Page 8 - Southern California Gaming Guide • November 2021

by Maya Winkler
Everyone is familiar with the saying,“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” So why wouldn’t it affect our behavior everywhere we go, especially now in these ever evolving stressful times? 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. And especially at the casino, where players often sit for prolonged periods of time, playing a favorite slot, or in front of a lucky dealer, it can be an un-enjoyable experience sitting next to someone who is completely oblivious to common casino courtesies. After all, we go to casinos for the entertainment and fun-factor with big hopes to win.
At the risk of sounding like a casino curmudgeon, I have to admit there are a few items on this brief list that I need reminding of from time to time to remain a good casino patron.
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 or table, it means that the machine or seat 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 holding the machine, then make your absence brief and get back as quickly as possible. And if your neighbor asks you to save their seat for a few minutes, leaving credits or a player’s card in the machine, obviously don’t play the machine while they’re gone. In some casinos if you need a bathroom break or want some food, you can ask a slot or change person to stand by your machine or reserve it.
Playing Multiple Machines
Some players like to play two machines at a time. During crowded times, refrain from playing more than one machine and allow other players the opportunity to play. Some casinos have signs 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 absolutely socialize, but 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. Since the pandemic, most casinos have designated smoking areas either outside or in specific rooms.
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 the machine while the others cheer them on. Sometimes these groups can bring excitement and a lot of fun to the casino floor, but it can also be distracting and annoying if they are overly boisterous and don’t regard the six foot spacing mandates.
Nosey Neighbors
The nosey neighbor wants to talk to you as you play, and I’m not talking about a cordial hello, or good luck when they sit down. No, 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 spare me the complaining and serious personal history.
The Watchful Bystander
The watchful bystander is a person that stands right behind you and watches as you play. It can be distracting or even a little disconcerting. If I encounter someone hovering behind me I usually ask politely for them to
move back—and they usually do. If someone doesn’t move and makes you nervous, I find stopping my play while I remain seated seems to give them a cue to move on.
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 tip them when they bring your cash. If the jackpot is paid quickly, then I tip the change person who pays me. 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, but I believe spreads good luck. Sometimes I have received $1,000 hand pay and I am given nine hundred dollar bills and five twenty-dollar bills. The attendant may be hoping I will just give them one of the twenties. I carry a few five and ten dollar bills with me to cover this situation.
Be a considerate person wherever you go, and hopefully you’ll find nothing but good casino neighbors whenever you play.
Maya Winkler is a bicoastal cultural observer who plays in and writes about Southern California casinos.
PAGE 8
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
NOVEMBER 2021