C A S I N O S
                                
$mart Gamblers select casinos to gamble at that offer a good
chance of success and an environment compatible to them.  This
tutorial covers selecting casinos and the casino psychology.

CASINO DIFFERENCES

Casinos are different in many ways.  $mart Gamblers are more
successful and get more enjoyment at casinos that offer the best
chance of success and that match their particular interests.

Major gambling centers in Nevada offer a variety of casino
gambling opportunities and environments.  Atlantic City offers
variety but it is more limited due to restrictive regulations and
less competition.  Many states now have legal forms of casino
gambling and every year additional ones begin.  The casino games
and casino environments in them vary depending on regulations,
size, competition and length in operation.

The first difference in casinos to consider is gambling
opportunities.  Some casinos offer a limited selection of games
with poor chances of success.  Others offer good and unusual
opportunities to be successful.  $mart Gamblers do not limit
themselves if choices are available.  They look for casinos that
offer the form of gambling they want with the best chance of
winning.  If they are a slot machines player, they look for
casinos offering high returns.  If they are video poker player,
they look for good payoffs. If they are a table games player,
they look for favorable conditions and low casino percentage
advantages.  The tutorial in this section on Games covers
selecting the best games in general.  For complete information on
specific games and their odds and strategies, select the $mart
Gambler-Casino Games menu.

Another difference in casinos is the level of betting or
"action."  If the $mart Gambler is a relatively large better or
"high roller," there are casinos or areas of casinos that will
cater to their action.  When they play, they will be typically
gambling with other high rollers.  The casino probably will offer
them complimentary benefits or "comps" that will add to their
entertainment and reduce their expenses.


If the $mart Gambler is as most people are a relatively low
better, there are many casinos that will cater to their play. 
They will feel comfortable and not out of place with their bets. 
The casino will welcome their action.  More important they will
not be inclined to over bet what their bankroll justifies and
therefore have a greater chance of success in the long run.  It
is very easy to find the average bet levels at a casino.  Simply
look at the slot and video poker machine coin denominations,
table minimum signs and what the other players are betting.  


Another difference in casinos that may be important to a $mart
Gambler is the type of other players.  Some casinos attract
international players or convention attendees.  Some tend to
attract senior citizens while others attract skiers and sports
minded patrons.  Particularly in Nevada, there are many casinos
that have become the favorites of "locals" or people who live in
the area.  If the $mart Gambler enjoys socializing with other
players while gambling this may be a consideration in selecting a
casino.  The games available and chances of winning also
influence the type of players in the casino.  Those who have a
good knowledge about casino games will be found where the
player's chances are the best.

There is also differences in the casino personnel who serve the
gamblers.  In some casinos, the personnel will seem very friendly
to all players.  They may be encouraged to carry on small talk
and in general will appear to like what they are doing.

In other casinos, while not necessarily being rude, there is not
the same atmosphere.  This will be quickly apparent.  Remember
that employees usually reflect the attitude of their management
and how they are being treated.  In some games a difference may
be in how tips or "tokes" to the personnel are handled.  Most
casinos pool tips to be shared among all personnel for that type
of game.  In a few casinos, the individual personnel keep for
themselves the tips they receive.

One last consideration in casino selection is how the casino
feels about winners.  The best casinos know to remain successful
there has to be winners.  They are excellent advertising.  The
casino also knows that players will return and keep returning to
where they have won.  A few casinos do not always appear to
display the same attitude.  They may "sweat" gamblers who have
good runs.  Particularly if the winnings are relatively high.  It
does not take long to develop a reputation among knowledgeable
players of attitudes like this.  The $mart Gambler is cautious if
they find one casino relatively quiet compared to adjacent ones
that are relatively busy.




CASINO PSYCHOLOGY


Casino managers are great at applying practical psychology. 
Their goal is to separate the gambler from their bankroll while
making the gambler feel satisfied that they had a chance of
winning.  Also they aim to instill in the gambler a strong desire
to return and try again.  The casino meets their goals with
amazing success.  The $mart Gambler recognizes the casino's
psychology and does not allow it to influence their plan for
gambling.


A key ingredient of the casino approach is how actual money is
viewed.  Slot machines pay bonus jackpots but only when three
coins are played.  The coins may be dollar tokens and at three at
a time can add up quickly.  Table games use plastic "chips" in
$1-$5-$25 and larger denominations.  Furthermore the $5 chips are
referred to as "nickels" and $25 chips as "quarters."  Playing
two chips at a time at a quarter blackjack table is putting $50 a
hand at risk.  The $mart Gambler never forgets they purchased the
tokens or chips with real money that they earned.  They don't go
to a convenient money machine to get money out of their bank
account or on their credit card.  Before leaving for the gambling
trip, $mart Gamblers plan their play and bankroll. 

Another casino strategy involves the minimum bet limits at table
games.  When business is light, table minimums may be low.  When
business picks up, table minimums rise.  Casinos know that most
gamblers have a set limit of money to risk.  They also know they
have come to play.  If they can't find a limit they planned to
play at, they will risk a little more and play at a higher one. 
The problem with this is that it often means the player will be
over betting their bankroll and a small negative run of chance
can wipe it out.  See the Money tutorial in this section for more
details on money management.  The $mart Gambler adjusts their
planned playing sessions if required to play in less busy periods
or finds other casinos that offer minimums within their bankroll.
  
Casinos also apply methods to help the gambler lose their self
control.  Once they are seated at a machine or table there will
be no need to get up for a drink.  It will be brought to them. 
If the player needs to take a short break, the machine can be
closed or seat saved until they return.  Time is suspended in a
casino.  Clocks will not be found to remind the gambler how long
they have been playing.  In most situations the casino has the
statistical advantage and if the player keeps playing they will
lose eventually.  The $mart Gambler wears a watch and notes when
they start a gambling session and has a plan when they will end
it.

Lastly casino layouts are designed for very specific reasons. 
Rest rooms will nearly always be located deep in the rear of a
casino forcing the players to walk past many gambling
opportunities.  Restaurants will be situated likewise.  Keno
runners will allow gamblers to play while waiting for service. 
Slot machines immediately outside the restaurants will take
varying coin types.  Show rooms will typically open out into the
center of the main gambling floor.  The casino entertainment is
selected to develop a sense of excitement and an upbeat tempo in
gamblers.  Additionally the casino is decorated in colors and the
employees outfitted in uniforms all aimed to influence a 
gambler.


SUMMARY


The $mart Gambler is aware of the differences in casinos and
their tactics.  They do not let the tactics influence their plan
and actions.  When they arrive at a gambling destination, they
check out the casinos they are interested in gambling if they are
not already familiar with them.  They review the games and odds
that are available.  When entering a casino, they acclimate
themselves to the environment before commencing any gambling. By
doing these things they ensure themselves of greater success and
enjoyment.

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