Page 6 - September 2009 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Bill Burton: About Gambling
WEnjoy a New Casino Experience
e are creatures of habit. In fact, most psychologists agree that it only takes around 21 days to develop a new habit or routine. We all have established set routines in our daily lives that we may not even think about.
Once we have established a habit or routine, we may receive a certain amount of comfort in doing the same thing over and over. We tend to resist changing our routine and trying something new because it takes us out of our comfort zone.
Gambling Routine
After a couple dozen trips to the casino, many players develop their own gambling routines. If we visit the same casino and play the same game each time, it becomes routine and predictable. While we may still be having fun,
forth to visit with them, I booked a room in their casino. I had never stayed there before so it was a completely new experience, and I really enjoyed it. I got to try some new restaurants as well as some new shows that were offered at the resort. This was just
and it was not until I tried something new, that I realized it.
Try Something New
For casino players, one of the nice things about living in Southern California is having a number of casinos in the area. Depending on where you live, you may have to drive an extra hour or so, but you still have more casinos to choose from than many players in other areas of the country. Visiting a new casino is a good way to add some excitement to your gambling routine.
If you don’t have the time to travel to a new casino, you can at least try a new game from time to time to add some variety to your casino visit. If you are a table game player, try a different game. Slot players should try a new slot. If you only play video poker, then try one of the different versions of the game.
I suggest that you try a new casino, a new game or both on your next visit. You have nothing to lose. If you decide that you prefer playing your original game at your old casino, you can always go back to it, but you may discover a new game or casino that you really like.
Until next time, remember: “Luck comes and goes.. Knowledge Stays Forever.”
Bill Burton 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. Burton is also an instructor for Golden Touch Craps: www.thecrapsclub.com..
we might not be getting the maximum enjoyment from our casino visit. Of course, we may not even realize this until we try something different. I know because this just happened to me.
I go to Las Vegas several times a year to teach a craps course. (Unfortunately, craps played with dice is one game not offered in California casinos.) Over the last few years, I have been staying at the same casino in Las Vegas, and while I am there, I play craps.
“I often advise players to try new games and now it was time for me to ‘practice what I preach.’ I was pleasantly
surprised by my experience. I really enjoyed playing Fortune Pai Gow, but I found the experience of playing a new game even more refreshing. Without knowing it, I had been in a rut playing the same game at the same casino and it was not until I tried something new, that I
realized it.”
the beginning of my new casino experience.
My friends and I wanted to play together in the casino, but they do not play craps. They really enjoy playing Fortune Pai Gow Poker, and suggested we play that game. I know the rules of all of the casino games and played Pai Gow many years ago, but Fortune Pai Gow was a new game for me. Since I wanted to spend as much time as possible visiting with my friends, I agreed to join them at the table.
I often advise players to try new games, and now it was time for me to
“practice what I preach.” I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. I really enjoyed playing Fortune Pai Gow, but I
Right before my last
trip, I received a call
from some friends in
a different state who I
had not seen for a year.
It turned out that they
were going to be in Las Vegas the same time that I was. They were staying at a casino across town from where I usually stay, so instead of traveling back and
found the experience of playing a new game even more refreshing. Without knowing it, I had been in a rut playing the same game at the same casino
Page 6
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
September 2009
About Gambling with Bill Burton