand before a new player arrived to take his seat. He wins the pot and I say "Nice seat change sir. Well done." The he thanks me and tips $2 instead of $1. I'm laughing my head off in my head and wondering if anyone else at the table is getting my joke that he would have got the same cards whether he sat in his original seat or moved over one. A few times other players even agreed with me...



ZCore13

They don't have VP at all.*



ftfy

With the amount of VP you've played this summer, a break from that game probably isn't a terrible thing anyway.

I thought you had moved to Nevada for good?

Anyway, enjoy any lessons that you learned and experiences you had.

I think Las Vegas locals tend to settle into a routine of visiting a few casinos and maxing their freeplay that way. Each casino visit however is to a casino they enjoy for other reasons so it doesn't become just a freeplay trek.

I assumed he just went back to visit. Otherwise I missed an update. :(

I wrote it in a misleading way on accident....

Im in the air guard so i had to come back for drills.

Heading back home next week

You're in the Air Guard and you had to drive to your drills?

I was gonna fly with Southwest (free reward points) but rent a cars cost an arm and a leg, and this was an extended stay so I decided to drive. Had to stop at Reno to get diamond on the 9/6 jacks machine.

So you don't live in Vegas anymore? You're back living for good in WA?

Evenbob: I'm only in WA for a few more days. Still love Las Vegas and will be making it my permanent home. I already miss great payback video poker and free food comps :(

Bob you have no clue what will happen. I meet DJ and he is smart and a good player, with a small bit of extra information he will definitely make it as long as he stays away from craps and other table games.



I almost heard the joy you seemed to of had when you were about to say i told you so when you thought he had moved back to Washington.



Don't be that guy he's not a guy with some bogus system.

Stop playing craps.

I realy like your blog, and yes craps is addicting. It is my vice for sure so I feel your pain.

Please don't say "crap out".... ever. No one who posts on this forum should display ignorance of the game and certainly not if they are playing the game.



Driving/walking/taxiing... it don't matter too much but there is always a cost, particularly on the strip where gawking pedestrians and gawking drivers can be the cause of a fender bender. In general, mailers and the like should be planned out so that you take advantage not just of the coupon, but also the other specials: meals, memorabilia, nearby attractions, etc.

I will change my wording next time. I'm starting to hate the game because I already bet the wrong way. Bubble craps is a fun time waster for cheap however.

There is only one way to "crap out" So many people make the same mistake. I often hear noobs come to the table and say the same thing. Only time one would crap out is upon a come out roll playing the "front" line and roll craps without an insurance bet at that point you would lose your "line bet" and if you have no more revenue to place back on the "front line" at that point and only that point is when you would "crap out"



Other wise it is either sevened out or a seven rolled. Unless you are playing the "dark side" or "back side" or with the house so to say. at that point if you rolled craps on teh come out roll it would be an instant winner.

You moved to Vegas to gamble and you're not an AP? Need I tell you where this will lead?

The only AP I have right now is video poker. Everything else is just entertainment.

I feel you on the couponing thing! If you have a computer with you, try creating a Gant Chart to keep track of the day(s) that certain coupons are valid. I would group them by region around town. You could even include other promos, like multiplier days, drawings, etc. For each region, look down each day and try to decide the most valuable day(s) to visit rather than trying to claim every coupon each day. You might find a weekly schedule will emerge - North on Mondays, South on Tuesdays, West on Thursdays, and East on Sundays for example. Then just fill in the other days with your on-going play(s). Don't forget to take breaks (not to mean "play craps" lol) and live life. Play the "local tourist" angle and explore your new "home town."



Best of luck and keep us posted!

I like the Palms too. They have a good mix of everything (gaming and otherwise). Good baccarat, good VP, good vibe, nice mix of tourists & locals, and there's always nice looking women walking around. ;)



Just wish I had some better luck there. (Keep getting killed at bac)

I enjoy your posts on the move. Continued luck! And please keep them coming.



Side note, I see you are a cigar smoker. If you find any cigar friendly casino's please share. The only one I can say I haven't had an issue at is the Mirage, especially in the sportsbook where I spend most of my time. Also I have smoked at the craps table in the Margaritaville casino, but got words from the dealers, even though I was allowed to smoke there.

Thanks for your posts. We all want to know how long it lasts. I think you mentioned you had arranged longer term housing after your burn up all your room comps. I for one will be very interested in how that changes your lifestyle and attitude.

Most places I play at don't mind cigar smoke, but I do my best to have good manners and not smoke around others when I'm playing VP or at a table game. Actually I don't smoke at all on table games unless there is a huge clearing and it's a craps table.

Okay.

Keep accurate records.

Plan your travels so that you don't waste a trip to a particular casino and that you always have a count of your travel time.

Keep track of the casinos and the slots wherein your VP is most profitable.

Keep track of the buffets.. costs, menus, preferences.



If you are seriously going to do this you must stay serious about it.

Yes craps is a terrible idea for way tooo many reasons. Stick with VP

Don't forget to get a couple of lobsters to go for later. And it can never hurt to get a couple of to go slices of cake for your favorite pit boss or host.

God, this report sounds so damn familiar. I never got RFB at Sam's Town, though. Get some wine!

How do you get RFB at Sams?? Damn, I got 3 nights whenever I want...but no food or beverage...

Also...5 hours from Reno to Vegas?!? Damn! How fast were you going down I93/95?!?

5 hours from Reno to Vegas??? Took me 6:20 to get from Fernley to Vegas last month, and that was with my cruise set at 80. I suppose I could do the math and figure out how fast you were...holy crap!! :-)

I went faster and faster as I got closer to Vegas lol.



As far as Sam's Town goes, I didn't give them that much play to be honest. A decent amount went to a JoB progressive which probably put me over since I only play FPDW. I don't drink alcohol.... teddy if you were here I'd treat you because the GWAE show made this all happen.

This sounds like a great adventure, i look forwrad to your updates.



In the early 1990's I also moved using only my Mazda Miata.

Good luck, look forward to reading!

I would hope that you visited with Timspeed along the way there in Reno. As he is the expert there. Wait....... his lady actually is the expert Timspeed just hides behind the iron curtain. Can not go through Reno with coming across Mr Timspeed. I am sure he showed you the ropes there at the craps . I have heard he is to be idolized. Lol......