I've never been to a casino.

[pathora44]

Kinda feel like you're either faking or leaving something out. They don't just stand at the door handing out free stuff 'expecting' you to gamble and you're all sneaky and don't.

There are almost no situations where free stuff is given out up front.

You have to be a long time user of the casino who pushes cash flow through the casino in order to get things like comped rooms and meals. He/she has to have spent quite bit of money in order to get to that status. The only thing is he/she might have a family member like a grandparent or parent who has that status at the casino and the casino extends the comped room and or meals to immediate family members.

[Swizzington]

My main memories of Vegas: good buffets, fuck loads of people, and the CIGARETTE SMOKE HOLY SHIT its everywhere I probably lost 20 years of my life right there.

[Thoughtful Trolli]

The best way to take your first dip into casinos is with the penny machines.

Now, "penny machine" is a type of misnomer, if you will, because even though you're gambling pennies, you're playing all the lines on the screen, and there's usually 25 or 40 lines, which means every play consumes 25 or 40 or 50 cents.

So, if you're playing all the lines on a 50 cents penny machine, you're playing 50 cents a game. This means that 20 dollars is 40 plays. So you play the machine 40 times hoping to win.

Generally speaking, most machines give you lose lose lose lose win 1 dollar. So you really get to enjoy something like 60 or 70 plays, because you end up playing what is given to you.

Now we're going to talk about the Bonus Feature, which just about every game has. If you spend time with the machine, not even using money, and you are certainly welcome to spend time with the machine, you can see the bet ratio, which is often left on it's lowest. For example, if the bet ratio is increased 5 times, then each play is $5 and you can only play 4 times if you don't win. I strongly recommend you don't do this as a beginner, wait until addiction takes hold. The only reason it's important to discuss this is to imagine if you slip $20 into a machine expecting to play 40 games, but when you play you lose $5, and you realize the last person to play the machine left it on a higher betting setting and you want to change that. But it's okay cuz you might have won big on that, right? So you let it slip, especially if you get the big win, then you're like woah what luck!

Now, if you're going to put money in and spend MONEY on the machine, what's important is the bonus features on the machine, because winning the bonus is how you can make a little more money. The bonus usually involves getting a symbol, usually the biggest and brightest symbol, on screen three time or five times. There's enough variants to guarantee that IS NOT how you get the bonus though, so study the machine for it's exact bonus to avoid getting your hopes up.

If you can make this happen, not only do you usually get 7 or 20 dollars back out of the machine, but extra features during the bonus can increase the reward amount even more. It is good to remember that even if the machine rewards you with 10 free spins, that's just $5, because each spin was only 50 cents. Here's the important part coming next though.

Once you've had a bonus experience with two or three machines, and it usually takes only about $20 to get the bonus experience, you'll realize that every slot machine is a video game and your goal is to watch (Or even play!) the special bonus rounds. So, in the end, for $20 a pop you get to see the special features of any slot machine out there, which are often filled with enjoyable visuals, themes, and music! That's how it works!

And yes, some bonus games you can actually play, although that usually amounts to picking an option on a touch screen display. My favorites are the haunted house slot machines, where the bonus usually involves trying to navigate your way out! (Every successful choice gives you $5, if you die you collect what you've won so far, if you actually escape you get a bonus 20 plus all the money you made so far, walking away from the machine with around $120 when you just put in 20 and were just looking for a good show.)

That's how recreational gambling works! It's pretty fun!

[Merkava]

They expect me to gamble, I just don't.

Yes, but when you check out and you haven't gambled, they charge you. That's how it works with every casino I've ever stayed in. Where have you stayed that its any different?

For example, let's say I want to stay at Mandalay Bay. I call up, ask for my host. I tell her when I want to come, how many nights, where I plan on eating, what shows I'd like to see, etc. She pulls up my previous stay and looks at my play, and says if you gamble X many hours with Y average bet, you need to play for Z number of hours per day. I say fine. I fly there, I check in, give a credit card for incidentals, and when I leave, if I've played enough, the room, food, beverage, is comped. If I don't, well then I get charged. It's usually at what they call casino rate which is extremely cheap, but still.

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The thing that was most surprising to me about going to a casino initially is that, when it comes to blackjack (the main game a lot of people play), there's literally no skill involved. They give you a card that tells you exactly how to play it in every possible situation. If you don't do what the card tells you to do (i.e. stay when you're supposed to hit, or vice versa), the superstitious gamblers at your table will get annoyed when it changes the card they're going to get when they play.

