Tag: #gambling etiquette

Improving Your Video Poker Etiquette

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As with most public spaces, behaving properly usually helps provide a better experience for you and for those around you.  No where in the casino is that true than the video poker machines. Here are tips on Improving Your Video Poker Etiquette.

Related Post – 15 Ways to Improve Your Slot Machine Etiquette

Playing Video Poker and enjoying the solitary play of one vs. machine is not necessarily something everyone can enjoy.  Video poker players are stereotyped as being introverts. For some, it brings a need to make new friends during  a session. Consider the following suggestions:

Be aware of those Playing

When Improving Your Video Poker Etiquette, Common sense etiquette suggests that if you don’t know the person playing, you should never touch the video poker machine of that player. You should also not lean on their chair or shoulder as this motion could cause them to hit the wrong button concerning denomination or number of credits.

Video poker etiquette suggests not to pound the buttons on a  machine as if it needs to be punished. Not only does it wear the game out over time, most importantly, it’s incredibly distracting to the other players around you.  Besides, you’d have to punish the RNG for your bad luck, not the buttons.

If you are going to watch a person play, do not sit in the chair next to them unless you plan on playing yourself. This especially includes bar top VP, since it takes a seat away from another player.

Don’t Be A Bothersome Person

Understand the rules before you sit down. Don’t be lazy and expect others to teach you on their time. Be prepared before you play.  Don’t expect players to take time out from playing to tell you how to play.

Do not watch others play over their shoulder if they do not know you, that’s just creepy !!!! In some places it seems to be acceptable to do that once your money runs out. Don’t just wander over and watch a total stranger play. Like I said, it’s CREEPY!!

Don’t be a slob. Smokers ashes, spilled drinks, covering your mouth coughing or sneezing, and sticky hands from food are terribly inconsiderate. And these are just some of the things that annoy your fellow players, or the unknowing next player. (Suggestion – always have hand sanitizer when playing.  It comes in handy)

Don’t share your superstitions, myths, or ignorance of how these machines work with those around you.  The random-number-generator runs the machine. That’s all you should realize.

Don’t give unwanted advice.

Taking a Break

If someone has leaned their stool or chair up against the machine, this usually means they haven’t finished playing, or maybe took a restroom break. If your VP machine is a single terminal on the floor, ask tech staff to watch your machine for you.  Do not expect the players on either side of you to watch it for you.

If you need to use the restroom, put your service light on.  As long as you are not taking a 15 minute break, slot attendants are around to help you out in this area.

Tipping

Service with a smile? – Tip!

That brings us to the last point when it comes to behaving properly while playing video poker machines. Tip your waitress or bartender.

 

Tipping is a personal choice. For example, when you’re receiving a jackpot payout that a floor attendee must help you with, it’s customary to tip them (Granted, if the service is lousy and the attendant is incredibly slow to pay you out or perhaps not professional, you can think twice about tipping.) The rule of thumb is usually to tip around .5 – 1% of the jackpot amount, make sure to keep this in mind when working on your bankroll management budget.  Concerning free beverages, tip the staff as you would in a restaurant. But if you make a specific drink request, be sure to tip.

Related Post – Casino Tipping Etiquette Around the World

Conclusion

Use common sense, and be courteous to those around you. Bottom line is have fun, stay healthy, and enjoy recreational gambling. But, not at somebody else’s expense.

Binbin

16 Casino Do’s and Don’ts For the New Recreational Gambler

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Casino Entrance sign

So, your friend or family member offers to take you to a casino for your very first time.  But, never having been before, you haven’t a clue about what to do when you get there.  So, here are 16 Casino Do’s and Don’ts to enjoy your recreational visit to the casino.

Bankroll, Game Rules and Rewards Club

1) Know how much money you can wager and lose.  Yes, that’s right, lose.  Know your Bankroll. Approach it as entertainment first. Remember, if you’re not an Advantage Player looking to make a living, it’s recreation.th (33)

2) Know the rules of the games you might play.  If you can, get a free app on your smart phone or tablet and play a little before you go.

3) Decide if your trip is for gambling only, or it’s to enjoy all that the casino experience can  offer. You can spend sometime dining, shopping or watching live entertainment. These are good activities too. Just don’t gamble in casinos to make your trip productive.

4) Sign up for a rewards card.  You may get a free slot play bonus, or get freebies for eats later on. You could get free tickets to a concert, and if you play enough to raise your level of card, you could get additional things from a special parking area for your card level, to entrance into a VIP lounge.  th (26)

5) Be contented with small casino wins. First timers usually lose more in casinos. Breaking even in casinos is generally considered a win.

