When Is Enough Too Much?

So you're on a roll. No, not a long roll at the table, which is always a welcome event, but a rather longer winning streak at a casino spanning several trips. At what point does one wear out his welcome? When is enough too much? How long will it take until the casino sees its numbers going in the "wrong direction"? When is that friendly boxman or pit boss going to turn hostile?

There is no definitive answer or solid timeframe here. The questions above can be answered with more questions to you, the lucky craps player.

What is your betting level? Are you a red, green, or black chip bettor? The casinos will, obviously, tolerate you more if you're betting smaller amounts of money. It means you're experiencing smaller winning sessions as opposed to the bettor that hits the floor running, so to speak.

Are you tipping? A line bet for the dealers or a small place bet with player controlling the wins does wonders with a crew. It gets them into the game, and more often than not, shows the box and pit that you're a "George".

Have you progressed up on a place bet modestly or have you "Full Pressed" your wins into the stratosphere? Yes, it's good to take advantage of your repeated numbers such as six or eight, but a good progression strategy will also take the sting out of the losses, from the casino's point of view. This is not saying you can't shoot for the stars, but the suits and eyeballs increase as those stacks of chips on your place bet increase. It is for the player's protection and for the casino's protection. They are there to make sure the bets get paid properly -- and to make you nervous.

How friendly have you been? To the crew? To the box? To the pit? To the Floor Manager, if he or she has shown up? Not just when you're throwing, but more importantly, when you're not. A good schmoozer has charisma with the folks up and down the food chain. If you are a regular to the point that the crew knows you, the box and pit knows your favorite color, pet peeves, dog's name, and wife's last four, this can help in times of "wonderful luck with the dice". You might even get a nice quiet look from one of them, or even a "you're sure lucky today" from the top.

Make no mistake, if you know any or all of the suits, any comment should be taken and acted upon. The bottom line with these people is their jobs. You can know these people, know their lives that they share with you on your many trips, but when it comes down to it, if they had to back you off or tap you out, black ball you from the casino, or in the worst case trespass you, they would do it to preserve their jobs. Bringing home the bacon to little Jimmy, Mary, and Wifey will always trump the routine conversations with you no matter how long or short they may be and no matter how much you have lost in the past.

The bottom line here: Know when enough is enough. Look and listen when in the zone throwing that roll of a lifetime. A one-time thing will more than likely be tolerated. Two trips of taking the casino by storm will bring danger lights to their coffers, and certainly three trips of zeroing their chronometers will put your name on the desk of the wrong guy. That guy is your pit chum's boss's boss's boss.

Have common sense and take your winnings in stride. Play at other casinos or you might even have to lose a few sessions before you're back in the anonymous pile at your favorite place, or at least in the "we're not too worried about him at this time" pile.

Enjoy the success...smartly!

SectionEight