Match play, bad manners and two great casinos in Vegas

2 July 2013

By Frank Scoblete

Hi Frank:
Ref: match play

At Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut they wouldn't allow me to place a $10 match play on the Don't Pass line but on the Pass Line it was OK. Why? In the past I was able to do it on all even money bets. Are they getting so cheap that the difference of a 10th of a percent means that much to them?

--George

Dear George:

The casinos can do what they want with match play. However, I have no idea why Foxwoods would limit you to the Pass Line and not let you put the match play on the Don’t Pass since both are “even-money” bets. Maybe someone from Foxwoods will write in and explain it to us.

However, casinos know the value of the dollar. In Atlantic City you can buy the 4 or 10 for $35 paying a one-dollar commission. If you choose to buy both the 4 and the 10, they charge you an extra dollar. Now, you would think that a multi-billion dollar industry would not care about one lonely little dollar but it does. There’s a lesson to be learned there.

For your e-mail I am sending you a copy of my new book “The Virgin Kiss.”

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete


Dear Frank:

I love to shoot dice, but I have a few concerns about how the game is run now! Years ago you had to have a previous bet on the Pass Line in order to shoot next. Now the stickman lets anybody who is standing in that spot shoot. I watch a lot of people jumping tables and squeezing in just to shoot. They let one lady place a Fire Bet for two dollars and that was her only bet on the table!

Sometimes I try to find a spot on the table and it’s full of people but then I look and there’s only like two or three people betting. Also the new rule for paying for drinks is cash or debit. You cannot pay for drinks with chips. Why is this, this hurts the wait staff on tipping.

Years ago I never paid for a meal, now I don’t even get enough for a sandwich. And service is horrible in the whole casino. I play in all three of the Detroit casinos.

--Larry


Dear Larry:

I have no idea why the casino won’t allow people to tip the wait staff with chips – I mean the chips are theirs already.

As far as the lack of manners on the part of some players, it seems to be par for the course at some casinos. I have never played in the Detroit casinos but from what you are saying they might need to get their acts together. If the dice are to come to you next and someone slips in ahead of you, he should be passed by until the dice make the circuit around the table. You should not have to wait for this individual to shoot.

Craps shooters will often wait for “qualifying” events to place bets so that might be what you are seeing at the tables. I really don’t know. In the casinos in Vegas and Atlantic City where I do most of my playing, it is just the opposite. As soon as the point is established, chips go flying all over the place. Players can’t wait to get into the action.

I am sending you a copy of my new book “The Virgin Kiss.”

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete

Dear Frank:
I just back from Vegas and have been playing at Main Street Station and California Club for many years. I consider those casinos the best places because of the good shooters. Best time usually is late at night or early morning at 1 or 2 o’clock.

The local players from Hawaii seem the best.

A Hui Hou a Malama Pono!

--Robert

Dear Robert:

I just came back from a great vacation in Hawaii. On the return flight we had a layover in Vegas. The plane I was on was filled with Hawaiians just itching to get into the action. I love the people of that state.

For your letter I am sending you a copy of my new book “The Virgin Kiss.”

Until next time, take care.

Frank Scoblete

Frank's newest book is "Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker."