DON’T FALL FOR THE TRICKS

How To Beat Casinos At Their Own Game

Casinos use a wide variety of methods to prevent patrons from making simple decisions to limit the amount of time (and bankroll) spent at their establishment.

I’m certain you've come across the “there’s extra oxygen in casino air to keep people awake” on the “interweb” before. And, yes, that’s BS (like most of the casino “info” on the interweb).

What isn’t BS is the simple fact that a casino cashier is rarely near an entrance/exit. (The Edgewater in Laughlin, NV comes to mind as a notable counter-example!) The cashier should be visible and accessible, just not near the doors. Why? Most importantly security! There’s less chance of a smash-and-grab robbery. But in actuality, coloring up your chips or printing out your ticket, getting the cash, and walking out without making another wager is harder to accomplish when you still have to walk a long way to the door. Let’s say you were the casino boss. Where would you put your cashier in the building?

Another “trick” is changing your cash into credits on a slot’s screen, chips at a table, and slips at the sports book. Now it’s no longer something you interpret as money. What you see is something which has the value of money, but doesn’t really until you walk out. Just wait until cashless gaming arrives in a few years! The only way to participate in gambling then will be to have an account, most likely linked to your players club account, which will allow you to move money, digitally, from your bank account to the casino. If you still want to deal with cash in cashless gaming, the casino will have to accept your cash, place that value onto your account in order for you to use it at the casino, and then convert it back to cash when you leave. The only way to avoid the casino’s “trap” is to stick to your decision if you intend on walking away with a certain amount of cash. Mentally prepare yourself to walk away for the day, get up, and do it! Having an exit strategy, or plan of some kind, is imperative when walking in to a casino. Without one, you are in lady luck’s hands, and will be influenced by the casino environment all the time.

Most casinos lack windows and clocks. Even casinos being built right now will have very few windows and no clocks! Why? Casino management has long believed players who are not aware of what time it is, regardless of cell phone clocks, watches, being able to see if it’s day or night, are less likely to leave. An assumption to be sure, but probably a correct one. The way to defeat this trick is simple. Bring your own timepiece, and use it! If you need to be somewhere, stick to the appointed time. Again, stay strong and resolute in the decision you made prior to arriving at the casino. If you were the casino boss, would you let customers know what time it is with convenient clocks?

The lights, music, and winning sounds of a casino are the easiest way to lure patrons into a casino and keep them there. “Monkey see, monkey hear, monkey do,” right? Look, the grocery store is no different! The food displays, the deli, and so on all help complete the buying experience. And who hasn’t bought items on impulse that aren't on their shopping list? I know I’ve been tempted. Well, the casino is exactly the same. Sure the lights and noise can be overwhelming, even annoying, and sometimes plain bad, but the overall atmosphere is one of “you can win and have fun here!”

What I fail to understand is how hearing “I wanna hold your hand” by The Beatles, and similarly repetitive songs, for the tenth time is supposed to make me gamble more, or for longer, or both? Repetitive songs are supposed to induce a trance-like state in shoppers, diners in restaurants, and gamblers. Certain songs make me want to leave, not keep gambling. Just saying! But that’s just me, apparently research indicates otherwise.

How can you defeat the lights? Sunglasses. How can you defeat the music and winning noise? Earplugs. But, if you were a casino boss, what music would you play to keep all your customers happy, continuing to gamble, and coming back?

I’d love hearing what you think; the good and the bad. You can write me at Sami@AZGamingGuide.com. Thanks for your letters and emails! Have fun and good luck! $