Protect yourself at all times, part III

[The following article is excerpted from Frank's new book Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players!] It continues Frank's look at the ways the criminal enemies of the player go about their nefarious business.

Knock, Knock: The guy is trailing you in the hallway. So start knocking on the doors as you head for your room. Some people will open the doors. If you can get someone to take you in, you are safe. If not, tell the person to call security. Or say you don't remember what room you and your friends/family are in. And always make it sound as if you have a lot of people with you. That might discourage the person from attacking you since now there are witnesses.

I'm With Security: This is a version of the home invasion. You hear the knock on your room door and look out the peephole. The person you see claims he is with security. Just tell him you are calling down to security to confirm it. The criminal will leave. If he is a security agent, he will stay. Of course, make the call and determine the truth of the situation. Ask the security people why the man has come up. Then ask the security agent why he came up. If the stories are the same; he is from security.

Key Check Bad Bet: Many hotels have key check personnel as you enter the elevator areas. This is to make sure that only people with keys are allowed in. That's great but getting a key to a room is no hard feat to accomplish. Just about anyone can get one. So while these checkpoints might help a little, don't trust them to keep you safe. Your eyes and ears and brain are your best protection.

Criminals Usually Look Like Criminals: We aren't talking Armani-suited Wall Street scammers here. We are talking street crime of the indoor variety and street criminals usually look like street criminals. If you think you are being watched by this person, then go to the security desk or to a security guard and strike up a conversation. Remember that criminals aren't looking to get caught and they will usually go after other game, of which there is plenty in the casino.

Don't Look Well Off: Two people are walking by the thief. One wears expensive clothes, has real golden jewelry on his wrist and dangling from his neck and wears an expensive watch to boot. His shoes are made from the Golden Fleece. The second person wears cheap clothes, maybe a sweat suit, sneakers, or cargo pants and a cheap shirt. His watch probably costs about $29.99. Who is the thief going after? He'll eye the wealthy-looking gentleman. Dress down even if you are a high roller. Clothing is the billboard of a person's wealth, and thieves are billboard readers.

Be Aware of the Chip Grabbers: When you are playing craps, you must be aware of every bet you have on the table and watch as the dealers pay the bets off. Sometimes grabbers will reach over and take your win if you aren't watching. Often this will happen by accident, but there are some pretty slick players out there who will snatch your win and keep it if you don't notice what has just happened.

The Male Ego: She is beautiful or maybe not so beautiful, seductive or maybe not so seductive, but she takes an instant interest in you. She looks enamored of you. She talks to you and expresses much appreciation for your sense of humor (even if you are a dullard), your looks (even if you are ugly) and your betting size (as long as it is big). You aren't irresistible. That is the garbage that is sold on commercials, the "Some Enchanted Evening" moment. Aside from the fact that this woman might give you a serious disease to bring home with you, she might also have her male counterpart mug you. I know one guy who bragged that a prostitute offered her services to him as if she wouldn't have offered her services to an ape if the beast had enough cash.

My System Works and It Is Free: One of the oldest scams in casino gambling, a scam even some advantage-players might fall into, involves the scammer giving his system away for free. The only catch is that he will come to the casino with you and the two of you will share in your profits. A lot of people fall for this one. The player invests the money and if he loses, he loses all of it. The scammer does not share in the loss. But if the player wins, the scammer gets a percentage of the player's win.

Germs Love You: Yes, there are elements you face that you can't see, but they are everywhere around you -- those being germs and viruses. Your remote, your telephone, and the door handle to your room are the best places for germs to lounge while waiting for your unsuspecting fingers to touch them, then touch your eyes or nose, and then enter your body to give you something other than money to take home with you. When you first get into your room, take out an alcohol rub and wipe the remote, the telephone and the door handle, inside and out.

Chip Germs: You are playing craps and several players are coughing or sneezing. They are then touching their chips. Their germs are hopping on to the chips waiting to give you a dose of your fellow player's disease-infested body. Of course, casinos will not let you wash down your chips as you are playing, but you can take the precaution of not putting your hands to your face as you play. When you are playing, you can also wipe your hands with alcohol rubs. If you play the slots or any other machine, wipe the play and hold buttons before you touch them.

Clean Those Cups and Glasses: In your hotel room, your cups and drinking glasses probably look clean as clean can be. Unfortunately, sometimes this is an illusion as they have been cleaned not with soap and water but with glass cleaner, something that is obviously not healthy for you. So before you use any cups or glasses in your room, wash them out thoroughly. The same applies to coffee makers and any silverware in the rooms.

Check for Bedbugs: Telltale signs of bedbugs are usually lines of dirt on the bottom sheet. Check your sheets before you put your body in bed, unless you want to sleep with the insects of the night. Bringing bedbugs home is a horrible thing. They are extremely difficult to get rid of once they are in your home.

Don't Share Cabs: Goes without saying. You can be a clear mark in a cab. There's nowhere to run and nowhere to hide and the cab driver is probably not going to risk his safety to protect yours. If someone hops into a cab with you, open the door and tell the cab driver you don't share rides. If he doesn't respond as you would like, get out of the cab.