Irritations

14 April 2020

By Frank Scoblete

I am irritated by dealers who do not know the house edges of their games. Craps dealers should be able to tell players clearly and concisely what edges they face when they make certain bets – if the players ask them that is.

How hard is it for blackjack dealers to know the correct basic strategy for the game they are dealing? Seems to me they should be experts in not just dealing but in proper play of the hands. Almost all Pai Gow Poker dealers know the strategy for their game, why can’t blackjack dealers?

Players who offer unsolicited advice about how to play one’s hand in blackjack or any other game should remember that no one asked them for advice. It is bad manners to intrude on someone’s game if that someone is content to play the way he or she wishes to play.

Pit bosses, floor persons, comp personnel should be able to clearly explain how comps are figured for the games a player wishes to play. Comp formulas should not be secret. They are not a part of the Manhattan Project.

Craps shooters like to shoot the way they like to shoot. Let them therefore shoot without your commentary. If they seven out they seven out. That’s a part of the game.

I am annoyed by craps players who do not follow the procedures of the game by throwing in bets when the shooter has the dice; hanging their arms over the layout; talking to the shooter when he or she is about to roll the dice.

Players who do not understand how a dealer is supposed to pay the players and in what order that payment should be must learn the procedure. Constantly asking the dealer when a payment is due is annoying to the other players.

Casino goers should tip the personnel who need those tips such as valet parkers, waiters, room service, maids and “mands,” dealers, bellhops, and cocktail personnel. Some casino players suddenly get cheap even though they are betting their money at games they actually can’t win in the long run. Tip those who need the tip.

Stop the whining! If you are having a bad day no other players really care about it; they are not emotionally hanging on your results. Your whining and groaning and moaning irritates the other players. If you can’t handle the downs of play then please don’t play. Other players are there to have some joy and your antics crush such possible joy. Players who can’t be with other players should seriously consider playing the machines where they can be alone and moan to the machine if things are not going their way.

If you are winning, please don’t slap the backs of the players who are having a poor outing. “Ha! Ha! Look at how much I’m winning!” could get you the firing squad. Always be polite about your wins.

Don’t ask other players how they are doing. That’s their business. No one wants to be trapped in the elevator with some stranger who presses them for information.

Frank’s web site is www.frankscoblete.com. His books are available at smile.Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, kindle, e-books and at bookstores.