Page 6 - October 2002 • Southern California Gaming Guide

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
Let’s Talk About Player Courtesy...
Last weekend at the casino, I sat next to a fellow slot player at a bank of twelve slot machines, six on each side. The player to my right was playing two machines at once; the player to my left immediately asked me to watch her seat while she went off. (For a
pit stop? More funds? She didn’t say.) I put a coin tub on her seat as the universal casino sign that someone was playing there. Right away, I heard the player to my left (the one playing two slots at once) being asked, “Are you playing two machines?”
Now, this wasn’t a stupid question. It was obvious the person was playing two machines. But it was more of a need for veri cation that on a busy weekend, a gamer had the temerity to hog two machines, while people were waiting to play. More people asked her the same thing. The frequent questions, by the way, had no effect on the player, and after a while she just ignored everyone.
As with anything in life, and certainly at the casino, the Golden Rule prevails: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you!” And in case that line is not easily understood, here are some Casino Do’s and Don’ts according to the Unknown Gamer:
1. If the casino is crowded, limit your play to just one machine. (This has got to be a given always when
The player to my left returned after fteen minutes and about a dozen inquiries,
“As with anything in
life, and certainly at the casino, the Golden Rule prevails: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you!’”
playing video poker.)
2. When you ask your
next-seat neighbor to save your seat, let her know when you’ll return, or if it’s longer than ve minutes, get a casino host to reserve your seat for you.
3. When playing table games, know the rules before you sit down to
7. Don’t demand comps from your Player’s Club host. Ask. (I am amazed at the audacity of some players who make outrageous demands on Player’s Clubs because they feel they “have it coming.”) Player’s Clubs reward frequent play, and love to comp players when they can. Ask (nicely) and you shall (usually) receive.
8. And nally, be of good cheer and you will enjoy your play at the casino. Bad moods, impa- tience have no place in the casino. Think positive, be temperate, and have fun! (Hmm — me, too?)
A closing word about tipping casino personnel: Do it! Most front-line service personnel get paid low wages and depend on gratuities from casino patrons. While there is never any obligation to tip, its considered very auspicious to spread your good luck winnings around!
exhausting. (We’ve recovered!) Read all about the most exciting slots for 2002-3 on page 11. And one of our gaming gurus, Bill Burton, tells us “How to Read a Slot” this month. He gives practical information on getting more out of slot play.
November is American Indian Heritage Month
In 1990 President George Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations have been issued each year since
1994. The Gaming Guide will have a special feature on Indian Gaming next month. When we conceived the idea of the Gaming Guide, it was primarily created to support Indian Gaming in Southern California and to deliver entertaining information about gaming responsibly.
Look for our November issue which will also feature Southern California Casino Player’s Clubs. Do you play without a club card? If so, you’re miss- ing out on some valuable perks.
Keep cool and have fun at the casinos!
“Is someone playing there...?”
Obviously, I was distracted by
all the questions and traf c at
my slot bank, and my pleasure
of play was severely diminished.
A constant occurrence in the
casino? No, but annoying
enough to make me move from my favorite slots and look for another game.
play. Ask about novice tables where you can play and learn.
4. Smokers, please be aware to always put your ciga- rettes out completely so they don’t burn down to the lter in the ashtray. Be aware of your smoke ow.
5. Never comment on the quality or quantity of play of a fellow gamer. (A real no-no.)
6. Do not ask dealers for advice on a hand. They won’t tell you what to do.
So let’s talk about player courtesy and etiquette. I bet you all have you pet peeves. What about smokers who don’t use ashtrays, or exhale all over you? What about the lookie-lous behind you (often on high- stakes play)? And what about table game players who sit down at a table in play who don’t know the rules??? Am I getting grumpy in my old age?
The Gaming Guide in Your Mailbox?
Anovel thought—subscriptions to our newspaper? We honestly never thought anyone would want a subscription since we are free! But judging from your letters we were wrong. First of all, somehow the Southern California Gaming Guide has found its way
outside of California — to Hawaii, Washington, Arizona and New Mexico. So beginning with this month, in response to a signi cant number of requests, we are offering a year’s subscription to the Southern California Gaming Guide for $23.00 (to cover postage and handling). You can request a subscription by sending a check to the Gaming Guide at:
SUBSCRIPTIONS THE GAMING GUIDE P.O. BOX 19267 SAN DIEGO, CA 92159
As always, the Southern California Gaming Guide is free and available in San Diego County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando
Valley at Vons, Ralphs, Albertson’s, Blockbuster Video, 7-Eleven and hotels, motels, car rental agencies, bottle
shops and ethnic groceries.
Thanks again for your great letters! We appreciate
your suggestions and we’re busy planning implementing many of them. Keep writing to us!
Incredible, Exciting Slots!
on
This month we bring you a preview of new slots in our feature article from the gaming industry show, the Global Gaming Expo, in Las Vegas last month. This show is where industry “heavies” and buyers and sellers meet to show and purchase gaming wares and discuss the state of the business. Celebrities abound, the glitz is blinding and the party circuit
Page 6 October 2002
Column: From the Publisher Column: The Unknown Gamer