Set Your Bankroll Before You Sit Down
As pointed out in all my books, bet only what you can afford to lose. I bring $300 to the table and make my usual three hour commitment to play. If you’re doing well, you can expect to win $1,500, and on a bad run you lose the $300, which is exactly why $300 is the number you bring. That’s assuming you bet right, bail when the cards dictate and you FOLLOW the tables.
Take breaks, use the restroom, stay hydrated and enjoy yourself. As I always suggest, visit the Diamond Club to review your strategy once you’ve completed your session. It really helps to review your session. I keep a notebook and document wins and losses. Deposit your winnings into your gambling account and grab a snack on the way out to the valet to get your car.
Never Take a Cash Advance
One of the single-biggest profit margin operations at casinos is credit card cash advances. Do not use this process. Just say no. Two experiences to share here.
That’s insane and a great way to go broke. Add the fact that your bank pings you for another advance fee and you’re paying $100 per thousand.
Get your money from your bank. Vegas, Tahoe and Maricopa ATM charges are also varied and staggering. Get your bankroll from your bank and avoid usury charges to get your money.
If you’re away on a weekend gaming, arrange a credit line direct with the casino. A short application in the VIP Welcome lounge with your host can set this up. Use their money to gamble, with fewer charges and less interest. When you need it, sign a marker at the table. Payment is due in full upon departure.
Drink Less Than They Offer
Yes, you get eight free drinks a day with Caesars Total Rewards, but for God’s sake space them out. Nothing worse than a table drunk: fumbling with chips, slurring, dropping cigarette ash on the felt and taking forever to bet. Drink when you’re home and save us, and yourself, from losing and an OWI.
I’ve seen people fall out of their chairs. I’ve seen security escort players away from the table. Over-indulgence has zero place at table gaming. Impaired judgement will cost you dearly. By all means have a cocktail and enjoy yourself, but in moderation.
You can avoid the drunks by being a morning player. Most gamers at that hour are drinking coffee.
Keep the Table Civil
Nothing kills a table faster than a chronic complainer. Too hot, too cold, too smoky, too dry, too busy, too slow. I’ve heard all of it, sometimes from the same person inside a single shoe. Casinos are happy, fun, loud, exciting places. If that isn’t what you came for, you’re in the wrong room.
The worst of it gets aimed at dealers. I’ve watched a player blame a dealer for losses from days earlier, and another deliberately bet badly just to stop a dealer making a winning hand. The dealer doesn’t choose the cards. Taking a losing run out on the person dealing it is pointless and rude.
Novices have their own version: “You’re so lucky, I never win, I got screwed,” and ten thousand more lines like them. The cards are the cards, pal. Deal with it. You walked into the house of chance and expected to win every hand. Get real.
Don’t throw your chips, berate the dealer, cause management to answer a table fracas or even slow down play. Losing happens. If you can’t take it in stride, that’s a good sign you should be playing for less, or not playing that day at all.
Dress Like You Belong
Nothing worse than a stinky, half-dressed, alcohol-smelling player sitting next to you. Don’t be that person. Shower, shave, put some cologne on and play the part of looking like a professional gambler. I wear nice golf stuff. Hats, sunglasses and pinky rings are fine. A sport coat is a nice touch. My football coach used to say you look good, you play good. Dress the part.
Your persona will precede you. Be happy, have poise, win with dignity and lose with grace. Your table mates and dealers will admire you. And please cheer for others’ success rather than comparing and complaining about your hands against theirs. Be the role model and the positive player at your table.
How Much to Tip
I tip well when I win and still tip when I lose. I think a fair tip is $5 per half hour. A large portion of dealer pay is tips. When I hit a huge hand I’ll tip $25, and give five percent on a jackpot. Tip your cocktail waiter or waitress, and the valet.
I bring the dealers donuts once in a while, and even gave a signed copy of my first book to each dealer for providing the myriad material that went into putting the book together.
Everything above is about protecting your money and being decent company. None of it changes the maths. Mississippi Stud costs about 4.91% of your ante with perfect strategy, and no bankroll rule, dress code or tipping habit moves that number. If a session stops being fun, the right play is to leave. See Responsible Gaming.