Casino Player August 2022

PUBLISHER’SMESSAGE >>

Against All Odds How to avoid repeated mistakes in the casinos

A few weeks ago, I was invited to the opening of Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. For those of you who are planning to visit the seaside gaming mecca this summer, this exhibit is a must-see for everyone.The show is running at the property for a limited time through August 28 and offers guests a unique sensory spectacular that literally immerses you right into 300 of Van Gogh’s iconic paintings. It truly is a delight to see something so different come to the city—a little culture mixed with modern technology projected in a serene setting.The cura tors did a beautiful job making the experience so grand and it was a ter rific way to spend an hour or so meandering through this master’s works. A night out at a casino for me also means a great dinner at a fine restaurant (hopefully one I haven’t tried before) and of course, a little gambling on the casino floor.Fairly new to the property is the Sandpiper Coastal Bar & Grill,which opened at Hard Rock this past October and has been receiving rave reviews ever since. After the exhibit we headed over to the Sandpiper and were pleasantly surprised at this wonderful small plate, big-flavor restaurant. In true tapas-style fashion, the eclectic sea sonal menu is designed for sharing and features coastal favorites like local clams and oysters,diver scallops, fried flounder,tenderloin sliders,savory flat breads and the best whipped feta dip you’ll ever have. Refreshing craft cocktails and local brews are also there for the taking. Fresh ingre dients and gorgeous plating in an atmosphere that is bright and inviting all made for a memorable meal. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect evening,or so I thought.My good fortune changed the moment I entered the casino floor later that night,and I sadly admit that I broke every gambling rule known to us.Yes, I’m guilty for not having a plan and sticking with it. Instead of waiting for my favorite Double Double Bonus Poker machine to become available, I hastily jumped from game to game until all my money was gone, and in record time no less. Being in the business for as long as I have been, you’d think I’d know better. I do. But like many of us, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of the casino experience. And I know I’m not alone. I think that one time or another,most of us have gotten a little crazy when vis iting a casino and have made the same repeated mistakes. There are several common blunders that players make when they visit casinos and although most of us are familiar with them, sometimes it helps to see them in print and serve as helpful reminders. Not Having a Plan Many players go to the casino with a pocket full of money and jump from game to game until all their money is gone. I have yet to find any one who can honestly say that losing all their money during a casino visit was an enjoyable experience.You can have a much better time if you just spend a few minutes to make a plan for your next casino visit.

Poor Money Management The true essence of money management really comes down to bankroll management.This is how you handle your money in the casino to make sure you have enough to last for the duration of your visit.Money man agement systems will not change the odds of any game, but a good sys temwill help you control the amount of money that you put at risk.Once you plan how much money you want to risk, divide your bankroll into playing sessions to stretch your money so it lasts for your entire visit. Playing Too Long The longer you play,the more you are exposing your money to the house edge. Playing marathon gaming sessions is a sure way to lose money. Some players will play the slot machines for five or more hours at a time. Plan to take specified breaks during your playing sessions. Getting Greedy The downfall of most gamblers is when they get greedy.You win a little and you want more, so you start making higher bets (and probably play ing faster, too). Before you know it, you’ve given back all of your win nings. If you want to leave a winner you need to lock up a small profit when you win to avoid giving it all back.When you get ahead, put aside your initial money you started with, along with a portion of your win nings. Then play with the remainder of your profits. Not Using a Players Card Everyone can earn comps that include rooms, food, shows and freeplay. Earning comps is a way of getting something extra for your casino dol lar. However, you can’t get them if you don’t use your card. Chasing Losses Nobody likes to lose when they play.Many times after a loss a player will feel the need to try and“get their money back.”They start playing higher denomination machines or betting big sums of money at the tables in hopes of making it back with one big score.This usually does not work and it just causes bigger losses. Most players will make one or two mistakes from time to time;how ever, it’s a good idea to review this list before your next trip to the casino. Just remember to keep it fun! The number one rule of gaming is never to bet more than you can afford to lose.You should always look at gam bling as a form of entertainment and the money you use for gambling as the price of your entertainment. Cheers to good health, good luck and winning days! Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic

Publisher & Editorial Director lrobertson@casinocenter.com

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