The reason for this is obviously that the odds are against you anyway so they have no problem with you playing perfectly. To me then it becomes playing a game where the math is inexorably against you over the long term, and I don't find that all too much fun.

In the places I went you could get free drinks while you were sitting at a table, but best case the table is $10 per hand minimum, and at those tables the drinks come slow. But the odds aren't too badly against you, so if you like the thrill of it, you might enjoy it.

I also had a bad first experience, I was in college and set my limit as $60 cause I didn't have a lot of money. I played 10 hands, lost 8, at $10 a hand, and I was done for the night.

I think Blackjack odds playing perfect basic strategy with 6 deck, strip rules, is like .5% in favor of the house. That's not bad. And of course there's no skill in that, unless you're counting or shuffle tracking or something like that.

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Kinda feel like you're either faking or leaving something out. They don't just stand at the door handing out free stuff 'expecting' you to gamble and you're all sneaky and don't.

There are almost no situations where free stuff is given out up front.

Yea, you're right. It doesn't work like that. You might get coupons in the mail for free nights, but that's always been because you've played there previously.

[Twoddle]

I spent a few years from my early to mid twenties working as a croupier. From my experience losers frequent casinos, well mostly losers.

Practically lived in the casino in my semi-pro poker days then all the losers left town and the games dried up, no more easy money just the regular nits playing each other.

Blackjack was also my game, analyzed it to death on the computer and came up with a winning strategy, yes you can win under the right conditions. Unfortunately the casino staff don't let you apply it and know all the tricks in the book.

I don't really understand the hatred for casinos. They're adult arcades. Plus, free drinks/food vouchers.

They're not the fun free-roll palaces they used to be, I find them very intimidating places nowadays.

[Jeezy911]

My one and only time at a Casino is actually pretty funny.

So I sit down at the Texas holdem table and make it very clear that it is my first time. Everyone looks overjoyed to take my money with one small problem, I am actually very good at hold em and games in general.(as I am sure a lot of people here are as well) About 45 minutes later I turned 50 dollars into about $350 then blew it all in a Machine. It's a different beast sitting at that table with real people than online, but I was confident that I was at least one of the smartest players at the table.

[Beazy]

Winstar is about 2 hours from Dallas. Ive been there twice. Its pretty cool. When I went, they gave me a free hamburger and fries while I was playing a slot machine. I won like 50 bucks that day. I really want to go back when they have the Journey concert later this year.

Ive been to shreveport too, but It feels dangerous. Like the people in Shreveport are there like its their job. Its very serious and it seemed like no one was laughing and having a good time. I don't think I will go back to those river boats anytime soon.

[the game]

What is 'expensive' to you? Most buffets I go to that are decent usually are in the $10-$20 range


I was gonna say... I've lived here for years and I still don't get free stuff. They don't just throw things at you.. You have to buy in... My parents get tons of free stuff, but they all spend a few grand a year on casinos too.

According to their site it looks like the lunch buffet is $20. I suppose it's the fact that it is at a casino that it's that expensive. Anywhere else around here I expect to pay $10 or less for a lunch buffet

[Deleted]

Me either. It's a sign your life isn't going very well if you have to rely on a casino for happiness honestly. Gambling is a terrible pastime.

Or......maybe.....just maybe.....people go to a casino as a night out, you know, have a good time, hang out with friends, have a few drinks, spend some money, maybe win some maybe lose some.


OT: I have been to the casino a few times, i had a good time, never went there thinking i'd leave rich or something though.

[PosPosPos]

Kinda feel like you're either faking or leaving something out. They don't just stand at the door handing out free stuff 'expecting' you to gamble and you're all sneaky and don't.

There are almost no situations where free stuff is given out up front.

Depends on the organization/region you frequent.

For example, I frequent Resort Worlds Genting and they always give me a free room and a decent slots "stipend" without fail. They also give out things like free meal vouchers at pretty decent casual dining restaurants regularly. In fact, during my most recent visit I was given a Burger and Lobster(one of the higher-end restaurants there) voucher which covered 90% of my family's bill.

Of course, I understand I get these "entitlements" because of my regular patronage, but there really isn't anything stopping me from just taking the free room and allowance and just do nothing else there. In fact, there were quite a few times I went there without gambling a single cent but they still send me monthly invitations with free rooms.

