Dear Mark,
Any truth to the rumor
that I will be able to gamble on a flight from Cleveland to Las Vegas?
Laurie H.
You mean wager that your flight will
arrive on time? Take the six-to-five against.
No, Laurie, you won't see the captain
turning off the no-betting signs in preparation for your landing. Though
some airlines have gambling systems tested and ready to go, don't expect
to lose more than your luggage on your next flight. A friendly wager in
the sky only applies to international flights-not flights that take off
or land in the United States. The 1994 Gorton Amendment bans gambling on
flights by an international carrier that begins or ends in this country.
Laurie, I just cannot foresee even
lobbied politicians of unsound mind allowing holiday travelers to arrive
at their vacation destination pauperized.
Dear Mark,
Twice in past columns
you have stated unequivocally that casinos do not cheat customers. You
also mentioned the possibility of a rogue dealer affecting my chances of
winning. Could you please give me an example of something a dishonest
dealer could do to change the odds in the casino's favor? Billy T.
An example would be of an unscrupulous
dealer who preferential shuffles. Here a dealer is counting the
deck down (card counting) and is aware of all the cards that have been
dealt. If a lot of high cards have been previously pitched, meaning the
deck is now rich in small cards, creating an apparent disadvantage for
the player, the rogue dealer keeps dealing. On the other hand, if many
small cards have surfaced, allowing a positive expectation for the
player, the dealer would shuffle.
By card counting, the unethical dealer
now has total control over any favorable situation the player might have
had.
Dear Mark,
Nothing irks me more
than when two pit bosses in the same casino interpret the rules
differently. I had a pit boss allow me to replay my hand (I didn't
signal a hit and the dealer hit me anyway for a bust). Another pit boss
instructed the dealer to take my wife's money on an identical error one
hour later. Don't they play from the same rule book? David M.
Floormen, a.k.a. dealing referees, at
times render contrary decisions. Calling a particular play differently
ultimately confuses casino clientele. You, and yes, even the dealer,
have a very legitimate gripe against management on inconsistent calls.
Casinos where customer service prevails
always side with the player unless the mistake is illegal or egregious.
Why lose a customer for life over a $10 error? They realize the math is
always on the side of the casino.
Funny how it works, David. When the house
lets you keep your mistake, they always seem to get it back on the next
hand.
Dear Mark,
There is a company in
Europe selling devices that electronically jackpot slot machines. Is
this legal in Nevada? What is the penalty for using it? Robert L.
Why waste your money, Robert? Try this
instead. Hoist a sledgehammer in the air, angle it at 45 degrees, then
bring it crashing down on the polished glass face of the paytable. That
should trigger the hopper to release the coins. Either way, the penalty
is the same. A ward of the state, AKA, PRISON! Good behavior should get
you out in five.
Dear Mark,
Is there a specific time
when a gambler should get up and walk away from a table when winning?
Wayne D.
The two hardest times to leave a casino
are when you're ahead or when you're behind. That, Wayne, is why all
gamblers should set loss limits and win goals. Though your question
lacked precise information, like how much you bet, how long, which
games, where, etc., setting specific win goals such as doubling your
money, AND STICKING TO THEM, is the correct money management strategy
when it comes to bidding your farewells.