Casino Do’s and Don’ts – Online Resources

6) Check the local newspaper for advertisements, or check the web on the best deals in casinos.  netime-logo NECANETimeGambling often lists promotions and New England casino news on Twitter and Facebook.  Sign-up bonuses, double points, giveaways, dining deals – they’re all for the taking.  Go where the whole experience will be great, not just the gambling.

7) Don’t believe in superstitions like “hot machines” or “it must be time my luck changed’ or, “surely it can’t be red again” because each bet is an event of it’s own, with no connection to the previous event.  As soon as you realize this, the easier it will be for you to understand the gambling experience.  Repeat after me – “The House has the advantage.”  Good! Now go out there and enjoy it, win or lose. Be prepared ahead of time and be knowledgeable.

8) Do drink alcohol responsibly when gambling.  Excessive alcohol will inevitably cause you to accept losing beyond a “healthy situation.”

9) Do Bring a watch and your cell phone.  Casinos show no clocks, and don’t provide windows Wrist devices like FitBit or Apple Watches can signal you with incoming messages by vibrations or sounds that you can feel or hear above the cacophony of  noise in the casino and prove invaluable.

Be Aware Of the Little Things

10) Casinos convert your cash into chips at the tables. Simply said, this is so you lose the sense that this is really money. Remember chips ARE money.

11) Don’t be afraid to ask staff for help.  Remember, the casino is built on getting you there (or should be) and so there are many people who are there simply to help you as a hospitality service.th (1)  Don’t be shy.  If you are new (or not) to the game, please ask the dealer for advice. They want you to win! The more you win, the more likely you are to tip, however tip for their helpfullness and entertaining personality – they have nothing to do with your winning.  Don’t worry about taking a little longer. Everyone starts as a beginner, and most will appreciate your attempt to make the correct play.
12) Don’t hand dealers chips or cash – they are not allowed to handle it directly.  The “Eye in the Sky” is watching your play and their work. Put the chips or cash on the table. They will not accept it any other way.

Non-smoking, Tipping, and pictures

13) If you smoke, be aware of those around you. If you are a non-smoker in a smoking part of the casino, be flexible.  Reach a common ground that you both can be comfortable with.th (16)
14) Take a walk around when you arrive.  In this day and age, make sure you know your nearest exits if new to that property. Get acquainted with your surroundings. Casinos can be difficult to navigate through.  That’s the way they want it.
th (2)

Tip your waitstaff, especially if you request specific items.

15) Carry dollar bills for tips. In most casinos, complimentary beverages are served, but the wait staff is usually expecting a small tip.

Related Post – Tips on Tipping

16) Be aware of the casino’s rules concerning using your phone for taking pics.  Each casino has different rules and it is important for player to be aware of them.  Hey, SELFIE-ADDICTS – Taking pictures in a casino or talking on a cell phone can get you into big trouble if it breaks the rules.  Some casinos allow some picture taking, like when a jackpot is hit. But don’t be surprised when you asked to put your phone away. SELFIE STICKS aren’t tolerated by both the casino staff and the patrons.  Remember, many visitors would prefer not to be in anyone’s picture – especially those Advantage Players that make a living in anonymity.
Related Posts: Mindful Gambling – Improving Your Experience In The Casino
Casino Decisions For the OBLIVIOUS Recreational Gambler
Finally, have fun.  It’s social, it’s entertainment.  Let’s just leave it as that.
That’s all for now.
Binbin

15 Ways to Improve Your Slot Machine Etiquette

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As with most behavior in public spaces, behaving properly usually helps provide a better experience for you and for those around you.  No where in the casino could that be true than the winding rows of slot machines, where, at busy times, you could find yourself shoulder to shoulder with a variety of others.

Slot Machines

There’s a lot of slot machines to choose from out there!

To some, how “best to behave” is another way people try to harsh one’s happiness.  Alas, that usually is just nonsense from those who only want to do what they want at whatever expense there is to the rest of us, as if they are more important, more entitled – special.

The following also relates to playing video poker.  With either machine, while we enjoy the solitary play, one vs. machine, or want to make new friends while playing, consider the suggestions below.

Slot Machinr / Video Poker Etiquette.

  1. Slot machine etiquette teaches that you should never touch the slot machine of another player. You should also not lean on their chair or shoulder as this motion could cause them to jerk and hit the wrong button concerning denomination or number of credits.
  2. Slot machine etiquette allows a person to play two slot machines that are right next to each other as long as the casino is not overly crowded. There will be times in which people are waiting to sit down that a slot attendant might ask a player playing two slot machines to end one of their sessions.

