Page 24 - Southern California Gaming Guide • January 2019

7Ways to Feel Like a
by Maya Winkler
There are no secrets to having fun at the casino. We all want to win! Of course, there’s luck — good luck, that is — and that’s not something you can always count on. But after years of playing in casinos across the country, I found a fun formula at the casino. And
it all has to do with how to plan and handle your money at the casino so you are always in control, and even if you don’t go away with a jackpot, at least you feel you had a good time.
Winner at the Casino
It’s important to be aware of how you handle your money before, during and after a visit to the casino. And planning is the key to making your casino visit fun. So, here are few
1casino tips for before you go to the casino, when you play there, and when you win or lose.
Plan Your Bankroll money in $20 bills. Assuming your bankroll is $100 I used to say I would bring money to the and you bring a $100 bill, get change, five $20 bills,
casino that I was “willing to lose.” When and use them one at a time. If you don’t have any
I said that once to a friend, he replied, “If luck with your first few $20’s, take a break, walk you know you’re going to lose, why would you go around and find another machine or game.
If you lose, don’t expand your bankroll. You went to the casino with a budgeted amount, so stick to it. And above all, don’t borrow money or take cash advances on a credit card at the casino. Credit card fees for a cash advance are usually huge. That’s why I advise to leave atm and credit cards at home. If you are losing, walk around the casino, have a coffee or a snack or lunch. So you’ll leave having spent your bankroll, but that was the money you chose for your entertainment. If you borrow
or exceed your bankroll and lose, you won’t feel good. 7We’ve all been there, we know.
Leave with a Win
When you win, make sure you leave with your winnings. Or at least take some of your winnings and set them aside. There is nothing worse than
and play?” It was a simple question and a reality check. I was declaring a self-fulfilling prophecy that I would lose. So I began saying I would take money I wanted to spend having fun. And since gambling is a form of entertainment that does not have a finite price, I looked at my monthly budget to see what I could afford for casino fun. So before you go to a casino, decide how much you want to have fun with and bring only that amount with you.
2Set Denomination Limits
And before you play, decide on the denomination of the games you will play.
The size of your bankroll determines the limits. If your bankroll is $100, it will be gone before you know it if you bet $5 for one spin on a slot or one hand at a table game. Make sure you look at the pay table of any slot machine before you play so you know the maximum and minimum bets. Your bankroll may not be big enough for high limit games. If you decide you want to play $3 a spin, you’ll have a wide choice of slots, from 3pennies to a dollar.
4
Play One Slot at a Time
If you’re playing slots, don’t play multiple (side-by-side) games. If you play more than one machine, you can lose
your money faster. And playing two slot machines at the same time means you
winning at the casino and then playing it all back. I constantly hear players say when they win that they’re playing with the casino’s money. But once you win, it’s your money. Cash out and get your cash. Then there’s no question whose money it is. Many players win and then get caught up in the excitement of winning and play on and end up losing all of their winnings. Remember, you choose to be in control. You can stop playing and leave with your winnings. The casino will be there next week, and next month. And tomorrow is
machine into another. If you’re not winning, cash out nd move on to another game.
a6
Don’t Borrow or Exceed Your Bankroll
have to stand or lean from your chair—not the most comfortable position. Sit in the chair in front of the slot you choose and relax. Enjoy
“Remember, you choose to be in control. You can stop playing and leave with your winnings. The casino will be
y5
our play.
Don’t Play Off Credits
Slot machine’s ticket-in ticket-
out system was partly
designed so players would
be inclined to play off
their last few credits rather
than looking for change or there next week.” another day! Remember how good
walking to a kiosk or the
change cage to collect a small amount of money. be your guide to having fun at the casino.
Playing off a few dollars here and there can add
up over the course of your casino visit. Most Maya Winkler is a bi-coastal cultural observer who plays in Southern slot machines allow you to put tickets from one California casinos and likes to win.
PAGE 24
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE JANUARY 2019
Use Small Denomination Bills
Take only the money you plan for your casino trip. Leave your atm and credit cards at home. And bring your gambling
it feels to leave a winner and let that