Dear Mark,
I learned the hard way that just because you buy a book on gambling (card counting in my case), that does not mean you are going to win. Actually, the opposite happened. So far, using the card counting system in this book, I have lost twice what I normally lose.
Barry C. Boston,
MA

Question for you, Barry. Did you really read and digest the entire book? I say that because there are two inherent problems when you buy any publication on casino gambling. Both could cost you plenty of money. First, you might feel that you have improved your game just by buying the book and start gambling with total abandon. You would be surprised how many gamblers purchase gambling books just to build self-confidence but do nothing more than read them summarily. Besides, card counting takes enormous study and years of practice, not a light bedside read and then off to conquer the casino. Getting the concept is one thing; becoming adept is quite another. Also, there is always the possibility that you purchased bad book, filled with inaccurate card-counting information. But I have a gut feeling it was the former.

Dear Mark,
My husband and I wanted to play roulette and gave the dealer $20 for roulette chips. As we proceeded to put them on the table, the dealer stopped us and told us we needed to buy separate chips. I have played this way before and this was not the case. Was it a testy dealer or I?
Stella G.
Chicago, IL

Funny how husbands unexpectedly remember their anniversary date when all of a sudden it becomes a winner. As a pit boss, I have had to referee my fair share of squabbles when spouses play with chips of the same color. For that reason, one players chips are generally not allowed to be bet by-or intermingled with those of-friends or family, spouse included. Because roulette is a game where you exchange money for color-coded chips, if both you and your hubby are playing together, most casinos will make you get differently colored chips.

Dear Mark,
At out fraternity house we play a mean game of Euchre almost every night. It got mean-spirited recently when the correct rules for a renege were disputed. Since we had eight of the ten point needed to win, I thought the two-point penalty should be added to our current total making us the immediate winner. Our opponents said no, it should be subtracted from their total. Who was right?
Bob S.
Bloomington, IN

I see what you mean. If you are going to blow your parents' tuition money on late night card games, the least you can do is get the rules right. According to Hoyle, a renege, or in Euchre it's called a revoke, is when a player fails to follow suit when able to do so. A player may correct his revoke before the trick is gathered up, but, if it is later challenged and established as a revoke, the opponents of the offender may score 2 points for their side or deduct two points 2 from the revoking side. In your example, you should have won the game outright.

Dear Mark,
If I hit a winning number in roulette, for example one chip on the number 25, do all the chips "ride" on the following spin?
Ruth M.
Reno, NV

Dealers will leave the original winning bet on the layout. Your payoff on the inside wagers (numbers) will be slid to you. It is your responsibility to remove the winning bet (the one chip on 25) if you do not want it to play on the following spin. Outside wagers (red/black, odd/even, columns, etc.) will be left alongside your original winning wager. Here they would "ride" if you do not remove them.

Gambling thought of the week: A problem gambler was urged by a counselor to take the 20-question test for compulsive gambling. Upon completing it, the subject commented; "Boy, Gamblers Anonymous must be hard up for new members. They make qualifying so easy."