May 2012
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com
Travel & gaming 15
Brightening the cloudy slots scene couple two-for-one drink coupons decorated in lint. Dear Mark: On a three-day For starters, on a three-day casino casino trip, I was playing quarter excursion, never bring your entire slots and was down to my last bankroll to one gambling session. $200. Instead of playing nickels, I You need to have a daily gambling played dollars, losing the $200 in budget. Start by dividing your bankjust a few minutes. I thought that by roll by the number of days you’ll be increasing to dollars, especially on gambling. Then divide each daily a machine with a sign above toutbankroll into the number of sessions ing, “best paybacks in the house,” you will play that day. This will result I would get a better return. The in your single-session bankroll. Don’t result: I pretty much had nothing bet Friday’s money on Thursday. to do for the last 24 hours except Set a goal of winning between 50 watch others. Kurt B. to 100 percent of a single-session Your letter lacked an inquiry, Kurt, bankroll. Then set aside your original but my guess is that you’re looking bankroll, plus half your winnings. for a “what did I do wrong” answer. Now you can play with the remainAs an appetizer, you are correct that der and continue to set aside addiin general, $1 slot mational winnings. This upping the ante chines pay more than When you cash out quarters, quarters more strategy with limited your winnings into than nickels, which, credit slips, take a in turn, pay more than funds is akin to lambs moment and carepennies. The problem being led to slaughter. fully think about the is that when you climb exchange. Always the denomination tree, treat credit slips as hard-earned you bet more and can lose more at legal tender. a much faster clip. Bad luck aside, Set loss limits and win goals. For even if the machine returns a decent example, on losing half your session percentage to the player when playbankroll (loss limit) you walk, and ing dollars, you might effectively be on doubling your money (win goal), cutting the house advantage, but you consider doing the same. are betting more of your hard-earned Identify the profitable opportunicash (For example, $3 versus 75 ties in gambling by shopping for the cents) per spin. best odds, rules and playing condiThis upping the ante strategy tions. In most cases, that doesn’t with limited funds is akin to lambs include slot machines. You knew being led to slaughter. When takthat already, right? ing a beating, I advocate a move to Finally, money management will a reduced denomination machine, not affect the house advantage the not an increased one. Otherwise, casino has at slots, nor will it guaryou are either playing with money antee that you will win additional you can’t afford to lose, or scared money. What good money managemoney, which makes for poor playing ment principles will do is minimize decisions. I will note here that you your losses and in most cases, deserve some kudos for not using the protect your winnings. convenience of getting quick cash Dear Mark: Some slot machines from a teller machine to chase losses offer free bonus spins. Is the ranwith a double-up-to-catch-up strategy. dom number generator also workThis leads me to urge sound money ing on free spins? Gerry J. management techniques. Money The RNG is still at work when management is your lifeline to getdetermining the results of free spins. ting home with some semblance of The only difference, Gerry, is that a your starting bankroll and not, as in free spin is just that, free. ■ your case, with a pocket featuring a By Mark Pilarski
Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk, Colorado - Tuesday, June 19 - Wednesday, June 20 $159 per person single occupancy - $129 per person double occupancy Includes: 1 Night Lodging, Transportation, Breakfast and Coupon Book
Double Eagle Hotel & Casino -- Cripple Creek, CO Wednesday, August 1 - Friday August 3 $189 per person single occupancy -- $ 149 per person double occupancy Enjoy the musical “My Fair Lady” for an additional $15
For more information: Call 970-240-0813 or Email: amy@tellurideexpress.com