CASINO ACTION when On the Road...

[Ray Eklund]

Myself, a Craps player. No Blackjack. No Roulette. No Slot machine action. Just Craps.

My wife, a "former" Video Poker player at the 25 cent machine, but soon discovered you rarely left with any winnings. She will play the new "Bubble Craps" sit down game in Las Vegas. Playing at a live Craps Table with a rowdy crowd distracted her from her game.

At one time we operated a "Gaming School and Supplies" in the Kansas City, Missouri area before Riverboat Gambling. We trained dealers, players and sold Gaming Equipment three evenings a week and Gameroom Equipment six days a week. Being a Dealer is the way to learn about Casino Games... use disposable income, not the rent money. I dealt and taught Craps and my wife Blackjack, Roulette and Let it Ride, filling in at the Craps Table when needed.

There are many excellent Casinos to be found while on the road today. Colorado has Casinos at Cripple Creek and Central City/Blackhawk. New Mexico has Indian Casinos almost everywhere there is a major highway. I like spending the evening with our trailer parked on their east parking area for RV's and Trailers. We usually will play at the Casino that evening and have a Breakfast Buffet the next morning as we leave to our true destination(s). With a "Player's Card" you get discounted food, which is well worth the effort to get a card. The Casino can also track your wins and losses... down to the last $1.00.

There are advantages of stopping at the smaller Casinos. You can often park in their parking lot and spend the evening. Get decent breakfast, lunch or dinners at the buffet or restaurant(s). Larger Casinos might offer a RV Park at a reasonable cost which you can sometimes "negotiate down the price" with a Player's Card. Competition to get you and your money inside the Casino is very fierce today.

This year my high profit was $579 on February 6th of this year and since our last trip I am currently at $193. At least above even after nine "games" at the Craps Table. Craps, probably the quickest Casino Game to WIN... or LOSE. Even as an expert, as I consider myself. An expert playing my particular strategy, that is. I keep a log in my gasoline/mileage/towing the trailer book, so I take this all seriously.

My current restraint on losing more that I should is a Bankroll of $200. If my winning total drops into negative territory, I do not play any more that... MONTH. If I am ahead, Never limit your WINS, but limit your LOSSES. Most cannot restrain themselves to figure this out on their own.

If you like playing Bingo, many Casinos offer it for continuous games. My wife loves Bingo... but if I am winning at Craps I might quit after 20 minutes and leave a winner. Bingo is frustrating enough trying to break even most of the time. Sometimes I am beaten down to a couple dollars remaining in less time than it takes to eat a desert at the buffet. You just never know what to expect. Like fly fishing... which is my best example of being patient and the thrill of catching a cutthroat trout over 15" on a small fly.

IF you like to play Casinos or just wander around watching others play and lose, be aware of the commendations offered, as each Casino wants to attract a different client. Me being stingy with a $200 Bankroll will not get any attention unless I win big... and then the Casino Staff want you to stick around longer. Hoping to get it ALL back. Free Room. Free Buffets. A Free... hat at the gift shop. If you lose... the exit is FREE.

My wife and I enjoy the SHOWS in Las Vegas. I also enjoy watching Craps Players and their "quirks". Some good, most are bad game plans. The Dealers deal so smooth, it is a pleasure to watch how agile their hands can be. Just watching is a treat in itself.

I have always enjoyed taking educated risks. Being in business for one's self is a big... risk in itself. Some work out. Some do not. You keep looking to what is coming... someday in the near future. But taking some risk at a Casino, I do enjoy.

I enjoy winning. I hate losing. It is much like the depreciation of my Airstream. I enjoy my Airstream. If I hang onto it long enough, use it long enough, it all works out. Much like the Thread of Airstream Motel... there are advantages that balance out the depreciation of your Tow Vehicle and Trailer. Time used.

With Casino games... TIME at the table is not your friend. When possible, quit while ahead, or cut your losses.

That does not work for the purchase of a "brand new trailer". Many will say "I earned the money and I do not care...". Time of use is the value of owning an Airstream. Make it PAY dividends from enjoyment and using it, often. Owning a trailer is not a long term investment.

We all have our entertainment priorities. I have so many it would take too long to even try to explain. Just do what gives you value. Life is too short once you find yourself retired with time to spare.

Tomorrow we leave home. What to expect is an unknown on this adventure. But for certain, I will be shooting Craps at the Sandia Casino in Albuquerque, NM that evening of our arrival. Their gas station has the best fuel prices in the area. It is a great stop while... On the Road.

[pmclemore]

Reading your posts I knew we had a lot in common - but I didn't guess that we would also share an affinity for craps. I think that is the greatest casino game and the one that offers the fairest odds.

I also enjoy casino camping - I think my favorite is Turning Stone in Verona, NY. It is hard, though, to earn any rewards at table games; you have to ask for them as it seems rewards are geared towards slots players.

Perhaps we'll meet across the table sometime and share a run.

Pat