 
Slots
at 35,000 feet?
Dear
Mark,
Any truth to the rumor that I will
be able to gamble on a flight from
Cleveland to Las Vegas? Laurie H.
You
mean wager that your flight will
arrive on time? Take the six-to-five
against.
No, Laurie, you won't see the captain
turning off the no-betting signs
in preparation for your landing.
Though some airlines have gambling
systems tested and ready to go,
don't expect to lose more than your
luggage on your next flight. A friendly
wager in the sky only applies to
international flights-not flights
that take off or land in the United
States. The 1994 Gorton Amendment
bans gambling on flights by an international
carrier that begins or ends in this
country.
Laurie, I just cannot foresee even
lobbied politicians of unsound mind
allowing holiday travelers to arrive
at their vacation destination pauperized.
Dear
Mark,
Twice in past columns you have stated
unequivocally that casinos do not
cheat customers. You also mentioned
the possibility of a rogue dealer
affecting my chances of winning.
Could you please give me an example
of something a dishonest dealer
could do to change the odds in the
casino's favor? Billy T.
An
example would be of an unscrupulous
dealer who preferential shuffles.
Here a dealer is counting the deck
down (card counting) and is aware
of all the cards that have been
dealt. If a lot of high cards have
been previously pitched, meaning
the deck is now rich in small cards,
creating an apparent disadvantage
for the player, the rogue dealer
keeps dealing. On the other hand,
if many small cards have surfaced,
allowing a positive expectation
for the player, the dealer would
shuffle.
By card counting, the unethical
dealer now has total control over
any favorable situation the player
might have had.
Dear
Mark,
Nothing irks me more than when two
pit bosses in the same casino interpret
the rules differently. I had a pit
boss allow me to replay my hand
(I didn't signal a hit and the dealer
hit me anyway for a bust). Another
pit boss instructed the dealer to
take my wife's money on an identical
error one hour later. Don't they
play from the same rule book? David
M.
Floormen,
a.k.a. dealing referees, at times
render contrary decisions. Calling
a particular play differently ultimately
confuses casino clientele. You,
and yes, even the dealer, have a
very legitimate gripe against management
on inconsistent calls.
Casinos where customer service prevails
always side with the player unless
the mistake is illegal or egregious.
Why lose a customer for life over
a $10 error? They realize the math
is always on the side of the casino.
Funny how it works, David. When
the house lets you keep your mistake,
they always seem to get it back
on the next hand.
Dear
Mark,
There is a company in Europe selling
devices that electronically jackpot
slot machines. Is this legal in
Nevada? What is the penalty for
using it? Robert L.
Why
waste your money, Robert? Try this
instead. Hoist a sledgehammer in
the air, angle it at 45 degrees,
then bring it crashing down on the
polished glass face of the paytable.
That should trigger the hopper to
release the coins. Either way, the
penalty is the same. A ward of the
state, AKA, PRISON! Good behavior
should get you out in five.
Dear
Mark,
Is there a specific time when a
gambler should get up and walk away
from a table when winning? Wayne
D.
The
two hardest times to leave a casino
are when you're ahead or when you're
behind. That, Wayne, is why all
gamblers should set loss limits
and win goals. Though your question
lacked precise information, like
how much you bet, how long, which
games, where, etc., setting specific
win goals such as doubling your
money, AND STICKING TO THEM, is
the correct money management strategy
when it comes to bidding your farewells.
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