Going to a casino for the first time.

[Damaramu 0]

So today is my 22nd birthday. Last year as was the requisite for a 21st b-day I got incredibly hammered.

This year I've decided to drink but a nice big casino near here opened up recently and I've never been gambling in my life.

So I decided it would be fun to go to the casino after we all go out to eat for my b-day.

 

I've never gone to a casino before or gambled so I was wondering if anyone had any tips? I'm really interested in playing blackjack and poker as well as hitting the slot machines like an old lady.

[The Niggardly King 0]

First you slot, then ya blackjack.

[Damaramu 0]

First you slot, then ya blackjack.

 

Because the slot machines are low cost/risk and blackjack is high cost/risk?

[The Niggardly King 0]

yeah

[MrRant 0]

Black jack isn't really high risk.

[Fökai 0]

Watch a few hands of blackjack before you consider getting in. There's a bunch of obvious stuff (etiquette and the like) that could get you run off the table (or even the casino) if you don't follow it. From personal experiences...with more blame attributed to my friends, we almost got booted out of a Washington casino because of it.

 

Of course, this was at a casino that was predominantly Vietnamese both in management and in customers, so your mileage may vary. A casino in the middle of Oklahoma might not have the same problem.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Use someone else's money.

[Guest Felonies!]

Of course, this was at a casino that was predominantly Vietnamese

Did you Nguyen?

[CanadianChris 0]

Black jack isn't really high risk.

Certainly not compared to slots. Slots are low risk in that there's very little risk you'll walk away with as much money as you had when you started.

 

How much money are you going with? That should influence what you decide to play.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Slots are fun for a while..but I've blown through 50 bucks in a 1/2 hour so its an incredibly fast way to lose your money. Most machines only pay off big if you play 3 credits which makes your money go fast, and I got incredibly pissed when I hit 777 once on just one credit and it paid out like $5, where as if I had been playing 3 credits is would have paid something like $2,500 (10,000 credits on a $.25 machine).

[Guest Princess Leena]

Play poker.

 

It's the most likely game to win money at.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Of course, this was at a casino that was predominantly Vietnamese

Did you Nguyen?

 

Excellent.

[C Dubya 04 0]

Play blackjack. Make sure you really read up on the rules before you go.

 

Double down when you have 11 and never take a card if the dealer has less than 6 showing and you have more than 11 in your hand.

 

Also, tip the drink girl well the first time and ask her to keep bringing them. This way you don't have to wait to be empty to get a new one and you get a drink everytime she comes around instead of drink, order, drink, etc.

[Damaramu 0]

Ok. I was thinking about bringing 30-50 since the buy in at the black jack table is as low as 5 bucks. I'm not looking to walk away from here with 10 g's in my pocket. Maybe turn 30 into 50 or 50 into 75 or whatever.

[EricMM 0]

Did you Nguyen?

 

ahaha

 

I wonder if someone like Dama, someone whitebread, gets it..

 

white-bred...

[Damaramu 0]

Dude OU is full of Asians....I know how to pronounce that and I get the pun.

 

Anyway I'm hoping I can win at Blackjack. I guess playing one hand would be bad etiquette?

Like say I bet 10 and win 15 and I grab that 15 dollars and say "See ya!"

[Guest Fook]

Ok. I was thinking about bringing 30-50 since the buy in at the black jack table is as low as 5 bucks.

 

Bring more. Seriously.

[Guest Princess Leena]

He's a poor college kid.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Did you Nguyen?

 

ahaha

 

I wonder if someone like Dama, someone whitebread, gets it..

 

white-bred...

 

It had to go over the heads of 75% of the posters here.

[Guest Oblivious Heel]

Dress up and act like you're somebody important with money. A lot of hot chicks go to casino's.

[vivalaultra 0]

The first time I went to a casino, I was perfectly happy playing quarter slots. I got goaded into playing blackjack and learned the hard way that you do not double down on 13, nor do you answer your cell phone at the table. I lost my shirt.

[CanadianChris 0]

Ok. I was thinking about bringing 30-50 since the buy in at the black jack table is as low as 5 bucks. I'm not looking to walk away from here with 10 g's in my pocket. Maybe turn 30 into 50 or 50 into 75 or whatever.

Bring $100 and it should last you for awhile. $30 can be gone in 5-6 hands. Variance is a bitch.

 

Play poker and it can go even faster, especially if you don't know what you're doing.

 

Anyway I'm hoping I can win at Blackjack. I guess playing one hand would be bad etiquette?

