The Classic Roman Myth Approach to Gambling
Dear Mark,
I'm about to make my first trip to Las Vegas. Can you give me your favorite
King Midas tip that will turn my trip into gold? Jerome S. Buffalo, NY
Why King Midas, Jerome? When I think of King Midas my thoughts turn toward
greed. In Ovid's Greek tale, Midas was so greedy he wanted everything he
touched to turn to gold. To his delight, his wish came true, and he proceeded
to gild everything in sight. But like a rapacious player who wants to win
every hand, his fate was tragic in the end. He killed his own beloved daughter
with his magical touch.
But you probably don't give a hoot about some Roman poet's tale and only
want a hot tip for success; so here's my favorite: Only make bets that have
less than a two percent house advantage.
You didn't mention what type of casino games you prefer, Jerome, so I'll
trumpet my favored plays below. All represent wagers that have a house edge
of less than two percent.
Blackjack: With perfect basic strategy.
Video Poker: Again, using perfect basic strategy.
Craps: A pass line wager, odds on that pass line bet and placing
the six or eight.
Baccarat: The bank or player hand.
Slots: Yes, even a cybernetic one-armed bandit can be a good play
if it's advertised as a 98 plus percent return machine.
Horace once said: "Gold can be slave or master." So can the wrong
casino wager.
Dear Mark,
Every time I chip away (no pun intended) at the casino, they return larger
chips than those I'm betting. I get the feeling they want me to cash out
and keep what I've just won. Why are they being so polite to a winner? Randall
C. Pittsburgh, PA
Quite the contrary, Randall. The second you get on a hot streak, casinos
prefer pit employees to "change color" or upgrade your chips.
No, they're not being courteous, just trying to induce larger play. Because
most players don't equate casino chips with real money, it's easy to get
caught up in the game and forget what you're actually betting. Treat all
chips, won or lost, like Friday's paycheck--your hard-earned money.
Before I Shuffle: Recently, thanks to my DJ cousin Joe Turner, afternoon
drive at WRBR-FM in South Bend, IN., I scored free tickets to the Moody
Blues at Caesar's Tahoe. Thanks, Joe, you were right, an awesome show. What
was most appealing though was the length of time the Moody Blues played.
Two hours and 15 minutes.
I have seen all to many casino shows that last under one hour--and the casino
prefers it that way. Pack the house, the band plays a limited amount of
time, open the floodgates to the casino floor and now they belong to us.
The point I'm making here is that you have to know your bands. Many will
play their top 10 hits, then adios. A band like the Moody Blues provides
true value. I almost believe they told the casino up-yours, we're playing
for our fans enjoyment.
By the way, ever wonder why there are empty seats up close during a performance
in a casino showroom? Those are reserved for players who bet gobs of money.
But you don't have to be a high roller (whale) to sit in those seats. Ask
for the showroom captain, show him a $25 casino chip and tell him you want
to upgrade your seats. Front row center every time. Show him $50 and he'll
ask you what instrument you play.
Got a question about gambling? Write to: Deal Me In, 774 Mays Blvd.
Suite 10, Incline Village, NV 89451 or e-mail:winners@winner.com
· To order Mark Pilarski's "Hooked on Winning" audio cassettes--laminated
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