Staying in the Game

At blackjack, one item that casino managers look for when trying to spot card counters is their bet spread. Remember the casinos read the same books that we read. When the count jumps up from 1 to 6 positive, we very much want to get that big bet out there.

This is a big no-no. Betting a steady $10 then suddenly jumping to $60 is a sure way to get a lot of attention. Let's say the count goes up high and you won the last hand. You decide to "let it ride," leaving your bet and winnings out there. You might even add a little something, like an extra $10 "for luck". At the same time you announce to the dealer and other players that you "feel" this is going to be your lucky hand. In this case, you now have a total of $30. This will help keep prying eyes away from you.

You go on to win the hand and the count is still high. You still "feel lucky" and let it all ride again. This method requires two steps to get the big bet out there, but it can save you from being suspected as a counter. You might even have to do it in three steps, but again, your main goal is to continue to play, win and, most of all, not get spotted and barred.

Bet You Didn't Know

• Bertha was a performing elephant that entertained for 37 years at John Ascuaga's Nugget casino located in Sparks Nevada. She was 48 years old when she died.


• There are about 170 cruise ships operating in the world that have casinos on board.


• When early Romans tossed a coin in the air, they called "heads or ship" instead of "heads or tails." This was because their coins had the head of their god Janus on one side and a Roman galley on the other.


• Ben Franklin was one of the first to manufacture playing cards in America.


• Blackjack is a very popular card game in Russia, where it's traditionally called "Ochko" ("the hole").


• William Howard Taft, the first President to ever pass through Las Vegas, waved to the Las Vegans from his railroad car, but did not stop.


• During the 2006 Super Bowl, the Las Vegas Hilton, offered a record-breaking 300 different bets on the game.