Page 22 - January 2007 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Page 22
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE January 2007
The Frugal GamblerTM: Jean Scott
Casino Security: Always Be Aware
I consider myself a pretty savvy casino customer. I spend a lot of time in casino-hotels. I eat, sleep, play, see shows, go to the spa, and meet friends in casinos. I often carry large amounts of cash into, through, and out of casinos. I’m careful, attentive, and even, when I have to be,
tactical about my security in casinos. Yet, I had my purse stolen once. Where? In a casino.
side and was long gone through the nearby door by the time I realized what had happened.
e new coinless machines pose another danger. Remember to punch out your ticket for the balance left on your machine before you leave. Players seem to forget this more often than when the machines used coins. Don’t expect to go back even a few minutes later and nd your credits still sitting on the screen. ere are casino visitors who make a career looking for and quickly cashing out these orphan credits.
Security Away from the Casino Floor
While going to your room, the garage, or parking lot, be alert. If the area looks dark and/or deserted, ask a security guard to escort you. is is not an imposition, but part of their duties.
If, by some unfortunate circumstance, you are robbed inside or around a casino, report it immediately to casino security and the local police. When my purse was stolen, I was advised to search through trash containers within two blocks of the theft, where crooks often dump purses or wallets after they have taken out the valuables.
Casinos are not responsible for thefts, but security personnel are usually very helpful in the search and with the police report. But when my purse was stolen, casino security was not at all helpful. In fact, they treated the whole incident as very routine.
I later wrote a letter to management, but never received an answer. is would have been a good time to promote good customer relations by o ering apologies and perhaps some comps. ey didn’t realize that to make the Queen of Comps happy, they did not need to replace my whole stolen $300. ey only had to give me a couple of comped meals!
If you want to learn more about getting comps and how to get more of them, you might want to read two books by Jean Scott: The Frugal Gambler and More Frugal Gambling. Go to her Web site (www.QueenofComps.com) for other products, including the brand new book, Frugal Video Poker by Jean Scott and Viktor Nacht.
Jean Scott, The Frugal GamblerTM
Casinos put people under more surveillance than almost any other business. Still, sneak thievery, rip-o s, and even armed robbery occur in and around casinos. One time a robber even set o a canister of tear gas in a Las Vegas casino to steal chips right o the tables.
Generally, I’ve been impressed with the way casino security reacts to problems. Still, it’s up to us to safeguard ourselves when we’re in and around casinos. Here are a few tips I have collected from my own experiences and from other gamblers.
for someone to grab your purse and be out the door before you know what hit you. If you’re playing in a row of back-to-back slot machines, be sure they have barriers between them so no one can reach through and grab your bag or coin cup, if you have one.
I broke both of these rules the time I had my purse stolen. I was playing right by the door in a downtown Las Vegas casino. I did check to be sure that there was a barrier between the two machines before I set my
GeneralSecurity
Don’t carry too much cash. Travelers’ checks and using markers are much safer choices. If you hit a large jackpot, ask to get paid by check. Don’t wear expensive jewelry when you
“Remember to punch out your ticketforthebalancelefton yourmachinebeforeyouleave. Players seem to forget this more often than when the machines
go to the casino. If you must, used coins. Don’t expect to go
keep it, along with extra cash, in your room safe, if you are a hotel guest.
Men should guard their
wallets. A front pocket is safer
than the back one. Fanny
packs are a good choice for both sexes, since they strap around your waist and cannot be snatched easily.
Be careful not to ash a wad of bills. I am a naturally organized person and like to keep my bills arranged according to denomination. However, Brad is always reminding me that if I want to “play with our bankroll” to go to the restroom to count it so the whole casino doesn’t see me.
Security at Your Machine
Be aware of where in the casino you choose to play. Try not to choose a machine near doorways. It’s too easy
back even a few minutes later and find your credits still sitting
on the screen.”
purse down there. However, I didn’t check closely enough to notice that the Plexiglas barrier had been raised a few inches and the open space was blocked from view by a tall stack of coin cups.
Look at the person who sits down to play next to you. Use your “eyes in the back of your head” to make sure people who walk behind you keep going.
Women should keep their purses close to them,
holding them on their lap with the strap wrapped around an arm, not stashed in the area between the machines. Tag-teaming is a common ruse used on women, and it caught me. A man walked behind me and dropped some nickels on the oor. I heard the clink (frugal people always hear the clink of coins) and turned around. e minute the man kept going instead of picking up his coins, I knew I’d been taken. I quickly turned around, but I knew my purse would be gone. However, I was looking for the thief on my side of the machines and missed the one who had pulled my purse from between the machines to the other
Exceptional Quality at Affordable Prices Go ahead...treat yourself!
www.TreatYourselfJewelry.com