Like say I bet 10 and win 15 and I grab that 15 dollars and say "See ya!"

It's not bad etiquette, but what are you going to do for the rest of the time you're there? It IS the easiest way to walk out a winner, though.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Only play with money you can afford to use, and definitely set a limit for what you're going to spend.

 

Don't plan on winning anything, because you probably won't. If you do happen to win, set that aside and just play with the rest of the money you brought, so you can at least come out even.

[franchise632 0]

Having been a blackjack dealer for 4 years now I can give a little insight into the game. If you have never played before ask a floor person if they have a basic strategy class available. It is a quick and easy way to learn some of the basic ways to play the game. It is always worth your time. If at all possible go to the lowest bet game them have. Most casinos offer a $2 or $3 game. Like anything else in a casino everything is a statisical advantage to the house. If you play basic strategy you give yourself the best chance to win. Playing textbook BJ brings the house edge down to only 2% which is the best you will find at any game you could try and play. Don't be affraid to ask questions. Most dealers are more then happy to assist you and in some cases other players at the table. If you aren't sure just ask what the proper play is in the given situation. Always double 11, Split Aces and Eights, and never split face cards or 5's. If your bankroll is only $50 then you are going to want to play wisely but always know that its a very real possiblity that you will lose and that if that $50 is to much to sacrifice then you might want to consider something else. Just like the advice you got on tipping the waitresses is very good though we do not server alcohol at my casino. It is always a good idea to tip your dealer especially if you start to win and/or the game is run efficently and they are helpful. Obvioulsy if you make a buck or two they don't expect you to tip but if you double your bankroll throw them a buck or two.

 

Playing slots is all about luck and timing. Not much skill involved unless you are playing something like video poker. So its pretty much right place, right time.

 

I wouldn't suggest playing live poker in the card room unless you have atleast $50 or more to commit to the game. Playing a live cash game is not like anything you see on TV. If you don't know what your doing its probably not your best bet but if you do then its a good place to try and make some money depending on your bankroll.

 

Just go and have a good time and if you make money great!! If not then you are like most other people. Good Luck and happy birthday!!

[NoCalMike 0]

Decide before hand how much money you want to spend/play with. Leave wallet in the car and only bring in your cash and ID.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Play some roulette.

[Fökai 0]

I've never seen anyone win even a decent amount of money at poker, without investing hours into the game. The one story that sticks out was this guy who had been at the table the whole day (+8 hours) and the only thing he had to show for it was the stacks of plates and beer bottles that were complimentary when you had reached a certain time limit at the same table. He broke even that day.

 

Blackjack is definitely the crash course, the most exciting game of them all, and the easiest way to win/lose money. At least with blackjack, you can blow through your money in a half hour and still be jazzed.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Dress up and act like you're somebody important with money. A lot of hot chicks go to casino's.

 

The place I go to in Delaware is filled with old people. Its also only slots..and horse racing.

 

Maryland tried to get slots but the dumb democrats wont allow it, so Im forced to take my meager spare change fund jar savings up to Delaware every couple of months.

[Damaramu 0]

Well we only went for 2 hours but I only spent 21 dollars.

I pretty much went in and said "This is a learning experience" and decided I would play until I was out of money.

The slots I only used 5 bucks on and I played penny slots. I didn't have much fun and a lot of the games were confusing.

 

Blackjack I spent the most time on. 50 cents for a hand and a 2 buck minimum bet. I had a blast. I was doing pretty well(though i was only up 2 bucks because i wasn't willing to bet more than 2 at a time) and then they switched dealers and she proceeded to systematically murder me.

I understand the game a little better but still don't grasp the doubling and splitting. She offered us insurance but I was told to never do it on this one website so I just stayed.

I did get one blackjack.

Thank god I read the rules about tapping the table, waving your hand, and about how the dealer isn't allowed to touch you or take money from your hand.

My friend dind't know this and he kept trying to hand his cash to the dealer.

 

All in all it was a cheap and fun learning experience and I will give it another shot in the not to distant future. I probably won't play poker ever but blackjack is a fun way to waste a night even if you don't win.

 

I did have a friend that went and he started with 8 dollars. Got up to 41 on the slots then somehow lost it all.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I did have a friend that went and he started with 8 dollars. Got up to 41 on the slots then somehow lost it all.

 

My rule of thumb on slots is if you double your money, you stick the amount you started with back in your wallet and finish playing with what you won and keep doing it. Of course, I usually dont go with less than $50...