A Pocketful of Protection

13 December 2022

By Frank Scoblete

You must protect yourself at all times against the house edge, at least to the extent that it is possible. Make the best possible bets at the games you enjoy playing and make sure you play the best possible strategies. The best we can do is to keep the game at bay as much as we can.

Yet, there are some other factors in play when you go to a casino; the possibility that you will have some truck with certain criminal elements. Most of us have not had run-ins with these truly undesirable denizens of Lady Luck’s shadowy side but some of us have. The last two issues I have given some advice on how to handle yourself in the casino to reduce the chances to them getting to you.

Here are some more matters to consider:

Everyone has heard of pickpockets in the outside world. Where I’ve lived my life, New York, we have plenty of these criminals working the streets, sidewalks and entertainment venues. Certain countries and cities are well known for their pickpockets’ skill in getting your wallet or opening your purse to get your money.

Yes, sadly, there are casino pickpockets looking to win your money without playing any of the casinos’ games. Don’t give them easy access to your treasure; secured by many days, months and years of hard work.

Most men keep their wallets in their back pockets. You can see the bumps. Everyone who looks there can see the bumps. Why keep your money in your wallet in your back pocket? Not necessary. Put your cash in your shirt pocket that is buttoned up, preferably with two or three buttoned.

To get that money while you are walking about the casino would take much ingenuity on the part of the thief. And why lift your money from there? Heck, there would be much better objects of their greed trundling all over the place. Why risk going for a man’s money having to be face-to-face with such a man? “Look for someone else” would be the refrain on their minds. They want easy pickings.

Women can wear those button-down blouses as well. Some women might not feel well-groomed in such blouses, but so what? You are in the casino to win money, not to look as if you are a model walking down the runway.

And purses? Easy pickings. Slot players will often put their purses on the seats next to them or worse, put them on the back of their chairs as they are playing the machines. Zip! Gone!

If you play a table game then do the same thing. Don’t put your purse on an empty seat. Figure a way to fasten it on you.

Women look great in dresses but for a morning, afternoon or evening of play, just wear slacks. Wear sneakers too. If you are going to a gourmet dinner, yes, wear a dress if you wish but when you leave the restaurant then head for your room and change into your playing clothes.

The “bump and steal” is an old-fashioned method of securing another person’s purse or back pocket money. One crook bumps into the lady and apologizes profusely, while the second crook opens the purse and takes out the wallet. Then both crooks disappear into the night.

This technique can be used to get a man’s wallet from his back pocket.

Don’t let the crooks have the last say. Attempt to protect your money from the house edge and from those nether worlders.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete’s website is www.frankscoblete.com. His books are available from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books, libraries and bookstores.