Do casinos want some winners?

26 November 2013

By Frank Scoblete

FROM CARL: I am of the opinion that casinos want some players to win. If everyone loses, who would want to come to the casino in the future? I think that the winners get the losers to hope and that hope sends the losers back for more and more. What do you think?

FRANK RESPONDS: You could be right but looked at closely, why should the casino care if anybody wins? When you go to play, except for a friend or two (maybe), are you aware of how many winners and/or losers are in the place? For all you know, everyone out there on the casino floor playing table games and everyone at the machines are behind. You might hear people clapping and screaming but by the end of the clappers’ and screamers’ night or their trips are they actually ahead?

I have heard the “I lost but I had fun” statement far more from casino gamblers than I have heard “I killed them!”

I think the casino bosses have no emotional interest in whether any players win at their games. Indeed, there are some pit bosses that get a cut of the table wins. It is in their interest to see everyone lose. Except for my friends, when I go to a casino I have no idea who is having good luck or bad luck.

Your concept of hope is on the money. Most casino players go to the casinos as an expression of hope. Even the best players (with the exception of true advantage players) are hoping to win and these best players make the best types of bets at the games. Still, their expectation is to lose over time. The bad players have a far greater expectation to lose far more quickly.

I am thinking of taking an informal survey the next time I am in a casino. I’ll ask people, “How long have you been playing? Are you ahead?”

I am giving you a free copy of my book “The Virgin Kiss” for your letter.


FROM MICHAEL: You are an idiot Mr. Scoblete for believing that people can influence the dice at the game of craps. The game is completely random and that is why I never play it or even bother looking at the game and the fools who are wasting their money at the game. I asked a pit boss if anyone could influence the dice and he said, “Only morons.” So there! You got that from a true expert. What more do you need to know? He called you a moron!

In blackjack, except for six and eight deck games which nobody can beat, you can count cards and get an edge at one and two deck games. Counting is so hard you have to be a genius like Rain Man to do it. How many gamblers are geniuses like Rain Man? Not many.

I have never read any of your books because I know they are all b*l*s**t. Why read about ideas that are so stupid. I am sure you will not publish this letter because you want all your adoring fans to think you are a godlike being from another planet.

I know baloney when I step in it.

FRANK RESPONDS: For your supportive letter I am sending you a copy of the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”

Join Frank on his website at www.frankscoblete.com or on his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/frankscoblete.