Dear Mark,
During conversation with
one of the many rotating poker dealers at the Horseshoe in Boosier City,
he mentioned that the cards they used for poker were essentially
indestructible because they were plastic and theoretically can handle a
lifetime of use. What is your experience in dealing them, and why are
they not used in all table games as opposed to just poker? John R.
The United States Player Card Co. of
Cincinnati, Ohio manufactures the majority of cards used in casinos
across America. Despite the use of high quality paper, laminating and
enameling, the life of these wafer-thin pasteboard products is quite
short. On average, cards are changed on a table game every hour, double
decks every two and on a shoe game every shift (eight hours). Even with
this limited lifespan, paper cards are substantially cheaper than their
plastic counterparts and would be cost prohibitive to put on all of the
casinos blackjack tables.
In poker you need cards that stand up to
wear and tear as the player handles the majority of the deck every hand.
Additionally, concealment of your playing hand in poker versus blackjack
is an issue, plus, plastic decks in poker rooms are seldom changed
during a shift.
Though plastic cards are indestructible
and their durability far surpasses that of a standard playing card, they
do get dirty and need a regular cleaning. In the golden days of
gambling, cards were washed by hand, by dealers, with seltzer water. Now
they use card washing machines.
My experience of using plastic cards is
rather limited — actually only twice — when a severe snowstorm in Reno
cancelled a card shipment over the Christmas holidays. This depleted the
pit's inventory, and blackjack dealers used the reserve from the poker
room. Because I found them much slicker than paper cards, harder to
handle because of their smaller size and flimsy when shuffling, I'm not
an aficionado of plastic cards.
Dear Mark,
Over the last two years
I have been on the losing streak from hell. Every slot machine I touch
has been a loser. This past year alone I have lost $5,000, which I might
add, is more than I can afford to donate to the casinos. My question is,
when does a player finally decide enough is enough and quit playing slot
machines? Anita J.
Because my rule #1 of gambling is "only
bet what you can afford to lose," followed by, "the smarter you play,
the luckier you'll be," NOW is that time. Consider in lieu of slots,
making wagers, within your means, on some of the smarter bets I suggest
weekly in this column.
Correspondingly, Anita, I would be remiss
if I didn't recommend finding an alternative form of entertainment. I
know of one player who when her slot play went sour, rancid to the tune
of $10,000 in six months, quit gambling and became what she calls a lawn
hobbyist.
Now that's exchanging one form of manure
for another.
Dear Mark,
What are your thoughts
on video craps? Michael P.
Called Live Video Craps, this electronic
version of a dice game is offered by many casinos at 25¢ a roll. Cheap,
yes, but don't expect the same thrill and camaraderie as its table-game
cousin on a Saturday night. Plus the game has one expensive Waterloo.
Excluding the 7, all numbers become the point. That includes the 2, 3,
11 and 12. This gives the house a 5% edge on your pass line bet. That,
Michael, is notably higher than the 1.4% advantage the casino holds on a
live game. For familiarity of the game of craps at 25¢ a pop, OK; but
wager no more.
