When the statistical aspects of gambling are disregarded we search for other reasons to explain why things happen. These happenings are often attributed to forces that are effected by certain actions on our part, namely superstitions. Ask most recreational gamblers and they will say it is all about luck. Luck is what most of us use to explain what goes on at any gaming table or machine, or more importantly, why we win or lose.

Hand and hand with luck go the superstitions almost all people involved with gambling seem to have. Some are more intense than others and anyone who makes or covers a bet probably has at least a couple. These superstitions range from crossing one’s fingers or the simple prayer, “Please let me win,” to rituals of an obsessive-compulsive nature that would rival the ceremony at the coronation of European royalty.

The craps table, with it’s numerous of ways to bet, flashy table layout and a language of its own, seems to have garnered more than its share of superstitious behaviors among players. The entire game is dictated by how they land so it is no wonder that most, but not all of these beliefs, center around the dice. The dice are supposed to be thrown down the middle of the table and hit the back wall. When something other than this happens you can almost see the facial expressions of the players change as their superstitions kick in to high gear.

Nothing seems to accomplish this quicker than a die going off the table. Watch a craps table and see how the players react when this happens. Listen for the players to tell the dealers, “My odds and place bets aren’t working [the bet is not in play and can neither win or lose] on the next roll.” If the next roll is a seven they will tell each other, “That always happens. Good thing we saved our odds.” If it is not a seven, “Whew! Better to be safe.”

If things were going well for the players before it went off the table, you will hear calls of, “Same dice!” coming from the entire table, not just the shooter; they will watch to make sure this happens. If a shooter has a great roll and finally sevens out, the other players will probably pass the dice around the table back to the “same lucky shooter”.

Throwing the dice into the stacks in front of the box is bad luck. Hitting a player’s hand with them forecasts disaster. Hitting the croupier’s stick or a dealer’s hand (GASP!), well, you might as well just hand over your money and leave Las Vegas.

Other things that “effect” the outcome of the throw are using the same hand to throw, the same type of throw, getting the dice to land in the same place, blowing on them, taking a drink before throwing, doing a lucky dance before, during or after the throw or maybe the shooter turning his hat around on his head before each throw. The list can be endless.

When the dealers rotate or one goes on a break, watch how many players reduce their bets or refuse to play until their “lucky dealer” returns to the table or until their side is graced by her presence. I remember working relief one very busy night - three different tables per hour. For my entire shift the tables got “hot” only during the brief periods of time I was at each of them. I had people following me from table to table. They begged the pit boss and casino manager not to let me go on breaks or be allowed to leave at the end of my shift.

There are plenty of other mysterious forces are at work. I watched a single table give away close to a million dollars one night. Superstitions are not only for players. The bosses tried everything they could think of to stop the torrent of money from flowing away from that table. To the howls and BOOS from the players, dealers, dice and croupier’s sticks were changed. Dealers were told to take off their pinkie rings but not their wedding rings. The cocktail waitresses were sent away and told to come back after they change their shoes, costumes and some were even told to change the color of their panties. They were in the process of bringing over chips from a different table when the give-away stopped. Five minutes later a couple walked by and one told the other, “No one wants to play at this table because it’s unlucky.”

It is easy to tell which table is “hot” and which is “cold”. The tables that have all the people are hot, those without people are cold. No one wants to play at a cold (empty) table because it is bad luck to do so. The casinos have even been known to cater to this superstition by having employees (shills) dressed in civilian clothing “play” at these “cold” tables until real players show up. Craps is about the only game where it is considered normal for the players to whoop it up when things are going well. Sometimes this is even encouraged by the house since it brings even more players to the now “hot” table that was cold just a few minutes ago.

I could go on and on but you should have the idea by now. Do these things have any effect on the dice or the next roll? Of course not. I do not think of my self as a superstitions person, although as a player I never lit a cigarette until after the point was established. I have had other players ask me why I did not take my odds down after a die went off the table. My response was always, “The dice don’t know or care.”

