Page 20 - Southern California Gaming Guide • April 2019

by Maya Winkler
The Golden Rule, the famous biblical maxim of reciprocity,“Do unto others as you would have them do to you” is known all over the world. So why wouldn’t it affect our behavior everywhere we go? We all want to treat and be treated well, especially by our neighbors,
whether they live next to us, or sit next to us at the casino. Particularly at the casino, where players often sit for an hour or longer, playing a favorite slot, or in front of a lucky dealer. There’s nothing worse than sitting next to someone who is completely oblivious to common casino courtesies.
while the others cheer them on. The group may be loud and noisy and jump up and down and scream at the smallest win. This can be a lot of fun, for a little while, but it can also be distracting and annoying. If you’re playing in a group, engage with the people around you so they can also be cheerers.
Nosey Neighbors
The nosey neighbor wants to talk to you as you play. She may want to tell you her life story or ask about yours, or more often, complain about her latest losing streak or recount her fantastic jackpot history. I’m a friendly person, but many times I play slots because I want to enjoy my game in some solitude. I enjoy light banter, but save me from the complaining and serious personal history.
Tipping
I include tipping here, as many casino players ask me about how much and when to tip at the casino. Tipping, of course, is a personal decision determined by the service you receive. When you have a jackpot that requires a hand pay by an attendant, it is customary to give a tip when they bring your cash. One percent of the jackpot is considered a good tip, so you might give ten dollars on a thousand dollar jackpot. This is not mandatory. Sometimes I have received a $1,000 hand pay and I am given nine one hundred dollar bills and five twenty-dollar bills. I wonder if the attendant may be hoping I would just give them one of the twenties. I carry a few five and ten dollar bills with me to cover this situation.
Be a good neighbor at the casino—and, hopefully, you’ll find nothing but good casino neighbors around you — and good luck!
Maya Winkler is a bicoastal cultural observer who plays in and writes about playing in Southern California casinos.
At the risk of sounding like a casino grump, I have to admit there are a few items that I need reminding of from time to time to remain a good casino neighbor.
Seat Saving
Need a break from your play for a few minutes? At casinos if you see a bottle of water or some item on a seat in front of a slot machine, it means that the machine is occupied and is being saved by another player. The player could have gone to the restroom or to get change. If you are the one saving the machine, then make your absence brief and get back as quickly as possible. And if your neighbor asks you to save his seat for a few minutes, leaving no credits nor his players card in the machine, above all, don’t play his machine while he’s gone. In some casinos if you need a bathroom break you can ask a slot or change person to stand by your machine.
Playing Multiple Machines
Some players like to play two machines at a time. But during crowded
times, refrain from
playing more than one
machine and allow other players the opportunity to play. Some casinos have a sign stating, “One machine per player during busy times.” If
you happen to be playing two machines, relinquish one if another player asks. Think about how you would feel if the situation was reversed and you were looking for a machine to play.
A similar situation can occur when a player has a friend who is not playing, but sitting at the machine next to the one you’re playing. Sometimes the friend will not get up to let someone else play, or will just put a dollar bill in from time to time to justify sitting there. Players can socialize later, slot machines should be free for the players who want to play.
Smoking
If you are a smoker, and in the section of the casino that allows smoking, whenever possible, position your cigarette or ashtray so the smoke is not annoying another player at an adjacent machine. I am always grateful when other players do this, so I then don’t have to wave the offending smoke away from my face. On occasion when I’ve had to do this, a smoker will remind me that she has the right to smoke—and that I
am in a smoking section—and I should move if it’s bothering me.
Noisy Neighbors
On many occasions I have been seated beside a player who has two or three friends who watch and play along with them, standing beside and in back of them. One person actually plays
PAGE 20
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
APRIL 2019