[gutnbrg]

Me either. It's a sign your life isn't going very well if you have to rely on a casino for happiness honestly. Gambling is a terrible pastime.

This is a terrible response lol. Also an opinion not a fact...My life is great, Ive been to casinos probably 9-10 times with my friends and had great times. Go to Atlantic city for a few days and go to the casino/clubs/boardwalk. My friends and I all live pretty normal lives. Maybe you should experience life a little more before making comments like that.

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There is any number of ways to cheat at roulette but security is extremely tight and any half able croupier or pit boss will spot it before the cameras do.

how do u cheat at roulette? I dont see how u can, except if u physically reach ur arm onto the table to move ur chips to another number...

[Grimbold21]

Me either. It's a sign your life isn't going very well if you have to rely on a casino for happiness honestly. Gambling is a terrible pastime.

So is trolling

[melodramocracy]

My experience in casinos: Outside of Vegas, it's rather difficult to find 'cheap' tables, and high minimum bid games simply aren't entertaining. Machines are generally for nothing other than distracting elderly customers and draining their wallets.

Gambling can be fun, but you have to have the right frame of mind going in. As mentioned already, some solid restaurants are tied to casinos. Vegas is a worthwhile visit just for the vibe of the place as well.

[gutnbrg]

Yes, but when you check out and you haven't gambled, they charge you. That's how it works with every casino I've ever stayed in. Where have you stayed that its any different?

For example, let's say I want to stay at Mandalay Bay. I call up, ask for my host. I tell her when I want to come, how many nights, where I plan on eating, what shows I'd like to see, etc. She pulls up my previous stay and looks at my play, and says if you gamble X many hours with Y average bet, you need to play for Z number of hours per day. I say fine. I fly there, I check in, give a credit card for incidentals, and when I leave, if I've played enough, the room, food, beverage, is comped. If I don't, well then I get charged. It's usually at what they call casino rate which is extremely cheap, but still.

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I think Blackjack odds playing perfect basic strategy with 6 deck, strip rules, is like .5% in favor of the house. That's not bad. And of course there's no skill in that, unless you're counting or shuffle tracking or something like that.

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Yea, you're right. It doesn't work like that. You might get coupons in the mail for free nights, but that's always been because you've played there previously.

Ive gotten free rooms and buffets at Caesars/harrahs/tropicana and only spent like $50 at the casino and never been charged when i left

[Delaios]

Been to a casino once, didn't particularly enjoy it. Dinner was nice, but I just don't understand how people can find gambling enjoying. The visit was part of a sort of teambuilding night out with a sports team I was in at the time. Everyone received a few (low value) chips and we started at the roulette table. Placed everything I had on a specific number and lost. Unless you like the social aspect of it, there's really no reason to play otherwise. Playing "smart" just means you're taking a longer time to slowly whittle away your chips.

There's also the art/history of the place, but this may simply be relegated to Vegas. Some of these buildings have been around for 50-60 years, and there is an aspect of history built into them.

I know what you mean, but that bit cracked me up. 50-60 years isn't exactly old for a building.

[Reg]

Kinda feel like you're either faking or leaving something out. They don't just stand at the door handing out free stuff 'expecting' you to gamble and you're all sneaky and don't.

There are almost no situations where free stuff is given out up front.

Book your stay as part of a charter group. There will be free stuff, I guarantee it.

[Noomz]

So I was at work today and it occured to me that I have never been to a casino. Never been to Vegas or Windsor. Do any of you frequent casinos? I was thinking about checking the one here in Toledo out. Did you guys win big at the casinos?

Nobody wins big in Casinos. That's how they make money.

[Nihilist74]

So I was at work today and it occured to me that I have never been to a casino. Never been to Vegas or Windsor. Do any of you frequent casinos? I was thinking about checking the one here in Toledo out. Did you guys win big at the casinos?

I went to a casino once in state at a legalized gambling town. I thought it was boring as hell and a waste of money. Even if i won i would still think it was very boring.

[Dispraise]

Last time was six years ago, maybe? Stayed overnight, spent fifty bucks gambling, and that was it. Wasn't terribly interesting.

[Merkava]

Ive gotten free rooms and buffets at Caesars/harrahs/tropicana and only spent like $50 at the casino and never been charged when i left

It doesn't matter how much you lose or win. It matters how long you play, and how much you bet.