PLAYING IN THE CASINO

 Playing Tricks Of Casino

ROULETTE CHIPS  The game of roulette uses special colored chips, which are sold by the dealer in stacks of 20. Since all of the players at the table intermingle their bets on the same betting layout, each person is issued chips of a different color to avoid mix-ups. The value of each roulette chip depends on how much you paid for the stack. In Nevada, the minimum price for a 20-chip stack will be between $10 (50 cents per chip) and $100 ($5 per chip), depending on the casino and the time of day. If you pay more than the minimum, the dealer will place a special marker, called a lamer, on the rim of the wheel to remind her of what your particular chips are worth.  Roulette chips may be bought with cash or with regular casino chips (from that casino). When you are finished playing, the dealer will exchange your remaining roulette chips for regular casino chips. You are not allowed to remove the colored roulette chips from the roulette table—they cannot be used anywhere else and only the dealer you bought them from knows what they are worth.  GAME RULES  Once you have determined your betting limits, the next step is to find a table with good playing rules. The rules for some games can change from table to table. This is especially true of blackjack and all its variations. For other games, the rules can change from casino to casino. Be sure to carefully read up on your games of choice before you begin to play.  People are often unaware of how many different types of video poker and slot machines can be found in a single casino. There is considerable variability in the payout schedules, and you should know what they are. Some machines are much easier on your bankroll than others, and some are even beatable. Be sure to read those chapters to get the inside scoop.  FINDING A SEAT  Now that you’ve found a table with suitable betting limits and reasonable playing rules, take a seat. Except for some advanced playing techniques, which are beyond the scope of this book, it doesn’t matter which seat you take.  During the busy times, you won’t have much choice. Unless you are sitting down at a high-limit table, there will often be only one or two unoccupied seats to choose from. If you are a relative beginner and need extra time to decide how to play your hand, find a seat as close to third base (the dealer’s right) as you can.