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Gaming Guru
Gambler's Ruin22 January 1999
Dear Mark, Now to your situation playing the high minimums/low maximums limits. When you have a casino with a competition-free monopoly, you tend to find table limits that, in my humble opinion, border on larceny. This scenario eliminates low-stakes betting (high minimums); plus, the ability to parlay your winnings by increasing your bets (low maximums) is removed. Unfortunately, when you play under these conditions, depletion of a low roller's bankroll in a matter of minutes is not uncommon. So the long and short of it is this, Danny. Avoid playing high minimums/low maximums table limits like the plague!
Dear Mark,
Forget borrowing Uncle Fred's
three-quarter-ton pickup truck to haul off 42,000 pounds of quarters.
Look at the machine closely, Dave. A sign placed inconspicuously on the
machine will read something like "Progressive Jackpot paid in 25 equal
installments. First installment paid upon validation of win." Casinos are fundamentally democratic institutions where all are welcome, united in the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of losing. Free drinks (chip remover) which have always been part of the casino ambience, speed up the process. Then there's Brad, gambling with friends, raised testosterone, elevated male bravado and sipping hooch, not for pleasure but gulping for effect. What do you expect, Bradley? I'll tell you: the demise of a normally sensible gambler! All bets are off on the quality of your play, Brad, when influenced by any intoxicating beverage.
Dear Mark, By sprinkling salt, this superstitious gambler was trying to make the machine pay off by using salt's association with money. It comes from ancient times when workers were paid with salt, called "salarium." We know that word today as salary. Now my own personal feelings about (a) luck and (b) superstition. When it comes to the goddess "Lady Luck," I'm an atheist. Smart wagers bring luck! I have a saying, Edith, if you will: "The smarter you play, the luckier you'll be." Salt to me has more value disguising my own cooking, not showering a machine with it. Recent Articles
Mark Pilarski |
Mark Pilarski |