    Territorial – “I am playing all these Machines!”

  3. Slot machine etiquette frowns on those people that pound the buttons on a slot machine rapidly for good luck. Also, many casinos will frown on this since this wears the slot machines out over time. Plus, this is just distracting to other players around.
  4. If you are going to watch a person play a slot machine, do not sit in the chair next to them unless you plan on playing yourself. This takes a seat away from someone else. Slot attendants will usually be quick to ask you to please move. This is a true no-no of slot machine etiquette.
  5. Understand the rules before you sit down. Is the slot machine progressive? Is it a community game involving other players? How do you get the bonus(es)? Take time to watch the game from afar or how about this – check the menu and actually read the game rules and pay table! Don’t be lazy and expect others to teach you on their time.
  6. If someone has leaned their stool or chair up against the slot machine, this usually means they haven’t finished playing it. Usually the person playing the slot machine has just went to the bathroom or to get a drink. Even if they haven’t got any money in the slot machine, by leaving their chair or stool leaning up against it they are stating that the machine is in use, so don’t think that you can just go up and play.
    If you’re that person, as an act of courtesy, you must not leave the slot machine reserved for several minutes. Get back to the machine immediately. (of course, casinos will favor high rollers and shut down a machine for hours)
  7. Playing multiple slot machines or video poker machines simultaneously is not encouraged whether the casino is crowded or not. But, it is more tolerated when the casino isn’t busy. Besides, it does not improve your odds to play more than one machine at a time. Give someone else a chance to play.
  8. There are times that some players have forgotten their players card within the slot machine. When you found this out, it is a practice that you must put the card on the top or to the side of the machine where the previous player can easily see and get the forgotten card.
  9. Do not watch others play over their shoulder if they do not know you, that’s just creepy !!!! In small casinos it seems to be accepted to do that once your money runs out…just wander over and watch a total stranger play. Like I said – CREEPY!!
  10. Don’t be a slob! – Ashes, spilled drinks, coughing without covering, sticky hands from food – these are just some of the things that annoy your fellow players. (Suggestion – always have hand sanitizer when playing.  It comes in handy)

    Drinks, cigarettes – what a mess!

  11. Don’t share your superstitions, myths, or ignorance of how these machines work with those around you. Denomination, rhythm, which buttons to push, whether your rewards card is used or not – these are all just ignorant nonsensical notions of those players who just want attention.  Ig
    nore their suggestions.  The random-number-generator runs the machine, period.
  12. If you need to use the restroom, put your service light on.  As long as you are not taking a 15 minute break, slot attendants are around to help you out in this area.  DON’T ASK THE PLAYER NEXT TO YOU TO WATCH YOUR MACHINE!  Let them have their fun without feeling like a hostage until you decide to come back. My response to strangers who ask is “No, thank you.  I don’t know how long I will be here.”
  13. Wash your hands frequently, especially when using the restroom facilities. (Gentlemen, and I use the term loosely, WASH YOUR HANDS!)
  14. Don’t “hover” over a machine you want to play.  Some people watch a person’s credits and watch until the player is done so they can “POUNCE!”  If I feel that kind of pressure from someone, I will use my phone, check my wallet, stand and stretch – basically anything to waste time to let them know that no kind of predatory pressure will make me succumb to their creepiness.
  15. That brings us to the last point when it comes to behaving properly at the slot machines – tipping.

    Service with a smile? – Tip!

    When to tip? While tipping is a personal decision there are certain times where it’s customary to tip. For example, when you’re receiving a jackpot payout that a floor attendee must help you with, it’s customary to tip them (Granted, if the service is lousy and the attendant is incredibly slow to pay you out or perhaps not professional, you can think twice about tipping.) The rule of thumb is usually to tip around .5 – 1% of the jackpot amount, make sure to keep this in mind when working on your bankroll management budget.  Concerning beverages, yes they are free in many casinos, but tip the staff as you would in a restaurant. Again, if the service is lousy, don’t.  But if you especially make a specific request, be sure to tip.

Unlike some table games, slot machine etiquette is pretty easy to comprehend. With a little respect towards fellow gamblers and adherence to the golden rule, you’ll be able to improve the experience of other players, as well as your own. Use common sense, and be courteous to those around you.
That basically covers it. Bottom line is have fun, stay healthy, enjoy recreational gambling – but not at somebody else’s expense.

Binbin