Page 6 - April 2006 • Southern California Gaming Guide

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
Making the Jump from Slots to Table Games Iby Bill Burton
bet there are many slot players who wonder what it might be like to play the table games as they walk past them on their way to their favorite slot machine. ey may see players at the tables having a good time, laughing or “high ve-ing” each other after a win.
Deep down they would like to give it a try, but they are still a little nervous about sitting down at a table. Making the jump from slots to table games can be very intimidating to a new player. Most new players are afraid of making a mistake that will make them look foolish. This is the reason many players avoid giving table games a try. It doesn’t have to be a scary experience. Here are some tips to help you make the transition.
game, try to nd an empty table and be sure to tell the dealer you are new to the game. e dealer will be glad to help you.
Avoid Crowded Times
Don’t sit down at a crowded table during peak times to play your first table game. As a newbie you will be slower and this may upset some of the seasoned players. Some players do not take kindly to newer players and this could lead to a bad experience. You want to have fun, so pick a time when the casino is not busy. Stay away from Friday and Saturday nights. Another reason to avoid these times is that some casinos raise the minimum bets on table games when they are busy. As a new player you want to play the lowest limits possible.
Read About the Game
It doesn’t matter which table game you try. You should have a basic understanding of the rules of the game before you sit down. There is plenty of free information available that will explain any casino game. You can then ask the dealer if you have any questions. If you want to play blackjack, it might be advisable to pick up a basic strategy chart to help you make the correct decisions.
Have Fun
Playing table games can be a lot of fun. It is also a nice break from sitting at a slot machine for hours on end on your own. A little variety can make your casino visit even more fun, and you may just find a table game that you really like.
Until next time, remember: “Luck comes and goes...Knowledge Stays Forever.”
Bill Burton is the Casino Gambling Guide and columnist for the Internet portal About.com, located at http://casinogambling.about.com He is the author of 1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets and Get the Edge at Low Limit Texas Hold’em available online at www.billburton.com. He is an instructor for Golden Touch Craps, http://www.thecrapsclub.com.
Mark Your Calendar...Bob Dancer to Teach Video Poker at Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino on May 7th!
Lessons
Many casinos o er free table games lessons. ese are usually held on
minimums after the lesson. You will be sitting at a table with new players and it will help you relax.
weekdays during the morning hours when the casino is not busy. Taking a free table game lesson is a good way to learn the mechanics of a game and get a feel for playing at a table. is is an excellent way to get over your initial fear of sitting down to a new game.
“Taking a free table game lesson is a good way to learn
Ask a Dealer
If the casino you visit doesn’t o er lessons, you
Usually the lesson
entails an explanation of
how the game is played,
the rules and proper
table procedures that
you need to know. is
is then followed by some
actual play with “funny
money” or non-value
chips. By playing these
practice hands you can
get a real feel for the ow
of the game. Sometimes
the casino will also o er a live game with lower table
the mechanics of a game and can still get some free pointers from the dealers.
get a feel for playing at a table. This is an excellent way to get over your initial fear of
sitting down to a new game.
Usually the lesson entails an explanation of how the game is played, the rules and proper table procedures that you need to know...Sometimes the casino will also offer a live game with lower table
minimums after the lesson. ”
If you see a dealer at an empty table, you can approach and ask him or her to explain the game to you. Most dealers are very helpful and will probably enjoy taking the time to explain the game to a player rather than just staring at an empty table.
Bring a Friend
You might want to get a friend or two to join you when you play your rst table game. is will help relieve some of the fear of sitting down by yourself. If you have
a group of friends who are interested in learning the
ob Dancer is America’s premier video “Jacks or Better is the granddaddy of all simpli ed, yet powerful, and suitable for poker writer and teacher, and the video poker games and is a good one to learn people who play video poker once a month Southern California Gaming Guide’s even if your main game is Double Double or less. e intermediate class has a more
video poker columnist. On Sunday, May 7th Bob is bringing his expertise to Southern California, teaching free Jacks or Better seminars at Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino. e beginner class is from 11a.m.–12:30p.m., and the intermediate class is from 3 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Space is limited, so be there an hour early to sign up.
Bonus or some other game,” Dancer says. “So many of the other video poker games are based on Jacks or Better that having a good foundation helps you play all the games
better.”
Dancer said that players will learn how
to identify which machine to play, and how to play every hand. e beginner class is
powerful strategy, and is correspondingly a little more di cult. If you’re new to the intelligent playing of video poker, don’t plan on taking the second class unless you take the rst class rst.
...Gaming News Continues on Page 7
Page 6 April 2006
Gaming News About Gambling with Bill Burton