Page 12 - Jackpot Magazine Tunica ~ May, 2024

PLAY TO WIN
Mother’s advice put to the test in casinos
“When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to do it anyway.”
— Writer Erma Bombeck
This column features a lot of stories about my father, an avid blackjack and video poker player. But in honor of Mother’s Day this month, let’s talk about my mom and, well, all mothers and one of the things mothers are known for: giving advice, or shall we say, warnings, on how to act in public.
“Use your indoor voice” is a classic line used by my mom and probably most moms. Casinos tend to be loud places with sounds coming from slot machines, bars, stages and more. Sometimes raising your voice is necessary. Carrying that raised voice into a quiet restaurant, however, is another story. Moms are the first to hush those voices and get everyone back to an appropriate tone.
Other good
would have been more
thoughtful when playing
at the casino. We have
Tamburin’s pet peeves
here, along with their
translation into what our mothers would have said:
Jumping in right in the middle of a shoe Mom-speak: Wait your turn
This never bothered me; now it does, but not for the reason that you think. I say this because most players don’t like it when other players enter a game in the middle of the shoe because “it changes the flow of the cards,” and can result in players losing (which is hog wash). The reason I don’t like it has to do with the fact that when I play shoe games and count, I often have to wait patiently until the shoe becomes positive (and I have the edge). That’s when I fire away with big bets. And it’s precisely at this point that I don’t want another player
entering the game because this player could dilute my chances of getting the high cards plus I will get less rounds to play before the shuffle. So, if you see me playing a shoe game, please wait till the shuffle before you enter a game.
Players playing more than one spot Mom-speak: Don’t take all the cookies
I don’t mind if a player plays more than one betting spot but I do mind it when he decides to do at the very moment in the shoe when the count goes positive. (For the same reasons as above.) If I happen to be at the same table as you go ahead and play as many spots as you like, just don’t spread when it’s near the end of the shoe and you see me make a big bet.
Others telling me how to play my hands Mom-speak: Keep your comments to yourself
God only knows how many times I’ve been lectured to about how I should be
playing my hands. And because I sometimes deviate from the basic playing strategy (based on the count), this seems
to always bring out the worst behavior from other players. “You know you’re supposed to stand on 12 against a dealer’s 6.” Well, if the count is negative, I’m going to hit. “That fellow over there just split 10.” Yep, and I’ll do it again when the count gets to plus-5 or higher. The point is this: Unless another player asks for playing advice, don’t offer it.
Chastising my third base play
Mom-speak: Pick your battles
I often take a seat at third base. It’s not because I get to play my hand before the dealer plays hers and can influence her busting by my playing decision (more nonsense). It is because I’d like to see as many cards as possible before I have to play my cards. I want my count to be as accurate as possible before I play my hand. If you see me sitting at third base, don’t expect me to sacrifice my hand for the good of the table.
Blowing smoke in my direction Mom-speak: Mind your manners (and your smoke)
I respect the fact that smokers have the right to smoke. But lately, I seem to always get the smokers who don’t respect the fact that non-smokers prefer not to inhale their hazardous smoke. I’ve even had a few smokers deny my request to either stop smoking or to blow their smoke in another direction. Please, if you are a smoker and you happen to be on my table, either refrain from smoking or be careful where you blow your smoke.
Do you have a question on the best way to play to win? Email us at jackpotmagazine@ gmail.com.
Play To Win Again
The Best of... Series
lines
mom
“treat
with respect,”
whether it is a
waitress, a dealer
or the attendant
cleaning the
restroom, and “don’t air your dirty laundry in public.” This includes don’t tell the blackjack table how much you’re down or about that jerk of a player across the way. No one wants to know your hard-luck story, especially when they may have one even worse, and complaining about others is only going to make you the next one who gets complained about.
Gaming expert Henry Tamburin shared a bit of advice in a column he once wrote for Jackpot! These gems were not advice from his mother, but rather pet peeves he experienced from actual players, who, if they had listened to their moms probably
from include people
12 JACKPOT! MAGAZINE May 2024
THE SOUTH’S LARGEST GUIDE TO GAMING & FUN • www.jackpotmagazine.com
MIND YOUR MANNERS