This is true unless you believe the dice are inhabited by spirits or effected by forces I am not aware of. In that case your believing it makes it true for you. Sometimes, although not often, bets based on feelings and hunches win, while those based on informed scientific principles, lose.

Does believing or acting on these superstitions necessarily show signs of a mentally instability or skewed mental processes? If they did, any of us who reflexively avoid stepping on that crack in the sidewalk, knock on wood, walk around instead of beneath ladders or say, “Bread and butter,” when a post comes between two of us would be suspect.

Most superstitions are harmless, some even fun. If you do not let them override your common sense and you will be fine.

Good luck(?) on your next trip to Las Vegas.

Dear Myserty Dealer,
I read your article about TIPS and was wondering if one tips the front desk staff, particularly the one who checks you in.

I heard one place where you try to slide them $20 or so while asking if there were any available free room upgrades or for a room high up with strip view.

If so, how would one reasonably do this?
Thanks.

Mystery Dealer answers:

Most major Las Vegas hotels allow their desk clerks a certain amount of latitude in dealing with guests during check-in, some properties more than others. Management wants to keep their guests happy so they will stay in, and return to, their hotels/casinos. An easy way to do so is by giving them minor upgrades at no additional fee if the rooms are available.

When you check in and want a room that is on a higher floor or has a certain view but are not asking for a larger or more opulent room, just ask when you check in. This is what will happen:

1. The clerk give it to you. I was checking in at a major strip property a couple of months ago. The clerk wanted to put me in a room I knew would be overlooking a construction site. I asked him, “How about something higher up with a strip view?” He said, “Sure, happy to,” and gave it to me.

A lot of people do not realized that sometimes all they have to do is ask, especially during non peak times. You get the room you wanted and the nice feeling of being special that goes with it. The hotel will probably get your repeat business because, “They were really nice to me.”

2. The clerk will say something to the effect, “Sorry, but those rooms will cost you $XX.XX to upgrade.” When this happens it is doubtful that the offer of a tip will help you.

3. The clerk will say, “Gee, I’m not sure. I’ll have to look,” and then makes a show of checking the computer, frowning and mumbling while occasionally looking in your direction. This is a clerk who is probably waiting for you to make your move and will wait no more than about thirty seconds before giving the answer in #2’s scenario, especially if there are lots of people waiting to check in behind you.

Now is the time to use that folding money you have been holding in your hand since you walked up to the desk. At this point place the bill, $5-$20 depending on the property, flat on the counter under your hand with just enough showing for the clerk to see it. Push it in the clerk’s direction about half way across the counter, leaving your hand on top of it. If the clerk reaches for it, raise your hand to let him take it and prepare to be on the way to your room with a view.

If you want an upgrade from a standard room to a substantially larger, fancier room, suite or specialty room (hot tub, etc.), start with the money on the counter as the above scenario as you ask, “Is an upgrade to the Caveman Suite available?” Sometimes the tip will be refused and you will get the upgrade anyway. Sometimes the tip will result in the room that will fulfill your fantasies.

BE AWARE, there are times when, no matter what you do or how much you offer, you just won’t get that upgrade without paying for it. However, as my grandfather used to say, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” Truer words were never spoken.

Different properties have different policies, as do different shifts at the same property. Things change so rapidly in Las Vegas that any report on the subject that named hotels would probably be outdated within a month or two. You should check with people who have recently been to the properties in which you are interested. You should also ask your question about, “Which properties do and which don’t,” in Las Vegas themed chat rooms and Usenet newsgroups, such as alt.vacation.las-vegas.

Above all remember, smiling, being pleasant, polite and reasonable; these go a long way in dealing with hotel employees, especially with those who have dealt with “difficult” guests all day.

Please share your experiences, successful or not, with the rest of us here at The GameMaster Online, as well as those in your favorite chat room or newsgroup.

Good luck on your next trip to Las Vegas.

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THE AWESOME 1